North East talent-supporting charity, Sunday for Sammy has teamed up with the Laffalang team to give new comedy writers the chance to have their sketches professionally produced.
The show, which is open to the public, will feature all seven sketches by North East writers, and takes place at The Stand in High Bridge, Newcastle, at 2pm on Sunday, August 16.
The sketches, which range from a funeral sermon delivered by an unconventional priest to the Geordie way to cure the smoking habit, will be augmented by a number of skits from Sunday For Sammy and the Laffalang.
“It will be a fantastic event showcasing some of the North East’s most talented new comedy writers,” said Ray Laidlaw, Sunday for Sammy Trust administrator.
“The Laffalang team of actors are seasoned professionals who thrive on new work, they can’t wait to get their hands on the scripts.”
The Laffalang ‘Sketch for Sammy’ event has been supported by a donation to Sunday for Sammy by the family and friends of Philip Richardson who died in 2013. Phil was a talented musician and an enthusiastic stand-up comic and his family decided to support new writing and performers in their local area as a tribute to him.
Philip’s mother Patricia said: “Philip had a particular interest in music, comedy and the arts. After his funeral we had a collection and then his friends organised a tribute night at the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle that raised even more money. We felt the Sunday For Sammy Trust was the most appropriate charity to donate to because Philip was always helping people. The buzz around the whole event is magnificent. He’d have been thrilled.”
Ray Laidlaw is keen to make the competition an annual event. He said: “It is a celebration of new regional comedy writing. The sketches are terrific and we know the Sunday for Sammy and Laffalang audiences – and anyone else with a sense of humour – will love them. If you like laughing, get yourself a ticket.”
The show will be presented as a script-in-hand performance and top North East-based comedian Steffan Peddie will link the sketches.
Tim Healy, from the Sunday for Sammy Trust said:
‘Sparkling, original writing is the lifeblood of actors and comedians. I’m thrilled that the Sunday for Sammy Trust is taking the initiative to encourage new comedy writing in the region and I’m really looking forward to the results.’
Tickets are free and available for the performance at 2pm on Sunday, August 16, through being on TyneIdols mailing list. An invite will be sent out to all TyneIdols subscribers Wednesday 5th August. Tickets will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis with applicants being informed by Monday 10th August. Anyone can join the TyneIdols mailing list by going to http://www.tyneidols.com/contact.html