2024 Award Winners
Creative Award
Award given to the company whose production is deemed creatively exceptional
Joint Winners: The Whisper of the Waves and King John
Inspiration Award
Award for a new piece of work (no more than two runs previously)
Short List: Let the Bodies Pile Up, The Whisper of the Waves, UnErase Poetry - Stories from India, Getting Over Hugh
Winner: UnErase Poetry - Stories from India
Performance Award
Individual Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival
Shortlist: Christopher Sainton-Clarke - A Year in a Day, Nigel Miles-Thomas - Sherlock Homes the Last Act, Sofia Pauly - Alice no, Alexandra Donnachie - When We Died
Winner: Christopher Sainton-Clarke - A Year in a Day
Brian's Life Best Comedy Award
A new award established in 2023 for artists who fall under the comedy genre - Special thanks to Vanessa Welsby and in memory of Brian Welsby
Joint Winners: Yozi: No Babies in the Sauna and Russel Hicks: Connects
Prague Fringe Audience Award
Voted for by audience members
Short List: King John, The Whisper of the Waves, Russel Hicks: Connects
Winner: King John
Best of Prague to Catania (Sicily) and Milano Off Fringe Award
A new award established in 2023 selected by Francesca Vitale, Director Milano Off and Catania Off Fringes
Winner: Milano Off Fringe Festival - Pip Utton - At Home with William Shakespeare
Winner: Catania Off Fringe Festival - The Whisper of the Waves
Special Mention - King John
International Fringe Encore Series, Soho Theatre, Off Broadway, New York
Prague Fringe Nominees: The Whisper of the Waves, Unerase Poetry - Stories from India, When We Died, A Year and a Day
Binge Fringe Pick of Prague Fringe Award
A new award for 2024 selected by the Binge Fringe Team
Winner: UnErase Poetry - Stories from India
Broadway Baby Pick of Prague Fringe Award
A new award for 2024 selected by Richard Beck - Editor-in-Chief, Broadway Baby
Winner: UnErase Poetry - Stories from India
Fringe Review Must See Award
A new award for 2024
Winner: When We Died
Spirit of the Fringe Award
This award is given in exceptional circumstances to an individual or company who has truly embraced the spirit of the festival.
This year, I am delighted to present the 2024 Spirit of the Fringe award to an incredible woman who has been with us for a decade. Rebecca Sweeney joined the Prague Fringe team as a volunteer Festival Assistant in 2014 and has served as our Operations Manager for several years. She has been instrumental in building the festival's volunteer team throughout the year and ensuring the smooth running of the Front of House department during the six days of Prague Fringe. I cannot recall a single show starting late in the past ten years, and much of this is thanks to Rebecca's dedication and hard work. Rebecca, you are truly a cherished member of our wee Fringe family.
Steve Gove
2023 Award Winners
Creative Award
Award given to the company whose production is deemed creatively exceptional.
Shortlist:
Citta Senza Nome, Pericles, Pleased to Please, Dizney in Drag
Winner:
Dizney in Drag
Inspiration Award
Award for a new piece of work (no more than two runs previously)
Short List:
Sailing By, The Seagull (Not That One), Lonesome Balkan
Joint Winners:
The Seagull (Not That One), Lonesome Balkan
Performance Award
Individual Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival
Shortlist:
Pip Utton - Dickens, Pietro De Nova - 80 Centesimi, Devang Tewari - Gigolo
Winner:
Devang Tewari - Gigolo
Brian's Life Award
A new award for 2023 for artists who fall under the comedy genre - Special thanks to Vanessa Welsby and in memory of Brian Welsby
Shortlist:
Sajeela Kershi, Clown Radio, Slumber Party, Kuan-wen, Sailing By
Joint Winners:
Kuan-wen/ Sailing By
Prague Fringe Audience Award
Voted for by audience members
Short List:
80 Centesimi, Pericles, Dizney in Drag, Black Swann, Seagull (Not That One)
Joint Winners:
Black Swann and Seagull (Not That One)
Best of Prague to Catania Off Fringe Award
A new award for 2023 selected by Francesca Vitale, Director Milano Off and Catania Off Fringes
Joint Winners:
Sailing By and Strictly Barking - Jon and Ollie
Spirit of the Fringe Award
This award is given in exceptional circumstances to an individual or company who has truly embraced the spirit of the festival.
