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Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ
Comedy goes up north
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ
Comedy is expanding out of its London base and building on its long
history of developing Northern talent by launching a Comedy Development
Unit based at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Manchester.
The
unit, set up and overseen by Kenton Allen, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Editor of Comedy,
will have a specific brief to find and develop the next generation
of comedy stars from the North of England.
Kenton
says: "Over the last ten years the North West has produced
a huge number of iconic comedy writers and performers - Peter Kaye,
Johnny Vegas, Steve Coogan, Caroline Aherne, John Thompson, Craig
Cash, Victoria Wood, Henry Normal - the list is endless.
"It's
crucial that the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ is actively seeking out the stars of the future
and providing the next generation with the opportunities they deserve.
"The
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ is the only broadcaster with the commitment and expertise in
comedy to make the most of what the North has to offer.
"This
grass roots approach is the ideal way to find a rich and diverse
mix of new performers."
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ
Manchester Comedy Producer Jon Mountague will head up the development
team which will also comprise a talent scout funded by Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Talent
who will work closely with artists and agents to identify up-and-coming
stars.
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ
Manchester Comedy will formally launch later this year with an evening
entitled How To Write A Sitcom where leading writers and performers
will be on hand to pass on their experiences followed by an audience
Q&A and the chance to meet the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ team.
Kenton
Allen became Editor of Comedy at the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ in February 2003 and reports
into Sophie Clarke-Jervoise, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Head of Comedy.
From
1995 - 1999 he was based in Manchester during which time he developed
and produced a range of hit comedies including The Mrs Merton Show
and the BAFTA award winning The Royle Family for Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ ONE.
All the
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's digital services are now available on ,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable. Freeview
offers the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ's eight television channels, interactive services
from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵi, as well as 11 Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ radio networks.
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