Celebrating the anarchic side of the Edinburgh Fringe

The winners of this year’s Malcolm Hardee Awards, celebrating the spirit of anything-goes comedy anarchy at the Edinburgh Fringe, have been announced.

Comic Originality: Mark Dean Quinn

Mark Dean Quinn has been performing the two-hour show Oh No (That's Not Your Cheese) from 1.50am on each morning of the festival. Not listed in the official programme, the performances at The Banshee Labyrinth see him eating ‘dangerous amounts of cheese. (Read our revise off last year’s show here)

On receiving the trophy, he said: ‘Thank you! I'm really proud of the show and very grateful so many people have loved what I'm doing, but it wouldn't be possible without PBH Free Fringe or the Banshee Labyrinth who have been incredibly supportive.’

‘The acts nominated this year were incredible and diverse and included friends like Nate Kitch, The Duncan Brothers and Paulina Lenoir who also deserve plaudits for their brave, bold beautiful shows and for being exceptional people.

‘I'd also like to thank my friend Alwin Solanky who, without their support, I wouldn't be at the fringe this year; ACMS; and anyone doing anything alternative or strange that's not commercial. Particularly anyone that isn't a straight white man. I have so much respect for these acts because, without the privilege I have and use, it is so much more difficult to dress as a whoopee cushion and eat cheese at 1.50am in a room full of drunks. 

‘You are doing it for love and - despite abuse, unfairness and bigotry - you are still doing it. You are the real heroes of the alternative comedy scene and I'm proud to share the stage with you.’

Also shortlisted in this category were Vinay Sagar for 10,000 Digits of Pi; The Duncan Brothers for Blood Sword; Elliot Wengler for Jokémon; Garry Starr for Classic Penguins; Nate Kitch for Tomorrow Might Not Happen, Now; Paulina Lenoir for Puella Eterna and Neil Davidson's The Thermos Museum.

Cunning Stunt: Thom Tuck

Thom Tuck performed #TimesVary at this year’s festival, a different show at a different time in different location each day. Audiences had to engage with him on social media to find out when and where each show was – with the location descriptions often being cryptic.

Upon being presented with the award, he explained: ‘I’ve had to cancel the show twice so far: one my own fault, one everyone else’s. Since the second cancellation, where one person turned up, it’s now possible to do the show with one. So, see you at the graveyard near Calton Hill by the statue of Abraham Lincoln at 20:26 [today, Saturday August 24].’

The other nominees were Huge Davies (for tricking people using mock-up national press covers suggesting that he had been cancelled); Luke Rollason (for hiding 100 loo rolls with his face on in the toilets at performer bars); and Tim Reeves (for creating a pastiche brochure that satirises different kinds of shows at the Fringe).

Act That Should Make A Million Quid: Garry Starr

Damien Warren-Smith, who performs as Garry Starr, has been performing his literature-based clowning show at the Pleasance Courtyard each day at 8:30pm.

Starr was joined on stage at the end of his show by a collection of clowns, all naked and wearing space helmets.

Zach Zucker, who has worked with Starr for years as part of Stamptown, said to the audience: ‘We just found out that Garry Starr has won a Malcolm Hardee Award. He has made these perfect shows for years and it is about time he got some recognition.’

Zucker then removed his own clothes as a tribute to Starr, whose show Classic Penguins takes nakedness to new comic limits.

After the show Starr said: ‘This means so much to me. Although these are stupid silly shows, I love them so much. Thank you all so much."

This category has previously been won by acts including Bo Burnham, Trevor Noah and last year's winner, superclown Julia Masli. 

Also nominated this year were Dylan Mulvaney, for creating Faghag, a full-blown musical version of her life story and Finlay Christie, who has successfully transitioned from TikTok star to stand-up with his show I Deserve This.

The Malcolm Hardee Awards have run since 2005, the year of Malcolm Hardee's death. 

The judging panel consisted of Marissa Burgess, Kate Copstick, Bruce Dessau, Jay Richardson, Claire Smith and Ian Wolf.

Published: 24 Aug 2024