Final and gala show announced

More than 200 people have entered the new grassroots competition to showcase the best up-and-coming female comedy talent.

By the time entries closed for the Funny’s Funny Female Comedian Of The Year competition at midnight on Friday, a total of 216 new comics had signed up. That compares to the 300 plus who entered the longest-established new act competition, So You Think You're Funny?

They will now take part in a series of showcases around the country, before a high-profile final in the Highlight comedy club in Camden, North London, on July 13.

A number of female stand-ups are showing their support for the new initiative by taking part in a gala show at the same venue exactly one month earlier – June 13.

Isy Suttie, Ava Vidal, Mrs Barbara Nice, Sally-Anne Hayward and Chortle best newcomer Diane Spencer are all line-up for the fundraiser, tickets for which went on sale today. Click here to buy them for £12.50.

The regional showcases will be announced soon.

The new competition was set up by comedians as a grassroots alternative to the Funny Women competition, after it introduced a £15 charge to take part in its established competition.

Chortle is backing the idea by organising the final and the fundraiser, and guaranteeing a £500 first prize, £200 of advertising on the site and giving all finalists a DVD of their performance.

Other prizes include a photoshoot from top photographer Andy Hollingworth and bookings from the Laughing Horse chain of clubs.

Tickets for the final, which will be hosted by Jo Caulfield, are also available now priced £12. Click here. Please note that both this and the gala start at 8pm, not 8.30pm as stated on the Highlight website.

Published: 23 May 2011