The Barry Award, named after Barry Humphries, the first patron of the Festival, recognizes the 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.
The judges for the 14th Annual Barry Awards - who range from industry professionals to media came to a consensus on the shortlist a couple of minutes before midnight on Saturday night. In what has been a very tough decision the contenders for the 2011 Barry Award are as follows (in no particular order):
• Paul Foot – Ash In The Attic • Russell Kane – Smokescreens And Castles • Hannah Gadsby – Mrs Chuckles • Sam Simmons – And The Precise History Of Things • Tig Notaro • DeAnne Smith - About Freakin’ Time • Bob Franklin – An Audience With Sir Robert
“The shortlist this year is possibly the most electric tribe of Barry nominations ever in terms of gender, nationality and performing styles. A great list of artists reflecting the diversity and ingenuity of the festival as a whole” Festival Director Susan Provan said.
To be eligible for this prestigious award, a show must have had at least 10 performances as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the particular year.
Past Barry Award winners have included: Sammy J and Randy (2010), The Pajama Men (2009) Kristen Schaal and Nina Conti (2008), Daniel Kitson (2007), Demetri Martin (2006), Keating! The Opera (2005), Maria Bamford (2004), Mike Wilmot (2003), Ross Noble (2002), Brian Munich & Friends (2001), The Mighty Boosh (2000).
The Barry Award will be presented on Saturday 23 April at the Hi Fi Bar and Ballroom, in what is traditionally the last night of the Festival Club. Other awards be presented on this night include The Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award, The Directors’ Choice Award, The Piece of Wood (comics choice award), The Golden Gibbo and Bulmers People’s Choice Award.