Only J2oking
Jongleurs comedy clubs and soft drink maker J20 have launched a new hunt for the comedy stars of tomorrow.
The winner of the Last Laugh Comedy Search will receive £1,000, a contact to perform at Jongleurs nights around the country - plus a trip to New York to perform at a club there.
Anyone is invited to turn up to one of the 30 heats, starting on February 26, or you can pre-register on the official website once it goes live.
There will then be six regional finals, with the final at the West End's Criterion Theatre, where Jasper Carrott, Rhona Cameron and Dave Spikey officially launched the competition this morning. The final will be on April 18.
Jongleurs managing director Lawrence Miller said: "We want to seek out new comedy heroes of the future. We'll take the winner from small comedy clubs in the back rooms of pubs to Jongleurs then onto New York.
"We're not just looking for stand-up, but any kind of comedy - ventriloquism, comedy songs, even comedy acrobatics."
The only criteria for entrants is that they are over 18, and have never had paid work in a Jongleurs club before.
The heats will be held as follows:
Thursday February 26
Cardiff Engine Rooms
Sunday February 29
Exeter Havana
Tuesday March 2
Glasgow The Vault
York City Screen
Wednesday March 3
Battersea Bar Risa
Edinburgh Nicole Edwards pub
Newcastle Cornerhouse Hotel
Thursday March 4
Aberdeen Wild Boar
Crewe The Music Cafe
Friday March 5
Manchester Buzz Club
Sunday March 7
Watford Flag and Firkin
Monday March 8
Manchester XS Malarkey
Tuesday March 9
Northampton Picture Drome
Wednesday March 10
Dundee Doghouse
Ealing The Haven pub
Leeds Original Oak Pub
Thursday March 11
Brighton Hanbury Ballrooms
Liverpool Slaughterhouse
Monday March 15
Nottingham The Maze
Tuesday March 16
Bristol Channings
Wednesday March 17
Leicester Looking Glass
Sheffield Takapuna Bar
Thursday March 18
Sutton Coldfield Station Pub
Friday March 19
Perth New Country Hotel.
Sunday March 21
Hartlepool The Studio
Reading Bar Risa
Tuesday March 23
Hampstead White Horse
Oxford Bar Risa
Wednesday March 24
Blackpool Number Three
Thursday March 25
Birmingham Bear Tavern
Published: 27 Jan 2004