The winners have been announced for the third year of the inappropriately-named Luke Rollason Memorial Memorial Bursary – an award set up by the physical comedian and actor to support new comedy creatives from alternative backgrounds bringing unusual work to the Brighton Fringe.
The winners are:
- Liam Harney, presenting BEAT INFLATION WITH SUE THE CLEANER – superbly crafted character comedy finding the absurd in the cost-of-living crisis.
- Rachel Baker, performing as Gwen in THIS IS NOT A PYRAMID SCHEME – the Funny Women Awards Finalist presents a hilarious one-woman seminar from a deranged Avon Lady.
The award is also supporting two runners-up, who are:
- Rebecca Harrison, presenting PUNKSWATS AND BEING LONELY – Bravado award-winning poet and comedian combining dry observations with giant papier-mâché.
- Alex Franklin, presenting GIRL CODE – a celebration of trans joy from the surreal siren of musical comedy.
The prize for the winners includes the cost of their registration, £100 towards marketing, mentorship, as well as fizzy drinks and crisps of their choice. The runners-up will also have their registration costs covered and might get some crisps from the bottom of the bag if they are lucky.
All four winners will be featured in an industry showcase on the 24th May at Brighton’s KOMEDIA Comedy Club, alongside shortlisted acts Lil Wenker, Kayleigh Jones and Huxley and Mr Cardboard (Levi Meltzer and Miles Caulderon). These acts receive no crisps. Further info on the showcase here:
https://www.komedia.co.uk/brighton/brighton-fringe/brighton-fringe-comedy-showcase/
This is the award’s third year. Previous winners include Rosalie Minnitt, whose critically-acclaimed show Clementine went on to perform extended sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and SOHO Theatre, and BBC New Comedy Nominee Su Mi.
Luke said “Once again my stupid vanity bursary is back in my quest to make tackling diversity in alternative comedy all about me. This year we’re supporting more acts from working-class backgrounds than ever, and it’s a joy to be returning to perform in Brighton and bringing these talented freaks with me.”
Luke Rollason can now be seen starring in the second series of Extraordinary on Disney+ and in his own BBC Comedy Short Quiet Life, which is how we assume he is affording all of this.
Liam Harney: Beat Inflation with Sue The Cleaner will perform at The Actors on the 1st June and 2nd June. Tickets available here.
Rachel Baker: This Is Not A Pyramid Scheme will perform at the Hare and Hounds on the 25th and 26th of May. Tickets available here.
Rebecca Harrison: Punkswats will perform at Laughing Horse @ The Temple Bar from the 25th to the 29th May. Tickets available here.
Alex Franklin: Gurl Code will perform at The Actors Theatre on the 25th and 26th May. Tickets available here.
Luke Rollason: Luke Rollason, Let Down Your Hair will perform at the Brighton Spiegeltent on the 31st May and 1st June. Tickets available here.
