...and they're all male again

The nominations for this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards have been announced – and it’s another all-male shortlist.

In the running for the main award are:

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

The nominations for Best Newcomer are:

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

The awards, formerly the Perriers and the if.comedy awards, are this year funded by their producer Nica Burns after failing to attract a sponsor.

She said: ‘The shortlist of six shows reflects an outstanding year of highly creative, original comedy performance dominated by stand-up. Idiots Of Ants top the sketch shows, Tim Key character comedy and John Bishop, Jon Richardson, Russell Kane and Tom Wrigglesworth won the panel vote for stand-up.

‘On a personal basis I can’t help but be disappointed that no women made the list this year despite them representing 15 per cent of all comedy shows. Whilst there was much to be liked at the end of the day it was felt that 2010 would be their year. I would urge them all to return and beat the men at their game.’

The winners will be unveiled in on Saturday lunchtime – a break with the recent tradition of making an announcement at a major party in the evening. The main prize is worth £8,000 with £4,000 for the best newcomer and for the panel prize, for someone who best embodies the spirit of the Fringe. The main winner will also get to perform at the Just for Laughs comedy festivals in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago.

The judging panel, which is chaired by Time Out comedy editor Tim Arthur, comprises Tania Harrison from Festival Republic, Paul MacGinnes from guardian.co.uk, Dominic Maxwell from the Times, UKTV commissioner Joff Powell, Radio 4 commissioner Caroline Raphael and comedy fans Niki Di Palma, Ross Stark, Jason Stone and Jo Williams.

Published: 26 Aug 2009