This year we dedicate this award to Team Ukraine. For the second year in a row ProEnglish theatre, against all odds, have successfully presented beautiful theatre at Prague Fringe. Thank you Alex, Anabell, Alexei, Kateryna and Tania. It has been wonderful getting to know you and working with you all - we look forward to many more Fringes together.
Team Ukraine also includes our friend Danylo who travelled from Ukraine last year to explore the world of English language comedy (having followed Prague Fringe online for 5 years). This year we invited him back as our new Comedy Club Manager.
As Director of the Festival I am delighted that we will continue to collaborate with ProEnglish Theatre in the creation of the first Ukraine Fringe later this year - uniting the world with Ukraine through culture, Slava Ukraini, Steve Gove
2019 Award Winners
Creative Award
Award given to the company whose production is deemed creatively exceptional.
Shortlist:
Kafka's Ape, Yililiza
The Story of Faust, Skottes Musikteater
Timon of Athens, Rendered Retina Theatre Company
Where the Hell is Bernard, Haste Theatre
Winner:
Timon of Athens, Rendered Retina Theatre Company
Inspiration Award
Award for a new piece of work (no more than two runs previously)
Shortlist:
25/The Decriminalisation Monologues
The Family Blimp, Klump Company
Johnny! In 'Bohème', Primal Dream Theatre
The Man Who Was Thursday, Three Bridges
Proxy, Face to Face Theatre
Tropez!, Nathan & Ida
Winner:
Johnny! In 'Bohème', Primal Dream Theatre
Performance Award
Individual Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival
Shortlist:
Adam Gordon, Johnny! In 'Bohème', Primal Dream Theatre
Caroline Burns-Cooke, Proxy, Face to Face Theatre
Peter Coates - The Man Who Was Thursday, Three Bridges
Tony Bonani Miyambo, Kafka's Ape, Yililiza
Winner:
Tony Bonani Miyambo, Kafka's Ape, Yililiza
Prague Fringe Audience Award
Voted for by audience members
Runners Up:
Where the Hell Is Bernard?
Christmas Tales of Terror
Timon of Athens
Winners:
Canary, Fun in the Oven Theatre
The Spirit of the Fringe Award:
This award is given in exceptional circumstances to an individual or company who has truly embraced the spirit of the festival.
This year we are delighted to present the award to Michael Calcott, for his long-term dedication to Prague fringe, which began back in 2007 when he was the Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, when asked about supporting the festival announced 'I love people on the Fringe, most of my friends are!' He then hosted the first of 3 annual buffets for (not just) Canadian Fringe artists at his sumptuous Hadovka residence. The rest, as they say, is history!
Michael is now retired and when he's not busy being an international jet-setter he returns to Prague and dedicates his time and energy to writing the ever-popular Fringey Bits blog which has grown to become one of the festival's most reliable review and opinion listings. The blog is now in it's 7th year, making the 2019 festival Michael's 10th anniversary of involvement and partnership with the Fringe.
He's our ambassador through and through. Thank you, Michael!
