Dublin Fringe Festival Award Nominations
DUBLIN FRINGE FESTIVAL AWARDS
NOMINATIONS 2019
After an 8 hour deliberation, our judges have selected the nominees and winners of the 2019 Dublin Fringe Festival awards. In a fantastic festival packed with invention, artistry and mischief, they had some very hard decisions to make.
The awards will be presented at 8pm on Sunday 22nd September in Whelan’s, followed by the festival wrap party with DJ Pixie Woo. Everyone is invited to join us for the final dance of the 2019 festival, with drinks provided by O’Hara’s Beer and Wilde Irish Gin.
This list below represents just a handful of the mavericks, trailblazers and legends who made brilliant and impactful performances at this year’s festival. Every one of the 560+ artists who brought their talents to the 2019 festival is a champion in our eyes.
The London Launchpad Award
Co-presented by London Irish Centre and Dublin Fringe Festival with the support of Ballymore and Culture Ireland, this award offers an opportunity for exciting Irish artists to present their work in London at the new home of the English National Ballet in 2020.
Winner announced at the Awards Ceremony
Outburst Queer Fringe Award
Outburst Queer Arts Festival is Belfast's annual explosion of fierce new queer performance, film, theatre, art activism and creative ideas from all over the world. The winner of this award will be invited to bring their work to Belfast as part of the programme this November.
Winner announced at the Awards Ceremony
Creative Thinking: An award from the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Fringe Festival
This award rewards an emerging artist of extraordinary promise with time, space and money to do some creative thinking. The recipient will receive €3000, workspace and scheduled meetings and support from the creative teams at the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Fringe Festival.
Nominees:
Hannah Mamalis
Jade O’Connor
Seón Simpson & Gina Donnelly
Oisín McKenna
First Fortnight Award
The winner will be invited to perform at the First Fortnight Festival in January 2020. First Fortnight’s mission is mental health awareness, challenging prejudice and ending stigma.
Nominees:
Admin by Oisín McKenna
In One Eye and Out the Other by Tadhg Hickey
Collapsible by Ellie Keel Productions
Minefield by Clare Monnelly
Spirit of Wit: Moira Brady Averill Award
A unique award for an artist willing to take risks and whose work defies categorisation with bold and unconventional material. In memory of Moira Brady Averill, who had the power to transform space and thought through alchemical wit. The award comes with a monetary prize and framed illustration by artist Walker Mettling.
Nominees:
Sarah Devereux
Hannah Mamalis
Ciara Elizabeth Smyth
Best Design
Outstanding lighting, sound, scenic, projection, costume or overall design.
Nominees:
Admin by Oisín McKenna for overall design
Minefield by Clare Monnelly for AV design
Collapsible by Margaret Perry for lighting design
Gym, Swim, Party by Danielle Galligan & Gavin Kostick for overall design
Bodies of Water by Eoghan Carrick, Maeve Stone & Jonah King for AV design
Cuckoo by Jaha Koo for overall design
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings by Collapsing Horse for overall design
Best Ensemble
The standout ensemble – the heartbeat of a show.
Nominees:
Moop by Game Theory
Sorry Gold by Emily Aoibheann
Ode to a Postcode by Freshly Ground Theatre
Villains by Luke Murphy and Attic Projects
WE ARE LIGHTNING! by Joseph O’Farrell (JOF) & Sam Halmarack, performed by The St. James' Brass and Reed Band, Zombie Dolls, The High Hopes Choir and The Line-Up Choir.
Fishamble New Writing Award
Awarded to an emerging Irish (or Ireland based) writer for a new play. The award includes dramaturgical support by Fishamble: The New Play Company.
Nominees:
Minefield by Claire Monnelly
Collapsible by Margaret Perry
Admin by Oisín McKenna
Two Fingers Up by Seón Simpson and Gina Donnelly
Next Stage Wild Card
A bursary to be part of the Next Stage at Dublin Theatre Festival with Theatre Forum.
Winner announced at the Awards Ceremony
Best Performers
Two of this year’s brightest stars will take home this accolade.
Nominees:
Genevieve Hulme-Beaman
Mark Smith
Willie White
Tadhg Hickey
Oisín McKenna
Rachel Ní Bhraonáin
Breffni Holahan
Natalie Palamides
Maïa Nunes
Nicholas Nwosu
Deirdre Griffin
Bewley’s Café Theatre Little Gem Award
The most exciting show that’s under 60 minutes with a handsome prize: a two-week run at Bewley’s Café Theatre and €2,000 for the remount.
Nominees:
Sauce by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth and Camille Lucy Ross
Blá Blá Blá…with Special Guests by Bláithín De Burca
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings by Collapsing Horse
Patchwork by Louis Deslis
In One Eye and Out the Other by Tadhg Hickey
The Wilde Courage Award
Celebrating bold artistic journeys. The winner of this €1000 cash prize will be the creator of a brave, one-of a-kind project that evidences a singular artistic vision. Wilde Irish Gin supporting the courage to create.
Nominees:
Púcaparty by Glitter HOLE
Black Jam by Fried Plantains Collective
Making a Mark by Talking Shop Ensemble and Run of the Mill Theatre
Play It Like A Riot Grrl by Girls Rock Dublin, Other Voices and KATO
Judges’ Choice Awards
Three awards to acknowledge something that defies categorisation but must be recognised for its brilliance.
Nominees:
Sauce by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth and Camille Lucy Ross
Incantation by Maïa Nunes
Losing Your Body by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin
Making A Mark by Talking Shop Ensemble & Run of the Mill Theatre
In One Eye and Out the Other by Tadhg Hickey
Some Names Were Changed by 15th Oak Productions
WE ARE LIGHTNING! by Joseph O’Farrell (JOF) & Sam Halmarack, performed by The St. James' Brass and Reed Band, Zombie Dolls, The High Hopes Choir and The Line-Up Choir.
Radical Spirit Award (formerly known as Spirit of Fringe/ Spirit of Project)
Co-presented by Dublin Fringe Festival and Project Arts Centre, this €5000 commissioning award is for an artist dedicated to making bold, contemporary work which embodies the radical spirit of both Dublin Fringe and Project.
Nominees:
Hannah Mamalis
Club Comfort
Tadgh Hickey
Deirdre Griffin
Best Production
For the show that has it all!
Nominees:
Cuckoo by Jaha Koo
Losing Your Body by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings by Collapsing Horse
The Examination by Brokentalkers
Some Names Were Changed by 15th Oak
Making a Mark by Talking Shop Ensemble & Run of The Mill Theatre