Nine finalists for the Grand Final of the comedy talent search show So You Think You're Funny? have been announced.
After numerous heats across the country, and a further seven rounds in the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh, the nine finalists have been decided. They will all compete on the 25th August in front of a panel of judges for the top prize of £2,500, the opportunity to perform at Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival, and Norway's Bergen Humor Fest. In addition to all of this, they will also be given a place on the Gilded Balloon's 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.
The panel of judges include: Artistic Directors of the Gilded Balloon, Karen and Katy Koren, the Director of Melbourne International Comedy Festival Susan Provan, the Senior Producer at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival Zoe Rabnett, comedy critic for the Evening Standard Bruce Dessau, Sunday Times Culture editor Helen Hawkins and star of QI and Jonathan Creek, Alan Davies.
Speaking to David Day, Press Manager for the Gilded Balloon, he said:
"One of the incredible things about SYTYF is that it really invests in young people – and it's completely unbiased. It doesn't matter your social background, gender, class, finances – you just have to be funny. It's produced an incredible variety of performers."
"The SYTYF competition is an overwhelmingly positive one with a lot of goodwill and faith generated – it really is about encouraging, unearthing, and backing undiscovered talent, which is one of the reasons why it has lasted so long and remains unmatched… the contestants all form quite close bonds and look out for each other – it's normally a very supportive and familial environment. Competition is a bit of a misnomer!"
Speaking to Arts Award Voice, Australian comic and So You Think You're Funny? finalist Danielle Walker said:
"I think these amateur comedy competitions are good for getting new people into the scene and giving really new comics the opportunity to perform in front of large crowds."
She continued to explain that she was automatically through to the semi-finals of So You Think You're Funny? as the prize for previously winningRAW Comedy, an Australian competition for emerging standup artists.
Finalist Stuart McPherson said:
"As a big comedy nerd I'm well aware of the importance of SYTYF and the list of amazing comics who have been in the competition in previous years. I'm delighted just to be in the final so to be honest I'm not that bothered what happens now. As long as I don't die on my arse I'll be happy."
The competition has kick-started the careers of many well-known comedians including Dylan Moran, who won in 1993. He has gone on to have multiple successful tours, as well as write and star in the UK sitcom Black Books. Additionally, he has been involved in the critically acclaimed Shaun of the Dead.
Other previous winners include Peter Kay, Lee Mack and David O'Doherty.
The competition was started in 1988 by Karen Koren, and produced Julia Chamberlain and coordinated by Frehd Southern-Starr, who also produces Notorious Comedy Australia and has over25 years' experience in the comedy industry.
Tickets for the final can be purchased for £15 from the Gilded Balloon website.
The Finalists
So who are the nine talented individuals who have made it through to the final?
Below are short biographies provided by the comedians, and where possible, social media accounts should you wish to follow them!
Arielle Souma
A real double F: French & Fabulous! Based in South London's Brixton; Arielle Souma first took the mic in 2014 adding up colour and diversity to the comedy scene. She is a force to reckon with. Punchy, blunt, accessible; Arielle Souma performs with a distinctive empowering style.
Heidi Regan
Heidi is a slightly surreal, quite deadpan, substantially human comedian. She is originally from Australia which is in the southern hemisphere, which itself is one of the two biggest hemispheres in the world!
Harriet Braine
Edinburgh College of Art alumna and acclaimed mouth-trumpeter Harriet Braine performs essays on the History of Art through the medium of parody song. Since winning Musical Comedy Awards Best Newcomer 2016, she has written some more songs, done some guitar practice, and written a show. The rest is Art History History.
Not on Twitter so instead here is her Soundcloud
Stuart McPherson
Stuart McPherson is a man from Fife, Scotland who enjoys telling jokes to strangers in pubs for approval more than he does talking (typing) about himself (myself) in the third person.
Kelly Convey
Saaaf Londoner Kelly provides a no holds barred insight into what women really think. Topics that are rarely spoken about in public, let alone to a room full of strangers! Hastings Newcomer of the Year - 2nd place, Funny Woman of the Year & SYTYF 2016 Finalist.
Sophie Henderson
I am a copywriter by trade but have always loved comedy. I only wish I'd got into it sooner! I'm inspired and exasperated by modern life in equal measure, which is reflected in my stand-up style. I'd describe it as conversational, observational and frequently a bit off-the-wall.
Jamie M
Jamie M is a special little boy from Bristol. This year he has started revealing short insights into his surreal and at times tragic life into a microphone, much to the bemusement of crowds throughout the South West. He is also quite uncomfortable talking about himself in the third person.
Danielle Walker
Danielle Walker, recently crowned Raw Comedy 2016 National Champion, is a strange, if not perhaps slightly deranged girl known for her dark and twisted everyday observations and stories.
Ruth Hunter
Ruth Hunter is an Irish and questionably human comedian from Dublin.
0 Comments