Binge Fringe Black Performer’s Awards
(Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025)
The Black Performer’s Awards Shortlist will be announced on Friday 22nd August, with a ceremony to be held on Sunday 24th August at 11am at Pleasance Courtyard – Cabaret Bar. All are welcome to attend.
The initiative for this award has been launched by Binge Fringe Contributing Writer Lamesha Ruddock, to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and quality of work presented by Black Performers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025. Any show reviewed by Binge Fringe by Tuesday 19th August, and led by a Black-identifying performer will be eligible for the Longlist. Four awards will be given out at the ceremony.
The reviews form the basis for shortlist assessment but star rating is not considered in the criteria. Our shortlist is then judged by independent assessors – a panel made up of leading Black journalists and theatre directors including:
Jennifer – Lovers of Black Theatre
Jennifer is part of Lovers of Black Theatre, a vibrant and diverse community of theatre enthusiasts who specialise in Black British theatre. The group is dedicated to reviewing and celebrating Black-led productions across the UK, providing nuanced discussions that centre lived experiences and cultural authenticity.
Steven Kavuma – Theatre Director and Writer
Steven Kavuma is a Ugandan-born, Welsh-raised writer and director, recognised as one of the most influential figures in theatre in The Stage 100 List 2020. His work spans theatre, television, and advocacy for diversity in the arts. Notable credits include DAL GAFAEL | HOLD ON, ANOTHER F*ING PLAY ABOUT RACE**, and contributions to Sky Arts’ GALWAD. As a director, Steven has helmed productions at the Globe Theatre, Seven Dials Playhouse, and ALRA, and has directed acclaimed works by Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo and Joe Penhall. He is also the co-founder of Uproot Productions, using theatre as a tool for social change.
Zainab – Doing Black Things With My Black Friends
Zainab runs Doing Black Things With My Black Friends, a platform dedicated to championing Black artists, shows, exhibitions, and businesses. She has built a thriving community eager to discover diverse creative work and consistently shines a spotlight on underrepresented talent working both onstage and behind the scenes.
For enquiries about the awards please contact Lamesha – lamesha@bingefringe.com
Black Performer’s Awards 2025 Winners
| In the Black |
| Ma Joyce’s Tales from the Parlour |
| 3 White Guys Named John |
| Black to My Roots: African American Tales from the Head and the Heart |
Black Performer’s Awards 2025 Shortlist
Black Performer’s Awards 2025 Longlist
| In the Black |
| Waxen Figures |
| Ayo Adenekan: Black Mediocrity |
| Because |
| Hair’s Breath: Music Inspired by Black Women and Their Hair |
| Something Like A Brother |
| Dreamscape |
| The Monkeypox Gospel |
| House Party |
| MILES. |
| Dreamscape |
| Ma Joyce’s Tales from the Parlour |
| A Small Town Northern Tale |
| 3 White Guys Named John |
| Marble Cake |
| Paldem |
| A Period of Faith |
| FISH |
| Tree of Dreams |
| Is This Normal? |
| LEI-LDN |
| through warm temperatures |
| THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME |
| Strangers and Revelations |
| Mary O’Connell: Dilly Dally |
| Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World |
| Emmanuel Sonubi: Life After Near Death |
| I AM – A Walking Universe |
| Puff |
| Black to My Roots: African American Tales from the Head and the Heart |
| Blaze FM |
Binge Fringe Queer Performer’s Awards
(Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025)
The second edition of our Queer Performer’s Awards or ‘Queeries‘ will celebrate shows that champion LGBTQIA+ causes, provide a fresh perspective on prescient queer issues, and provide quality and insight in performance.
– Jake Mace, Lead Editor
The Queer Performer’s Award Shortlist will be announced on Tuesday 19th August, with a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Surgeons Hall Museums to be held later in that week. All shortlisted acts will be invited.
Eligible shows for the Longlist must have been reviewed by a Binge Fringe writer by Sunday 17th August and tagged ‘Queer’ on our site. The reviews form the basis for shortlist assessment but star rating is not considered in the criteria.
Our shortlist is then judged by independent assessors – a panel made up of leading international Fringe Festival Directors and Editors of major publications covering the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Four awards will be given out at the ceremony. We do not label the awards by category or genre, because labels are only useful for the cis-hetero gaze.
Read about the 2024 Queeries here.
For enquiries about the awards please contact Jake – jake@bingefringe.com
Queer Performer’s Awards 2025 Winners
| ALTAR |
| Derek Mitchell: Goblin |
| Roadkill Bambi – recognised through our Queer New Writing Award |
| Shitbag |
| Su Mi: THISMOTHERPHUCKER |
