Last month Funny.co.uk announced the auditions for the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2004 auditions.  This event is one of the UK's most well-known comedy competitions, and this year promises to live up to expectations.  The acts taking part this year will include Stand Up comedians, double acts, character acts, comedy musical acts, variety acts and comedy poets.

The audition list is now closed, and over 100 entrants have been selected to take part.  The auditions will take place over the course of two days on Saturday 24th January and Saturday 31st January, starting at 12 noon.. 

The auditions are open to the public, so why not go along and see what Britain's new comedy talent has to offer.  Tickets are priced at £2.00 at the door.  Each entrant will be performing a five minute set, and the event will be compered by Roland Muldoon and Tony Goodrick. The auditions will take place in the Hackney Empire Bullion Room Theatre (250 seats) located directly behind the Hackney Empire (117 Wilton Way, E8).

The lucky finalists selected from the auditions will be performing in the finals on Saturday 28th February, and tickets are on sale now for £8.50.  To book your ticket call the box office now on 020 8985 2424. The final will be hosted by Arthur Smith in the newly refurbished 1300 seat Hackney Empire Theatre (291 Mare Street London E8 1EJ).

The winners of this competition will then be invited to perform in shows in behalf of the Hackney Empire during 2004, including "The Best New Act of the Year" and at the Edinburgh Festival 2004.