Prize attraction: James Kirk receives the award from Tim Minchin
Sole Scottish finalist James Kirk has seen off stiff competition from another eight of Britain’s strongest up and coming comic talents to be crowned the winner of Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s best stand-up comedy competition So You Think You’re Funny?.
Paisley-born Kirk, who portrays an obvious awkwardness onstage as part of his post-modern routine, was followed in second place by Liam Williams, with third place awarded to Rob Beckett. In the past Kirk has been part of Scottish sketch comedy trio How Do I Get Up There?.
Now in its 23rd year, past winners at the renowned competition include Peter Kay, Rhona Cameron, Lee Mack, Tommy Tiernan, Miles Jupp, Rob Rouse, Dylan Moran and 2009 winner Ivo Graham.
In the prestigious event each act has just seven minutes to prove just how funny they were, performing under the gaze of an expert set of judges including Gilded Balloon’s artistic director Karen Koren and Australian star Tim Minchin, one of the many comedians who got their big break at the Fringe.
On receiving the news from Tim Minchin, 22-year-old Kirk said: “I’d like to thank the Scottish comedy circuit in general. It is a great place to learn your craft and make friends.”
Minchin added: “Competitions are good to win because it will boost your career, but it also makes those who don’t win angry. And anger will give you a bigger boost. So it doesn’t matter what the result is or what we think.”
This year winner Kirk has not only claimed the coveted title, but also won £2000 and a trip to perform at the esteemed Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival.
This year the search for the best comedy newcomer took competition organisers from the Gilded Balloon to Bath, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton and London.
A selected shortlist including finalists Rob Beckett, Laura Carr, Alex Clissold Jones, Pete Dobbing, James Kirk, Romesh Ranganathan, Matt Richardson, Chris Turner and Liam Williams, who all pulled out their very best stand-up skills in a series of heats to reach the final. One-time So You Think You’re Funny? competitor Rufus Hound compered last night’s event.
