The Cavendish Arms this week announces the return of the iconic Comedy Virgins Max Turner Prize competition, for the TWELFTH year in a row, hosted live from The Cavendish - the home of open mic comedy in London.
The competition, which is open to new comedians at any level, will take place online for the first time to keep everyone as safe as possible. Combining their iconic theatre venue with their investment in the best of technology, the show will be hosted live from the Cavendish in London by resident superstar MC Dave, who will be introducing acts to appear ‘on the stage’ via a screen literally on the stage. Whilst it will undoubtedly feel different to a typical stand up competition, the amazing team behind the competition, DAVID & SHIRLEY ARMITAGE, hope it will allow easy entries for people living outside of London who may have the opportunity to compete at it for the first time.
This year will also see headline sets to close out the shows as well as a few more surprises that will be announced.
The Cavendish in Stockwell, which opened 13 years ago, is run by comedy lovers Dave and Shirl, and is a recognised stop for all new comedians that before lockdown was running 4 shows a week with typical audiences between 50 and 80 and provides a brilliant jumping off point for comedians either looking to try new material or just starting out. The venue has seen some iconic performers dropping in, from Jason Manford, who came down to watch a friend but was persuaded to do a spot, to Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes who was swayed on to the stage from working behind the bar, a job she took to she support herself through her Law degree and has gone from strength to strength, recently appearing on Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club.
Shirley and Dave, in their own words, on why this competition needs to go ahead: "Shows such as Britain's got Talent and The Jonathan Ross Comedy Club showcase "new acts" and professional comedy clubs offer open spots to up and coming acts - but without small grassroots venues running open mic nights and offering genuine opportunity and encouragement to all comers -these "new acts" wouldn't have anywhere to start. "
"There are very few professional acts that have broken through in the last ten years that didn't start out on our little stage. We are as aware as every venue struggling to survive this hugely unpredictable time that we are unfortunately not going to be able to pick up exactly where we left off when things settle down, and the loss of so many small grassroots comedy nights and venues stands to have a big impact on talent that was just getting a foothold before March of last year, and those about to give it a go. It’s vital to protect these disappearing spaces for the future of comedy and we will be doing all we can to be here for those comedians when they need us, whatever the future holds. This competition is just one way we can think of to say ‘hold on and keep working’”
While the details of the competition are under wraps for now, potential competitors can register their interest by dropping a line to [email protected]
