Stand Up For Cider 2023! The Grand Final!

Friday 24 November 2023. One of my favourite evenings ever. The Grand Final of Stand Up For Cider 2023.

We arrived to a SOLD OUT show at The Creative Innovation Centre (CICCIC) The atmosphere was electric. Lots of smiles, chatter and energy in the room. The audience were milling around the bar before taking their seats for the show. The acts were gathering at the back of the room. Chatting and wishing each other luck.

I took the opportunity to hop on the stage to welcome everyone and announce some exciting news for 2024. More about that later…..

Thanks to my friend Sally Maidment for the photo above.

I handed over to our amazing resident host David Arnold. He is just the best. We all love him very much. Such a brilliant entertainer. Fresh, new material every time he performs on a Genius stage!

Stand Up For Cider is very grateful for the support of our wonderful sponsors – Sheppy’s Cider, Berrys Coaches, Somerset County Gazette, CICCIC, Design Bean and Walpole Dunn Accountants. Without their help there would be no shows/competitions. Last night Walpole Dunn were unable to be there so they donated their tickets too Reminiscence Learning, a wonderful local Dementia Charity! Their lovable Archie the scarecrow took to the stage and brought buckets for cash donations. Rem Learning are their charity of the year.

So, the show started. 1st onstage was Oliver Young – He made a great start. Fab material about his time working in Coffee Nero. Hilarious material from customer reviews. One describing him as a bug eyed Frodo and other daft names including square headed boy! Very strong performance.

Next up was the vivacious and beautiful Joanna Surowiec – A breath of sunshine in her bright yellow dress. Fab material about her Polish background and her new life in the UK. Her act is very warm and engaging. She did so well. We will definitely be booking her again.

3rd up was Potts! Very confident delivery. Good material. The audience enjoyed his time on the stage.

Our 4th contender was Barry Dunstall. A very different act. Dry humour. Deadpan delivery. A few prop jokes with made up greeting cards, dusted with a few ‘ur mum’ jokes.

Next up and last before the beer break was Billy James. Tall, with a warm personality and some absolutely brilliant gags and material. Ranging from people he’s been told he looks like…. Austin Powers, Sue Perkins etc! Mentioned he looked like the kind of chap to have their stag do in PC World! Lots of laughter and applause breaks. Brilliant gag about people with heated car seats….catch him where you can. He will definitely be on a Genius stage again.

During the beer break it was lovely to see everyone chatting and discussing the acts they had already seen. The atmosphere was fab.

First up in the second half was Stephen Catling. Almost impossible to describe this fella. He stolled down the aisle with a pug dog head on. Welcome to the church of dog! He shook hands with a few in the front row including my friend Steve Vellam. He used Steve a fair bit during the performance. Lots of dog conversations and leading on to a killer Titanic joke before Stephen stripped off and turned into a Bee! You should have been there.

Next up was the winner of Heat four – Gavin Harris. Lovable chap from Cornwall. He started with a song he had written on the drive up to the show! received very well. His jokes are impressive. Crowd work needs a little work, however, he is a natural comedian and should absolutely keep going!

Gilly Webb leapt onto the stage in her trademark tartan trousers! A real live wire. Full of energy. Rapid fire gags. Lots of laughter in the room.

Our final contestant took to the stage. Ben Ashurst settled quickly into a well practiced and awesome set. Lots of applause breaks and howls of laughter. Impeccable timing and delivered with confidence.

Now was the time to gather in the audience voting slips and for Laura and Alex Perry to count all the scores. I have done this myself for the last nine years. It is brilliant to have their support. Great team work.

Time to announce the winners – In 3rd place was Stephen Catling! In 2nd place Billy James….and the well deserved winner was Ben Ashurst! They were all presented to some gorgeous Sheppy’s Cider!

Ben will have his name engraved on the Cider barrel trophy. He will also go on to perform with a TV level act in April with Laura Lexx at a Genius show in Chard. Keep an eye on the website about all our future shows.

Finally, the exciting news I mentioned at the beginning…..Next year in July – I (Genius) will be bringing Somerset Comedy Festival! With shows all across the county. I have started a new business called Somerset Comedy Festival and it is a CIC company! Watch out for the launch coming shortly!