Enter and you might be 1 of 10 comedy writers to have sketches professionally performed

THE Sunday for Sammy Trust are offering up to 10 comedy writers the chance to have their sketches professionally performed in an exciting joint venture with the popular Laffalang team.

The iconic North East charity, whose bi-annual shows at:- 'Newcastle City Hall' have reached legendary status since their inception in 2000, exists to help people to get established in the performing arts. Some recipients of grants from Sunday for Sammy have already made remarkable progress in the performing arts. Actor Lee Armstrong has the lead role in the touring production of Warhorse, musician Emily Hoile is second harpist in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and actress Alice Stokoe has the lead role in the West End Production of Mama Mia.

Working with Ed Waugh and the Laffalang sketch troupe, whose regular shows attract up to 400 people at the Westovian Theatre in South Shields, Sunday For Sammy producer Ray Laidlaw is inviting anyone from the region who can pen a funny sketch to try their hand.

Ray, who was the original drummer of Tyneside-based legends Lindisfarne, explained:- "The Laffalang is a fantastic way to introduce new writers to the professional world. To have your work performed live by actors is a huge thrill."

Any North East based aspiring writer is invited to submit a sketch and the theme for the competition is "spring".   "It can be any aspect of the season. We're looking for concise material, written by individuals or pairs, that hits the funny bone. Entrants can be aged from 16 to 116. By the same token, we wouldn't discriminate against anyone over 116 from entering." said Ray.

Jason Cook and Gavin Webster, both leading lights of the North East comedy scene who are now making waves nationally, will judge the initial entries. (Jason himself was 1 of the 1st recipients of a grant from Sunday for Sammy.)

The judges will select up to 10 people to go forward to a day school at The Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle in July that will be run by Ed Waugh and Laffalang producer Gareth Hunter and attended by members of the regular Sunday for Sammy cast.

That will be followed by a 2nd day school at:- 'The Stand', in August during which sketches, written at the 1st school, will be rehearsed and then performed by professional actors to an invited audience that will include industry professionals.

Ray added:- "Who knows, some sketches might end up being performed at the next Laffalang and if someone exceptional emerges, he or she will be invited to write a 5 minute sketch for inclusion in the 2016 Sunday For Sammy show."

Sketches should be between 500 words and 1,000 words maximum and submitted to Ray Laidlaw at:- info@sundayforsammy.org.

Please check:- SundayForSammy.Org for the competition details and rules.

Witness appeal to bike theft from Wigan North Western station

DO you recognise this man? British Transport Police officers believe he could have vital information about the theft of a bike from Wigan North Western Station. The incident occurred at around 3.30pm on Thursday, 19 March 2014. Investigating officer PC Gary Beardall said:- "The victim left his red Claude Butler mountain bike secured in the cycle shelter using a cable lock. When he returned to collect it the bike had gone. We believe the man in the CCTV image could help us with our enquiries. We would urge him or anyone who recognises him to contact us immediately." Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on:- 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference PSUB/B7 of 10/04/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.