Jesting About Sketch Show To Be Broadcast Tomorrow

Bob Mortimer

Radio listeners across the North East will be able to listen to a special sketch show produced as part of BBC North’s Jesting About from tomorrow morning.

The sketch show, which will be played on BBC Newcastle, is part of a series of new content created as part of the Jesting About initiative which, over the past five months, has seen legendary figures such as Ross Noble, Mark Benton, Ian La Frenais, Paul Jackson and provide workshops and mentoring sessions to the regions comedy hopefuls.

Praising the scheme, Bob Mortimer, who has been involved with Jesting About from its launch in December, said: “Jesting About has been a great way to give a showcase for some exciting new comedy talent in the North East and I have been really impressed with the range of skills in writing, performing and animation that we have seen on the project.”

Last week, Jesting About showcased its twenty four most promising newly discovered writers, performers and filmmakers (shortlisted from over two hundred applicants), in a finale event at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle. Featuring special appearances by Bob Mortimer, BBC North Director Peter Salmon and compered by Newcastle’s own Steve Drayton, the event saw the audience treated to a first viewing of the projects realised through the cross platform initiative, such as a TV pilot, online content and a radio sitcom.

Agnes Wilkie, Creative Director of Northern Film & Media, said, “The commitment of iconic North East comedy talent to Jesting About and the quality of the work produced has exceeded our already high expectations.” She added: “This partnership sets the benchmark for future talent development collaborations – we’re very much looking forward to watching the rising stock of the participants and developing the next initiative with the BBC.”

The Jesting About radio sketch show will be broadcast on BBC Newcastle at 9.30am tomorrow, Monday 2 May, and will be repeated at 6.30pm.