Russell Kane has won the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award for his show Smokescreens and Castles. It was the third consecutive occasion that Kane has been nominated for the award.
Smokescreens & Castles, at the Pleasance Courtyard, is inspired by Kane's childhood home, the only council house in his street which had been privately bought - by his dad. When Dave Kane built an extension, the home was mockingly christened ‘The Castle’ by incensed Enfield neighbours. During the show the younger Kane takes his audience through The Castle, and uses it as a metaphor for his family and class relationships.
In his acceptance speech at the ceremony , Kane said: "Many thanks to my family, especially my mum for letting me say all that really personal stuff on stage. I don't invent anything. I have to get her permission for every frickin' story."
The winner of the 2010 Best Newcomer award went to Roisin Conaty for Hero, Warrior, Fireman, Liar.
The 2010 Panel Prize was awarded to YouTube sensation Bo Burnham for his debut Edinburgh show Words, Words, Words. Accepting his award, he mumbled, "I think I'm supposed to be funny... Beyonce doesn't sing her acceptance speeches." Burnham thanked "all the older comics that were so nice to me," adding "and in 10 years when I see some 20-year-old piece of sh*t I will pass it on".
The Edinburgh Comedy Award, formerly known as the Perrier Award, is in its thirtieth year.