The comedy club that uncovered stand-up legend John Bishop will hold its annual competition’s final on Monday.
The Frog and Bucket World Series Final takes place in the famous club at heart of the Northern Quarter and will see nine amateur comedians perform five-minute sets to earn the audience’s votes.
Finalists made it through one of the club’s four heats held last month, and the night uses the same format that tempted John Bishop on stage for his first ever performance in 2000.
In the Beat the Frog format, three random audience members are given cards to hold up if they don’t find an act funny, and if all cards are raised the set is cut short.
A number of judges will also decide who they think deserves the panel’s prize on what will be the 16th anniversary of the competition.
The diverse array of contenders includes opera singer Amy Webber, mortgage and tax advisor Kuan-wen Huang and a former teacher in her 60s, Sally Firth.
One of the finalists, Ola Labib, even aims to tackle stereotypes as she performs wearing her hijab.
There will also be a performance by last year’s winner Australian comedian Anna Spark who’s currently working on her debut Edinburgh Fringe show.
Other high-profile acts to grace the venue since its opening in 1994 include Jack Whitehall, Sarah Millican, Lee Mack and Jason Manford.
The Frog and Bucket began was originally located in a room above the Britannia pub before moving to its current location at the top of Oldham Street a year later.
Tickets can be bought here: https://frogandbucket.com
Here’s a full list of Monday’s finalists along with a short introduction to each:
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 in London, 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.
Our finalists for Monday’s World Series Final!!
What an AMAZING line up…
See you then @SeptemberSian @FutureSellouts @AmyWebberSop @kuanwen_huang @ola_thecomedian @EvaldasKarosas @erikaehler
Tickets: https://t.co/9qNkqRNAQP pic.twitter.com/UJXG8pbdw8
— Frog and Bucket MCR (@frogandbucket) October 31, 2019
Image courtesy of Frog and Bucket via Twitter, with thanks.
