Accolades for Sid Singh and producer Lydia Mason too

Julia Masli, Sid Singh and the late Laughing Horse producer Lydia Mason have all scooped accolades at this year’s Comedians' Choice Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Masli won the best show award for her acclaimed late-night show ha ha ha ha ha ha ha at Monkey Barrel.
Sid Singh was named best performer for his show Table for One at Cabaret Voltaire.

The comedian, who is also a refugee lawyer and activist, is donating half the money he takes from his Edinburgh run to the San Francisco-based Center for Gender and Refugee Studies.

Singh said: ‘I’m still struggling to find the words to express how grateful I am, but this is so cool! The only reason I've been able to perform my stand-up and raise this money for the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies is because of all the comedians who booked me, fed me, and let me sleep on their couches from Los Angeles to Bucharest to Hyderabad and everywhere in between. Comedians are truly the best people in my life.’

Mason, a producer with Laughing Horse Free Festival, died unexpectedly during the Fringe, aged 40, following a short illness.

  Free Festival organiser Alex Petty said: ‘We’re very happy to see Lydia's work over so many years with Free Festival recognised in this way, especially as an award voted for by Fringe performers shows the impact she had on them over the years".

A fundraising gig for the UK Sepsis Trust, with all ticket sales and donations going to the charity in memory of Lydia, will take place at 5.45pm tonight  at the Free Sisters.

Also shortlisted for best show were

Bill O'Neill: The Amazing Banana Brothers
Christopher MacArthur-Boyd: Scary Times
Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble
Josh Glanc: Collections 2023
Katy Berry: Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy
Louise Atkinson: Mates
Matt Price: As Seen on CCTV
Pierre Novellie: Why Are You Laughing?
Sophie Sucks Face
Stuart Goldsmith: Spoilers
Tim Murray: Witches

Masli, Singh and the best show shortlist will be invited to perform as part of a season at London's Museum Of Comedy this autumn.

David Hardcastle from the venue said: ‘Nobody sees more shows at the Fringe than the acts themselves and the range and quality of previous winners is amazing.

‘We hosted some fantastic acts from the competition last year and we're very excited to provide a showcase for the competition again this autumn.’

Published: 25 Aug 2023