WW2 show wins writing prize

Comedian Dan Tetsell has won a writing prize at the Fringe for his show about his Nazi grandfather.

Sins Of The Grandfathers earned him the new £500 comedy award, set up by the Writers Guild of Great Britain and the List magazine.

Veteran comedy writer Maurice Gran, who was one of the judges, said of Tetsell’s show. ‘This was well ahead of the rest even before it started. And the fact that it was so well written made it the obvious choice.’

Rhod Gilbert and Robert Newman had also been nominated for the award.

Manchester-based stand-up Jason Manford won the best comedy newcomer title, for his show about Urban Legends.

BBC comedy producer Victoria Lloyd, another judge, said it was ‘a simple idea, not an original topic but given a fresh and hugely enjoyable slant by this endearing new performer’.

Theatre show Trad won the drama category of the same awards.

Also, the first Oy! Oy! Award in honour of Malcolm Hardee has been presented to American beatbox act The Reggie Watts Tangent.

The award is presented to the Fringe performance most likely to have delighted Hardee, the South London comic and promoter who drowned earlier this year.

Also nominated were Circus of the Future, The Congress Of Oddities and Desperately Seeking Sorrow.

The award was presented by Hardee’s daughter Poppy at a benefit show in his honour eaturing the likes of Charlie Chuck, Hattie Hayridge, Chris Lynam and Jerry Sadowitz

Published: 23 Aug 2005