The shortlist for the 39th Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, will be presented this weekend and for the first time feature two double acts.
The awards, directed by Nica Burns, celebrate the talent of both established and up-and-coming comedians performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each year. Winners of the two categories will be chosen from more than 750 eligible comedy shows.
Previous winners have included Rose Matafeo, Al Murray, Bridget Christie, Jenny Eclair, The League of Gentleman, Frank Skinner, Steve Coogan, Lee Evans and Russell Kane.
This year’s nominees for Best Comedy Show are:
Darren Harriott: Good Heart Yute
The Delightful Sausage: Ginster’s Paradise, a double act created by Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill
Demi Lardner: Ditch Witch 800
Goodbear: Dougal, sketch duo Henry Perryment and Joe Barnes
Ivo Graham: The Game of Life
Jessica Fostekew: Hench
Jordan Brookes: I’ve Got Nothing
London Hughes: To Catch A D**k
Spencer Jones: The Things We Leave Behind.
The nominees for Best Newcomer are:
Crybabies: Danger Brigade
Catherine Cohen: The Twist….? She’s Gorgeous
Helen Bauer: Little Miss Angel Baby Face
Huge Davies: The Carpark
Janine Harouni: Stand up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated)
Michael Odewale: #BLACKBEARSMATTER
Nigel Ng: Culture Shocked
Sophie Duker: Venus
Luke Hales, channel director for Dave, says: “”The diverse range of fantastic talent nominated today reflects the outstanding depth of comedy that the Edinburgh Fringe has to offer.
“This year it has been an immense honour for the channel to become sponsor of the Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and these nominees prove why we at Dave have been so excited to get even more involved in supporting upcoming and established comedians at the festival.
The winners will be presented by 1981 winner Stephen Fry and 2018 Best Comedy Show winner Rose Matafeo.
Stephen Fry is performing Mythos at the Festival Theatre from the 20-25 August as part of the Edinburgh International Festival. Rose Matafeo’s award winning Best Comedy Show from 2018, Horndog, is at Pleasance Courtyard from the 20-24 August.
Rose Matafeo has just completed her first starring role in a film, Baby Done and has also starred in Australian TV series, Squinters alongside Tim Minchin (Best Newcomer 2005), Sam Simmons (Best Comedy Show winner 2015) and Steen Raskopoulos (Best Newcomer nominee 2014). Her new sitcom Starstruck with BBC and HBO has been announced.
Nica Burns said: “Rose is well on her way to international stardom. Stephen Fry is an international star – actor, author, wit – across all the media: stage, radio, television and film. We’re delighted to welcome them back to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the launchpad for both their careers.’
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