The finalists have been announced for Beat The Frog. the 16th annual World Series competition final at the Frog and Bucket on Monday 4th November. Nine acts have been gathered together having won through from the four heats every Monday throughout October.
Originally called the Raw Night before transforming into Beat The Frog in 2004, the club night saw the first gig from John Bishop after he had wandered in one night and decided he’d give it a go. In the early years both Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas honed their comedic art at the Frog and Bucket. So too have the likes of Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican, Lee Mack, Lucy Porter, Dave Gorman and Jason Manford.
Last year Australian comedian Anna Spark won, gaining the audience’s vote, and is currently working on her debut Edinburgh Fringe show. The panel prize went to the softly spoken Michael Mannion and the runner up was the half Venezuelan James Heath. Previous winners of the competition include the acclaimed Brennan Reece, the fast up and coming Rob Mulholland, comedy scene favourite Carl Hutchinson and the creator of the popular online series I See You – Sam Gore.
The 2019 Beat The Frog finalists are:
Lewis Coleman - Local boy from Leigh who is a filmmaker and has been performing stand up for a year.
Toussaint Douglass - All the way from Lewisham, Douglass mixes the personal with the political while adding his very own absurdist slant. He’s also somewhat bemused as to what his day job actually entails…
Erika Ehler – Describing herself as unemployed - we’d say rising star - she’s already nabbed the Chortle Student Comedy Award winner this year and claims to have never been in love…
Sally Firth – The sixty something from London, Sian Doughty, performs as Sally the Serial Killer ever plotting ways to get rid of her husband. The former teacher is a big fan of the Scrabble…
Kuan-Wen Huang – Originally from Taiwan and now living in London, Huang first started comedy five years ago when he was living in Berlin. He’s also a chartered accountant and a tax advisor.
Evaldas Karosas – Originally from Lithuania he moved to the UK to develop his comedy. Works part time in a hotel and devotes the rest of his time to stand up.
Ola Labib – Now living in Manchester, Labib is originally from Hampshire and has Sudanese heritage. As a hijab wearing Muslim woman she’s on a mission to smash stereotypes and expectations through comedy.
Karl Porter – Lives in Salford and drives a truck at the Etihad stadium. Has been doing stand up solidly for five months having first dabbled a few years ago.
Amy Webber – Is an opera singer who teaches music and is an adopted Mancunian. She’s been performing comedy for less than a year.
The final, to be compered by Dan Nightingale, takes place on Monday 4 November at The Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, Manchester. Tickets and details here: 0161 236 9805, www.frogandbucket.com.
