Gilded Balloon’s Koren Named Spirit of the Fringe

Gilded Balloon founder and comedy impessario, Karen Koren, celebrating her 25th anniversary at the Fringe, was this year’s recipient of the Jack Tinker Spirit of the Fringe Award. The trophy, in memory of the late theatre critic, was presented at a packed ceremony in the Assembly venue at Princes Street Gardens.

The event, hosted by The Scotsman newspaper, also saw the presentation of a series of Fringe prizes. The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, which guarantees the recipient a run in New York, was won by company of Ovid’s Metamorphosis.

The Holden Street Theatres Award, which sponsors an appearance at the Adelaide fringe, was this year, in a warmly applauded move, given to two shows: Cora Bissett‘s Roadkill and Bear Trap’s Bound. Winning a slot at the innovative Glasgow venue, The Arches Brick Award, also went to two shows: Me and the Machine’s When We Meet Again and ThickSkin’s Blackout.

The final five Fringe First winners were presented with their awards by Five Guys Named Moe star, Clarke Peters, to Doon MacKichan’s Primadoona, Bunny by Jack Thorne, Flesh and Blood & Fish and Fowl, Another Someone and Lidless.