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The stereotype about comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe is that it’s filled with tears and stories of lost loved ones. However, the Edinburgh Comedy Award ceremony held on Saturday proved that it can be just as emotionally charged as it is funny. Ahir Shah emerged as the winner with his show, Ends, which delves into his grandfather’s journey to the UK, the evolving multicultural landscape of Britain, and his own upcoming wedding. The visibly moved Shah, while accepting the award, managed to crack a joke about the double win for Indian comedians, remarking how “Rishi is really delivering for the community!”
Shah’s victory was well-deserved for his exceptional show, which also subtly makes the case that Britain is the least racist country in the world. It’s even more extraordinary considering that Shah arrived in Edinburgh with an unfinished work, as the death of his director, Adam Brace, delayed its development. The show had to be re-categorised mid-festival.
Julia Masli’s ha ha ha ha ha ha ha was a strong contender and one I personally would have loved to see win. Nevertheless, Masli’s phenomenal Fringe experience will undoubtedly continue, particularly at the Soho Theatre where she will perform in January. Shah has been a regular presence at the Edinburgh Fringe since his late teens, overcoming previous plagiarism accusations by Stewart Lee in 2010. After being nominated for awards in 2017 and 2018, he has finally claimed the top prize.
Another touching moment came when the Victoria Wood award (previously known as the panel prize) was won by Show for Gareth Richards, a special event organized to support the family of the late musical comic and former best newcomer nominee who tragically died in a car accident earlier this year. Richards’ friends, Mark Simmons and Danny Ward, accepted the award and paid a heartfelt tribute to him. The event featured performances from several renowned comedians, including Stewart Lee, Jack Whitehall, and Dara Ó Briain, and took place in the slot previously booked by Richards for this year’s Fringe before his untimely passing.
Urooj Ashfaq, Ahir Shah, Danny Ward and Mark Simmons at the 2023 Edinburgh comedy awards ceremony.
Photograph: Euan Cherry/Getty Images
Urooj Ashfaq’s victory in the best newcomer category came as a surprise. While some of the nominated newcomers put on eye-catching performances, their shows were somewhat lackluster, including Ashfaq’s. As part of a group of Indian comedians presented by Soho Theatre, Ashfaq, at 28 years old, is indeed an engaging standup but didn’t necessarily stand out from the crowd in my opinion. Bill O’Neill’s The Amazing Banana Brothers presented a more complete show, while Dan Tiernan and Martin Urbano showcased slightly more distinctive comedic styles.
Ashfaq’s win is also a remarkable achievement in the 42-year history of the awards as it recognizes a comedian whose first language isn’t English. Last year’s best newcomer was the bilingual Mexican act Lara Ricote. If Masli had won, it would have been the first time a non-Anglophone act secured the main prize. However, that milestone will have to wait for another occasion.
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