Now in its second year, the Musical Comedy Awards is an unique competition that celebrates the emerging musical comedy community in the UK and promotes the venerable art form of comedy songwriting as an independent genre.

Last December the UKʼs top forty emerging musical comedians were selected by Time Out Comedy editor Tim Arthur and other judges from Avin a Larfʼs dedicated musical comedy website www.musicalcomedy.co.uk to compete in a series of live heats at the Wilmington Arms from January through to March. Alongside the talented entrants, audiences have been treated to headline performances from established musical comedians such as Earl Okin, Gavin Osborn, Jo Neary and Isy Suttie.

Now, having survived the publicʼs vote throughout the heats, the audienceʼs favourite five acts have been chosen for the Grand Final at the gorgeous New Players Theatre on March 26th to do battle for the crown of the 2010 Musical Comedy Awards! Judging the five competitors will be Tim Arthur of Time Out, Steve Bennett of Chortle, musical genius and sex symbol Earl Okin and last yearʼs winners of the competition, Sarah Adams and Leisa Rea of Adams and Rea.

Horse and Louis video

Amateur Transplants video

Jay Foreman video

Abandoman video

Rob Carter video

Supporting the UKʼs hottest emerging musical comedy talent will be some of the nationʼs finest established musical comedy acts:

TOM BASDEN (Winner of the 2007 IF Comedy Best Newcomer): “If you haven't fall in love with this intelligent man's sublime comedy yet then here's your perfect opportunity. Simply magical!” TIME OUT

PIPPA EVANS (Nominee for the 2008 IF Comedy Best Newcomer) - “The finest female character comic around”. TIME OUT

GINGER & BLACK (As seen on BBC 3ʼs Comedy Shuffle) - “Ginger and Black are a polished, circuit-ready act”. CHORTLE

ADAMS & REA (Best Act 2009 Musical Comedy Awards) - "Much salacious bootyshaking.. musically astute and gleefully non-PC, they deserve a bigger stage" - SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

The show will be hosted by the founder of Avin a Larf, Ed Chappel. Come and celebrate the resurgence of music-based comedy!