Theatre News

Tim Key Takes Home Edinburgh Comedy Award

Tim Key has won the main prize at this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, which were sponsorless for the first time since their establishment in 1981 (See News 3 Jun 2009).

The other awards went to Jonny Sweet, who was named best newcomer, and Peter Buckley-Hill, who won the panel prize for his work organising the Free Fringe festival. They each win prize money of £4,000, while Key wins £8,000.

The awards attracted some controversy this year for the lack of any female representation on the shortlists, as well as the decision not to stage the usual London showcase (See News 26 Aug 2009).

The awards were presented today at a lunchtime ceremony in Edinburgh (as opposed to the traditional midnight announcement) by last year’s winner David O’Doherty and 1991 winner Frank Skinner, who joked about the fact that in the year he won, Lily Savage was shortlisted, meaning “there were no female nominees then either, but at least someone dressed up like one”.

The nominations were:


BEST COMEDY SHOW

  • Idiots of Ants: This Is War
  • John Bishop: Elvis Has Left The Building
  • Jon Richardson: This Guy at Night
  • Russell Kane: Human Dressage
  • Tim Key – The Slutcracker

  • Tom Wrigglesworth’s Open Return Letter to Richard Branson

BEST NEWCOMER

  • Carl Donnelly – Relax Everyone, it’s Carl Donnelly
  • Jack Whitehall – Nearly Rebellious
  • Jonny Sweet: Mostly About Arthur

  • Kevin Bridges: An Hour to Sing for Your Soul
  • Pete Johansson: Naked Pictures of My Life

For full coverage of Edinburgh 2009 – including reviews, interviews blogs, news, features & video – go to Whatsonstage.com/Edinburgh2009