Every year we ask the audiences to vote on their favourite spoken word show of The Free Fringe, and provide us with feedback and some ratings of the other shows along the way.
This year, as last, we awarded four commended shows alongside the big one. We'll list them below.
The PBHSW Awards may have sprung out of Spoken Word being ignored by the main prize-givers, but it's turned into a happening all its own; a chance to show some love to each other and crack some in-jokes, while giving the winners something to slap on flyers and funding applications.
We have plans to make the whole thing a bit more organised next year but, while your vote no longer counts towards the prizes, we still welcome your feedback on this year's shows. As one of the voters on the survey said: "I had a lovely week up the fringe. More spoken word please."
We'll take that. Thanks!
Go here to let us know what you thought:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pbhsw15
Spoken word's star has been rising and rising in the arts and entertainment world lately. More and more people are seeing the value in this artform that spans so many different experiences, emotions, and disciplines. It's particularly brilliant to be part of a Fringe organisation that has been backing spoken word since long before all the cool kids noticed it, and will continue to pave the way for some of the most exciting talents in the genre, offering an unparalleled opportunity to take good risks and share great art with audiences from across the world.
Thank you for being a part of that! :D
And now the awards:
First up: Best Feel-Good Spoken Word Show on PBH's Free Fringe 2015
Voter feedback includes:
"[this artist] has important things to say, and says them very well… with wit, with heart and with spirit."
"Since attending [this show], I've thought differently about the way I interact with people I admire. I've been less apologetic for my presence. It's making a lot of little differences, and I'm happier and more confident as a result. Thank you; you may have changed my life. X"
The winner of this award is Hannah Chutzpah with "Asking Nicely". Nice one, Hannah!
Next up: Best Solo Survival Spoken Word Show on PBH's Free Fringe 2015
Voter feedback about this show includes:
"[This performer] was brilliant. I saw [them] in Loud Poets and then went to see [their] show. I would pay to see [them], I thought [they were] fantastic. [Their] poems are amazing and are the things that should be studied for GCSEs rather than poetry that makes children hate it. This is so raw and real. Fantastic!"
"[This performer]'s show was BRILLIANT. Hilarious, heart-wrenching, so honest and relatable."
The winner of this award is Sara Hirsch with "How Was It For You?" Nice one, Sara!
Next up: Best Wellbeing Spoken Word Show on PBH's Free Fringe 2015
Voter feedback includes:
"An exceptional fusion of infectious charm and devastating insight. Exactly the kind of artist the world needs. Humane and compassionate without being sentimental, simple without being simplistic, humble without being weak. Has clearly pushed [themselves] along all sorts of lines to get this show as good as it is. Conception, performance, connection with the audience, political awareness, philosophical insight, all at a strikingly high level and bound together seamlessly. This is clearly a 5 star experience. [They aren't] just a good poet, [they're] an important one."
"[This performer]'s wonderful and left me feeling happier and more inspired to make my own art."
"Very endearing message and beautiful poetry"
The winner of this award is Agnes Török with "If You're Happy And You Know It, Take This Survey". Nice one, Agnes!
Next up: Best Spoken Word Cast on PBH's Free Fringe 2015
Voter feedback includes:
"Thought provoking with bags of energy"
"Original, biting, spot-on and brilliantly performed."
"[This performer] is a genius!"
"A real barnstormer of a show with the entire cast of [this performer] in top form."
"Really off-the-wall but also really relevant. Weird to see those two things work together so well."
"[This performer] is just brilliant. A shining beacon in the literary world."
The winner of this award is Sophia Walker with "Cult Friction". Nice one, Sophia!
And finally: Best Spoken Word Show on PBH's Free Fringe 2015
Voter feedback includes:
"[This performer] is an awkward mofo that makes him a pure LEGEND"
"I never thought I'd be interested in poetry yet [this performer] engaged [their] audience and totally moved me"
"Amazing show, funny and witty with some really clever wordplay. Give this [performer] a bigger venue next year!"
"It was outstanding! I've been come to fringe for years and [this performer] has been the best performer I have seen! Well done to [them]!"
"[Thos performer] is not only an incredible spoken word artist, but [their] impact on this poetic scene is huge. [They are] the reason that I have fallen in love with Spoken Word Poetry."
"Thanks! Falafellöffel :)"
And the winner of this award is (to no-one's real surprise, we're sure): Harry Baker with "The Sunshine Kid". Nice one, Harry!
And there's one more award to bestow - someone who tirelessly made the whole experience just that bit more glorious for all of us. Unmatched energy, charm, and passion for spoken word and its proponents in all forms, our Spirit of PBH's Free Fringe Spoken Word 2015 award for services to poetry (and poets) goes to Jenni Pascoe of Jibba Jabba - she of the sparkly purple love, support, and sheer drive that kept a lot of people going this year, even if just by example.
Gan on, lass! :D
That's it. Have a wonderful year, and we'll see you all soon. Applications for PBH's Free Fringe open again in the New Year. Come and be a part of it!
(Data collation by Fay "Welsh Whisperer" Roberts; awards by PBH's Free Fringe Spoken Word Director Matt "Monkey Poet" Panesh.)
