Edinburgh Comedy Awards: Which comedians are attracting the buzz at this year’s Fringe?

Every year thousands of Londoners converge on the Scottish capital to showcase their creative skills or enjoy the talents of others at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. There is a huge variety on offer, but the Fringe is best known for its stand-up comedy and as the festival draws to a close, awards are set to be handed out.

LondonWorld has been in Edinburgh for the past week, enjoying some phenomenal shows, and here are some of the names that come up during talk around the Best Comic/Comedy Show prize in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023.

Pierre Novellie - Why are you laughing?

Pierre Novellie is a fan favourite this year. His show about labels and autism has had audiences in floods from start to finish - and could be favourite to win.

Ed Byrne - Tragedy Plus Time

Ed Byrne, who many will recognise from decades of television appearances, may miss out on the main prize due to his star status, but his funny and moving hour about his late brother has received great acclaim.

Janine Harouni - Man'oushe

Janine Harouni is eight months pregnant and doing a fringe show about life and death. The audience are loving this show, but comics have been blown away by it and it is definitely being talked about as one of the best.

Julia Masli - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Julia Masli’s late night clown show is the final entry on our shortlist. An hour of utter madness that has been selling out almost every night.

Best Newcomer

Another famous award in Edinburgh is for best newcomer, a one-to-watch type of award for someone doing their best hour for the first time.

The favourite this year, we think, is Dan Tiernan, with Going Under. Dan won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2022 and his debut hour has been met with incredible reviews and a near sell-out run.

Other favourites include London-based Lorna Rose Treen and Paddy Young.