Competition for public places now open

The Edinburgh Comedy Awards have opened their annual search for public members of its judging panel.

The comedy fans chosen will get a free trip to the Edinburgh Fringe, where they will consume more than 100 hours of comedy in two weeks.

Then they will have a say in choosing the winners of the main award and the best newcomer. Many of the nominees for last year’s prizes are pictured above.

Alex Caven, one of last year’s public panellists says: ‘I felt like all my Christmases and birthdays had come at once! 

‘As a massive comedy fan, I entered the panel competition and was over the Moon to be selected. I lived the dream. I watched 124 of the best and worst that Edinburgh Fringe has to offer. I met some really great people and have had an experience I will never be able to replicate or forget.

‘It can be tiring, it can be thrilling and as it is Edinburgh in the summer, it can also be very wet, but it was amazing to be part of an award institution that I have followed for many years.’

To apply, email assistant@comedyawards.co.uk by noon on May 25 with about 350 words explaining why you are the best candidate and three short reviews, of no more than 150 words each, of your three favourite live comedy acts. 

 If you are shortlisted, you will have to attend an informal interview in London on June 14 or 15, for which travel expenses will be reimbursed. Winners will be announced at the end of June. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Entrants must be 18 or over and resident in the UK. 

2. Entrants must be available full time and able to reside in Edinburgh from August 8–26. 

3. The competition is not open to employees of the Festival Fringe Society or anyone connected professionally with the comedy business. 

4. The prize is a position on the Edinburgh Comedy Awards judging panel for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018. The winner must attend approximately six shows a day, possibly more, and provide short reviews for all shows attended.

5. Only one entry per person. 

6. The winners will be chosen by the award director Nica Burns and the decision is final. 

7. The prize is nontransferable. There will be no cash prize.

8. No responsibility will be taken for entries lost, delayed or incomplete. 

9. All costs incurred by the winners other than travel and accommodation are at the winner’s expense.

Published: 15 May 2018