Comedians' Choice Awards announced

Jordan Gray has been named the best performer at the Edinburgh Fringe by her comedy peers.

Meanwhile under-the-radar alternative comic Rob Copland won the Comedians' Choice Award for best show for Mainstream Muck (Gimme Some of That). And promoter Martin Willis of Objectively Funny Comedy was named best person.

On learning of the accolade for his free show at the Banshee Labyrinth, Copland tweeted simply: ‘WHAT THE FUUUUUUCK!’

The shortlist for his category also comprised

• Ali Brice: I Tried To Be Funny, But You Weren't Looking
• Chelsea Birkby: No More Mr Nice Chelsea
• Colin Hoult: The Death of Anna Mann
• The Delightful Sausage: Nowt but Sea
• Elf Lyons: Raven
• Luke Rollason: Bowerbird
• Siblings: Siblage
• Shelf: Hair
• Stuart Laws - Putting Zoo

Meanwhile, Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Gray said of her accolade: ‘This means EVERYTHING to me.’

As well as producing shows, Willis’ company also produces and distributes the Small Book on Mental Health at the festival, to support performers.

He said: ‘It is a massive honour to win an award like this, one that's voted for by people involved in shows here. It means the world to be recognised by a community that I care so dearly about, and I'm incredibly grateful.

‘That being said, it cannot go unmentioned that in the history of this particular award the winner has always been a man. That fact speaks both of the demographics of the voters but also of what we actually see from behind the scenes.

‘For an industry that is historically male-dominated onstage, there is a vast array of brilliant women that have made so much work possible in so many ways - technicians, producers, agents, venue programmers and people that do whatever job needs doing with care and gusto.

‘I would like to accept this award on behalf of the Objectively Funny team that has worked so hard to make excellent things happen at this festival: Ellie Brayne-Wyatt, Maddy Bye, Kathryn Higgins, Olivia Phipps and Lois Walshe.’

Copland, Gray and the Best Show shortlist will be invited to take part in a Comedians’ Choice showcase season at London's Museum Of Comedy in October.

David Hardcastle from the venue, which helped pay for the trophies, said: ‘As always, the Comedians' Choice Awards have produced not just worthy winners but a fantastically talented and varied shortlist. We're looking forward to having as many as possible of them here.’

Streaming platform NextUp Comedy will be recording some shows, with the performers receiving a share of the revenue based on the number of views they receive.

The Comedians' Choice Awards were founded in 2014  with every comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe is eligible to both cast a vote, and to be voted for – with no panel of judges or industry specialists. It is administered by the British Comedy Guide.

Published: 28 Aug 2022