Who will be crowned this year’s Southport New Comedian of the Year? Meet the finalists!
The Southport New Comedian of the Year competitions returns with the grand final taking place on Tuesday 4th October as part of the 2022 Southport Comedy Festival.
The 11th annual event takes place under canvas in a luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in Southport’s famous Victoria Park, home of the Flower Show.
This year’s Southport New Comedian of the Year competition is sponsored by Dragon Soop, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that comes in a range of flavours.
“Dragon Soop is delighted to be involved with this popular festival and wish all acts a Sooper experience!” said Sales & Marketing Director Isabelle Kent.
Following a nationwide search where aspiring comedians from all over the UK were invited to apply for one of 8 places in the final. The Southport New Comedian of the Year competition was open to all comedians who have less than four years’ experience of performing before a paying audience.
Over 100 comedians applied – we can now reveal which 8 will be going forward to the final on the 4th October.
Southport Comedy Festival takes place from Friday, 30th September 2022 to Sunday, 16th October 2022 with stars including Al Murray, Milton Jones, Jason Byrne, Jeff Green, Jimeoin, Ed Byrne, Jo Caulfield, Reginald D Hunter, Chris McCausland, and more, in association with Halliwell Jones BMW.
For tickets please visit southportcomedyfestival.com
Jimmy Shirley
Jimmy started his comedy career whilst living abroad in Greece in late 2019. He has been gigging around the North West and the rest of the UK since returning, reaching the Semi Final of ‘So You Think You’re Funny 2021’. He loves telling jokes about growing up in Kirkby in the 90s, the absurdity of a Scouser in Greece, and the everyday things that annoy him.
Silham Shahzad
Silham Shahzad is a 26-year-old up-and-coming stand-up comedian from Bradford.
He combines his personal experiences with current affairs.
Silham was shortlisted for the 2021 BBC New Comedy Awards and was shortlisted in 2019 as one the best new Yorkshire acts within six months of starting comedy.
He has also recently been named as a finalist in the West Didsbury Comedy Festival and Southport Comedy Festival’s New Comedian competitions.
He has also been a semi-finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards and the Max Turner Award.
Andy Roach
Andy runs Laugh Hard comedy nights in Crosby. Unusually Andy started his comedy career during lockdown with clips of him playing songs on guitar. He started performing live comedy in November 2021. Andy was shortlisted earlier in the year in the Musical Comedy Awards 2022.
Lucy Holbrook
Originally from Nottingham Lucy’s daytime job is office work. She has been doing comedy since 2019 (with a break during lockdown). In this short time she came third place in Max Turner comp, finalist in Beat the Frog World Series and semi-finalist in Leicester Square comp.
Adam Evans
Adam Evans is a writer and comedian from East Sussex but based in Manchester, where he co-hosts the Saboteur award-winning Spoken Word event VerboseMCR. Elsewhere, Adam reviews crisps on the internet because lockdown happened. ‘The Crisp Review’ can be found on Instagram, TikTok and now, occasionally, the stage. ‘The Crisp Review: LIVE’ was nominated for ‘Best Theatre’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Greater Manchester Fringe and could be coming to a theatre near you soon (with free crisps!).
Lovell Smith
Ex-champion bodybuilder Lovell started comedy at the end of 2019, After only a few initial shows and months, working the circuits, Lovell won the prestigious Midlands Best New Act Award. Previous winners include Joe Lycett, and Darren Harriot. Lovell has performed all around the UK. In an incredibly short space of time, Lovell has established himself firmly on the British comedy circuit.
Percy Savage
Percy is from Cumbria and has been doing comedy for just over a year, reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny in 2021. This year has included a 4 star review in the Lancashire Post and taking 2nd in Comedy Cellar Act of the Year this September. In real life he works on the nuclear submarine programme at Barrow but prefers comedy because it’s much less pressure if only he dies.
Samantha Day
At the age of 53 Former accountant and mother of six Samantha Day has started her career in stand-up later in life. However In her short time doing comedy she has already amassed a number of credits to include Comedy Store King Gong – Winner (2022), Full Frontal Glorious Comedy Award – Finalist (2022), Stand Up for Cider – Finalist (2021), Manfords New Act of the Year – Semi-Finalist (2020),Not So New Comedian of the Year – Semi-Finalist (2019), Best New Act, Bath Comedy Festival – Semi-Finalist (2019)
Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:
“A highlight event of the festival, the New Comedian Competition is a great chance to have a sneak preview of the stars of tomorrow.
“It is always a lovely night with a positive pro comedy vibe. We are really excited about this year’s finalists. It is going to be a difficult one to judge as the standard is high.
“This event usually sells out and with tickets at just £5 what have you got to lose!”
*Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly
For tickets please visit southportcomedyfestival.com
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