The award,which up until two years ago,recognises each festival’s most outstanding show. This year,Hickey gave audiences a hilarious snapshot of her relationship with her now-wife. The show has earned rave reviews,.
During her acceptance speech on Saturday afternoon,Hickey reminisced about her first-ever Melbourne Comedy Festival acknowledgement:a special commendation for taking part in the festival’s up-and-coming comics program 20 years ago.
“I self-produced my shows for many,many years,” she said. “So I’d kind of like to dedicate this award to anyone who’s in the middle of their career and at the tipping point of,‘Is this working? Should I keep going? No one notices me.’
“Keep going. ’Cause f---,I did. And look at me now.”
Hickey bested no less than seven other nominees for most outstanding show. They including Aaron Chen forSorry Forever,David Quirk forAstonishing Obscurity,Ivan Aristeguieta forPinata,Luke Heggie forLowbreed,Michelle Brasier forAverage Bear,Nikki Britton forOne Small Stepand Reuben Kaye forThe Butch is Back.
Best newcomer was won by Charlie Zangel,who has performed at previous festivals under the stage name Charity.
“This is surreal,” Zangel said. “I want to thank the comedy festival ... for[previously] taking a punt on a cross-dressing drag queen. I’m so excited this year to come out as myself and perform authentically. I feel really seen and heard.”
This year’s awards managed to retain an international flavour despite there being far fewer overseas performers on the lineup due to international travel restrictions. Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss took home the people’s choice award,which is given the comedian with the most ticket sales. The director’s choice award also went to New Zealand comic Melanie Bracewell forThe Rumours Are True.
The Golden Gibbo,awarded to an independent show in memory of the late comedian Lynda Gibson,went to Nat Harris and Hannah Camilleri forPet-Nat + Han ah Chocolat. The comics’ choice award went to Greg Larsen forThis Might Not Be Hell,while The Funny Tonne award went to festival reviewer Bren Carruthers.
The Ageis a media partner of the 2021 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
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