Studio audiences each night will be treated to a screened pilot plus a live theatrical performance.
Tuesday starts with the debut screening of Phil Ellis’ Funz and Gamez followed by a live performance from Janice Connolly in character as Barbara Nice, and on Wednesday audiences will be treated to the debut screening of Fishbowl written by Andrew Mettam and live performances from some of the UK’s finest emerging character comedians Lucy Beaumont, Gemma Whelan as Chastity Butterworth, Daisy Cooper as Kerr and Elis James and Joseph Morpurgo performing multiple characters.
The ballot for audience tickets opens on Wednesday 22 April through to Tuesday 28 April, with free tickets available from www.bbc.co.uk/events
Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy, says: “This is a crucial breeding ground for bringing through the very best in new writing and performing comedy talent. It’s invaluable to have the live audience tell us what appeals and what they’d like to see more of. The northern comedy legacy remains vital to the BBC as evidenced by the forthcoming Peter Kay’s Car Share.”
Peter Salmon, Director BBC England, says: “It’s great to unveil another fun-filled Salford Sitcom Showcase. We knew it was a good thing when we started it up and I’m chuffed that it is already becoming a firm fixture in the BBC North calendar – it’s what we are all about, discovering new ideas, forging partnerships, looking for new business and creating platforms to celebrate the very best of our talent, as well as seeking out new stars and creating opportunities to showcase the very best of a vibrant region.”
Helen Spencer, Creative Director BBC Salford Sitcom Showcase 2015, adds: “We are really looking forward to showcasing some of the best talent from across the North. The showcase is a pivotal point of the BBC’s year round work to support and nurture talent from across the UK. It continues to build a reputation as THE place to have work seen by BBC Comedy Commissioners and Channel Controllers.
“It provides a fantastic platform for writers and performers to flex their funny bones in front of BBC commissioners and controllers who will join us, along with local audiences, to have a really good laugh!”
Last year’s Salford Sitcom Showcase saw Boy Meets Girl get commissioned for BBC Two (made by Tiger Aspect) and features in the Masterclass. Previous success stories also include Citizen Khan and Hebburn.
The line up this year features:
Tuesday 12 May 2015
A screened pilot of Funz and Gamez, written by Phil Ellis
Funz and Gamez was the cult hit of 2014 Edinburgh Festival, scooping the prestigious Foster’s panel prize. Now, the family show has been made into a unique TV comedy game show and North West audiences will be treated to the debut screening of the pilot. Phil Ellis, Mick Ferry, James Meehan and Will Duggan make up the cast.
A live theatrical performance of Barbara Nice, written by Janice Connolly and Dave Spikey
This energetic, laugh out loud show is fronted by the power-house performer/ writer Janice Connolly as her longstanding, nationally acclaimed stand up character Barbara Nice…”Barbara as in Streisand, Nice as in the biscuit.” The cast includes Janice Connolly.
Wednesday 13 May 2015
A screened pilot of Fishbowl, written by Andrew Mettam
After Hattie’s disastrous first term at university her parents decide it’s probably best to bring her home to Yorkshire to recover. Home to suffocating parental love, unwanted childhood admirers, overbearing neighbours and the utter impossibility of escape.
The cast features, Mark Benton, Sally Lindsay, Katherine Rose Morley, Michael Smiley, Felicity Montagu, Edward Ashley, Alice Hewkin and Harry Mett.
