The finalists of the 2025 West End New Act of the Year comedy competition have been announced .

 

Over 300 acts entered the competition with around 120 being offered a place. We are now down to the final 16;

 

Adam Dorr 

Mi Churchill 

Ira Sylvester 

Dean Harmer

Murph 

Gabrielle MacPherson 

Caroline Gustafsson 

Louis Beer 

Verity Sharpe 

Madeleine Brettingham 

Imran Hafeez 

Jim Hooker 

Sophie Sconcia 

Gemma Mushington 

Sara Lessman

Rohan Ashar 

 

The judges for the final will be Ali Warwood of Commoner's Comedy. Clara Heimerdinger of Nice and Spiky Comedy and Matt Arnold of Dulwich Hamlet Comedy. 

 

The show will that takes place at The Albany on Tuesday May 6th will be MC'd by Steve McLean and headlined by Don Biswas. Entry is free. 

 

The winner will pocket £150, a spot on a pro-bill thanks to Rural Roars and one week's Edinburgh Fringe accommodation. All finalists will be offered spots on our popular Edinburgh Fringe Showcase. 

 

The West End New Act of the Year is an independent comedy competition devised to give new acts a profile boost. The WENAOTY Edinburgh Fringe Showcase has so far provided a Fringe stage for around 100 new comedians, most of whom were first timers.