Edinburgh Fringe
NextUp Biggest Award In Comedy 2023 nominees
The nominees have been announced for NextUp's Biggest Award in Comedy. 20 comedians are now in line to win a 2 metre inflatable trophy.
In a last minute turn of events, following a Twitter exchange last night, Richard Herring's podcast RHLSTP is now the sponsor the award, fronting the £500 prize money for the winner.
The nominees are:
Anna Piper Scott: Such an Inspiration
Bill O'Neill: The Amazing Banana Brothers
Chloe Petts: If you Can't Say Anything Nice
Gillian Cosgriff: Actually, Good
Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland
Krystal Evans: The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp
Sian Davies: This Charming Man
Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back
The winner, decided by audience voting and a panel of NextUp judges, will receive a 2 metre 1cm inflatable trophy ("that's 1cm larger than last year and literally the biggest award in comedy") and the £500 courtesy of RHLSTP, plus an electric pump and a carry case so the award can be proudly displayed anywhere, and the option to have their special recorded for the NextUp platform.
Daniel Berg of NextUp said of the announcement: "Our NextUp members love discovering and highlighting live comedy, and when they speak - my God we listen. They've voted and helped shape this impressive list of nominees - and soon, one of the acts will be the lucky recipient of one of the biggest and most physically burdensome awards on the planet."
Richard Herring adds: "RHLSTP has managed to do the Edinburgh Fringe remotely this year, so we are delighted to offer a fraction of what our accommodation would have cost to help pay a fraction of the costs of one brilliant performer's accommodation. That'll teach the greedy landlords! Somehow."
The overall winner will be announced on August 25th, and NextUp members can continue to vote for the nominees until the 24th via nextupcomedy.com/bigaward
This festival, NextUp is live streaming over 50 shows. Fringe Passes, which allow access to all streamed gigs, are available at £35.