After a nationwide comedic writing and comedic performance search for young comedy talent in Britain drew to a conclusion Jen Mabbott and Kiki Peckham from Cheetham Hill have been named the winners of 11-14 years old Comedic Writing (Group) category in the inaugural Louise Rennison National Funny Award – with their submission “Do It Yourself” being selected the by the award judges.
Their entry is a submission about submitting to the award – in a unique and novel take on comedy writing.
“What a totally original idea – completely had to reread it a couple of times to check I wasn’t going mad, but it was brilliant. Never read anything like it! Like all things funny, it took me by surprise and I loved that!”
(Lauren Layfield, Award Judge and CBBC Presenter)
In memory of late author and comedian Louise Rennison, the inaugural award has been designed to showcase the creative and comedic talents of young people in the UK, encouraging 11 to 18-year-olds to create original comedy material by submitting up to 1,000 words or three pages of creative copy or funny video performance of up to three minutes.
Following a flood of entries from all corners of the country, six overall winners have been selected by a panel of judges including comedian and author Andi Osho and CBBC Presenters Ben Shires, Lauren Layfield and Jonny Nelson, writer and author Mark Heywood, talent manager Kate Haldane and Director of Hay Children’s Festival, Julia Eccleshare.
“We wanted to create a competition that would inspire confidence in young adults and give them an opportunity to express their creative talents through comedy. Louise was passionate about young people having a voice and, she was dedicated to empowering young adults through her much-beloved books.
We were thrilled to receive so many genuinely funny and creative entries – that definitely had our panel of judges in stitches!”
During a difficult year for the country, it’s been so inspiring to see the young people of Britain showcase their comedy skills in fresh and inventive ways. We know Louise would have found all the entries utterly hilarious and it was so hard to select the overall winners. It’s fair to say the future of comedy in Britain is in good hands – with a bright future ahead for all the award entrants.”
(Sophie Severs, award founder and sister of Louise Rennison)
Winners of the comedic performance award now get the chance to develop their sketches further through an online comedy workshop experience with youth theatre group Freedom Studious; with winners of the writing award joining an online comedy workshop with writer and creative Director of Ink Jockey, Mark Heywood.
Individual winners will also get the chance to meet their comedy heroes and go backstage at a live performance, thanks to PBJ Live! With all finalists and runners up receiving books from Harper Collins, Penguin and Rocketbook.
You can read ‘Do It Yourself’ here.
