The finals of the Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of the Year competition as ever throw up a talented assortment of acts. The winning honour went to Jack Gleadow, from Hull, whose brand of physical comedy is the clear audience and ultimately judges’ favourite. He crams a great deal into his five minutes; the reason for having a scooter around his neck becomes apparent when he brings on two members of the audience to help him depict scenes from a couple of movies. His routine about Tinder is excellent too.
The winning honour went to Jack Gleadow, from Hull, whose brand of physical comedy is the clear audience and ultimately judges’ favourite.
In second place, was the Geordie Anth Young, whose brand of comedy mines his own experiences with children, both the good and the bad aspects. His material is from a long tradition of northern gag merchants and on this evidence he has long career ahead of him.
Tom King was awarded third place. The ex-nurse certainly doesn’t fit the bill as your typical member of the caring profession, with his large frame and hipster beard. His routines about his experiences in dealing with stool samples provoke reactions that range from queasiness to hilarity.
Edy Hurst could count himself unlucky not to have been in the reckoning for the main honour with his music-based comedy. His excellent James Bond covers and audience participation work well in the allotted time.
Another of the finalists from Hull was Gina Jenkinson, who performs under the name Kelli Taylor. This character-based comedy routines sees her take on the role of a hairdresser. Her view on motherhood is an interesting one, something that may alert social services.
Scouser Mike Carter has a good line in self-deprecation. His distinctive look usually prompts jokes which he is happy to crack first.
James Harkness, aka Dougie, could best be described as anti-comedy. That’s not a criticism, he is hilarious, often painfully so. There are no jokes as such, but his five minutes is a surreal and entertaining take on the persona of someone who looks like they have drifted in off the street from a shift at their local convenience store.
A word too for host Mick Ferry who MCs the proceedings with all the verve and skill that you would expect from someone of his experience, also to the previous winner of the Great Yorkshire Fringe award Simon Lomas whose brand of fish-out of water comedy points to this year’s winner following in a tradition of deserved recipients of this award.
