Nic Wright

NATYS begin search for country’s top variety act

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The NATYS are to begin their annual search for the country’s best new comedy variety act next month.

The NATYS, touted as the most important new comedy showcase in the country by The Guardian, has been rooting out the best up and coming comedy and variety acts every year since 1985.

Auditions for The NATYS 16 will take place next month with four live shows showcasing 100 acts across a diverse range of stand-up, musical, sketch and speciality comedy.

The NATYS 16: Spotlight Audition Shows will take place on 3, 9, 24 and 30 November 2015 at Rich Mix, London, and entry to the shows is free.

From the showcase performers, fourteen acts will be chosen to perform at The NATYS 16: Top of The Bill industry showcase, compered by Arthur Smith and headlined by last year’s runner-up Spencer ‘The Herbert’ Jones.

The NATYS 16: Top of The Bill Showcase will take place at Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday 31 January 2016. Tickets for the final are £15.

Presented New Variety Lives, The NATYS showcases have introduced to the live circuit some of the most important and diverse acts working today, including Lee Mack, Tim Vine, Stewart Lee, Lee Nelson, Nina Conti, Harry Hill and Russell Brand.

New Variety Lives produces and presents New Variety-Comedy for live audiences, working across the comedy spectrum, staging shows and programming Bills with the most enjoyable, exceptionally talented, entertainers.

The organisation have now teamed up with The Comedy School,  bringing together over 150 years of combined knowledge and experience to provide new opportunities to develop emerging talent and attract a much wider audience.

The Comedy School is the only arts organisation of its kind in the country, working with comedy in many different settings, and is committed to enhancing the lives of local communities and developing responsive projects, using the arts as a vehicle for making learning interactive and fun.

To book an audition at one of The NATYS Spotlight showcases, contact [email protected].