The search is on for the best new comedian in the Manawatu, as the second annual Palmy Raw Comedy Quest kicks off on Friday, 29 March at The Globe.

Part of the National Raw Comedy Quest run by The Classic Comedy Club in Auckland, there is over $2000 in prize money up for grabs for the winner of the overall competition, as well performance opportunities in the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in May.

Last year's competition saw 27 competitors enter, with Sin Envy winning the title and Maggie Malone finishing as runner up. This year, 16 people are already entered and Comedy Hub producer Ben Caldwell is hoping to fill up all remaining spots.

"We have 30 available spots so to have half of them filled up three weeks out from the start of the competition is great. But we'd love to hit 30, so don't be shy in entering. It could lead to some awesome things for the winner," says Caldwell.

To enter, competitors need six minutes of original material and the guts to get up on stage. The competition will be judged by professionals with a performance or producing background. The judges will be looking for comedians who have x-factor, originality, stage presence, craftsmanship, audience reaction and funny!

Previous winners of the national competition include Melanie Bracewell (7 Days), Jamaine Ross (Frickin' Dangerous Bro) and James Malcolm (AotearoHA!).

The quest will be hosted by some of the best comedic talent around New Zealand, including the winner of last year's national competition winner, Gabby Anderson of Wellington, as well as Joe Daymond, Rhian Wood-Hill and 2017 Billy T Nominee Li'i Alaimoana.

Palmerston North has an understated but proud comedy history, with the likes of New Zealand comedy legend John Clarke, 7 Day's Jeremy Corbett and Billy T Winner Nick Gibb getting their starts in the city. Caldwell see's the latest batch of comedians coming through as potentially adding their names to the list.

"We have a high level of talent in the region and we've developed a good reputation around the country in other comedy scenes. It would be amazing if we could get one of our performers to bring home the national title and something that we as a community could all celebrate."

Entries to the quest are still open and Caldwell encourages anyone with an interest in competing to register by emailing comedyinpalmy@gmail.com. They will receive more information on the competition, as well as chances to get stage time or workshop material prior to their heat.

Warning: May contain adult themes and coarse language

Heat 1: Friday, 29 March - hosted by Rhian Wood-Hill
Heat 2: 30 March - hosted by Gabby Anderson
Heat 3: Friday, 5 April - hosted by Joe Daymond
Final: Saturday, 6 April - hosted by Li'i Alaimoana

Venue: The Globe Theatre
Tickets: $15 full, $10 concession ($20 full, $15 concession for the final)
Bookings: www.globetheatre.co.nz
Facebook: Event page

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