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New Acts of the Year Show

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The Hackney Empire New Act of the Year is a long-running annual competition run at the Hackney Empire theatre in London in order to encourage, discover and promote new stand-up comedy talent.

The best three or four acts often appear later that year in a showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

History

Roland and Claire Muldoon pioneered "new variety", auditioning many of the acts that became the new wave of comedy and performance in the UK. The process evolved into the New Act of the Year Show produced by Claire and compered by Roland when they took over the Hackney Empire. It is currently produced by their new organisation, C&R Presentations, at the Hackney Empire.

Previous winners include: Stewart Lee, Ardal O'Hanlon and Linda Smith. Eddie Izzard only came third. Harry Hill is often quoted as a winner, but in fact he was only a finalist.

The final has been compered for many years by Arthur Smith.

The 2006 final was considered to be "the best since 1994" according to William Cook of The Guardian.

Rules and eligibility

For 2007, auditions will run from Wed 7 to Tue 13 February (from 7:30pm) in the Marie Lloyd Bar on the ground floor. The final will be in the main theatre on 4 March.

There do not appear to be any restrictions on what constitutes a "new act".

Winners & finalists

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1994

1993

1990

1987

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