Jake Mace
Binge Fringe’s Queer Performer’s Awards 2025 were presented by Linus Karp and Joseph Martin of Awkward Prods, on behalf of Binge Fringe Lead Editor Jake Mace. 6 awards were given in total – 4 from our main pool, 1 recognising emerging New Writing talent, and 1 recognising the efforts of 2 grassroots Queer Heroes at the Festival.
Queer Performer’s Award – ALTAR – Presented by Extraterrestrial
Binge Fringe said this show asks us to remember that the cis world is one full of constraint, and that though the trans experience may often come across as messy, authenticity is rarely achieved in tidy confines.”
Our reviewer described it as vulnerable, intimate, smart and sweet – we’re delighted to announce the first recipient of this award is ALTAR, presented to Em Tambree and Kat Yates.
Queer Performer’s Award – Derek Mitchell: Goblin
Binge Fringe said this show was being used as a tool to reveal our darkest selves, to utter the truths we cannot bear to speak. Our reviewer described it as superbly clever.
They also said that the performer smashes our hearts into a million pieces while also bitching to us about the new version of ‘Queer Eye’. We’re delighted to announce the second recipient of this award is Derek Mitchell for Goblin.
Queer Performer’s Award – Shitbag – Hayley Edwards & Tiny Table Reads
Binge Fringe described this show as an hour of non-stop, self-examining and earnest storytelling, which somehow manages to not miss a beat.
They went on to say that the intersections of chronic illness, sexuality, and gender have likely never been so thoroughly cross-examined on stage before. And with that, we’re delighted to announce that the third recipient of this award as Hayley Edwards and Tiny Table reads for Shitbag.
Queer Performer’s Award – Su Mi: THISMOTHERPHUCKER
Binge Fringe described this final show as undaunting, anarchic, and above all surprisingly sensitive.
Our reviewer highlighted that when we interact with the performer, we are having a mirror held up to ourselves, and that the show takes time to unpack how we understand East Asian representation in our media in a way that pulls no punches. We’re delighted to announce the final recipient of this award is Su Mi for THISMOTHERPHUCKER.
Queer New Writing Award – Roadkill Bambi
Some of our judges and reviewers highlighted one particular shortlisted show that exemplified an emerging, distinct and queer voice in the writing of the piece. Our reviewer called the script a queer existential tapestry of metaphors, drawing philosophy, biology, physics, polyamory, pop culture, and a depressed anthropomorphic deer.
While this company have now flown home to the United States, we wanted to honour Roadkill Bambi with our ‘Queer New Writing Award’ for this year. And theSpaceUK, their venue, will be accepting on their behalf.
Grassroots Heroes Award – Presented to Awkward Prods’ Linus Karp & Joseph Martin
And finally, we have one award left to give, which is going to the wonderful hosts of this afternoon’s ceremony. Awkward Prods have exemplified how to elevate queer work at this festival and their trademark brand of frenetic, fourth wall destroying comedy has brought new light to the festival over the past few years.
I know their journey has inspired queer creatives to keep making work in the hope it can be recognised duly in the way that Awkward Prods has been. On top of that, this year they got married on stage in what was the first officially programmed wedding at the Fringe – a queer one. We’re delighted to award both Linus Karp and Joseph Martin with our Grassroots Heroes award for 2025.
Lamesha Ruddock
