2Northdown has launched its third New Act Competition, kicking off in January 2021. Leo Reich won last year. Other 2020 finalists included runner up Erika Ehler, Bella Hull, William Stone and Pope Lonergan. The competition is open to all types of comedy, with sketch, character and alternative acts encouraged to apply.

This year, due to Covid -19 restrictions, the heats will be held at sister venue 21Soho. Contestants will compete in heats, with the winners progressing to semi-finals and then onto the final round. There’s also the chance for the audience to save an act they think deserves another shot in our wild card round. Heats will run from January 18th to March 15th, with semi-finals on the 5th & 12th April, leading up to the Grand Final on the 19th April 2021.

Acts will be scored on their writing, performance, originality, innovation and star quality. The comics ranked highest by both the audience and our hand-picked panel of industry judges will progress to the next stage.

The winner’s prize includes £500, a paid spot on one of 2Northdown’s monthly nights, a free hour long preview at 2Northdown in preparation for The Edinburgh Fringe, plus other exciting prizes. Our runner up will also win a paid spot on a 2Northdown mixed bill and a free hour long preview at 2Northdown.

Applicants must be 18+, must not have been performing regularly for more than 5 years, and must not yet have made their Edinburgh Fringe debut.

Apply via the website from Friday 30th October. Entries will close on 31st December 2020: www.2northdown.com/new-act-competition-2021.

All application criteria can be found at www.2northdown.com.