Monday 2nd November’s grand final sees the culmination of the year-long search for new comedy talent at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club in Manchester. Previously known as the World Series, it’s now simply the Beat the Frog - Grand Final but the remit is the same.
The long-running competition takes the winners from all the Monday night Beat the Frog gong style shows throughout the year and puts them into the semi-finals of the competition. The semis started on Monday 28thSeptember and ran on every Monday throughout October. Two winners (though there were three from heat 4) were picked from each semi to then compete in the grand final next Monday.
The Finalists
Swedish Ethiopian comedian now settled in Britain, Selam Amare, who provides a fresh perspective on the UK and dating white men.
Local comedian from Leigh, Tom Barker, has a deliciously deadpan delivery and is NOT a fan of running.
South Londoner with Mauritian roots, Yovan Chamroo has a set that has a brilliant take on his country’s colonial history.
London-based roofer Ellie Cox has a wonderful off-the-wall style and is banned from every karaoke venue in the UK and Ireland apparently.
Supply teacher and out of work actor Kieran Dee has a very inventive take on the lack of hair on his head.
London-based Nigerian and former wildlife scientist Onojie Idemudia, who likes cooking Nigerian food for his new-found London fox friends.
German Indian stand up Abi Mohanty who pulls no punches with deliciously close to the bone material.
Scottish comedian Matty Ross with fab routines on the language differences between Aberdeen and Dundee.
British Sri Lankan comedian Gaj San performs a sharp set of jokes coupled with a brilliant visual running gag.
Fresh from his rural Derbyshire home, Sam Strachan has a fine line in silly gags and plays on words.
Irish comedian and former hydrotherapist Chris Watts who gloriously leans into his albinism for laughs.
The Format
Every Monday the gong style night pits acts against three audience members who are given cards by the compere. The acts then attempt to complete their full five-minute set without being ‘croaked off’, which happens when all three of the audience cards are raised. At the end a winner is selected via a ‘clap off’. Note that in the grand final the finalists get to perform a full, uninterrupted, five minutes.
Last year’s winner was the phenomenal Madeleine Brettingham (pictured right) who also won So You Think You’re Funny? (our audiences know how to pick a winner!) and who went on to perform a critically acclaimed debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in August with Legend. Wonderfully sharp gagster Rob Nother from Dublin won both the runner up prize and was the panel’s choice.
Picture by Andy Hollingworth
