With a £1000 top prize courtesy of sponsors Malibu, and a 12-month contract with Dabbers up for grabs, the stakes have never been higher for aspiring comedians looking to make their mark.
The inaugural ‘Bingo Comedy Caller’ competition, set to kick off this year, promises to be a riotous affair, blending the timeless charm of bingo with the comedic skills of the UK’s finest entertainers.
Dabbers, renowned for its innovative approach to traditional bingo, has decided to shake things up by focusing exclusively on comedy for this year’s competition.
“We’ve had great success with the original ‘Next Top Caller’ competition,” says Jonny Unknown, Creative Director of Dabbers. “But we’ve found that the entrants who did best were essentially bringing their best comedic powers to the stage. So, we decided to give the competition a rebrand to better reflect both the entrants and the competition.”
The competition has attracted attention from all corners of the comedy world, with The British Comedy Guide joining as a media partner and lending their expertise to
the judging panel.
From drag queens to musical comedians, Dabbers has seen it all, with past winners using their winnings to fund Edinburgh Festival shows and launch their careers to new heights.
With comedy and performance at the heart of everything they do, Dabbers is committed to showcasing fresh talent and keeping their events as raucous and fun as possible. From regular nights hosted by top comics to scouting for new talent at The Edinburgh Festival, Dabbers is always on the lookout for the next big thing.
But what does it take to win the title of Dabbers Comedy Caller? According to Jonny Unknown, it’s all about having a unique comic talent and the charm to captivate an audience of bingo fans. Entrants are encouraged to submit a showreel or a short, one-minute video showcasing their style and calling out some bingo lingo to the camera.
Last year’s finalists, including stand-up comedians and character performers, brought the house down with their wit and charisma, setting the bar high for this year’s competition.
With heats scheduled to take place at Dabbers HQ in Houndsditch EC3, contestants will have the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience and impress a judging panel comprised of industry professionals.
Unfortunately, entries are now closed (sorry – maybe next year!), and those lucky enough to make it through the heats will compete in the semi-finals in June, and then 4 contestants will battle it out at the Grand Final on Sunday 7th July for the chance to be crowned the Dabbers Comedy Caller 2024.
