Jesting About 4 confirmed

BBC Newcastle has commissioned a fourth series of its comedy talent search Jesting About, Giggle Beats can reveal. 

The radio station has confirmed its commitment to supporting North East comedy talent with a new series of 6 x 30 minute programmes to be transmitted in June and July.

Recordings will take place at Newcastle’s Live Theatre on March 22 and 23.

Producer Steve Drayton told Giggle Beats: “Jesting About has been a huge – and continuing  – success.

“The last series in particular was instrumental in securing BBC Newcastle the ‘Station of the Year’ award at the Gillard Awards. The judges loved the combination of humour and local voices.

“It was a real goose bump moment hearing the talent we’d worked with booming out at the awards ceremony – and getting belly laughs from the audience.

“Taking part in the show offers not only an opportunity to be supported by local BBC but throws down a challenge to present material that is suitable for a wide ranging audience.

“The programmes air at 5,30pm, which means that comedians have to give us family friendly fun.”

The search for contributors begins in January, with the most concentrated sweep taking place throughout February.

To get an idea of the wealth of talent – and the high standard of this year’s output – The Best of Jesting About will be aired on BBC Newcastle on Tuesday 29 December at 9am and will be available on the BBC Newcastle iPlayer afterwards.

How to get involved:

Jesting About are looking for stand up, sketch, spoken word and musical comedy. Due to the constraints of radio as a broadcasting medium they cannot accommodate comedy dance, comedy impro and/or mime.

Please email [email protected] with JESTING ABOUT in the subject line. Include a short comedy CV and/or blog/website/Facebook links – plus a list of any gigs you have between the 4 January and 29 February. PLEASE NOTE: February is the main month for the talent sweep.

Jesting About 4 is open to anyone who lives and works in Wearside/Tyneside/Northumberland. Previous contributors are more than welcome to apply.