Logos for all these awards for use on publicity materials can be downloaded here
2018 Award Winners
Creative Award (Kreativní cena)
Award to the company whose production is deemed creatively exceptional
Shortlist
Aliens of Mons, Teatr ad Spectatores (Poland)
And the Rope Still Tugging Her Feet, Face to Face Theatre (England)
Hamlet (an Experience), Brite Theater (England/Iceland)
Scotland!, The Latebloomers (England, Australia, Sweden)
Winner
Aliens of Mons, Teatr ad Spectatores (Poland)
Inspiration Award (Inspirativní cena)
Award for a new piece of work (no more than two runs previously)
Shortlist
Caliban's Codex, It's Not Us (England)
Games by Henry Naylor, Redbeard Theatre (England)
Hamlet (an Experience), Brite Theater (England/Iceland)
The Orchid, TwentySomething (Scotland)
Scotland!, The Latebloomers (England, Australia, Sweden)
Joint Winners
Games by Henry Naylor, Redbeard Theatre (England)
Scotland!, The Latebloomers (England, Australia, Sweden)
Performance Award
Individual Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival
Shortlist
Caroline Burns Cooke: And the Rope Still Tugging Her Feet, Face to Face Theatre
Emily Carding: Hamlet (an Experience) and Caliban's Codex, Brite Theater
Leyla Josephine: Hopeless
Sam Dugmore: 2100, Cut Mustard and Scotland!, The Latebloomers
Winner
Caroline Burns Cooke: And the Rope Still Tugging Her Feet, Face to Face Theatre
Prague Fringe Audience Award (New for 2018)
Voted for by audience members
Runners up
2nd place: Songs of Gays, The London Gay Men's Chorus Ensemble
3rd place: Scotland!, The Latebloomers
Notable mention: The Orchid, TwentySomething
Winners
Chores, Cluster Arts Pty LTD
New Territories Award, Produced by Paula Van Hagen in association with Chats Palace Arts Centre, London
London run & showcase for a Prague Fringe artist or company
Joint Winners
Aliens of Mons, Teatr ad Spectatores (Poland)
(Can This Be) Home, Brite Theater (England, Iceland)
Both companies will be invited to stage their production at Chats Palace for a London run and industry showcase to assist them in developing new audiences. Each company will receive 50% of the £500 cash award towards travel and accommodation costs as part of this London residency.
The Spirit of the Fringe Award
This award is given in exceptional circumstances to an individual or company who has truly embraced the spirit of the festival. This year's award is presented to Alena Kopečná, a real behind the scenes hero! Alena has been working with the Fringe for 7 very valuable years, starting out as a volunteer pre-sales assistant and flourishing into her current role as our very first Office Manager since September. Her calm, 'can-do' attitude and generally sunny outlook is invaluable and her involvement has directly influenced many of the large-scale improvements we have made in recent years. Thank you Alena!
2017 Award Winners
Kreativni cena (Creative Award)
Award to the company whose production is deemed creatively exceptional
Shortlist
Angel by Henry Naylor – Redbeard Theatre in conjunction with Gilded Balloon Productions (England)
Hummingbird – Tooth+Nail Theatre Company (Scotland/England/France)
Hess – Kinbur Productions/Gilded Balloon Presents… (Scotland)
Whales & Souls – Sexy Dirt Productions (USA)
Joint Winners
Angel by Henry Naylor – Redbeard Theatre in conjunction with Gilded Balloon Productions (England)
Hummingbird – Tooth+ Nail Theatre Company (Scotland/England/France)
Inspirativni cena (Inspiration Award)
Award for a new piece of work (no more than two runs previously) suitable for theatre, dance, storytelling, spoken word, opera, and physical theatre with a strong element of character development or narrative
Shortlist
Kith – Primal Dream (Scotland)
Red Pill: A nice guy’s lament – Some Yanks Theatre Company (Ireland)
Whales & Souls – Sexy Dirt Productions (USA)
Tiger – Teuchter (Scotland)
The Forbidden – Fanny Duret (Switzerland)
Domestic – So it goes... (England/Iceland/Germany)
Winner
Whales & Souls – Sexy Dirt Productions (USA)
Performance Award (Individual Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival)
Shortlist
Avital Lvova (Angel by Henry Naylor)
Derek Crawford Munn (Hess)
Chris Roe (Whales & Souls)
Nancy Monahan (Shenandoah)
Liam Hallahan (Red Pill: A nice guys lament)
Adam Gordon (Kith and Hummingbird)
Winner
Derek Crawford Munn (Hess)
Spirit of the Fringe
This award is given in exceptional circumstances to an individual or company who has truly embraced the spirit of the festival. This year the award is presented to Jan Thompson OBE British Ambassador to the Czech Republic for all of the support, friendship and generosity she has given to Prague Fringe Festival and its artists during her tenure.
