Award nominees announced

Eight shows have been nominated for the top award at the  Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The event is being staged largely as normal this year - albeit with some social distancing measures - after being cancelled last year because of Covid-19.

However, with almost no international acts allowed into Australia to take part, this year’s shortlist is an all-local affair.

Nominated for  the most outstanding show are:

• Aaron Chen: Sorry Forever
• David Quirk: Astonishing Obscurity
• Geraldine Hickey: What a Surprise
• Ivan Aristeguieta: Piñata
• Luke Heggie: Lowbreed
• Michelle Brasier: Average Bear
• Nikki Britton: One Small Step
• Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back

The shortlist for the best newcomer will be announced tomorrow.

Nominees for the Golden Gibbo, named in honour of the late Lynda Gibson and honouring local, independent shows with a special creative bent, are:

• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall & Andy Matthews: Teleport
• Ben Knight: Teacher
•  Claire Sullivan: Toast Rat
• Nat Harris & Hannah Camilleri: Pét-Nat + Han ah Chocolat
• Woah, Alyssa! Woah, Alyssa! 3

The award for best show was previously called the Barry Award in  honour of Barry Humphries, but renamed in 2019 following comments the Dame Edna made about transgender people, and a growing sense that the award’s name should be more inclusive.

The 2019 award went to James Acaster for his show Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999.

Winners will be announced on Saturday, alongside the recipients of the People’s Choice Award, the Directors’ Choice Award and the Piece of Wood, given to the comedians’ comedian.

Published: 12 Apr 2021