As we in London bask in the glow of Olympic sporting glory, up in Edinburgh the world’s best creative performers are showing what they’re made of at the Fringe . It’s this time of year I get to remember fondly the three glorious years that the Dubble Act Award made headlines at the Fringe – an award we created in collaboration with the great Mervyn Stutter, host of probably the longest running review show at the Festival. This is how it worked – Mervyn’s hard working team spends the entire duration of the Fringe looking out for some of the best shows, and inviting them to do a five minute taster for the Review. Together we formulated an award as part of this process – so at the end of the show, unbeknown the acts on show that day – one great double comedy act was chosen to win the coveted Dubble award (sponsored by Divine‘s cheeky little sister brand). The audience in Edinburgh is notably Fairtrade friendly and the link with our partner Comic Relief added extra resonance to this comedy-loving crowd.
Mervyn Stutter gets his teeth into Dubble
Being in Edinburgh during the Fringe is a real buzz, there is no public space that isn’t being used to perform, or plug a performance (possibly a few private spaces too). It was a very special perk to be able to go up there to sponsor the Award (a serious competitor to the famous Perrier Award!) – but the whole process turned into a mini-comedy of its own. I think my relationship with the wonderful hand-made Dubble Trophy, which was made specially for us each year, was jinxed. It was a large eccentric, but very delicate construction – totally full of Dubble bars. The problem was that, despite every attempt to protect it, it broke in transit. The first year we ran the award I only discovered the award trophy was broken hours before the show. Mervyn looked decidedly unamused. I managed to find a very kind techie bloke who spent a couple of hours gluing it back together for me. Come the time for the show – all we could do was pray and cross our fingers that it wouldn’t fall apart on stage. I think I may have lent over and whispered “be careful with it, it’s fragile” to the winners. It was ok – relieved drinks all round afterwards.
The next year…. it happened again. This was seriously not a joke. I called HQ in a panic – and Sophi guided me to the nearest DIY/model-making store – where I bought my own hot glue gun. Not an implement I was that familiar with. I spent most of that night working out how to use it, and applying liberal splots of hot glue to the broken trophy. Success – it didn’t fall apart on stage – disaster averted again. The following year I took the glue gun with me, and with an experienced hand, applied a few blobs to all the weak looking points. I felt like an Edinburgh veteran.
The winners of the Dubble Act Award have all gone on to be really successful – in 2003 it was Laurence and Gus (Laurence Howarth and Gus Brown – both behind some great comedy writing for TV) and the great Barry Cryer handed over the award.
Barry Cryer presents Laurence and Gus with their Dubble Act Award
In 2004 the winners were the extraordinary and very physical Japanese mime act Gamarjobat – who have gone on to be internationally famous. Top comedian Dara O’Briain presented this one – and Gamarjobat mimed their surprise and appreciation!
Dara O’Briain presents Dubble Act Award to Gamarjobat
And the 2005 Dubble Act Award winner was US comedy duo Pajama Men – who have also become a comedy phenomena all around the world – and have just been back in Edinburgh where they first had their big UK success. Comedian and TV Presenter Sue Perkins joined the show to present the Award.
Pajama Men win the Dubble Act Award 2005
Sadly we then decided, despite having so much fun with the Dubble Act Award, we needed to focus our time and resources on more children-oriented initiatives – Dubble’s heartland – so 2005 was the last time a comedy duo could bag this prestigious award. It would be great to know if some expert gluing has meant these extraordinary trophies are still adorning mantlepieces in pride of place – or at least being extremely efficient much-loved doorstops.
But we haven’t stopped celebrating other great Dubble Acts! Dubble fans will know that last year we started a smashing partnership with Dennis and Gnasher of the Beano. We’re delighted to say Dubble and Dennis & Gnasher are still big pals – and look out for another Dubbly brilliant new launch PLUS a really famous TV duo getting in on the act in the Beano this autumn!!
Dubble gets together with another cheeky double act
Posted by charlottejb 
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