Only the second Brit ever to be nominated for the Helpmann

James Acaster has been nominated for one of the top awards for live entertainment in Australia.

The British stand-up is the only non-Australian to be nominated for best comedy performer in the annual Helpmann awards.

Indeed, he is the first comic not based in Australia or New Zealand every to be shortlisted in the category in its 13-year history. Ross Noble was the only other British act to have been nominated, back in 2008 when he lived on the northern outskirts of Melbourne.

Acaster is nominated for his new stand-up show Cold Lasange Hate Myself 1999, which he performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

He is up against Rhys Nicholson, Cassie Workman, Damien Power, Anne Edmonds and Hannah Gadsby for their festival shows. Nicholson will also be performing Nice People Nice Things Nice Situations, at the Underbelly during the Edinburgh Fringe. 

The Helpmann awards will be handed out in Melbourne on July 15. Previous comedy winners include Gadsby, Sam Simmons, Tim Minchin and Adam Hills.

Up for best cabaret performer this year are Ali McGregor, Michaela Burger, Libby O’Donvan and Dicky Beau.

Published: 20 Jun 2019