Stepan Mysko von Schultze is runner-up

Caitriona Dowden has been crowned this year’s Chortle Student Comedy Award winner.

The 22-year-old, who is studying for a masters in medieval studies at Oxford, impressed the panel with her deadpan, offbeat stand-up on topics ranging from Fleabag to the Monk of Byland.

She wins a trip to Australia to perform comedy, courtesy of the Comedy Lounge in Perth, as well as joining a roll-call of winners that includes Joe Lycett Phil Wang,  Jamali Maddix and Erika Ehler.

The runner-up, who takes home £250, was Stepan Mysko von Schultze, who performs in the guise of a woman whose husband is away fighting in the First World War trenches.

The 22-year-old is also at Oxford, studying for a masters in English literature.

Also taking part in last night’s final – hosted by Mark Watson  at the Edinburgh Fringe – were Sascha LO, Hasan Al-Habib, Ethan Willmer-Anderson, Henry Shannon, Alex Mason, Jin Hao Li, Jack Dearnley, Charlie Humphrey and Henry Whaley.

Videos from the show and a full review will be available later, but meanwhile here is Dowden's performance from the semi-final:

Our sponsor, the Comedy Lounge has been Western Australia's premier live comedy producer for more than a decade, bringing to Perth a diverse offering of the highest quality comedy shows from all over the world, including exclusive appearances from Australian and international comedy greats, including Arj Barker, Jim Jefferies, Chris Rock and Russell Peters. They have a cabaret-style comedy venue in the heart of the city, and run other gigs across the state.

Published: 16 Aug 2022