Heat One - Edinburgh, 2014
NCA Team
And we're off! You can listen to the first heat of the BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2014 at 10pm on Friday 12th September 2014 on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Here’s some extra information about our first competitors:
Jack Barry
Jack started performing sketch comedy as a student. He
wanted to go to Cambridge and be in the Footlights but wasn't clever enough so
went to Leeds and was in the Tealights. After university he started to do
stand-up because he likes to be lonely. He still performs sketch comedy as
Twins with his twin sister Annie McGrath. He's entered this competition in the
hope that it will help his career, despite the fact that he always does
terribly in competitions. He's written this in the third person.
Follow: @JBazzler
Ed Caruana
“I’m a stand up based in London. It’s not always easy to
find packed gigs to play – one recent audience was literally a man and his dog.
And the dog ran off the moment I started my set. I’m hoping this competition
might secure me a few nicer gigs.”
Matthew Courtnell
Humour in the purest form gathering the funny in the not so
funny parts of his life with self-deprecating storytelling that unfolds
personal revealing stories to share and charming wordplay. 25 years old in the
limbo of adulthood who struggles with his generation, masculinity and social
anxieties.
Follow: @Courtcomedy
Lucy Frederick
Lucy is a comedian, actor, writer and fat model based in
London. She grew up in East Sussex thinking she might one day represent Great
Britain in Equestrianism. But she ended up in comedy instead. She has always
loved BBC radio so she is thrilled to have this opportunity.
Follow: @LucyFrederick
Paul Jones
“As a lifelong comedy fan it was almost inevitable that I
would try my hand at stand up. Making people laugh has been one of the most
enjoyable and fulfilling things I've ever done. If I won BBC New Comedian of
the Year I’ll probably even postpone my killing spree.”
Sean Hegarty
Sean is a Northern Irish one-liner comedian who recently
came runner-up in the UK Pun Championships, Sean has written for BBC TV
(Monumental) and Radio (Radio Ulster).
'A tremendous joke-technician' - Culture NI
Follow: @Sean_Hegarty
Njambi McGrath
Njambi has been described as the hottest thing to come out
of Africa since the Sahara, voted 1 of 5 top female comedians to watch by
Fabulous Magazine, blazing the trail for black comedians by the Guardian.
Njambi is currently doing her inaugural one woman show called BongoLicious
picked by chortle as a top 10 to watch.
Follow: @njambi1
Lost Voice Guy
“Hi, I'm Lee Ridley AKA Lost Voice Guy. I am (probably) the
first stand-up comedian to use a communication aid. I'm from Newcastle but
haven't picked up the accent yet. I entered the competition because I am keen
to develop my skills as a comedian.”
Follow: @lostvoiceguy
Abigoliah Schamaun
Abigoliah has developed a reputation as a fast talking no
holds-bar-comedian. Since starting stand-up in New York she has performed all
over the world including festivals such as: The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival,
Glasgow International Comedy Festival, and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Abigoliah released her debut stand up album, "Subtle" in December of
2013. She now lives in and performs in London.
Follow: @abigoliah
John Tansey
“I am a Scotsman living in Brighton. I always loved how
comedy can be serious and stupid at the same time, so I took the serious and
stupid decision to start doing stand-up at 36. I entered the NCA to see where
it might take me.”
Follow: @johntansey3
