Dublin club charges comics to perform

A new act competition starting next week is demanding entrants pay €30 (£22.50) to take part. All other comedy talent contests have traditionally been free to enter.

The fee includes five free tickets, which has echoes of the ‘bringer’ system largely blamed for crippling the New York comedy circuit, where comedians are often booked because of how many friends they can bring, not for how funny they are.

First prize in the competition, run by ComedyDublin, is a trip for two to the Edinburgh Fringe. Eight heats, two semi-finals and a final will be held, starting in Sheehan's Bar off Grafton Street on Tuesday. <

The blurb for the competition urges the hopefuls to ‘round up as many friends and family as you can for moral support’. And the incentive to bring friends - at up to €8 a time after the free tickets are exhausted – is all the greater because the winner of each night is decided by audience vote.

ComedyDublin is even inviting experienced comedians to pay the entry fee, saying: ‘Whether you're a seasoned comic or just fancy taking a shot at stand-up, this is your chance to show your family and friend's [sic] just how hilarious you really are! All you need is 7 minutes of good material, great comic timing and a whole load of chutzpah.’

However, organisers say there are several new act competitions in Ireland that charge and entrance fee, and theirs is ‘cheaper… and the prize is fairly cool.’

Comedy Dublin’s Margo Carr said: ‘It ups the comedians’ profile on the scene and ensures they will go to Kilkenny and Edinburgh with us. We had the crisis of conscience but when we asked several comics they said “think nothing of it”. It's a good prize and it's not out of reach to anyone who wants to enter.’

Published: 15 Feb 2008