One of the best friends of the man in whose memory a Sketch for Sammy was created will step up to do judging duties at the show alongside Geordie legends and ex Lindisfarne members, Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell.
The annual comedy show, which is sponsored by North East talent-supporting charity Sunday for Sammy and performed by the hugely popular Laffalang Gang, takes place on Sunday, August 7, at 2pm at the Stand on Newcastle’s High Bridge.
The afternoon will feature comedy sketches by new writers with topics ranging from Jesus of Byker to a sex therapy session as well as original sketches performed by the Laffalang Gang. Top comedians Steffen Peddie and Josh Daniels will provide the stand-up links for what will be two hours of non-stop comedy.
The sketch competition for new writers was launched in 2015 to commemorate musician and comedy lover Philip Richardson from Whitley Bay who tragically died in 2013. Singer/ songwriter, Lesley Roley, who was a close friend of Philip, is adding a personal perspective to the judging panel and she is delighted that her friend’s name will live on in the form of the Sketch for Sammy competition
Lesley, who lives in Jesmond, said: “I came to the first Sketch for Sammy last year and it was fantastic. The show was two hours of hilarity. To be an integral part of it this year is incredible. Philip would have been delighted. ”
The new sketch winner will receive the Sketch for Sammy 2016 Philip Richardson Comedy Award.
A limited amount of free tickets for Sketch for Sammy are still available via julieclay@blueyonder.co.uk