We will all miss you enormously and wish you well in your future postings (but you do know you can never really leave us don’t you!?)
2016 Award Winners
Creative Award (Artist or Company whose worked is deemed as being creatively exceptional)
Shortlist
Echoes by Henry Naylor – Pipeline Productions (England)
Together – Almost Human (Netherlands/UK/Canada/Poland)
A Special Day - Por Piedad Teatro & The Play Company (USA/Mexico)
Tin Bucket Drum – Jade Bowers Design & Management (South Africa)
Richard III – Brite Theater (Iceland/England)
Winner
Echoes by Henry Naylor – Pipeline Productions (England)
Inspiration Award (New piece of work staged no more than twice previously)
Shortlist
Hell Has No Fury – Twentysomething (Scotland)
Parlour Games – Tooth+Nail (Scotland/England/Norway/France)
A Living – Caroline Liversidge (England)
The Terrible Tale of Dr F – Communal Shower (England)
Tiger – Umbrella Man (Scotland)
Winner
Parlour Games – Tooth+Nail (Scotland/England/Norway/France)
Performance Award (Individual Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival)
Shortlist
Emily Carding – Richard III, Brite Theater (England/Iceland)
Rowan Hall – Hell Has No Fury, Twentysomething (Scotland)
Warona Seane – Tin Bucket Drum, Jade Bowers Design and Management (South Africa)
Filipa Braganca – Echoes by Henry Naylor, Pipeline Productions (England)
Dennis McSorley – Typhoon of Tenderness, Wordsworth (USA)
Winner
Filipa Braganca – Echoes by Henry Naylor (England)
Spirit of the Fringe (An individual or company who has truly embraced the spirit of Fringe)
Men with Coconuts (Scotland)
What riches they bring us – four shows between them, services above and beyond their performances (and we don’t mean the naked bath shot!), camaraderie and support for other artists, helping to create a great fringe atmosphere, spreading the fringe word, performing for our friends and guests, long service…what can we say, “Fringe Loves Coconuts!”
New Territories Award, produced by Paula Van Hagen (London run & showcase for a Prague Fringe artist or company)
Loud Poets – Loud Poets (Scotland)
2015 Award Winners
Creative Award (Artist or Company whose worked is deemed as being creatively exceptional)
Shortlist
Bas - Shallow Death – Schizothemia
Boris and Sergey's Vaudevillian Adventure – Flabbergast Theatre
Richard III – Brite Theater
Twine. Measure. Cut – Theater Slava
East of the Sun West of the Moon – The Fetch Theatre
Winner
Richard III – Brite Theater
Inspiration Award (New piece of work staged no more than twice previously)
Shortlist
Richard III – Brite Theater
Everything's Possible, Nothing's Available – Neil Frost
In To Thin Air – Precious Cargo
Kafka's Belinda – Ego Actus
Mummy - Ruinelust
Winner
Richard III – Brite Theater
Performance Award (Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival)
Shortlist
Henry Collie – Bas - Shallow Death
Joe Worthy – Bas - Shallow Death
Emily Carding – Richard III, Brite Theater
Tom Corradini – Gran Consiglio
