The Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s most prestigious annual award, the Barry Award, was awarded last night to Daniel Kitson (UK) for his 2007 show ‘It’s The Fireworks Talking’ at midnight the Festival Club.
The Barry Award, named after Barry Humphries, the first patron of the Festival, recognizes the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Most Outstanding Festival Show, specifically aiming to seek out those performers who are enhancing the art form of comedy and acknowledging their vision.
In contention for the top award this year were nominees; David O’Doherty (IRE) for David O’Doherty is my name, Fiona O’Loughlin (AUS), Kate McLennan (AUS) for The Debutante Diaries, Russell Howard (UK), We Are Klang (UK) for We Are Klang invite you to a Klangbang, Will Adamsdale and Chris Branch (UK) for The Receipt.
Daniel Kitson will join the company of past Barry Award winners including Demetri Martin, Maria Bamford, Keating! The Opera and The Mighty Boosh.
Also awarded on the night:
The Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award
For the best newcomer at the Festival - the winner jets off to experience the Brighton Comedy Festival in the UK.
2007 Winner: Josh Thomas – Please Like Me
The Age Critics’ Award
The reviewers’ pick for best local show.
2007 Winner: Lawrence Leung – Lawrence Leung Learns to Breakdance
The Directors’ Choice Award
Established in 2005 and awarded by the Comedy Festival Director in consultation with other visiting Festival Directors.
2007 Winner: Justin Hamilton – Three Colours Hammo (Trilogy - Three Colours Hammo 1: Melbourne, Three Colours Hammo 2: Laugh and Death, Three Colours Hammo 3: Hamilton and His Sisters)
The Piece of Wood
The beloved (and much bitten) comics’ choice award selected by past winners and presented to a peer literally for “doing good stuff ‘n’ that”.
2007 Winner: Andy Zaltzman – Andy Zaltzman Detonates 60 Minutes of Unbridled Evening
The Golden Gibbo
In memory of the late, great Lynda Gibson and awarded to a local, independent show that pursues the artist’s idea more strongly than it pursues any commercial lure.
2007 Winner: The Glass Boat (Claudia O’Doherty, Charlie Garber and Nick Coyle)
Highly Commended: Alzheimers the Musical - A Night to Remember! (Maureen Sherlock, Carol Yelland, Lyn Shakespeare)
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Daniel Kitson Wins Barry Award
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