The Barry Award nominees have been announced at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Barry Humphries himself came to announce his eponymous award’s shortlist, surprising all those nominated. Barry apparently never imagined that one of the top comedy awards would be named after himself, not being a fan of his name, calling it “the man equivalent of Shirley.” He kicked off the Melbourne Comedy Festival with Peter Cook 30 years ago. A rather jetlagged Humphries called the festival “probably the most successful comedy festival in the world”
The Best Show nominees are:
• Anne Edmonds: That’s Eddotainment
• Damien Power: Sell Mum Into Slavery
• David O’Doherty: We Are All In The Gutter Bur Some Of Us Are Looking At David O’Doherty
• Luisa Omielan: Am I Right Ladies?
• Rhys Nicholson: Bona Fide
• Tom Ballard jointly for the two shows he has at the festival: Boundless Plains To Share and The World Keeps Happening
• Zoë Coombs Marr: Trigger Warning
Luisa Omielan, Zoë Coombs Marr and Anne Edmonds are in some fantastic comedy company on that list. Next up some funny women also won nominations for the Best Newcomer award, open only to Australians and New Zealanders.
• Demi Lardner: Life Mechanic
• Guy Montgomery: Guy Montcomedy
• Rose Matefeo: Finally Dead
• Tom Walker: Beep Boop
