Keyworth’s hour-long show,My Eyes Are Up Here,an examination of their gender-affirming top surgery,received a five-star review fromThe Age.
Sarah Keyworth’s My Eyes Are Up Here was named Most Outstanding Show at the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival awards.Simon Schluter
One of the most coveted awards in the comedy world,the Most Outstanding Show is chosen by a panel of judges who survey the 600-plus events in the festival program
“I was crying at other people’s speeches,” Keyworth said in their acceptance speech during the awards ceremony at the Toff in Town on Saturday afternoon,hosted by previous winner Rhys Nicholson.
Keyworth’s award was announced by Gillian Cosgriff,who won Most Outstanding Show in 2023.
Aaron Chen won the People’s Choice Award for his run of shows at the Palais Theatre.Simon Schluter
“You can chop off your boobs but it’s harder to get rid of the period,” Keyworth said,attempting to hold back tears that eventually flowed.
“The stand-out thing about this festival is how nice you all are,” they said.
Keyworth edged out fellow nominees Celia Pacquola with her show I’m As Surprised As You Are,John Kearns’ The Varnishing Days,Julia Masli’sha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,Kanan Gill’sWhat Is This?,Lou Wall’sThe Bisexual’s Lament,Oliver Coleman’sGoof,Ray O’Leary’sYour Laughter Is Just Making Me Stronger,Rose Matafeo’s On And On And On and Takashi Wakasugi’sJapanese Aussie.
In a full-circle festival moment Aaron Chen took home his first People’s Choice Award for selling the most tickets of any act after performing a mammoth 10 shows at the 3000-seat Palais Theatre in St Kilda.
Chen,from Sydney,who has starred in the ABC TV comedyFisk,first took out the festival’s Class Clowns competition for high school students in 2012. In 2017 he was named Best Newcomer after performing to no more than 30 people a night in a converted poolroom at the Victoria Hotel.
His victory speech on Saturday was more like a five-minute stand-up spot:“This is so surreal,” he quipped,“performing to less than 1000 people”.
The Golden Gibbo,awarded to an independent show that pursues artistic creativity rather than fiscal gain,went to Frankston’s Dougie Baldwin forDetention.
Melbourne comedian Noah Szto was named Best Newcomer for Success in Everything,a show performed in a karaoke booth.Simon Schluter
The Best Newcomer award – previously won by Sammy J,Eddie Perfect and the late Cal Wilson – went to Melbourne comedian Noah Szto forSuccess in Everything,a show performed in a karaoke booth.
The Directors’ Choice award,selected by long-time festival head Susan Provan and her programming colleagues,went to festival mainstay and local comedy stalwart Ben Russell;the comics’ choice award,the (literal) Piece of Wood,was given to Claire Hooper forSo Proud;and Bronwyn Kuss’Pillows xxxx was the recipient of the Pinder Prize,which will help fund their show’s run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is on now until Sunday April 21.The Ageis a festival media partner.
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