NextUp, one of the leading comedy distributors in the UK, has announced the winner of this year's Biggest Award in Comedy at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Comic Lindsey Santoro received this year's honor for her show Pink Tinge, which played the Pleasance Courtyard. Santoro was selected through audience voting and a judging panel.
Said Santoro: “What on earth is going on? I am absolutely thrilled to bits! As a daft commoner, I'm so elated that others find me funny rather than unhinged—it's a fine line and it's good to know I'm just about on the right side of it. What am I meant to do with this giant trophy? I'm going to have to leave my toddler in Edinburgh so I can wedge it in the car. Thank you so much Next Up! Overjoyed! What a wild ride this Fringe has been.”
The prize comes with an inflatable trophy (which comes with an electric pump and carrying case), as well as £500. It also includes a recording option for Pink Tinge on NextUp, and a slot option for RHLSTP with Richard Herring, a leading comedy podcast.
The three runners up for the 2023 award are Crushing by Ian Smith, Hubba Hubba by Tom Lawrinson, and Feral by Louise Young.
Said Amy Williams, one of NextUp's producers, “Our aim with these awards is the same as the aim of our platform—to highlight incredible talent to comedy fans, in particular names people might not have heard of…yet! Lindsey had us crying with laughter from the smear test material all the way to the end of her show. She’s so at home on stage and so joyful in her delivery, you can’t help but love her. The runners up all had incredible shows too—Crushing was written and delivered to perfection by Ian (we think he’s about to blow), Tom Lawrinson’s unique take leading to totally unexpected punchlines had us in stitches—the Harry Potter material was gold, and Louise Young’s Feral was another absolutely brilliant debut—with hilarious stories drawn from Louise’s chaotic life. It’s been a fantastic Fringe.”
For more information, visit NextUpComedy.com.
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