Dubble Act Award

Following its inaugural success at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, the Dubble Act Award for comedy duos will once again be judged and presented this August at Mervyn Stutter’s legendary ‘Pick of the Fringe’ review. In collaboration with Dubble, the Fairtrade chocolate brand (the crunchy bar with added Comic Relief), comedian Mervyn Stutter will be awarding a prize for the best comedy double act at the Fringe. This year, as well as the outrageous Dubble Act Trophy, there will be a money prize of £500 for the winners too. Last year’s winners, ‘Laurence and Gus’, have gone on to secure a comedy series on Radio 4.
The Dubble Act Award shortlist will be selected by Mervyn and his experienced team of talent spotters, and the winners, will be selected by a panel of judges up at Edinburgh, including Rory Weller from Metro, and comedy critic Kate Copstick. The award ceremony, with lots of chocolate available for all, will take place at Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe at 1.00pm, The Metro Gilded Balloon, Teviot Row on Saturday 21st August.
Ends

Paramount Film First 2004 Comedy Shorts Competition

How To Tell A Relationship Is Over

Written and directed by Tony Roche and produced by Jim Spencer, "How To Tell A Relationship Is Over", last night deservedly won the Paramount Film First 2004 Comedy Shorts Competition. As a result it will be screened in front of a big name movie in UCI and City Screen cinemas around the UK later on in the year. Last year HTTARIO was screened at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, Bristol Brief Encounters, Interfilm (Berlin) and Foyle Film Festival. It went on to win the "Best Short" category at the Montreal Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival.

The synopsis describes the film as telling the story of a couple splitting up in fifteen different ways but it is more accurate to describe it as per the title of the film – it isn’t a story, it is simply fifteen different ways to tell when a relationship is drawing to a close. Before the film was screened Tony joked that the inspiration for the film came from being constantly dumped by women. Well, a friend of his being dumped by women. A friend called Tony. Smith. Ahem. Roche.

The two main roles are played brilliantly by Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh) and Susan Earl (Susan and Janice, Hardware), with Grant Gillespie as the "gay" friend. The action takes place solely in Tony Roche’s kitchen. With the cast and crew offering their services for free, the film cost a mere £40 to make, which includes the cost of replacing Tony’s cafetiere which was broken during the fight scene (and so causes a continuity error).

Here are those fifteen ways to tell when a relationship is over along with a description of the action and accompanying dialogue.

Starts with Julian and Susan laughing before cutting to the titles.

1. You try to make an effort
J: Hello
S: (Yells) Shut up!

2. You stop making an effort
Julian belches and farts solidly for about 30 seconds while Susan looks on in disgust.

3. You find the other person annoying
Susan growls at Julian despite him sitting there minding his own business.

4. You get a list of all your faults
S: I’ve made a list of all your faults
J: What a long list!
S:That’s the index. This is the list
J: I’ll get back to you on that.

5. You try to put the other person off
J : This is diffult but I’m… um...a cannibal. I’m allergic to women. I had sex with a dog once… twice actually.

6. You try to get the magic back
As Julian leans towards Susan for a kiss, she is sick on him.

7. You fight all the time
Julian and Susan start by throwing food at each other which rapidly degenerates into fencing via wrestling…

8. You start to work on a back up plan
J: Yeah I’d like to place a classified ad. Yeah, um Single man seeks woman. Can only meet Thursdays. Ring mobile, not home number. Oh (Susan walks into the kitchen) Ok Bye. David … (turns to Susan) Hi!

9. Someone else is mentioned repeatedly
J: I saw Natasha today. It’s always… (dreamily) its always great to see Natasha. I really like Natasha. We get on really well.
S: Who’s Natasha?
J: Uh.. she’s…er… you wouldn’t know her. She’s nice, very nice, nice girl.
S: Is she real?
J: Yeah very real. Too real.
(Susan slams something onto the table)
J: Natasha would never do that… (starts singing) Natasha Natasha… you’re the one you’re the one for me… (door slams) What?

10. You start getting personal
S: (on phone) Average bloke, average looks, average job, below average intelligence, seeks woman way out of league but will settle for less. Anything you wanna add?
J: No that’s fine.

11. Some things don’t seem to make sense
S: I’m gay
J: Well who’s he then? (pointing to man standing by the kitchen door)
S: He’s gay
(Susan and the "gay" man start snogging)
J: What are you doing
S: It’s a gay thing

12. It’s war
J: (on phone) Yeah I’d like to place a classified ad. Yeah Man seeks woman, any woman, not fussy. Yeah that’s it.

