00:00We were thrilled to bring back a sketch for Sammy as part of our mission to uncover and support fresh comedy talent,
00:07says Ray Laidlaw, producer of the legendary Sunday for Sammy shows,
00:11which are set to storm Newcastle's Utility Arena once again on the 15th of February next year.
00:17Sunday for Sammy is a charitable trust that honours much-loved North East actor Sammy Johnson,
00:22who was star of Spender and of Wiederson Pet through its now-iconic arena shows,
00:28featuring familiar favourites like Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Jill Halfpenny, Joe McEldry and Jason Cook.
00:35The charity raises vital funds to support emerging North East creatives in music, theatre, comedy and film.
00:42This year's sketch for Sammy final showcased six original pieces,
00:46each offering a unique and witty take on life in the North East.
00:49And right on cue with the comedy theme, I'm here in Newcastle's creative hub, Oosburn,
00:55to meet the competition's winner, Hendrika.
00:57So this is actually my first time being involved with Sunday for Sammy.
01:01This was my year to kind of like go out there, put myself out there and apply for loads of stuff
01:07and just try and be as proactive as I could about pursuing comedy writing.
01:13And it's really paid off.
01:16So my sketch is called Peeping Toms,
01:18and it is about an interview to join the Society of Peeping Toms and sort of the absurdity of that.
01:28I was inspired by the name Peeping Toms just because it feels so sort of hilariously whimsical.
01:35It comes from the story of Lady Godiva and it really feels like the name doesn't match what it actually is.
01:43It's actually something quite sinister.
01:45So I thought that it would be funny to make these Toms as ridiculous as I could to kind of highlight the absurdity of the name Peeping Toms.
01:55And I think as a woman as well, like there's quite a lot of power in playing with that.
02:00And, you know, there's power to be reclaimed in kind of finding the absurdity in something that can be quite scary.
02:05So with the Sketch for Sammy competition, I saw it come up online and I entered it and then waited with bated breath for a few weeks
02:17and then found out that I had made the top six, which was so exciting.
02:22And, yeah, I really couldn't wait for the 12th when we had the show.
02:27And then obviously on the 12th, all of the sketches were performed.
02:30So it was a really, like, amazing opportunity to meet all the other writers and see everybody else's work
02:35because there is so much talent here and to be able to just, like, be amongst that
02:40and sort of celebrate everyone's work because everyone's worked really hard
02:44and they've really turned out some hilarious sketches.
02:48So, yeah, went along to that, saw my sketch on the stage
02:53and then they announced that it was me and I was really shocked.
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