Introducing our postponed 2020 WeGotTickets MCA Finalists and Best Newcomers!

Behold the beauty and talent of our postponed 2020 WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards Final competitors and Best Newcomers! Having waited over a year we are a bit restless to say the least and just can’t wait to proudly celebrate and show off the finest acts of the 2020 competition! Book your tickets for the live-stream hosted by online comedy professionals NextUp Comedy (you can get 10% off a subscription at Nextupcomedy.com with the code MCA2021). Book tickets here this very instant at http://www.wegottickets.com/musicalcomedyawards

Canadians in Space
Tom Taylor
Chris Rio
Bennet Kavanagh
2MouthedMen
Shelf
Amy Webber
Alex MacKeith
Jamie Finn
Stepdads
Best Newcomers – Best Friends Cabaret

Full line-up confirmed for postponed 2020 WeGotTickets MCA Final

Book tickets for the live stream with our partners NextUp Comedy at www.wegottickets.com/musicalcomedyawards.

The long wait is over! After twice being postponed due to the pandemic we are actually going to have our 2020 WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards Final! Who will win the 12th MCAs? Join us for a riotous celebration of the UK’s best up and coming musical comedians to find out!

Since 2009, the MCA have helped to launch the likes of Abandoman, Rachel Parris, Mae Martin, Jay Foreman and Frisky and Mannish. If you enjoy acts that combine comedy with music such as Bill Bailey, Tim Minchin and Flight of the Conchords, you will love this show!

The final of the 2020 WeGotTickets MCA will see ten finalists who have progressed through a series of heats at the Phoenix in London, battle it out at the Bloomsbury Theatre on April 10th, to win the musical comedy crown of this prestigious competition. A sell-out event every year since 2009.

FIRST EVER MCA LIVE STREAM!

Teaming up with the powerful reach of the hugely successful comedy subscription service NextUp, who have developed an incredible way to amplify the joy, laughter and power of live comedy to an unlimited global audience online, the MCA final will be streamed for the first time. We are so thrilled to be working with NextUp, who will help us to bring the MCA final to a huge online audience of dedicated comedy fans and break down the physical and geographical barriers for musical comedy fans around the world.

Purchasing a streaming ticket for the final will also provide you with discounted access to their phenomenal catalogue of comedy specials from rising stars and household names. Check out their A-Z of shows on their website – quite simply the world’s best comedians all in one place online. Online ticket-holders will also be able to vote online for their audience favourite (cash prize of £250). Industry judges will decide on the winner of the MCA (cash prize of £750) and our 2020 Best Newcomer will also be announced (cash prize of £200). In 2021, NextUp members also get access to all of their live-streamed shows (50+) throughout the year, from all over the country and beyond. Check them out at Nextupcomedy.com. 10% discount off the first year with code MCA2021.

Our confirmed finalists so far include:

STEPDADS
Stepdads is a funk-comedy double act that wish they were your dad (but who are glad he went to prison). Luke Rollason and Tom Penn are guaranteed to erase your memories of childhood and replace them with better ones.
Sketch Off 2019 – 2nd Place
Musical Comedy Awards 2019 – 2nd Place
Sketch Off 2020 – Finalists
“It might be funny to perform in your pants and fall over but it’s hardly pushing the comedy envelope.” (Bruce Dessau)

ALEXANDER MACKEITH
Alex is not only a gifted musical comedian, but also a critically acclaimed playwright (School Play), was nominated for Most Promising New Playwright at the Off West End Awards 2018 and is one third of sketch trio Princes of Main (“consistently funny… able to get laughter from all sorts of angles” — Chortle).

SHELF
Since their formation, Shelf have performed at Bestival, London Pride, and been nominated for Sketchfest’s Best New Act award. Their work has appeared on BBC3 and LADBible.
THE SKINNY”…cool and relevant”EdFringe Review”a winning hybrid of sketch show and standup.”

AMY WEBBER
Amy accidentally fell into comedy in 2019 when she was commissioned to write a song about a ‘show-off’ singer and realised she could combine her two favourite things – singing and trying to make people laugh. As well as being a 2019 ‘Beat the Frog’ finalist in Manchester, Amy has performed live on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row and has a weekly feature on BBC Radio Manchester’s Friday afternoon show. 
“Phenomenal and versatile singer” Chortle
“Funny and impressive” BBC Radio Manchester

2 MOUTHED MEN
Beatboxing. Sketch Comedy. At the same time. 2 Mouthed Men is a brand-new musical comedy act taking the UK by storm. Utilising beatboxing, rap, poetry, guitar, bass and looping, Daniel Stanger-Corwell and James Hawley are a double act for the modern age and bring their insane energy to the stage every time, putting the audience in stitches.
★★★★★ “Simply fantastic” – BingeFringe
“A ★★★★★ box of comedy beats!” – The Review Chap
‘Fun. Fresh. And fantastically funky!’ London Theatre Reviews

JAMIE FINN
Jamie has been performing musical comedy for two years. He writes songs about his mundane and deeply awkward love life. Jamie draws upon his real life experiences and makes them rhyme. What larks! This is the second year in a row Jamie has made it to the final of the MCA’s and over the moon that he gets to perform at the lovely Bloomsbury in October!’

