International acts vie for award

The shortlist for this year's Perrier award has been announced.

The nominees are an international bunch, featuring a New Zealand act, two Americans, an Australian and a Brit:

• Flight of the Conchords - High on Folk
• Adam Hills - Cut Loose
• Reginald D Hunter - White Woman
• Demetri Martin - If I
• Howard Read & Little Howard - The Big Howard & Little Howard Show

The shortlist for best newcomer has also been announced. In previous years, this has not been revealed until the winner was named on the last weekend.

The nominees are:

• Alex Horne - Making Fish Laugh
• Miles Jupp - Gentleman Prefer Brogues
• Gary Le Strange - Polaroid Suitcase
• Michael McIntyre

The winners will be announced at midnight on Saturday and the awards will be presented by 1997 Perrier winners The League of Gentlemen - Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith and Jeremy Dyson.

Published: 20 Aug 2003