Securing the title of best performer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an extraordinary achievement. After extensive preparations spanning several months, hundreds of aspiring comedians flock to Scotland in hopes of winning stand-up comedy’s most prestigious award. A victory at the Edinburgh comedy awards can catapult a comedian into the realm of national recognition – just ask previous winners like Hannah Gadsby, Frank Skinner, Bridget Christie, Rose Matafeo, and Tim Key.
This year, however, the future of the awards was uncertain following the withdrawal of sponsorship from Dave. There was an alarming possibility that the competition wouldn’t take place at all. Thankfully, order was restored with the entrance of three new sponsors: Sky for the best show award, comedy producers DLT Entertainment for best newcomer, and the Victoria Wood Foundation for the panel prize. Thanks to their support, the awards ceremony proceeded as planned, and the winners are undeniably some of the most thrilling in recent memory. But, of course, as one of the judges, I may be a little biased.
This year marked an important milestone as both show prizes were scooped up by individuals of South Asian heritage. Urooj Ashfaq, a Mumbai-based comic, claimed the best newcomer award for her show “Oh No!”, while Londoner Ahir Shah, who had been nominated twice before, secured the best show award for his performance in “Ends.” Shah expressed, “I’ve been coming to the fringe since I was 17, so this is the defining thing of my adult life.”
The day after the announcement, I sat down with both winners in a café, and they still seemed overwhelmed by their success. Ashfaq described the experience as surreal, stating, “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into” when she first arrived at the fringe. Her win surprised many, considering her relative obscurity in the British comedy circuit. She made a witty analogy, comparing herself to a South Asian character appearing in the tenth season of a TV show. Despite the unexpected turn of events, she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.
Ashfaq, who is only 28-years-old and started her comedy journey in 2016, found Edinburgh to be both fun and overwhelming. Unlike Shah, who possessed prior experience, her first interaction with the festival was as an audience member the previous year. She reflected, “It was a good learning experience to take back home.” The Indian comedy scene, although vibrant, is relatively new, and Ashfaq recognizes the potential to bring more people into the fold.
Although her victory is still sinking in, Ashfaq is already eagerly contemplating new material. She believes there is still a lot left unsaid in India and hopes the win will invigorate the country’s comedy scene. She shared, “In every show I perform in India, I ask how many people are watching standup for the first time. It is always around 50%. We want to bring more people in.”
In contrast, Shah fully comprehends the significance of his triumph. He received messages from previous award winners welcoming him into their elite circle. For Shah, comedy is not just a hobby but a passion instilled by his father at a young age. He reminisced about performing in open mic nights in rooms above pubs at the age of 15 and how it has now become a significant part of his life. He modestly described himself as a “very boring person” with comedy as his sole interest.
Murmurs of praise for Shah’s hour-long performance circulated throughout the festival, although he initially labeled it a work-in-progress. Building his act required a significant change in approach, and Shah realized its potential only in the latter part of July. Despite this, his show, which delves into his family’s experiences with migration, upcoming marriage, and encounters with racism, felt incredibly refined. He observed the universality of these stories and how they resonate with many individuals.
The development of Shah’s show faced challenges due to the passing of its director, Adam Brace, whom Shah fondly remembered during the ceremony. Although the emotional weight was palpable during the performances, Shah acknowledged the importance of setting boundaries. He stated, “You have to not live it every day,” recognizing the toll it can take on a performer.
Given the life-altering nature of these awards, what lies ahead for these comedians? Ashfaq is eager to return home and share her success with friends, fueled by an innate desire to celebrate. She expressed a desire to continue participating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, driven by the unique experience of performing every day for 30 days, regardless of her emotions.
Shah, on the other hand, is uncertain about his future path but hopes to reach more audiences with the stories he tells. He realized the power of storytelling and how it connects people on a deeper level. Despite not knowing each other prior to the festival, the bond between these two comedians was evident during our conversation. They laughed, riffing off each other’s responses, and remained fascinated by each other’s craft. The thrill of their victory shows no signs of dissipating. As we wrapped up the interview, Ashfaq jokingly shared that she panicked and ran off when her name was announced, while Shah reminded himself that he needed to call his mother.
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