If you’ve never done it, it sounds like the most terrifying thing you can ever do. Get up, stand up, just you and a microphone. Go on, make people laugh. Go on. They’re sitting there waiting. Go on. It’s a bit different to cracking a few gags in front of your half-pissed mates in the pub. Just sounds terrifying. But it’s fun watching other people do it.

If you like your comedy, there’s a bit of a treat coming up with this year’s Brighton Grin Comedy Awards at The Electric Arcade down on the beachfront. A award for new comic on the block, the hopefuls have been whittled down to 40 – and now they’re going to stand up and do their thing.

The lambs to the slau… I mean contestants will compete in one of four heats throughout October (6th, 13th, 20th, 21st), before the Grand Final on the 27th.

Panel show regular & award-winning comedian Zoe Lyons (Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week) heads the judging panel for the first heat, alongside Brighton Gin and BBC Radio Sussex’s Kathy Caton. David James, a comedy coach and stand-up known for his dry, deadpan wit, will also judge, as well as Otherplace Artistic Director Nicola Haydn. Other judges include comedian Esther Manito, super-vet and national treasure Marc Abraham, comedian Masie Adam and Lulu Baker, Assistant to the Head of Comedy at the BBC.

“Over the last sixteen years, we’ve had countless up-and-coming comics come through our doors, with many going on to become panel show regulars, launch sell- out tours and become household names,” says Nicola Haydn of organisers Otherplace. “We thought a new act competition would be a good way to encourage and discover some more future stars. We’re thrilled that some of our top-tier comedians we met along the way will be joining us to judge various heats, as well as the final”.

All four heats and the final will be held at The Electric Arcade.

https://www.electric-arcade.co.uk/