£1k comedy contest launched

London’s Soho Theatre has launched a talent hunt for new young stand-ups.

The winner of the One Night Stand-Up competition, sponsored by Durex, wins a package that includes £1,000 in cash and mentorship from Steve Marmion, the venue’s creative director.

Entries opened today, with comic hopefuls aged 18 to 35 invited to upload 60-second clips of themselves onto YouTube, then email their full name, address, date of birth, age, occupation and daytime telephone number to onenightstandup@sohotheatre.com.

The contest closes on January 31, after which 16 comics will be chosen to take part in four quarter-finals, performing up to 12 minutes of material.

The final, on March 17, will be judged by a panel including comedian Shappi Khorsandi, actress Kathy Burke, agent Janette Linden, Chortle editor Steve Bennett and Steve Marmion from Soho Theatre.

 Ruth Gresty, marketing manager of Durex UK said: ‘We’re confident there will be a high calibre of entrants.’

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Published: 19 Nov 2010