First Barry winners announced

Comedians Bec Hill and Will Franken are among the winners of the first Barry Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The awards were set up by comedian Barry Ferns, with every comedy show at the festival given a vote to ensure it is decided by performers themselves.

Hill won the best show for Ellipsis. She said: 'I’ve never won an award – so I don’t know how to react in this situation! My whole show is about how I’ve never won an award – and now you have all screwed it! Seriously, thank you all so much.'

Also shortlisted in the same category were Aunty Donna, Funz and Gamez, Joseph Morpurgo: Odessa and Knightmare Live.

Franklin was named best performer ahead of fellow nominees John Kearns, Sean McLoughlin, Spencer Jones and Trygve Wakenshaw.

He said: 'I’m touched. This award represents the true spirit of the fringe – the rock and roll aspect of it – from the performers. It means a lot. Thank you.”'

The best person award was shared by Free Fringe founder Peter Buckley Hill – who joked, 'Anybody who thinks I’m a good person does not know me' and Bob Slayer, of Heroes Of The Fringe.

Also nominated in this category were Alex Petty of the Laughing Horse Free Festival, comedian Damian Clark, and Renata Brightman of Freestival.

Organiser Ferns named the Barry Awards after himself – and they are unrelated to the well-established awards of the same name at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

A total of 231 votes were cast – about one-fifth of possible participants.

Published: 25 Aug 2014