British Comedy Guide is launching its own live stand-up comedy contest, raising money in aid of mental health charity SANE.
British Comedy Guide Presents Stand-up & Deliver will focus on the open mic circuit, with its initial 2025 run consisting of three heats and a final, all taking place in November.
Focused on finding and spotlighting new stand-up talent, the contest is being run in conjunction with the organiser of former East London comedy night, Notorious, and supported by the Museum of Comedy.
The City of London's Cocktail Club, conveniently located between Old Street, Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations, will play host to the heats, taking place on Sundays 9th, 16th and 23rd November.
The final will take place on Sunday 30th November at Central London's most iconic intimate live comedy setting, the Museum of Comedy near Tottenham Court Road.
Tickets to the three heats are free and available now, with organisers asking for donations towards independent mental health charity SANE. Tickets for the final will be on sale soon.
British Comedy Guide says: "We are extremely excited to reveal Stand-up & Deliver, our brand new contest, shining a light on the vibrant, wonderfully diverse and varied open mic stand-up comedy scene. Launching in London, we couldn't think of better partners than the Museum of Comedy to host our first ever final, and we look forward to seeing what delights the circuit has to offer.
"Our existing Next Big Thing and BCG Pro Talent Awards: Performance prizes are focused on more established levels of live comedy performance, and this new title will perfectly complement them at the grass roots level, where some of the most raw, interesting talent around can be found. We can't wait to see who wins!"
Open mic circuit acts can apply to take part in the heats through this form until 31st October.
