Celebrating anarchic spirit at the Edinburgh Fringe

The Malcolm Hardee Awards are being revived at the Edinburgh Fringe after a year off.

Three awards  for comic originality, cunning stunt and ‘act most likely to make a million quid’ will be handed out at the end of the month in honour of the shambolic comedian and promoter who died in 2005. 

The accolades were founded by John Fleming, a long-time friend and professional collaborator with the anarchic ‘patron sinner of alternative comedy’, aiming to celebrate the vein of no-holds-barred, anarchic spirit that he was known for. 

Fleming, who last gave the awards out in 2017, has now handed control to British Comedy Guide with the blessing of Hardee’s family. 

This year's judges are reviewers Marissa Burgess, Claire Smith, Kate Copstick, Bruce Dessau, Jay Richardson; and British Comedy Guide’s Ian Wolf. 

The ceremony will take place at The Counting House on Friday August 23. A shortlist for each prize will be announced on Wednesday August 21. Nominations are accepted via email at hardees@comedy.co.uk

Published: 6 Aug 2019