Nominations announced for Fosters Comedy Awards 2011
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011
The short list for the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award has been announced, with the likes of Nick Helm, Chris Ramsey and Josie Long, who attracted a five star review from Giggle Beats, amongst those nominated for Best Comedy Show at the 2011 Fringe. Also included are Adam Riches, Andrew Maxwell and Sam Simmons.
Meanwhile the Best Newcomer category attracted a record eight nominees in the shape of: Cariad Lloyd, The Chris and Paul Show (Chris O’Neill and Paul Valenti), Hannibal Buress, Holly Walsh, Humphrey Ker, Josh Widdicombe, Thom Tuck and Totally Tom.
This year’s judging panel is headed by Festival Republic’s Tania Harrison, along with Lindsay Hughes from Baby Cow, BBC radio producer Julia McKenzie, Daily Telegraph reviewer Mark Monahan, comedy development executive Simon Nicholls, Daily Mirror columnist Brian Reade, Time Out comedy editor Ben Williams and members of the public Steve Morton, Cara Sandys and Sarah Slack.
Awards producer Nica Burns said: ‘This record-breaking year of 505 eligible shows demonstrates the incredible strength of the UK comedy scene, which is bursting with talent both familiar and new and continues to grow at an astonishing rate.
‘Not only that: in the run-up to this year’s Fringe, everyone was predicting that 2011 would be an exceptional year for newcomers – they were right. With 100 extra newcomer shows to consider, it came as no surprise that the panel was spoilt for choice. This inspired the longest debate in the history of the newcomer award, and a second vote. Result: an unprecedented shortlist of eight, all of whom the panel feels should be encouraged, as they clearly have a brilliant future in comedy.
‘We have a brilliant shortlist for best comedy show; a set of nominees to please differing funny bones – character, political and life-affirming comedy. And most of all, very, very funny. Comedy in the UK is in fantastic shape. This has been a great Edinburgh Festival for comedy.’
The winner of the top Edinburgh award receives £10,000 while the Best Newcomer and the panel prize receive £5,000 each. All winners will be announced on Saturday lunchtime.
