Denise takes Australia's top live comedy award

Denise Scott has won the Barry Award for the best show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

And with the best newcomer prize going to Stella Young, it makes this only the second time women have won both accolades.

In 2004, Maria Bamford took the main award and The Kransky Sister shared the newcomer title with Eddie Perfect. Coincidentally, Scott was also nominated for the main award that same year, as well as in 2005.

Scott, 59, is based in Melbourne and has been a comic for 30 years, starting out with a clowning troupe. She has been a regular face on TV since ABC’s The Big Gig in 1990, and has most recently been seen in the drama series Winners & Losers, shown on Seven in Australia and ITV2 in the UK. Her award-winning show Mother Bare covered her career and life as a parent of two.

She took the award – last year won by Rich Hall –  ahead of fellow nominees: Brits Tim Key and John Kearns, Kiwis Kraken (aka Trygve Wakenshaw) and The Boy With Tape On His Face (aka Sam Wills), Australia’s Celia Pacquola and America’s Kyle Kinane.

Stella Young, 31, is a comedian and disability campaigner whose show Tales From The Crip largely revolved around ridiculous reactions to disabilities.

Sarah Kendall won the Piece Of Wood Award for the comedians’ comedian and Wil Anderson won the People’s Choice Award, as voted by audiences. He donated his cash prize to the Moosehead Awards, which aid ambitious festival shows.

Ronnie Chieng won the festival directors’ award, and Fancy Boy Variety Show won the Golden Gibbo for the most creative independent local show.

RevIews: Denise Scott, Stella Young, Wil Anderson.

Published: 19 Apr 2014