And the Chortle nominees are..
Vote for your favourite acts
The nominees have been announced for this year’s Chortle Awards, with We Are Klang leading the field.
The sketch group have been shortlisted for best sketch group and best full-length show – while troupe member Greg Davies is also in the running in the breakthrough category.
Take-no-prisoners American comic Doug Stanhope, pin-up surrealists The Mighty Boosh and Mark Thomas’s expose of the arms trade complete the nominees for best full-length show.
Maxwell’s Full Mooners, the late-night Comedy Store show fronted by Andrew Maxwell, is also up for two gongs: for innovation and for the off-stage contribution of its organisers. Tim FitzHigham, a regular on the nights, is also up for the innovation award thanks to his Edinburgh show.
And Free Fringe, the movement that allowed performers to bring shows to the Edinburgh festival at little cost, while offering punters free shows, has also been nominated for both innovation and off-stage contribution.
For the first time this year, the winners will be decided by a poll of Chortle readers. The shortlists were drawn up by a panel of critics, promoters, agents and a TV executive – but the final results will be chosen by you. Use the link at the bottom of this story to vote; polls close on February 28.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London’s Soho Revue Bar on March 13 and online that same night.
The full list of nominees is:
Best newcomer
Arnab Chanda
Carl Donnelly
Ginger and Black
Pappy’s Fun Club
Breakthrough act
Greg Davies
Josie Long
Paul Sinha
Shappi Khorsandi
Best compere
Jarred Christmas
Mark Watson
Robin Ince
Stephen K Amos
Best headliner
Jason Byrne
Michael McIntrye
Phil Nichol
Reginald D Hunter
Best sketch, variety or character act
Count Arthur Strong
Jeremy Lion
Joanna Neary
We Are Klang
Best full-length show
Doug Stanhope
Mark Thomas: As Used On The Famous Nelson Mandela
Mighty Boosh tour
We Are Klang: Klang Bang
Award for innovation
Free Fringe
James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids
Maxwell’s Full Mooners
Tim FitzHigham
Best off-stage contribution
BAC (Battersea Arts Centre)
Brett Vincent and Alex Rochford for Maxwell’s Full Mooners
Free Fringe
Toby Hadoke (XS Malarkey, Manchester)
Chortle readers also decide the best comedy clubs in each region of the UK, although there is no shortlist for these. Have your say by listing for your favourite venue or venues below.
Live comedy picks

Gig of the day
Jess Robinson: Your Song
Soho Theatre
from 21:15

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Tim Minchin: Songs The World Will Never Hear
Birmingham Symphony Hall
Wednesday 9th Jul from 19:30Book now

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Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty
Leeds Hyde Park Book Club
Sunday 6th Jul from 19:30Book now

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The Political Party with Matt Forde
Duchess Theatre
Monday 14th Jul from 19:30Book now

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Cally Beaton: Namaste Motherf*ckers
Kendal Brewery Arts Centre
Thursday 2nd Oct from 20:00Book now

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Alex Kealy: The Fear
Leeds Hyde Park Book Club
Thursday 17th Jul from 20:00Book now