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Chortle Student Award Semi-Final Tonight

London will tonight host the second Semi Final of the Chortle Student Awards, whose previous shortlists have given a heads-up on notable stand-up talent including Adam Hess (2011 Winner), Joe Lycett (2009 Winner), Simon Bird (2008 Runner-up) and Tom Deacon (2007 Winner).

The competition was started in 2004 by students who wanted to showcase their talents in a national competition. Back then the understated final was hosted by Warwick university. Now in its 9th year and with a healthy following of comedy fans and talent spotters, the grand final takes place during the Edinburgh Fringe. This year the competition is being sponsored by Sims 3 and is offering the largest prize fund yet of £2500. It’s not just for undergrads who find their comedy at the bottom of a mug of tea in front of Home and Away, anyone can enter, as long as they are over 18 and in tertiary education.

Chortle judges have chosen the ten best Runners Up from 13 regional heats to perform across two semi-finals, the first hosted by Manchester last Wednesday. The People’s Choice Award has already been given to Aidan Greene who will also perform tonight. The 21-year-old, who studies at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, told Chortle ‘My style of comedy would be quite self-deprecating and observational mainly taking stories from my own life. I am influenced by the likes of Simon Amstell, Mike Birbiglia, Dylan Moran and Woody Allen.’

Chortle Student Awards Semi-Final, Tattershall Castle, Southbank, 21st May Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Tickets £6 (Note, this is a boat moored on the Thames, cool beans)

AIDAN GREENE (Manchester)

Here’s a peek at the other semi-finalists, Adam Mitchell, Alexander Bennett, Bhargav Narayanan, Dalia Malek, Dean Sekhon Eddie O’Dwyer, Kwame Asante, Manraj Bahra, Matt Holmes and Rachel Slater.

ADAM MITCHELL (Glasgow)