13. You find a dead pigeon
S: (looking at the pigeon) Definitely dead
J: That’s it then…

14. You feel like you’re in a french film
J: (in french – play on "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" by Free) Shoud she stay, should she go? Should she stay, should she go now? If she stays there will be trouble… If she goes there will be double…Go.

15. The other person isn’t there anymore
Cuts to Julian sitting alone at the kitchen table .

The end.

At the private industry screening at the Curzon it was rewarded with by far the most laughs from the audience and a rousing cheer when the credits started to roll. It was the most basic but perfectly executed idea and was wonderfully acted, shot and directed.

The result was announced by Alison Steadman (who starred in last year’s winning short film, DIY Hard) who said the judges had a very enjoyable time viewing the shorts. She described HTTARIO as "simple, clear, the most original, warm and funny and the one that made us most laugh out loud."

Chortle New Comedy Search

Chortle has launched a search for the best student stand-up in Britain.

Undergraduates and graduates at universities and colleges across the country are eligible to enter the contest, which it is hoped will become an annual event.

The winner will receive a trophy, a couple of paid gigs, and the kudos associated with winnng the Chortle Student Comic 2004 title.

The final will be held in Coventry's Warwick Unviersity on February 24, the day after Chortle hands out its awards for professional comedians, in conjunction with the comedy society there.

Comic hopefuls can apply direct using the form below, or via their comedy society - if you have one. The only stipulation is that you are in full-time education and performing five minutes of material that is your own.

Chortle editor Steve Bennett said: "Most people's first experience of live comedy comes from touring stand-ups visiting their university - and it often inspires students to have a go themselves.

"Hopefully, this award will provide a focus for that talent. We're looking to find the comedy stars of the future, and give the winner a leg up on the very competitive stand-up circuit."

Closing date for entries is February 12, and for more information, visit the Warwick University Comedy Society website, or email Stacy Squib at dj_petana@hotmail.com

Theatre News

Jerry Springer The Opera has been nominated for 8 Olivier Awards

Stewart lee – Best Director
Best New Musical
Alison Jiear – Best Actress in a Musical (didn’t I tell you she was fantastic)
Michael Brandon – Best Actor in a Musical
David Badella – Best Actor in a Musical
The Chorus - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Jenny Arnold – Best Theatre Choreography
Best Sound Design

Fantastic news, we at Comedy Lounge are absolutely thrilled for Stewart Graham Lee, Richard Thomas and the entire cast.

Hackney Empire New Act 2004

HACKNEY EMPIRE NEW ACT OF THE YEAR AUDITIONS 2004.

Auditions for the Hackney Empire New Act of The Year 2004 will take place on Saturday 24th January
and Saturday 31st January. The acts will include Stand Up omedians, double acts, comedy character acts, comedy musical acts, variety acts and comedy poets.

The audition list is now closed, and there will be over 100 entrants auditioning over these 2 days. The auditions are open to an audience of the public, and there will be an entrance charge at the door of £2.00.

Each entrant will be performing a five minute set. Compere’s will be Roland Muldoon and Tony Goodrick.

The auditions which will take place in the Hackney Empire Bullion Room Theatre (250 seats) Located directly behind the Hackney Empire (117 Wilton Way E8).

Doors 12.00 noon, Auditions start 12.30.pm. £2.00 entrance. (Info: 020 8985 2424)

Tickets for the Hackney Empire New Act of The Year final on Saturday 28th February 2004 are on sale at £8.50 from the Hackney Empire Box Office (020 8985 2424). The final will be hosted by Arthur Smith in the newly refurbished 1300 seat Hackney Empire Theatre (291 Mare Street London E8 1EJ).

Becoming a finalist in the New Act of the Year exposes the acts to the unique experience of appearing in Britain’s number one variety house. The show attracts wide media coverage and professional assessment from critics, agents, managements as well as producers of Stage and TV. The judges on the final will consist of people of high profile in the comedy world i.e. reviewers, writers, producers, promoters etc.

Winners will be invited to appear in shows, on behalf, of the Hackney Empire up to three times in the following year which will include THE BEST OF THE NEW ACT OF THE YEAR and introducing new comedy at the Edinburgh Festival 2004.