Lager and FHM launch new act contest

Another competition has been added to the burgeoning list of new talent contests.

The latest is backed by Holsten Pils lager and lads' mag FHM, and offers a £1,000 first prize plus a contract with the Bound and Gagged agency – home to the likes of Tim Vine and Omid Djalili.

Eight heats take place in Bristol, London, Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle from next month.

Each show in the Holsten Pils Stand-up Tour will feature an established compere and headliner.

The winner of each heat will travel to London in September for the final, where the top prize also includes a three-day trip to Hamburg, home of Holsten Pils, and a year's supply of beer.

Application forms are available from www.Holsten.co.uk, Contestants must explain in no more than 100 words why they should be chosen and submit five minutes of material on video, tape or CD. Short-isted applicants must prepare a ten minute set to perform at one of the following events:

Friday June 25: Liverpool Modo
Saturday June 26: The Ship, London
Friday July 30: Manchester Dukes 92
Saturday July 31: Cambridge The Castle
Friday August 27: Leeds Lounge
Sat August 28: Bristol Revolution
Friday September 24: Newcastle Chase
Saturday September 25: Oxford Head Of The River

Published: 6 May 2004