Radio 4 to broadcast new sketch act showcase
Radio 4 have commissioned a live sketch act showcase called Sketchaholic!. The four-part series, which is due to be broadcast in the 6:30pm slot on the station in late Spring next year, will feature both established and up-and-coming sketch groups.
The Comedy Unit, the production company tasked with making the show, explains: "Under the working title of Sketchaholic!, this brand new format for Radio 4 will offer the same popular showcase dynamic that stand-up acts have enjoyed, but purely for comedy sketch groups. There are so many incredibly talented and inventive sketch groups on the British Comedy scene covering character, improv, broken and musical comedy but with no dedicated broadcast platform. Sketch show troupes are always well represented at the Edinburgh Fringe, with over 100 acts performing this year, but apart from the live circuit there's never been a show purely for the sketch act genre. Sketchaholic! aims to bring hidden gems and established live acts to the airwaves offering a truly distinctive and ambitious show for Radio 4."
Each week three acts will be showcased. The Comedy Unit already has identified some acts they'd like to be involved, but are still keen to hear from professional sketch acts/agents who would be interested in appearing on the show. Contact details can be found on The Comedy Unit's website
Radio 4 Comedy Commissioner Caroline Raphael says: "This is a gloriously simple and obvious idea; I cannot quite believe we have not done it already. The Comedy Unit have a fine record of making excellent and innovative shows for the network. There is a wealth of sketch groups out there and they should be able to treat the Radio 4 audiences to the very best of them."
Executive Producer Gus Beattie says: "This is an exciting new radio project for the Comedy Unit and a fantastic opportunity for live sketch acts to showcase what they can do to a wider audience. We're really looking forward to working with some brilliant and inventive sketch groups over the next few months and getting them on air."