On the final Saturday of the 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Australian comedy industry came together to celebrate the highlights of this year’s Festival.
Hosted by Adam Hills at The Toff in Town, the nominees were joined by special guests and past winners including Festival Director, Susan Provan AO who presented the Directors’ Choice & People’s Choice Awards, as well as 2019 Winner James Acaster (via video), presenting the 2021 Most Outstanding Show award from his home in London.
Most Outstanding Show:
Winner: Geraldine Hickey – What a Surprise
Nominees: Aaron Chen – Sorry Forever; David Quirk – Astonishing Obscurity; Ivan Aristeguieta – Piñata; Luke Heggie – Lowbreed, Michelle Brasier – Average Bear, Nikki Britton – One Small Step and Reuben Kaye – The Butch is Back.
The Golden Gibbo:
Winners: Nat Harris & Hannah Camilleri – Pét-Nat + Han ah Chocolat
Nominees: Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall & Andy Matthews – Teleport, Ben Knight – Teacher, Claire Sullivan – Toast Rat and Woah, Alyssa! – Woah, Alyssa! 3.
The Golden Gibbo is awarded in memory of the late, great Lynda Gibson to a local, independent show that pursues the artists’ idea more than it pursues commercial gain.
Best Newcomer Award:
Winner: Charlie Zangel – Cockatiel
Nominees: Anna Piper Scott – Queer & Present Danger, Chris Ryan – Big Hair, Big Dreams and Scout Boxall – Good Egg.
The Best Newcomer is awarded to a solo performer or group of performers doing their first Festival show.
People’s Choice Award:
Winner: Daniel Sloss (SCO) – Hubris
The People’s Choice is awarded to the most popular show of the Festival as determined by the ticket buying public.
Director’s Choice Award:
Winner: Melanie Bracewell (NZ) – The Rumours Are True
The Directors’ Choice is awarded by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director in consultation with festival programming colleagues.
The Piece of Wood:
Winner: Greg Larsen – This Might Not Be Hell
The Piece of Wood is the comics’ choice award, selected by past winners and presented to a peer literally for “doin’ good stuff ‘n’ that”.
The Funny Tonne:
Winner: Bren Carruthers
Awarded to the Funny Tonner with the best reviews as judged by a panel of expert arts critics.
For more information about the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, visit: www.comedyfestival.com.au for details.
Image: 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award Winners – photo by Jim Lee