Edinburgh shortlist announced

The nominees for this year’s Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards have been announced.

They are:

•Alex Horne: Monsieur Butterfly.
• James Acaster: Recognise.
• John Kearns – Shtick.
•Liam Williams: Capitalism.
•Romesh Ranganathan: Rom Wasn't Built In A Day.
• Sam Simmons: Death of a Sails-Man.
• Sara Pascoe vs History.

Awards producer Nica Burns said: 'For the second year running, reflecting the huge amount of diverse comedy talent at the Fringe, the shortlist for the Foster’s Best Comedy Show is seven strong. Between them, these outstanding performers reach every funny bone. Unprecedentedly three 2013 best newcomers - John Kearns, Liam Williams and Romesh Ranganathan – have graduated to the best comedy show shortlist in only a year.'

The nominees for best newcomer are:

• Alex Edelman: Millennial
• Dane Baptiste: Citizen Dane
• Gein’s Family Giftshop - Volume 1
• Lazy Susan: Extreme Humans
• Lucy Beaumont: We Can Twerk It Out
• Steen Raskopoulos: I'm Wearing Two Suits Because I Mean Business

Burns said: 'The shortlist for the newcomers is exceptionally strong with a wealth of talent from stand up to character comedy and sketch. A truly international and UK wide list featuring acts from Australia, America, Manchester and Hull.'

The winners will be announced on Saturday lunchtime, along with the winner of the Panel Prize encapsulating the spirit of the Fringe.

This year’s judging panel is: Mark Monahan from The Daily Telegraph, BBC radio comedy producer Sam Bryant; Alex Hardy from The Times; Lindsay Hughes: Head Of Talent for Baby Cow; Alice Jones from The Independent; Channel 4 commissioning editor Liz Lewin; Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival director Geoff Rowe and competition winners Kathy Bell, Patrick Nicholls and Tim O'Connor

Published: 20 Aug 2014