Comedians have a reputation for being tough: the street fighters of the entertainment world. But in just a few weeks – on 27 August – a select group of hopefuls will be shifting from foot to foot, waiting to hear either good or bad news. For the 40th time in its quirky history the Edinburgh comedy prize – formerly known as the Perrier and now as the Dave award – will be made to the outstanding Edinburgh fringe act of the 2022 season.
“Personally, the announcement is quite a difficult moment, upsetting even,” confesses Nica Burns, who has run the prize-giving process for more than three decades. “I greet the nominees and they are all reading my face to try and work out the result. I usually know who is going to be most disappointed, and I often hug them later.”
