Two storytellers, a puppeteer and a character actor are in contention to win the prestigious prize that launched the careers of many of Britain’s most famous comedians.
The shortlist for the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award is the longest in the event’s 35-year history, and reflects an industry burgeoning with new talent, according to the judges. From about 600 eligible acts, a panel of critics and promoters selected an extraordinary variety of talent alongside “orthodox” stand-ups.
Lucy Lumsden, chairwoman of the judging panel and head of comedy at Sky, said the diversity among about 600 acts in Edinburgh suggested British comedy was alive and kicking.
“There are many different forms of comedy and this list is indicative,” she said. “It shows physical comedy can hold its own next to political satire. I love that comedy is constantly surprising us and telling us new things about ourselves that we don’t know. I hope that these acts demonstrate the range.”
Past winners of the prize include Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Steve Coogan. Last year’s shortlist of seven was made up entirely of traditional stand-ups, a description that just about covers Nish Kumar, an exciting voice in political comedy, and James Acaster, nominated for the fourth time, a feat emulating that of Al Murray, who finally won the prize in 1999.
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The remainder of the nominees perform very different shows. Trygve Wakenshaw and Sam Simmons have very physical acts, while Joseph Morpurgo uses a multimedia approach in a delightful character comedy. Seymour Mace, a veteran of the club circuit, incorporates soap opera puppets, a nutty game show and mad illustrations.
Like Kieran Hodgson, Sarah Kendall is a storytelling comedian. Kendall is also the only woman on the shortlist, though about 150 female comedy acts have been performing in the city’s atmospheric clubs and bars this August.
On Wednesday, controversy erupted around the Best Joke of the Fringe prize, won by Darren Walsh. His joke about a “Hans free” phone with no German contacts on it was claimed by Frank Sanazi , who said he had been using the same pun for the past nine years.
Twenty hours later, the organisers of the Foster’s award were keen to douse any hint of controversy surrounding the predominance of men among their nominees.
“I’d have liked more women, but I don’t think it’s an issue,” said Nica Burns, the impresario who founded the awards. “There were women on the longlist, but this is how the panel voted on merit. As a woman I want to be judged on my merit. I don’t believe in a quota to get somewhere because I wasn’t the best.”
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Not everyone agrees with the judges. Earlier this month, Phill Jupitus, well known for his appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, said women were the “punk rock” of comedy, “doing all the best stuff” while male comics “are a bit moribund at the moment”.
Jenny Eclair, 1995, Laura Solon, 2005, and Bridget Christie, 2013, are the only women to have won the prize since it was founded in 1981. Thompson was part of the Cambridge Footlights troupe which won in the inaugural year.
The winner of the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards receives £10,000, with a prize of £5,000 for the best newcomer. A panel prize of £5,000 is also awarded for a show of outstanding merit.