Grand Theatre Launches Stand Up Comedy Project

Today Wolverhampton Grand Theatre announced a new young persons' stand up comedy project, STAND UP IF YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY.

The Grand Theatre will be providing seven free 2 hour workshops to anyone aged 11-16. Throughout these workshops, participants will devise, write and rehearse their own 5 minute piece of stand-up comedy.

The workshops will happen under the guidance of actress and comedian Janice Connolly, well known for her role as Holy Mary in Phoenix Nights, starring alongside Peter Kay. Janice is also a well-loved stand-up comedy circuit headliner as her alter-ego Mrs Barbara Nice. Janice is a founder member of the award winning Birmingham-based theatre company Women & Theatre and has been Artistic Director for the past 20 years. In 2017, Janice was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Community Arts within the West Midlands.

The workshops will accumulate in the participants performing their own 5-minute piece of stand-up comedy in an exclusive free show for their family and friends in the Grand Theatre's Encore Lounge, hosted by Barbara Nice.

The workshops will commence on Saturday 18 May 2019 and will run every Saturday until 29 June 2019 from 12pm until 2pm. The exclusive show will be performed on the afternoon of 30 June. Please note that applicant availability is crucial on all the above dates.

To apply, please download an application form from the website and return it to James Collins (jamesc@grandtheatre.co.uk) along with a 30 second video of the applicant telling a joke or funny story. If you are unable to send a video via email, please send a link to where the video can be viewed (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo).

James Collins said; "to be able to work with Janice to offer these workshops is just another way that we're able to reach out to the community, especially to local young people. I'm thrilled to be able to offer them the support of one of the region's most respected comedy performers, Janice Connolly, known for her work both locally and nationally across stage and screen. It will be an invaluable opportunity for anyone who takes part to learn the craft of stand-up comedy and an opportunity to perform at the theatre where so many comedians have made the city laugh!"

Please note that places are limited for this project and application deadline is Friday 29 March.