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BARRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

For the first time ever, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s most prestigious annual award, the Barry Award, was awarded last night in a tie to Kristen Schaal (USA) – As You Have Probably Never Seen Her Before and Nina Conti (UK) – Complete And Utter Conti for their 2008 shows at midnight the Festival Club.

Also in contention for the 2008 Barry Award were nominees: Fiona O’Loughlin (AUS), Josie Long (UK) – Trying Is Good, Justin Hamilton (AUS) – The Killing Joke, and Sammy J (AUS) – Sammy J In The Forest Of Dreams.

The Age’s team of comedy reviewers voted Sammy J In The Forest Of Dreams a clear winner for the 2008 Age Critics’ Award.

The Melbourne Airport Best Newcomer Award: For the best newcomer at the Festival - the winner jets off to experience the Brighton Comedy Festival in the UK. 2008 Nominees: Matthew Kenneally’s Ill Thought Through Plan For The World, Sam Wills – The Boy With Tape on His Face, Fear of a Brown Planet 2008 Winner: Fear of a Brown Planet

The Directors’ Choice Award: Awarded by the Comedy Festival Director in consultation with other visiting Festival Directors.
2008 Winner: Sam Simmons – Where Can I Win a Bear Around Here?

The Piece of Wood: The beloved (and much bitten) comics’ choice award selected by past winners and presented to a peer literally for “doing good stuff ‘n’ that”.
2008 Winner: Tom Gleeson – Tom-A-Thon

The Golden Gibbo: In memory of the late, great Lynda Gibson and awarded to a local, independent show that pursues the artist’s idea more strongly than it pursues any commercial lure. 2008 Nominees: The Suitcase Royale - The Ghosts of Ricketts Hill, Benn Bennett and Wes Snelling in BLACK BAG, David Quirk – Kathleen Grace.
2008 Winner: The Suitcase Royale - The Ghosts of Ricketts Hill

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