The winners have been announced for the fifth and final year of the inappropriately-named Luke Rollason Memorial Bursary – an award set up by the BAFTA-winning physical comedian and actor to support new comedy creatives from underrepresented backgrounds who are bringing unusual work to the Brighton Fringe.
The winners are:
- Zoe Cousin, presenting PAUL SYKES IS BACK ON THE FAMILY PATCH – offbeat character comedy from the BBC New Comedy Award Nominee. Luke said "Paul Sykes is one of those wonderful character creations who is simultaneously totally recognisable and utterly strange. You can see why Zoe was nominated for the BBC New Comedy Award, and I'm sure that won't be the last we see of Paul on the telly."
- Gabriel Featherstone, presenting ROBOCOP VS THE TERMINATOR VS GABRIEL FEATHERSTONE – wildly imaginative absurdist standup that really does deliver on its title. Luke said "Gabe's entry was jaw-dropping. I watched his prog-rock finale about the Grim Reaper Paddington Bear on repeat again and again. Automatic win."
The award is also supporting two runners-up, who are:
- Alice Ella, presenting CHRONICALLY SICK, HORMONAL SLAG – chaotic musical comedy from the social media star that turns pain into punchlines.
- Anand Sankar, presenting ALL ABOARD – a whirlwind of unhinged characters set on doomed cruise ship the HMS Princess of Wales.
The prize for the winners includes the cost of their registration, costume design support from a professional maker, a photoshoot with Rob Trendy, mentorship from comedy agent Daisy Francis, as well as fizzy drinks and crisps of their choice. The runners-up will also have their registration costs covered and might get some crisps from the bottom of the bag if they are lucky.
All four winners will be featured in a bumper industry showcase on the 30th May at Brighton’s KOMEDIA Comedy Club, alongside shortlisted acts Jocelyn Affleck, Nathan Birkinshaw, Lady Bolognaise, Isabelle Glinn, Laurie Luxe and Simon Topping. These acts receive no crisps.
This is the award’s fifth and apparently final year. Previous winners include BBC New Comedy Nominee Su Mi, Funny Women Awards Finalist Rachel Baker and Rosalie Minnitt – creator of sell-out smash hit Clementine.
Luke said “It is over. Over five years, this award has supported twenty comedians directly, and provided a platform for around forty performers in total. I’ve read and watched around 250 applications and I’ve truly seen things I can never forget or explain. Honestly, I reckon the comedy industry has been fixed now and doing any more would be overkill, but I promise I will find new ways to support new voices in alternative comedy.”
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped judge the award and support our winners over the years - especially Georgia House, Amy Whitley-Woodward, Rosalie Minnitt, Saima Ferdows, Zoe Paskett, Lorna Rose Treen, Aruhan Galieva, Kit Sullivan, Holly Spillar, Rob Trendy and the team at KOMEDIA.”
Luke Rollason can be seen in both series of Extraordinary (Disney+) and in CBBC’s Horrible Science. His BBC comedy short Quiet Life won the BAFTA for Best Shortform in 2025, and can be watched on iPlayer and YouTube. This year, he is bringing a new work-in-progress show to the Brighton Fringe after winning Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival. He will also host the musical spectacular The Stepdads Les Mis.
Zoe Cousin will perform at The Caxton on the 30th and 31st May. Tickets available here.
Gabriel Featherstone will perform at The Actors on the 21st and 22nd May. Tickets available here.
Alice Ella will perform at KOMEDIA on the 5th, 11th and 18th May. Tickets available here.
Anand Sankar will perform at The Caxton on the 15th May. Tickets available here.
All acts can be seen at KOMEDIA’s Brighton Fringe Comedy Showcase on the 30th May.
Picture of Luke Rollason by Andy Hollingworth
