The teen comedy award in memory of Leeds author Louise Rennison

Today sees the launch of a children’s comedy award in memory of Leeds author Louise Rennison. Catherine Scott reports.
Louise Rennison, the writer of the phenomenally successful teen novel series Angus Thongs, pictured in the Sky Lounge of the Mint Hotel, Leeds.  17 January 2012 she sadly died four years later.  Picture Bruce RollinsonLouise Rennison, the writer of the phenomenally successful teen novel series Angus Thongs, pictured in the Sky Lounge of the Mint Hotel, Leeds.  17 January 2012 she sadly died four years later.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Louise Rennison, the writer of the phenomenally successful teen novel series Angus Thongs, pictured in the Sky Lounge of the Mint Hotel, Leeds. 17 January 2012 she sadly died four years later. Picture Bruce Rollinson

“Louise was such a beloved talent, who enjoyed nothing more than to make people smile through her storytelling.”

These are the words of Leeds author and comedian Louise Rennison’s sister, Sophie Severs.

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Louise, author of hit teenage fiction such as Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging, died in 2016.

Louise Rennison, Picture Bruce RollinsonLouise Rennison, Picture Bruce Rollinson
Louise Rennison, Picture Bruce Rollinson

And today sees the launch of the Louise Rennison National Funny Award – a new writing and performing arts competition designed to showcase the creative and comedic talents of young people in the UK.

The award encourages 11 to 18- year-olds to create original comedy by submitting up to 1,000 words or three pages of creative copy or a funny video performance of up to three minutes.

Author and comedian Louise was well-known for her ability to make people smile through her storytelling.

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Her most famous works include, award-winning book Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging – part of the Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series – which was turned into a major motion picture in 2008; and The Misadventures of Tallulah Casey, following the story of teenage Tallulah as she heads to a prestigious performing arts school and gets her first taste of freedom.

Comedian and TV presenter Ben Shires is one of the judges Picture: Andy TattersallComedian and TV presenter Ben Shires is one of the judges Picture: Andy Tattersall
Comedian and TV presenter Ben Shires is one of the judges Picture: Andy Tattersall

Louise died in 2016, but her books are still very popular with young adult readers around the world and in total have been translated into 30 languages – with Rennison’s glossaries at the back of her books joyfully explaining English teenage speak and Yorkshire dialect.

Always smiling, Louise’s research for her books required many hours hanging around with 14-year-olds which is, as she said, “brilliant – the best fun known to humanity”.

Louise based several episodes in the books on her own childhood in Leeds, where she was brought up in a three-bedroomed council house with her mother, father, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin. And characters such as Elvis the school caretaker, Wet Lindsey, Herr Kamyer the German teacher and Angus himself are not entirely fictional!

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When Louise was 15 her parents decided to emigrate to Wairakei in New Zealand.

In her 20s, Louise returned to the UK and lived in Notting Hill Gate. After an assortment of jobs (play leader, dental nurse) and travelling, Louise rekindled a childhood dream and enrolled on a performing arts course in Brighton.

Her first one-woman autobiographical show, Stevie Wonder Felt My Face, won great acclaim and awards at the Edinburgh Festival in the 1980s and millions watched the subsequent BBC2 special. Louise then continued to perform her own shows – Bob Marley’s Gardener Sold My Friend and Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head. She worked frequently for Radio 4 and was a regular contributor to Woman’s Hour and The John Peel Show. She also wrote for and with many well-known comedians , including Russ Abbott.

Created by Louise’s family, The Louise Rennison Funny Award has been in the planning for some time but could not have come at a better time for the nation’s young people.

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“The creation of this award is not only to honour her legacy, but to inspire positivity and creativity in the next generation through the power of comedy,” explains her sister.

“This is reflected in the experiences we are offering as prizes. It’s not about winning an award to sit on the mantelpiece – winners will have the opportunity to undertake immersive workshops with some of the top creative and comedic talent in the country.

“Most of all the award is about exploring comedy, trying something different and having fun. Our aim is for Louise’s legacy to inspire the next generation of comedic talent in the UK.”

​The free-to-enter competition is open from today (April 1), with submissions closing on August 31. A panel of judges – including presenters, comedians and writers – will then select the overall competition winners and they will be revealed in October.

CBBC presenter Ben Shires, from York, is one of the judges.

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“In these bizarre times when schools are closed and the world is all looking a bit gloomy, the Louise Rennison National Funny Award gives young people up and down the country a great way to get creative and focus on something positive and fun,” he says.

“Whether you think you’re 
funny or not, it really doesn’t matter – it’s all about trying something
new and having a laugh whilst
doing it and we want to encourage people to enlist other members of the family as well. I think we can all agree, more laughter is exactly what the country needs right now – especially the younger generation – so get involved and let’s all have a good old giggle.”

Fellow judges include comedian Andi Osho, TV presenters Jonny Nelson and Lauren Layfield, writer and author Mark Heywood, talent manager Kate Haldane and director of Hay Children’s Festival, Julia Eccleshare.

The Louise Renninson National Funny Award competition falls into two categories:

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■ Comedic Writing (up to 1,000 words of creative copy – this could be a short story, a script, a screenplay, a book chapter or an article for a magazine or newspaper).

■ Comedic Performance (up to three minutes of video – this could be a scene for a film, a TV show, a play, an advert or a stand-up performance).

Submissions will be judged in two age bands: 11 to 14 and 15 to 18 with the option to enter as an individual or a group (up to four people maximum).

There will be prizes for first place, second place and third place runners-up that include interactive comedic and creative writing and performance workshops with established writers and comedians; with over 100 books to be given away to runners-up.

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