Tag: Right Here Right Now

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Friargate Theatre to play host to inaugural Jorvik Comedy Award competition. 36 Yorkshire entrants confirmed for four heats

Step this way: Jorvik Comedy Award search for champion comedian starts on February 12

FOUR heats, 36 hopefuls, one ultimate Viking comedy champion. Who wil ltake the crown in the Jorvik Comedy Award 2026 competition in York?

Presented by Fair Laughs and hosted by veteran Get Up Stand Up comic Tony Vino, the search for York’s funniest comedian will be supported by Indie York and the JORVIK Viking Centre, with Heat 1 as part of JORVIK Viking Festival Fringe pre-event.

Thirty-six of Yorkshire’s sharpest new comedians will descend on Friargate Theatre, in Lower Friargate. Across the four heats, nine feisty acts each will perform a tight, gag-filled ten-minute set, with only two winners per heat going through to the June 11 final.

The line-up for Heat 1

Quick-witted Tony Vino will invite the hopefuls to the stage as they try to impress the panel of esteemed judges. No safety nets. No sympathy laughs. Only jokes that land or die trying. One title. One year. One winner.

Who is taking part?

Heat 1: Thursday, February 12, 8pm

Marty Riley, Ben Robinson, Stuart Thomas, Fil Milton, Alex Camp, Graeme Rayner, Robby T, Louis Etienne and Diane Fitton.

The line-up for Heat 2

The line-up for Heat 3

Heat 2: Thursday, March 12, 8pm

Liam Alexander, Daniel Colbeck, Josh Sedman, Wendy King, Jake Breeze, Edi Johnson, Laurence Tuck, Rex Purnell and Mikey Milligan.

Heat 3: Thursday, April 9, 8pm

Alfie Carter, Henning Nilsen, Ravi Saini, Jonathon Kiernan, Fred Carver, Stephen Catling, Bobby Jethro, Maxine Wade and Lewis Howard.

The line-up for Heat 4

Heat 4: Thursday, May 14, 8pm

Charlie Lewis, Tim Biglowe, Michael Carter, Benny Shakes, Halls of Ridiculous, Matt Wheelwright, Dom Hutchins, Kie Carson and Debra Holt.

Further comedy events at Friargate Theatre include the monthly home-grown Right Here Right Now improv comedy show (audience participation optional but encouraged!) and monthly Get Up Stand Up live comedy acts hosted by Tony Vino.

Look out too for Alfie Moore: Fair Cop Live – Radio Warm-Up on July 9, when he brings a new show to York ahead of recording his BBC Radio 4 comedy series It’s A Fair Cop. 

For tickets for the Jorvik Comedy Award and Friargate Theatre comedy events, call 01904 655317 or go to https://friargatetheatre.co.uk/.

The poster for the Jorvik Comedy Award heats and final at Friargate Theatre

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Any Suggestions Improv’s Louise Jones to run improv beginners couse at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York. How do you apply?

Louise Jones: Tutor for Beginners Improv course at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York

EVER wanted to learn improv comedy? Whether you are a seasoned performer or have never stepped on a stage, Louise Jones’s improv course at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, is for you.

“Please note this beginners’ course is for performers and non-performers who identify as female, non-binary or trans,” says comedy tutor Louise.

“The six to eight-week course has been designed to welcome people with any experience, including no experience whatsoever, to learn improvised comedy. From spontaneity to building outrageous characters, exploring unknown rooms, and working with others, it’s guaranteed to put a huge smile on your face and increase your confidence on stage.

The poster for Beginners Improv, now beginning on April 15

“There’ll be a showcase at the end of the course for you to show the world your new fantastic skills and enjoy the fun of performing with your fellow improvisers.”

After running a free workshop during York International Women’s Week, Louise will roll out the course from April 15 on Monday evenings, excluding May 20, from 7pm to 9pm.

Sessions cost £10 each or £64 for the full course. If you are interested, please email louiseasimprov@gmail.com promptly. “We’d love to see you there,” she says.

Louise Jones performing with Any Suggestions Improv

Louise is an improviser and co-founder of Any Suggestions Improv, the team behind Any Suggestions, Doctor?, An Improvised Adventure in Space and Time, a show nominated for Best Improv Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2023.

Latest show Suggestions Of The Unexpected will be heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

Louise also has appeared in The Silliad and performs with Right Here Right Now, Riding Lights Theatre Company’s short-form improv night at Friargate Theatre, York.