The Fred Award is the highest honour at the
New Zealand International Comedy Festival {{Short description, Annual comedy festival in New Zealand
The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is held simultaneously over three weeks during April/May in Auckland and Wellington. From its beginnings as a 2-day event, the Festival has n ...
, awarded to the best show written and performed by a New Zealand Comedian.
The Award is named in honour of
Fred Dagg
Fred Dagg is a fictional character from New Zealand created and acted on stage, film and television by satirist John Clarke. Clarke appeared on New Zealand TV screens as Dagg during the mid to late 1970s, " taking the piss" out of the post-pion ...
, beloved New Zealand comedian
John Clarke's most well known character. Clarke as Dagg was one of New Zealand's most recognisable comedic characters from the 1970s and is considered to be an icon of New Zealand pop culture.
"The Fred" award winner receives Dagg's Gumboot as a trophy.
History
The award was established in 2006 by the
NZ Comedy Trust to recognise "The outstanding work of an established professional kiwi comedian." In 2014 the criteria were simplified to become "best show" by a New Zealander.
"The Fred" Gumboot is presented along with the
Billy T Award at the end of festival prize-giving showcase "Last Laughs" where nominated finalists perform their final set of the festival. The winner is decided by a panel of judges and the prize is presented by the winner from the previous year.
The Fred Award Winners
References
{{reflist
Awards established in 2006