Ten acts through instead of the usual nine

Leading new act competition So You Think You’re Funny? has announced this year’s finalists – with ten names in the mix rather than the usual nine.

Competing for the title at Edinburgh’s Gilded Balloon  on August 24 are Alex Lennox, Archit Goenka, Carwyn Blayney, Chantel Nash, Christopher Donovan, Cormac Sinnott, Lauren Carroll, Lizzie Norm, Samira Banks and Sophie Gerrad.

Maisie Adam will host the final –  her only live appearance at this year’s Fringe.

Katy and Karen Koren, directors of the Gilded Balloon, said in a statement: ’It’s overwhelmingly positive news for the UK’s comedy industry that So You Think You’re Funny? was such a strong competition this year. So strong in fact, that for only the second time in our history, the judging panel decided to put 10 finalists through instead of our usual maximum of nine.’

More than 400 people applied to enter the contest and the mother-and-daughter team added: ‘We think there are some real gems included in this year’s line-up. In the competition’s 36th year, it’s really incredible to still have such a huge number of applicants and especially ones of such a high pedigree. We can’t wait to see who takes the crown.’

Since it began in 1988, So You Think You’re Funny? has boosted the careers of comics including Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Maisie Adam, Aisling Bea, Lee Mack and Tommy Tiernan.

Published: 16 Aug 2023