John Arthur Sweet – Who Waits at the Top of the Stairs, Hard Times
Overall Winner
Emily Carding – Richard III, Brite Theater
2014 Award Winners
Creative Award (Artist or Company whose worked is deemed as being creatively exceptional)
Shortlist
Jamie MacDowell and Tom Thum – Theatreland Promotions
A Special Day – Por Piedad Teatro/The Play Company
Letters from Another Island – Almost Human
Unveiling – Alliance for New Music -Theatre
Illusive – Stuart Lightbody
Olé! – Theatre in Asylum
Joint Overall Winners
A Special Day – Por Piedad Teatro/The Play Company
Illusive – Stuart Lightbody
Inspiration Award (New Piece of work from an emerging company)
Shortlist
Ace of Space – Cheekykita/Sharnema Nougar
Blood Orange – Electric Theatre Workshop
Beowulf – Autojeu Theatre
Erect but Unstable – John Arthur Sweet
Metamorphosis – J.B. Alexander
Overall Winner
Ace of Space – Cheekykita/Sharnema Nougar
Performance Award (Artist who has excelled in their performance at the festival)
Shortlist
Ron Hennigan and Susan Galbraith – The Václav Havel Project
Ana Graham and Antonio Vega – A Special Day
Stuart Lightbody – Illusive
Michael McEvoy – Machiavelli
Peppur Chambers – Harlem’s Awakening
Overall Winners
Ana Graham and Antonio Vega – A Special Day
Spirit of the Fringe
This year the Spirit of the Fringe awards goes to Michael McEvoy for his 7th Fringe Festival appearance, his gentle effective and tireless promotion work, his legendary stamina in the Festival Club, his support of other performers.
2013 Award Winners
Inspiration Award
Shortlist:
City of Lions and Gods – Saiah Arts
Ragulabuggla – Theatreact in collaboration with teaternBanan
Duchess of Malfi – Prague Shakespeare Company
Overall Winner:
City of Lions and Gods – Saiah Arts
Creative Award
Nominated:
The House Jack Built – Multi Story
Kafka and Son – Threshold/Richard Jordon Productions
City of Lions and Gods – Saiah Arts
Stuperstition – DL Productions
Overall Winner:
The House Jack Built – Multi Story
Performance Award
Nominated:
Michael McEvoy - Last Man in Europe
Alon Nashman – Kafka and Son
Gordon Duffy-McGhie – A Dog’s Heart
Marium Khalid – City of Lions and Gods
Sue Schilperoot – An Audience with Shurl
Joint Overall Winners:
Alon Nashman – Kafka and Son
Gordon Duffy-McGhie – A Dog’s Heart
Spirit of the Fringe
This year we have received so much feedback from audience members and
companies about one group of people. They have sought us out to tell us about
what this team brought to the festival – always a smile, always encouragement,
professionalism etc etc. This year the Spirit of the Fringe awards goes to this
year’s team of Festival Assistants. All of these people flew themselves to Prague or gave up their week to make this festival happen and have done it with aplomb, a well-deserved award.
An honourable mention also for Stuart Lightbody in this category who has entertained us all with his sleight of hand not only in his show but in the cafes and
bars of the city and at Fringe Club every night....
