Manchester's long-running new act competition reaches its climax

The finalists have been announced for this year’s Beat the Frog world series, the long-running talent competition run by Manchester’s Frog And Bucket comedy club.

Taking part in the final on Monday will be:

• Qasim Akhtar: British Pakistani from Bury likes to follow rivers.
• Alex Bertulis-Fernandes: From London, ‘dropped out of uni with no degree (or self awareness)’.
• Caryl Burke: Welsh, often mistaken for American, likes Tom Hanks films.
• Adam Evans: Originally from Brighton, reviews crisps on the internet.
• Kevin Finn: Irish mammy, Canadian dad, accent mixed.
• Peter Jones: From Australia, now based in London ‘I think I’m the first to do that…’
• Rheanon Lee: ‘Using comedy to navigate womanhood; has double Ds – a disability and delusional aspirations’.
• Daniel McCreanor: Northern Irish comedian and big Doctor Who fan.
• Blank Peng: Chinese comedian who has made the final of several competitions. 
• Al Stevenson:  ‘Part time Marine Biologist, full time Geordie with ADHD, messy but fun!’

The competition, which has been going for 20 years, is based on a gong-show format, with each weekly winner put forward to compete in the World Series every autumn. At the final, the gong element is absent and comics can perform their full set.

Monday’s event, compered by former winner Brennan Reece, pictured, will also be streamed live on NextUp.

And on Sunday Liverpool's Hot Water comedy club is hosting the final of its Breakthrough Act of the Year competition, hosted by Danny McLoughlin. Taking part are Mike Carter, Harry Stachini, Ben Silver, Kevin Finn and Faizan Shah.

Published: 31 Oct 2023