The Jones Bootmaker ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards have just announced the Winners for Best Show, Best Newcomer and Panel Prize for 2024.
Best Show - Elf Lyons: Horses (pictured top)
Best Newcomer - Abby Wambaugh: The First 3 Minutes of 17 Shows (pictured bottom)
Panel Prize - Joint Winners are Alex Petty, Best in Class, Dion Owen, Elaine Robertson and Funny Women Glitter Project
Each prize is £5,000 and a year’s supply of shoes from sponsors Jones Bootmaker. The Panel Prize was split equally between the 5 Winners. 100% of the sponsorship from Jones Bootmaker went on the prizes. The Awards are run solely by volunteers who saw every eligible show at the Fringe (around 700 shows)
The Awards were founded by comedian Nathan Cassidy who used his speech at the Awards to highlight the incredible support that some people give to others at the Fringe, and how this is needed more than ever to counteract some of the growing issues that artists encounter during the month, principally being able to afford the rising costs. One of the Panel Prize winners was Elaine Robertson to highlight the expense of accommodation and the burden that has put on so many this year. Elaine has been staying in a tent at a campsite near the airport for the month, and even for the patch of grass she had to pay £700. She was only able to bring her debut hour because of the guidance, support and the financially accessible artist offer that her venue The Stand offers, requiring no money upfront and a guarantee to cover any losses should they arise.
In a similar vein, Alex Petty was rewarded for 20 years of running the Free Festival which allows artists to perform at the Fringe for a negligible upfront cost, with artists taking 100% of donations. Nathan highlighted the additional great work Alex had done this year including introducing a neurodiversity hub at Bar 50 supported by threadUp CIC which specialises in counselling for creatives and for the second year he helped the Imibala Trust bringing ‘Yes-Ya-Yebo’ to Edinburgh with support from Pear Tree Owners and manager Brian.
Dion Owen was also awarded the Panel Prize running the Cyclopath Free Fringe Bike Program, which aims to provide artists attending the Fringe with a bike, completely free of charge, for the duration of the festival. Nathan made a plea for us all to do more individually to support each other, emphasising that the ’driving force of the ISH Awards is supporting all artists of whatever background at whatever venue at whatever time slot and we can all feel the support of one another.’ Another Panel Prize winner Best in Class is, he said, was ‘the real embodiment of diversity at the Fringe’. The project has enabled a number of working class comedians to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. The final Panel Prize went to Funny Women Glitter Project has been set up as a tribute to Jo Fletcher-Cross to offer support to women and non-binary artists bringing their first show to the Fringe, whether this is mentoring or help with expenses.
Head judge and producer Sarah Bowles thanked the volunteer judges and repeated that the short and long lists do not represent the definitive list of what is great at the Fringe, she said ‘It’s just our panel of judges' opinions and much depends on luck with these things when shows were seen, and at the end of the day you will hear much better from the streets and word of mouth what to see, always listen to the streets rather than awards!’.
She also thanked the sponsor Jones Bootmaker. Dave Abbott, Head of Brand at Jones Bootmaker said ‘Sponsoring this year's ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards has been a joy. Championing new and emerging talent is something we are passionate about at Jones Bootmaker, and it has been wonderful to see so many amazing new acts at The Fringe this year. I am sure all our winners will all go on to great things, and it is our privilege to be a part of it.’
The ceremony included live music from singer Hajar J. Woodland and band, it was hosted by Patrick Monahan and guest presenters included Milton Jones, no relation to the sponsors.
The Jones Bootmaker ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards will return in 2025. The shows this year were judged by around 30 volunteers who were at the Fringe anyway. For all information, eligibility rules, judging criteria etc please visit the website www.edinburghcomedyawards.com