2012 Award Winners
Creative Award
Shortlisted:
Le Foulard (Lucy Hopkins, England)
I want to tell you something (Caroline Sniatynski (Canada/France)
Why the Child is Cooking in the Polenta (Theatre Group Mamaliga, The Netherlands)
Kelder (Gehring & Ketelaars | Frijling, The Netherlands)
The Mole and the Worm: An Underground Tale (Teatro Entre Escombros, Spain/England)
Overall winner: Le Foulard (Lucy Hopkins, England)
Inspiration Award
Shortlisted:
When She Went (Precious Cargo, England)
Nuclear Love Affair (Built for Collapse, USA)
I want to tell you something (Caroline Sniatynski (Canada/France)
Light up your Life (Dare to Light, Estonia)
Troubadour’s Tale (Pickpocket Productions, England)
Overall winner: Nuclear Love Affair (Built for Collapse, USA)
Outstanding Performance Award
Shortlisted:
Miřenka Čechová for The Voice of Anne Frank (Spitfire, Czech Republic)
Ioana Tudor for Why the Child is Cooking in the Polenta (Theatre Group Mamaliga, The Netherlands)
Mathew David Lewis for DOA: Department of the Afterlife (Windermere Productions,England)
Kai Eng for The Prayer (Singapore)
Gerard Logan for The Rape of Lucrece (Thievish Dog, England)
Overall winner: Miřenka Čechová for The Voice of Anne Frank (Spitfire, Czech Republic)
The 2012 Cena za vyjimecne predstaveni (Outstanding Performance Award) has been donated by Fringe stalwart and long time supporter of the event, ceramicist Dave Fry, one of Britain's leading studio potters, based in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North of England. His work is highly sought after by collectors from around the World. His method of working and the nature of the kiln firing makes every piece produced a unique and original work. Dave’s work is inspired by ancient glazes and ideas of the early ceramics from Japan, China and Korea and is produced in high fired stone wear; the works can be used and loved for many years. We hope that you enjoy this item Miřenka! For more information on the artist visit www.davidfryceramics.com
2011 Award Winners
Creative Award
Shortlisted:The Human Fruit Bowl (Tie Day Media and Harmony Stempel)Diary of a Sentimental Killer (Teatro dei Borgia & Compagnia delle formiche)Cooking for Love (Iwan Dam)The Lovely Babe (In The Name of... Theatre Creations)All in the Timing (Windermere Productions)Overall winner:The Human Fruit Bowl (Tie Day Media and Harmony Stempel)
Inspiration Award
This year the votes were evenly spread resulting in the following Joint winners:
Impossible N'est Pas Francais (Lucy Hopkins)
The Lovely Babe (In The Name of... Theatre Creations)
All in the Timing (Windermere Productions)
Outstanding Performance Award
Shortlisted:
Harmony Stempel (The Human Fruit Bowl)
Meg Gennings (The Lovely Babe)
Gianpiero Borgia (Diary of a Sentimental Killer)
Roy Horovitz (My First Sony)
Overall winner:
Meg Gennings (The Lovely Babe)
Spirit of the Fringe Award
This year the spirit of the Fringe is awarded to Gordon Duffy-McGhie and the students and former students of Middlesbrough College. They not only performed 4 shows this year but also showed boundless support for their fellow performers, energy and enthusiasm for the whole festival and were great ambassadors for their home town of Middlesbrough in Czech Republic.
2010 Award Winners
Inspiration Award
Nominated:Nathan the wise, Middlesborough College
Kaguya, Makoto Inoue
In the Arms of a Lion, White Swan Productions
Overall winner (joint):
Kaguya, Makoto Inoue + In the Arms of a Lion, White Swan Productions
Creative Award
Nominated:The Harbour, Limbik
Horse, Company FZ
Poste Restaunt, They gotta be secret agents
Overall winner:
The Harbour, Limbik
Spirit of the Fringe Award
This years joint winners, each for very different reasons are 3 venue technicians who have show dedication above and beyond anything we could have hoped for to this and previous festivals - they a really special part of the fringe family and we can't thank them enough: Standa Halbrsťsát, Honza Pařižek, Kryštof Pavelka
2009 Inaugural Award Winners
Inspiration Award
Nominated:
Cararsie Suite - At the Edge of Vaudeville, Canarsie Suite Productions
Waiting for Andre, John Arthur Sweet
Decaffeinated Tragedy, Bad Soviet Habits
Overall winner:
Decaffeinnated Tragedy, Bad Soviet Habits
Creative Award
Nominated:Backward Glance, Multistory
In a Thousand Pieces, The Paper Birds
Red Peter, Simian Productions
Overall winner:
Backward Glance, Multistory
Spirit of the Fringe Award
Given to In the Name of Theatre Collective, Ontario, Canada for amount they gave and took from and to the experience that was Fringe Festival 2010