Organisers of the Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival are launching their latest search for the best Silver Stand Up Comedians. The Silver Stand Up Competition, organised in partnership with Silver Comedy and supported by Jasper Carrott, Arthur Smith and Sir Bruce Forsyth, takes place on 18th February. Comedians aged over 55 are encouraged to enter for the chance to win the 2016 title. The deadline is 8th January 2016. Further details are available by contacting [email protected].
Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival set up the competition in 2012 to provide a showcase for older comedians. The first competition was won by Shelley Bridgman who continues to gig regularly across the UK and has helped launch the BBC search for the best script that promotes a positive portrayal of transgender characters. The 2013 winner was Marc Lucero, who regularly gigs across London and has appeared on BBC Breakfast News. On winning the competition, Marc said “I want to change the perceptions people have of the elderly and by winning this award I have proved that humour transcends age. Now we need to convince audiences that silver comedy is just as edgy and exciting as seeing the young bucks. Winning the Silver Silver Stand Up Award also proves it is never too late to start a new career.”
The 2014 competition was won by Peter Callaghan, who recently returned from performing as part of Old Folks Telling Jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe, and in 2015 the competition was won by Ed de Cantor. Ed had given up performing stand up aged 40, thinking he was “too old”. On winning the competition in 2015, he said “I am completely over the moon. Winning this competition is a dream come true.”
The Silver Stand Up Competition has received support from established acts including Sir Bruce Forsyth, Alexei Sayle and Jasper Carrott. Speaking about the competition, Arthur Smith said “Untroubled by the need to visit night clubs or ‘be cool’, the old survey the world at a longer perspective and are funnier than the screaming youngsters. Who is funnier – Barry Cryer or Jedward? The old repeat themselves, the young have nothing to say – the boredom is mutual. The old repeat themselves, the young have nothing to say – the boredom is mutual.”
Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2016 will take place from 3-21 February.
