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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Rachael Healy

‘They’re dumb – but I want to win’: comedians tell of the highs and lows of the Edinburgh fringe awards

Jon Ronson Edinburgh Nate Josh Jones Natalie Palamides
A woman in a shiny jacket takes a picture with her mobile phone of comedian Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes, with long braided hair and in a jacket, jeans and backpack, pointing at the poster
In a scene from The Debuts, a documentary on the Edinburgh fringe by Stuart Laws, fellow comedian Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes poses by a poster of her show. Photograph: PR Handout

“I have a very toxic relationship with awards,” says Natalie Palamides, who won best newcomer at the 2017 Edinburgh comedy awards. “Obviously, I think they’re dumb, and art shouldn’t be qualified or quantified in that way. I’d like to say that, but if I’m being totally honest with you, I always want to win.”

The 42nd Edinburgh comedy awards, founded in 1981 and run by Nica Burns since 1984, were announced last week. This year, 563 shows are eligible for either best show or best newcomer. But there can only be two winners.

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