Nic Wright

Shortlist revealed for Magners New Comedy Act 2015

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Magners have revealed the shortlist for their 2015 New Comedy Act award.

North West comics Sophie Willan, from Manchester, and Wigan’s Chris Washington are two of ten promising comics who successfully went head to head at the Magners Bristol Comedy Garden between 8-12 July, as part of the Magners New Comedy Act competition.

Sophie, Chris and their fellow comics each had six minutes to get as many laughs as possible from the live audience and a panel of comedy notables.

George Rigden from Bristol, Lolly Adefope from London and Ingrid Dahle from Brighton all received a fast track pass to the final from the judges. Now comedy fans are being asked to select the last three finalists by watching videos from the acts, and voting for their favourites online.

Competing alongside Sophie Willan and Chris Washington for a spot in the final are Maidenhead’s Jake Lambert, Elliot Steel and Benji Waterstones of London, and Luke Smith from Cardiff.

The videos can be viewed via the Magners YouTube channel, and viewers can vote for their favourite on YouTube and Twitter.

All six finalists will perform at the Magners Greenwich Comedy Festival, which takes place at London’s National Maritime Museum between 16-20 September, where they will once again take to the stage in front of a live audience and panel of comedy experts. After each having seven minutes in the spotlight, the panel will crown the Magners New Act of the Year, with the winner taking away a £1,000 cash prize.

Cass Briggs, festival producer, said; “The world of stand-up comedy can be tough to break into so we are excited to be helping jump start the careers of some of these really talented performers. Regardless of who wins the New Act title, I’m sure a number of these contestants will be entertaining us for years to come.”

Watch the videos here.