BENNET KAVANAGH
Bennet started writing and performing sketch comedy at university in Leeds, where he also began performing his surreal brand of musical comedy. In the last 3 years he has been a finalist in several national comedy competitions and was shortlisted for the BAFTA Rocliffe TV Comedy Writing Initiative in 2019 for the sitcom he co-wrote.
“a very good set” – NottsComedyReview
“witty musical comedy” – GetReading.co.uk
“assured set” – British Comedy Guide

CHRIS RIO

Chris Rio is a fresh-faced comic based in Cardiff and has stormed his way into the finals of the WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards (much to his own surprise).  He adopts a joyful and introspective style and, with the help of his trusty ukulele, has a knack of finding the awkwardness in almost any situation.  When he’s not on stage he’s a playworker; gleefully getting paid to play Monopoly with 7 year olds.

CANADIANS IN SPACE

Do you remember the good old days, when a song with a dance routine was all the rage? Canadians In Space are from Barnsley, South Yorkshire and have never been to Canada. They are a songwriting duo (trio when live) and perform mildly hilarious pop songs so colloquial or irrelevant that the comedic interjections are often unintentional but necessary. They journey through space and time (mostly time) rediscovering their imagined shared past in a village neither grew up in. They are considered pioneers in the Soap Popera genre, based on the fact they coined the phrase and, in turn, the genre. If you love music and comedy then you are guaranteed 50% satisfaction.  

TOM TAYLOR

A favourite of live bookers across the UK, Tom Taylor has previously supported Simon Munnery, John Kearns and Abandoman on tour, reached the final of English Comedian of the Year 2018 and performed on Radio 2 and Radio 4 as part of the BBC Radio New Comedy Award.

“Wave after wave of funny … a genuine joy” – The Scotsman

Plus a set from our 2020 Best Newcomers, BEST FRIENDS CABARET!

Best Friends Alice and Livvy met at university in 2018 and have been codependent ever since. They first performed Best Friends Cabaret in the 2019 Camden Fringe Festival, and also appeared in Shook: The Art of Being a Millennial, before taking part in the MCAs. Contrary to appearances, by day they have surprisingly serious jobs: Livvy manages a theatre and Alice manages actors. 

Featuring a headline performance from the Amused Moose People’s Champion of 2019 and the winner of our competition ‘Crooners Against Corona,’ ARCHIE HENDERSON!

We first saw Archie as part of sketch act Two Plus Ones in the 2017 WeGotTickets MCA, where he and the group won the Best Newcomer Act for that year. The next year Archie came joint 2nd as a solo artist in the 2018 WeGotTickets MCA. He has since released an album of comedy funk songs as Jazz Emu (over 400k listeners across all platforms) and co-created a Twitter thread with Adrian Gray titled ‘Best Song of Every Decade’, which has racked up over 3 million views and featured as an official ‘Twitter moment’. His videos are downright hilarious and breathtakingly original.
“A very funny man” Greg James, BBC Radio 1
“A phenomenal level of production” ★★★★ The Wee Review
“This is a talent that’s on the rise” ★★★★ Broadway Baby
“Highly entertaining, and deserving of attention as a breakthrough act.” Steve Bennett, Chortle

Hosted by MCA resident MC and MCA legend, the one and only NICK HORSEMAN!

MCA teams up with NextUp Comedy for live stream of postponed MCA 2020 Final

Alongside a small and socially-distanced live audience at the Bloomsbury theatre, we are thrilled to offer a live stream of the twice postponed 2020 WeGotTickets MCA final on April 10th with the technical expertise and online reach of the hugely successful comedy subscription service, NextUp Comedy. Audience members will be able to vote online for their Audience Favourite and watch the wonder of the final online. NextUp boast a phenomenal catalogue of comedy specials from rising stars and household names and we are thrilled to be working with them. In 2021, NextUp members also get access to all of their live-streamed shows (50+) throughout the year, from all over the country and beyond. Check them out at Nextupcomedy.com10% discount off the first year with code MCA2021.

