12.39°C Colchester Comedian of the Year returns to Three Wise Monkeys this year, with three heats in May, June and July leading to the grand final on Wednesday 7th October. Organised by Gregory Edwards under the Legion of Laughs banner, the competition brings together 18 comedians for a lively night of stand up, improvisation, and audience participation.
For Gregory Edwards, the journey into comedy and promoting live events began in an unexpected way.
Around nine years ago, after experiencing a mental health breakdown, he decided it was time to rethink what he wanted from life.
“I woke up one morning and thought, just do things that make you happy,” he says. “I was lucky enough to be in a position where I could reset my life.”
He left his job in the motor trade and began trying new things. A charity boxing programme was one early attempt, but it was comedy, through a fundraising stand up night, that stuck.
That first performance proved to be a turning point. It was also where he first connected with Jo Fletcher Cross, who encouraged him to keep going with stand up. Jo was an important figure in the local comedy scene, supporting and mentoring many performers in Colchester and beyond. Following her recent passing, Gregory and many in the city’s comedy community have been reflecting on the role she played in helping new acts find their feet.
From there, Gregory began performing occasionally before moving into promoting comedy nights himself. What started with grassroots gigs gradually evolved into regular shows around Colchester, first at venues like Coda and now at Three Wise Monkeys.
The motivation behind it is simple.
“If I can take people out of the horrible world bubble for a couple of hours, then I’ve done my job,” he says. “Life can be stressful. A night where people can relax and laugh is a good thing.”
That outlook sits behind Colchester Comedian of the Year, which Gregory revived last year.
The competition format mixes traditional stand up with something a little different. Each heat features six comedians performing five minutes of material before taking part in a round of improvisation games inspired by shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Two comedians from each heat then progress to the October final.
Gregory says the improv element helps make the night stand out.
“It adds another challenge for the comedians, and it’s great fun for the audience,” he says. “Sometimes the improv works brilliantly, sometimes it falls apart, but either way people end up laughing.”
Last year’s debut competition drew strong crowds and ended with Pat Smith taking the inaugural title.
“Pat was brilliant,” Gregory says. “He’s a really funny guy and also one of the nicest people you could meet.”
The success of that first competition convinced Gregory that the event could become a regular fixture in the city’s cultural calendar.
“It showed me that it could work,” he says. “It showed that people in Colchester want nights like this.”
This year, 18 comedians will take part across the three heats, including several performers from Colchester itself. Gregory says having local acts on the bill helps create a lively atmosphere.
“If you’ve got local acts performing, their friends come along, and the room fills up,” he says. “That energy makes the whole night better.”
Three Wise Monkeys has become the natural home for the event. With its intimate upstairs space and strong technical setup, it provides an ideal venue for comedy.
“It’s a perfect space for it,” Gregory says. “You’ve got the stage, the lights, the sound and the capacity is just right.”
He also credits the venue team, particularly Amy Gunnee from the Three Wise Monkeys media team, for helping promote the shows and build an audience.
“They’ve been brilliant,” he says. “The support from the venue really helps make the nights work.”
Alongside the Colchester Comedian Of The Year, Gregory also runs regular comedy nights across Colchester under the Legion of Laughs banner. His shows currently take place at venues including Three Wise Monkeys and The Victoria Inn, where audiences can see both emerging performers and established acts.
He says other promoters and venues have also supported the growth of comedy in the city. Roots and Groove, Dice and Slice, and Coda have all hosted grassroots comedy nights, helping give comedians more opportunities to perform locally.
Gregory hopes events like these will continue to strengthen the local comedy scene and create more opportunities for performers.
“There are lots of comedians who can do 20 or 30 minutes of material,” he says. “But there aren’t always many chances to take that next step.”
He sees the nights he runs under the Legion of Laughs banner as part of that progression.
“I see Legion of Laughs as a stepping stone from ten-minute sets towards progressing to a full headline show,” he says. “It’s about giving people the chance to build towards that.”
Competitions like Colchester Comedian of the Year are part of that journey.
“It gives people a platform,” he says. “A chance to perform, develop and build confidence.”
For audiences, the appeal is simple: a lively comedy night where the crowd becomes part of the show.
Half of the competition result is decided by audience vote, meaning the atmosphere in the room can genuinely influence the outcome.
The heats take place at Three Wise Monkeys on Wednesday 6th May, Wednesday 3rd June and Wednesday 1st July, with the grand final on Wednesday 7th October.
Tickets are available online.
