Edinburgh Fringe
Alana Jackson wins 'So You Think You're Funny?' 2024
- Winner: Alana Jackson
- 2nd: Ciara O'Connor
- 3rd: Ayo Adenekan
Alana Jackson has won the So You Think You're Funny? new act contest at the Edinburgh Festival.
Jackson is a graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She grew up on a council estate in Glasgow, but is now based in London and "combining her love for comedy and writing in stand-up."
In her set she joked about the differences between Glasgow and London, discussed how Scottish funerals are different than English ones, drinking culture, and how she had to complete her acting degree on Zoom during lockdown.
Upon being announced the winner, she said: "Thank you so much, this really means a lot." She also thanked her mum, dad and granny for supporting her.
Ciara O'Connor - who touched upon topics including being transgender, and not loving sport - was named runner-up. Guest judge Sue Perkins noted O'Connor was "an absolute talent".
Ayo Adenekan took third place. An Edinburgh-based comic, Adenekan joked about being one of the only Black people in the city, and his wish to be the next Doctor Who.
The other finalists were Alex Gogarty, Bert Broadbent, Fab Goualin, Kate Sharp, Laurie Brewster, Paras Patel and Sophia Wren.
The final took place at the Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose and was hosted by 2017 winner Maisie Adam. Each act had 7 minutes on stage.
Joining Sue Perkins on the judging panel was venue directors Katy Koren and Karen Koren, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Bruce Dessau, Melbourne International Comedy Festival director Susan Provan and SYTYF? producer Julia Chamberlain.
Katy and Karen Koren say: "Huge congratulations to Alana Jackson - this year's very deserving winner of So You Think You're Funny?. 2024's competition was one of our biggest and most competitive ever, with an outstanding 597 applicants this year so it's an incredible feat for these 10 finalists to have made it this far and performed in front of tonight's sold out crowd.
"So You Think You're Funny? is the UK's longest running competition of its kind and year on year it's wonderful to see alumni return to Gilded Balloon for their debut shows including Joshua Bethania, Kathleen Hughes, Nate Kitch and more this year.
"We'd like to say a huge thank you to every comic who entered the competition this year - it was such a talented crop of comedians and we're sure this year's finalists will go on to do big things!"
Sue Perkins says: "This was a very tough decision. I was a small part of the judging process and there were so many talented people for us to choose from. Well done to everyone who put themselves out there tonight. It's terrifying and they were brilliant!"
Jackson receives a cash prize; a fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon's Fringe programme; a place on Soho Theatre's coveted Comedy Plus Lab 10-week course supporting emerging comedian's to develop skills featuring industry advice and masterclasses in the year following the final; up to 4 mentorship meetings (virtual or in person) with Channel 4's Comedy Commissioning team in the year following the final; a paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition thanks to Festival Republic; other paid performance slots at the UK's best comedy clubs including the Glee Club, the Boat Show and more; complimentary headshot photoshoot by professional photographer Steve Ullathorne; complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the final to use in their show-reel; and mentorship and support from Gilded Balloon.