Headlined by Archie Henderson.

We first saw Archie as part of sketch act Two Plus Ones in the 2017 WeGotTickets MCA, where he and the group won the Best Newcomer Act for that year. The next year Archie came joint 2nd as a solo artist in the 2018 WeGotTickets MCA. He has since released an album of comedy funk songs as Jazz Emu (over 400k listeners across all platforms) and co-created a Twitter thread with Adrian Gray titled ‘Best Song of Every Decade’, which has racked up over 3 million views and featured as an official ‘Twitter moment’. His videos are downright hilarious and breathtakingly original.

Check out his winning entry for our mini-competition ‘Crooners Against Corona’, fitting back in May and again now as the UK enters its third lockdown, ‘Lockdown Lover’: https://youtu.be/UeAWPSB2toQ

Book tickets for the live stream at www.wegottickets.com/musicalcomedyawards
 

Winner and top 10 shortlisted videos for Crooners Against Corona!

a2883074609_10Thrilled to announce Jazz Emu as the winner of #CroonersAgainstCorona! This sensationally slick + sexy song cast a spell on us like a wizard in a bedroom cupboard. Shortlist of top 10 to be announced tomorrow eve! Thanks all for ace songs! YOU ALL ROCK! Here is a link to the winning entry from Jazz Emu: https://youtu.be/UeAWPSB2toQ

We were so impressed by the entries and it has been very tough to narrow it down to 10 songs! We’ve had to leave out a few people that we love, including a few award-winning artists :-(.

These 10 videos will be promoted in an article by our friends at the British Comedy Guide (UK’s most visited comedy website) in the near future (order below is not ranked):

Giants – We’ll Party Again
Dave Bibby – The Lockdown Blues
Lauren Jennings – The Lockdown-Tiger Song
Jazz Emu – Lockdown Lover
Louis Burgess – Self-Isolate with Me
Jegard – Stay Inside
Barra MacConmara – Self-Isolation
Hannah Warman – Lock It Down
Abigail Carter-Simpson – COVID-19
Just These Please – When You’ve Been in Lockdown Too Long

Thanks again to all who’ve entered such brilliant videos – we are truly grateful for the huge laughs in this difficult time!

Loads of musical comedy love,

Ed, Tamara, Dave and Charlie x

Covid-19 update – potential contingency plans for the MCA final

Dear All,

With the government reported to be likely to take action next week regarding social distancing and larger events, we wanted to let you know that, for now, the final is still taking place on April 4th but we are in talks with the Bloomsbury about contingency plans. If the show cannot take place on April 4th then it will be rescheduled to later in the year.

If a replacement date is arranged we will be in contact with all of our acts and of course our ticket-holders to let you know about the new date.

We have deliberately shut down sales earlier than usual for our semi-finals at the Phoenix in order to keep audience numbers lower and provide more space and comfort for our audiences and artists. We are hopeful that we will still be able to have semi-final 2 on March 21st but will of course let you know if this is not possible.

Thanks for your understanding, multiple elbow and knee bumps and we will definitely get to complete our 2020 competition, even if it means it happens a bit later in the year! Stay safe everyone!

Lots of MCA love,

Ed, Tamara, Dave and Charlie

Our finalists so far!

Who will win the 12th WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards? Join us for a riotous celebration of the UK’s best up and coming musical comedians to find out!

Since 2009, the MCA have helped to launch the likes of Abandoman, Rachel Parris, Mae Martin, Jay Foreman and Frisky and Mannish. If you enjoy acts that combine comedy with music such as Bill Bailey, Tim Minchin and Flight of the Conchords, you will love this show!

The final of the 2020 WeGotTickets MCA will see ten finalists who have progressed through a series of heats at the Phoenix in London, battle it out at the Bloomsbury Theatre on April 4th, to win the musical comedy crown of this prestigious competition. A sell-out event every year since 2009.

Our confirmed finalists so far include:

Richard Lindesay

Richard Lindesay is a musical comedian whose act is a surprising and surreal mixture of the flute and other woodwind instruments.

He started performing comedy in Australia in 2013 and quickly made an impact by reaching the finals of Sydney comedy competitions. Since then Richard has performed professionally in comedy clubs and festivals throughout New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, and mainland Europe.

‘Richard is a comedy wunderkind!’

