The annual Edinburgh comedy award has been claimed by stand-up comedian Chris Cantrill, two years after his comedy partner Amy Gledhill took the prize with the rowdy northern double act, The Delightful Sausage.
The 42-year-old Bradford native received the prestigious “Oscar of live comedy” for his show, Rewilding. The performance explores his new life in rural Northumberland, where an act of vandalism shocks the local community and triggers a spoof whodunnit. This success builds upon the foundation laid in 2024 by Easily Swayed, which documented his relocation to the countryside and marked his third nomination for the award, though his first as a solo performer.
Much like Gledhill, Cantrill is an uproarious, fun-loving, and relatable performer with undeniable mainstream appeal. His victory defies an awards shortlist that leaned toward the unconventional in both the best show and best newcomer categories. The eccentric spirit of the winners is also embodied by Marty Gleeson, who took home the best newcomer prize for her show, Dog Ear. Inspired by her art school experiences in her native Limerick, the eccentric performance features live bodhrán accompaniment and a centerpiece requiring her to shake the hand of every audience member, marching entirely to its own beat.
In my assessment, neither winner was my frontrunner for the prize, which is famously a star-maker in British comedy. Past recipients of the main award—established in 1981—include Steve Coogan, Frank Skinner, and Bridget Christie, while the best newcomer award—introduced in 1992—has previously honored Harry Hill and Sarah Millican. I had favored the Mexican-American comic Lara Ricote and the London-based, Chinese-born standup Li Jin Hao as the most likely victors, and I remain astonished that the fringe’s buzziest shows, such as those by Elf Lyons, the sketch group Crybabies, and the Australian clown Conk, were not even nominated.
Nevertheless, I am thrilled to see Cantrill’s rambunctious comedy finally recognized after years of delivering big laughs to fringe audiences. I am also excited by Gleeson’s emergence on the scene and eager to see her future endeavors. The panel prize, which honors initiatives that best capture “the spirit of the fringe,” went to One Joke, a new event asking “how many comedians can tell one joke each, in an hour?” Produced by Liebenspiel, compered by Jonathan Oldfield, and headlined by comic Lorna Rose Treen, the event featured contributions from 60 comedians and raised money for charity.
The organizers of the Edinburgh comedy award (formerly known as the Perrier)—theatre producer Nica Burns and its new executive director Emma Brünjes—stated that “in Chris and Marty we have two outstanding winners: both are exceptional comedians, writers and performers who have crafted wonderful shows”. The winners were chosen from over 550 eligible shows at a festival that claimed to be bigger than ever, with just over 4,200 registered shows across 299 venues. Whether the attendance matched the festival’s claims remains uncertain (the prevailing sentiment on the ground was: perhaps not). As the best show prize winner, Cantrill takes home £10,000, while best newcomer Gleeson wins £5,000. BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a special showcase tonight featuring nominees for both awards.
