Musical Comedy Awards 2011 Launch

The new season of the Musical Comedy Awards has launched with a party in London, and organisers are now looking for budding musical comics to enter the 2011 competition.

The MCA launch party was hosted by the 2010 runners up, Horse and Louis (pictured) and featured 2010 finalists Jay Foreman and Rob Carter, a headline set by Sarah-Louise Young, winner of both the Three Weeks Editors' Award and Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe, and a performance by DJ Danny, aka comedy writer and performer Danny Robins.

MCA's Creative Director Tamara Cowan says: "The Musical Comedy Awards 2011 kicked off with a bang, with both new and old acts storming the stage and a great audience in attendance. There were pianos, guitars, laughter and tears as well as a Rage Against the Machine Christmas song, and audience chair dancing! Now going into our third and greatest year, we cant wait to see all the 2011 entries both on our website and live in action."

The Musical Comedy Awards are rapidly becoming a key part of the comedy calendar, with the competition giving audiences a chance to witness the stars of today and tomorrow, whilst acts are given key industry exposure and experience. MCA 2010 winners Abandoman were one of the big hits at this year's Edinburgh Festival, playing to sell-out crowds at the Pleasance.

The organisers are now looking for musical comedians for the 2011 contest, with acts of all levels of experience invited to enter. Founder Ed Chappel told us acts should consider getting involved as the competition provides acts with "a great platform to network, a chance to promote work in front of fans of the genre at sell-out shows, and to perform in a high profile competition."

Artists wishing to get involved should upload videos of their own original musical comedy material to the website www.musicalcomedy.co.uk before the deadline of December 12th 2010. After this date the best 40 acts will be selected by a panel of industry judges to take part in the live knockout heats in London in early 2011, with these gigs also featuring established guest headliners to draw crowds. The Grand Final will take place at the New Players Theatre in March where the 2011 winner and best newcomer will be named.

This year, in addition to industry and public exposure, the winner will receive a cash prize of £500, whilst the Best Newcomer - sponsored by WeGotTickets - will be awarded £200. Winning acts are also likely to be invited to take part in the MCA's popular Edinburgh showcases, a tour of UK universities next Autumn, and potentially perform at shows in Berlin too.

To find out more about the competition and submit your entry visit www.musicalcomedy.co.uk