Comics steer clear of Barry Award controversy as Melbourne comedy festival awards announced
A young Melbourne comic and a dry UK comedian are among the big winners at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Awards, which were tinged with controversy this year.
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St Albans young gun Blake Freeman has won the Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his debut solo show There’s Something There.
The affable 23-year-old stand-up comedian thanked “my mum who is the toughest chick ever” and older comics including Peter Jones, Luka Muller and Aidan Jones.
Dry UK comedian James Acaster took the top gong for Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, known as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for most outstanding show.
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Controversially, its former name, The Barry Award after Barry Humphries, was changed this week due to transphobic comments he made in 2016.
Acaster steered clear of the controversy and focused on his peers.
“I got into comedy to make connections with people and even if I feel like don’t connect with my audience I do connect with my fellow comedians, so thank you,” Acaster said.
“I’ve been telling Melbourne audiences how bad they are all month so this feels undeserved.”
South African/New Zealand comedian Urzila Carlson won the People’s Choice Award for selling the most tickets for her Loser show.
It is the first time a non-Australian has won.
“Typical foreigners, coming in and taking your jobs,” she said.
“I’m not taking your work — I’m taking your punters.”
Aaron Chen won The Director’s Choice Award for his show Piss Off, Just Kidding.
Geraldine Hickey won the peer voted Piece of Wood award for Things Are Going Well.
“This has blindsided me. It means more to me than winning The Barry Award it whatever it’s called now. Your fellow comics prop you up and keep you going.”
Joshua Landgrove won the Golden Gibbo for his show Neal Portenza is Joshua Landgrove.
The Comedy Festival concludes tomorrow, Sunday April 21.
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