As [...]]]> Eleven intrepid and impressive performers fought valiantly against each other at the first of our Oxfringe Hobgoblin Comedy Award Gong Shows, to a packed but very good humoured crowd at the Duke’s Cut, 1 Park End Street.  All performers displayed a great array of talent and skilled cut-and-thrust with their audience, showing pluck and confidence.

As many as four contestants managed to stay the 7 minute course, with others commendably not far behind.  With help from delighted audience applause, the finalists were ranked as follows:

• Winner: Matt Richardson – buoyed up with confidence on his home turf!
• 1st Runner up: Tony Coward
• 2nd Runner up: Alex Clissold-Jones
• 3rd Runner up: Barbaros Denlisoz

Well done to all eleven for providing a great evening’s entertainment, in good spirit.  Hats off to Iszi Lawrence whose adept skills as a raconteur ensured good humour and fast pacing throughout the evening.  She can be seen in her own stand-up show on Friday 2 April at Copa Upstairs at 10 pm.

Many thanks also to landlord James Knox for hosting the event and not forgetting our sponsor Chris Keating of Hobgoblin for providing some great prizes for the winners!

Update: Another great time was had by all at our second Hobgoblin Comedy Awards Gong Show on Friday 9 April at the Duke’s Cut.  The winners were:

• 1st Chris Coxen
• 2nd Richard Fox
• 3rd Hootie

with special commendations for  Luke Graves and James Mason who both did brilliant sets.