Nina Conti to present BBC Two comedy variety show
Nina Conti is working on her own BBC Two show.
A pilot episode of the new format, which is titled Nina Conti's Va-Va-Riety Show, is set to be recorded in front of a live audience at the end of the month.
The synopsis for the show explains: "Hosted by Nina, the show is a modern take on the traditional variety show, a mix of cabaret, burlesque, magic, musical comedy and circus performance."
Producers add: "Bringing together contemporary variety with Nina's own world of puppetry and ventriloquism, this comedy show will feature top class acts in a riotous celebration of humour and live performance."
It has been known for some time that the BBC has been looking to work with Conti. BBC entertainment commissioner Mark Linsey has previously expressed his admiration for her work and, when speaking to Broadcast magazine, has explained how he hoped to involve her as part of his plan to develop more standalone projects for female comedians.
Conti, who is best known for her ventriloquism performances on the likes of Live At The Apollo, and for her role in the sitcom Family Tree, fronted a non-broadcast pilot of another comedy show for the BBC in December. Speak For Yourself was described as a 'Mr & Mrs-style comedy pilot'.
Nina Conti's Va-Va-Riety Show will be filmed at the Theatre Royal Stratford East on the 28th July 2014. To apply to be in the audience see our free tickets page
Below is a video of Conti performing as part of the BBC's 2012 Edinburgh Fringe coverage: