BBC New Comedy Awards

Maria Fedulova, Rachel Hough, Jake Donaldson, Samira Banks and Marie Goulbourne perform at the Ashton Hall, but only one can go through to the grand final in Birmingham's illustrious Alexandra Theatre.

The search for Britain's best new comic reaches Lancaster, a city buzzing with students and reputed to have the most pubs per square mile for its size. With a vibrant live comedy, music and arts scene, our quintet of comics will feel right at home performing at Ashton Hall, a music and comedy venue that's the jewel in the crown of Lancaster Town Hall.

Our host for the evening is Manchester's own rock'n'roll star of comedy, Rachel Fairburn. The renowned stand-up and co-host of All Killa No Filla podcast kicks off the night with a bit of local banter before bringing on the five acts. Judging their performances is comedian, writer and actor Jessica Knappett and multi-award-winning comedy producer Gill Isles, who will be calling upon her experience of producing hits like Car Share, Man Like Mobeen and Alma's Not Normal when judging tonight's acts. Our effervescent head judge, Babatunde Aleshe completes the trio.

Maria Fedulova, Rachel Hough, Jake Donaldson, Samira Banks and Marie Goulbourne, whose sets are jam-packed with jokes and cutting-edge material, but only one can go through to the grand final in Birmingham's illustrious Alexandra Theatre.

Maria Fedulova

Rachel Hough

Jake Donaldson

Samira Banks

Marie Goulbourne