Dabber’s Social Bingo, London’s best loved alternative Bingo Hall is on the hunt for its 2023 ‘Next Top Bingo Caller’.
Dabbers and showbiz go hand in hand –performers front and centre of the Dabbers bingo experience. The brand that reinvented bingo has regular nights hosted by top comics including Tony Law, Marcel Lucont, Olaf Falafel, Eleanor Conway, Thanyia Mooore, Aurie Styla and Javier Jarquin and lots more favourites. Indeed, the company has comedy and performance at the heart of everything it does, and the team visit The Edinburgh Festival every year to scout for new talent to keep their events as raucous and fun as they can possibly be.
The competition is a way to search for new callers who the team might not otherwise come across, and sometimes Dabbers catches them just as they make a bid for stardom. Last year, comic Dan Tiernan made it to the semi-finals and later that year went on to win the BBC Three New Comedy Awards 2022.
2022’s finalists were character comedians Kitty Cassis (Aimee Cooper), Edgar and Jaynine (Lorna Rose Treen – double award winner, Funny Women Awards 2022 – and Jonathan Oldfield), Ferrari Roché (Stephanie Ware) and winner, Crudi Dench (Matt Stallworthy, comedian and drag performer).
Of her 2022 victory, Crudi says: "Winning Dabbers Next Top Bingo Caller has allowed me to explore a whole new passion of bingo calling, put my hosting skills to the ultimate test, interact with brilliant audiences, connect with other fabulous performers and £1000 towards my wig budget."
This year’s competition which will be held via a series of heats at Dabber’s HQ in Houndsditch EC3 (4 min walk from Aldgate Tube), beginning in March and culminating with a grand final in July. Each heat will be hosted by BBC New Comedy Award finalist Sikisa Bostwick and Edinburgh Festival favourite, with a judging panel made up of agents, festival bookers and journalists.
Those who enter don’t need to be professional performers but it’s crucial that they have a unique talent that will wow an audience of keen bingo fans, be that comedy, incredible dance moves, or just the talent and charm to grab the attention of a room full of people as you revamp bingo calling and put your own spin on the classic tradition.
Comics, magicians, drag artists, cabaret artists, burlesque performers and more are all encouraged to apply for a chance to follow in Crudi Dench’s footsteps and win Dabbers Social Bingo Next Top Caller, 2023
Entrants are asked to submit a showreel as part of their application. It doesn’t have to be professionally filmed - the team just want to see your style.
Entries should be submitted via the dabbers.bingo website, before midnight on 17th March 2023. All entrants must be aged over 21.
You can follow the competition online via @dabbersbingo #DabbersTopCaller
PictureD: 2022’s finalists including WINNER Crudi Dench (back, 2nd from left
Dates for the diary
KNOCKOUTS - CITY
4 Weeks: March 26th, April 2nd, April 16th, April 23rd
20 Contestants, 5 perform each weekend, 2 from each show go through to Semi Finals
SEMI FINALS – CITY
2 weeks: May 14th, May 28th
8 Contestants, 4 perform each weekend, 2 from each show go through to the Final
THE FINAL - CITY
1 week: July 2nd
4 Contestants compete to win the title of Dabbers Next Top Bingo Caller 2023!
LISTINGS
Dabbers Social Bingo
18 - 22 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
https://dabbers.bingo/about-dabbers/dabbers-news/dabbers-next-top-bingo-caller-applications-open/
