Southport Comedy Festival 2024 search for next comedy star

The Southport Comedy Festival is back, and it’s on the hunt for the next big name in comedy!

Southport Comedy Festival has officially launched its search for the 2024 Southport New Comedian of the Year, inviting aspiring comedians from across the UK to compete for a spot in the prestigious final.

The grand final will be held on Sunday, 6 October 2024, as part of the 13th annual Southport Comedy Festival Under Canvas at Victoria Park.

The Southport New Comedian of the Year competition is open to all comedians who have less than four years’ experience of performing before a paying audience.

Applicants are asked to upload a short promo video onto YouTube. You can find more details on the New Comedian Competition page on the Southport Comedy Festival website.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and will be awarded the coveted title of ‘Southport New Comedian of the Year 2024′, in addition they will also receive a cash prize and a trophy kindly provided by Dragon Soop.

Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:

“The New Comedian competition has always been a highlight of our festival.

“With so many big names performing at this year’s festival it is great to offer a night that promotes and encourages new comedians who are starting off in their career.

“A lot of comedians have gone on from this competition to enjoy full professional careers. They come and enter the competition from all over the UK.”

Last year’s winners The Halls of Ridiculous made up of Phil Allan-Smith and Chris Lumb said:

“The Southport New Comedian of the Year competition is without doubt one of the most fun and well organised competitions we’ve been involved in. It’s a great springboard for new acts, and being in the final was a great experience in front of a brilliant, large, comedy savvy audience. 

“We’d encourage any acts breaking into pro line ups and paid work to enter this comp.” 

Since their win The Halls of Ridiculous who merge quick fire improvised comedy with high energy character-based sketches have gone from strength to strength on the comedy circuit to include supporting multi award winning comedian and star of TV Russell Kane on his current national tour. Russell has called the comedy duo “Absolutely ace”.

The Southport New Comedian of the Year event is part of the 17 day Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI with a star studded lineup to include the undisputed godfather of modern stand-up Ben Elton, TV superstar Jason Manford, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn, American Comedy Legend Rich Hall, Festival favourites Jason Byrne, Jimeoin, Godfather of Political Comedy Mark Thomas, Star of ITV’S The Chase Paul Sinha ‘The Sinnerman’, comedy stars of TV Jo Caulfield ,Hal Cruttenden, Ria Lina, Patrick Monahan,Comedy Circuit favourites The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Rising local star Katie Tracey, host of smash hit podcast ‘Have a Word’, Dan Nightingale and one of the UKs most treasured entertainers Mick Miller.

This year’s festival will be staged once again in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show, between 27 September and 13 October 2024.

The Southport New Comedian Grand Final will take place on Sunday 6 October 2024. Tickets are just £5 each, which are kept low to make the events as accessible as possible. Tickets for all shows are available from the festival website.

The final is always a great night with sell out shows in the past. So come along to encourage new talent and help them become the stars of tomorrow!

For more info on the Southport Comedy Festival click here.

For the latest news in Liverpool click here.