Tim Ferguson, from Australian musical comedy troupe, Doug Anthony All Stars

Alexander MacKeith

Alex is a musical comedian who is the resident musical guest at comedy night Fresh Chestnuts. He is also a playwright (School Play, **** The Guardian, the Independent, the Stage, Evening Standard, TimeOut), and was nominated for Most Promising New Playwright at the Off West End Awards 2018. He is one third of sketch trio Princes of Main (“consistently funny… able to get laughter from all sorts of angles” — Chortle). He has performed at Latitude Festival and London Wonderground on the South Bank. He’ll probably be up for a pint after the show.

“proper laughs and sparky writing… the future of sketch comedy is in safe hands” — The Telegraph

“hilarious” — The List

“ridiculously hilarious” — the Skinny

Shelf

Shelf are a comedy double act from South London.

Shelf is made up of Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde. Already lifelong friends, they started performing as Shelf in 2015. Shelf started out at open mic nights, honing a style that is “a winning hybrid of sketch show and standup” (Edfringe Review).

Since their formation, Shelf have performed at Bestival, London Pride, and been nominated for Sketchfest’s Best New Act award. Their work has appeared on BBC3 and LADBible. They are founding members of sell out monthly night The LOL Word, which showcases queer women and non binary comedians from across the London comedy circuit. They are board members of the cult hit Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, with whom they regularly perform in London and Edinburgh.

THE SKINNY

“…cool and relevant”

EdFringe Review ****

“a winning hybrid of sketch show and standup”

Amy Webber

A classically trained singer, Amy accidentally started comedy in 2019 when she was commissioned to write a 2 minute long song showcasing her voice and realised she could combine her favourite things – singing and trying to make people laugh. 

After winning her first ‘Beat The Frog’ in May 2019 at Manchester’s Frog and Bucket, Amy sang at the World Series finals in October. She also went on a 10-date summer tour of open spots stopping at Edinburgh Fringe, London and Manchester. Since then, Amy has performed live on air on BBC Radio Manchester and is excited to be a finalist in the Musical Comedy Awards. 

As well as her ‘2 minute song’ which is accompanied by ukulele, the other songs in her set are accompanied by music software, Ableton. Amy uses Ableton and a midi keyboard to create backing tracks, samples and sounds live on stage.

“Phenomenal and versatile singer” Chortle

“I wish I could be that funny and impressive” BBC Radio Manchester

Featuring a headline performance from the acclaimed musical comedian and prolific writer, TOM BASDEN!

As seen in After Life, Plebs, Quacks, W1A, The Wrong Mans, BBC4 sketch show Cowards and feature film David Brent – Life on the Road; creator of hit plays Party, Holes, The Crocodile and Joseph K; co-writer of Plebs, Gap Year, Peep Show, Fresh Meat and The Wrong Mans; Radio 4 regular in his sitcom Party and ‘Lord’ in Tim Key’s Late Night Poetry Programme.

Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer winner in 2007, British Comedy Award Best Breakthough Act nominee in 2013, nominated for three Chortle Awards and three BAFTAs.

Hosted by MCA resident MC, Nick Horseman!

Meet our first two finalists!

Richard Lindesay

Richard Lindesay is a musical comedian whose act is a surprising and surreal mixture of the flute and other woodwind instruments.

He started performing comedy in Australia in 2013 and quickly made an impact by reaching the finals of Sydney comedy competitions. Since then Richard has performed professionally in comedy clubs and festivals throughout New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, and mainland Europe.

‘Richard is a comedy wunderkind!’
Tim Ferguson, from Australian musical comedy troupe, Doug Anthony All Stars”

‘Richard’s flute playing antics will leave you holding your jaw, and grabbing at your gut.’
Tickles & Tarts

‘Richard has wonderfully unique and charming humour, and an appreciation for flutes​ that I’ve never seen before.’
Heckle and Squelch

Alex MacKeith

Alex is a musical comedian who is the resident musical guest at comedy night Fresh Chestnuts. He is also a playwright (School Play, **** The Guardian, the Independent, the Stage, Evening Standard, Time Out), and was nominated for Most Promising New Playwright at the Off West End Awards 2018. He is one third of sketch trio Princes of Main (“consistently funny… able to get laughter from all sorts of angles” — Chortle). He has performed at Latitude Festival and London Wonderground on the South Bank. He’ll probably be up for a pint after the show.

Comments on work as playwright:

“real promise” — The Guardian
“brilliantly funny” — The Stage
 “seriously impressive” — Time Out

Comments on sketch comedy with Princes of Main:

“proper laughs and sparky writing… the future of sketch comedy is in safe hands” — The Telegraph
“hilarious” — The List
“ridiculously hilarious” — The Skinny

Tickets are selling fast! Book now at http://www.wegottickets.com/musicalcomedyawards