Londoner Wins Edinburgh Comedy Award

Ayoade Bamgboye, a London-based comedian with roots in Lagos, achieved a significant milestone at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer by winning the prestigious best newcomer award. This victory marked her as the first Black woman to receive this accolade, a career-changing event that has propelled her into the spotlight. Her debut show, "Swings and Roundabouts," masterfully wove together themes of language, family, and her cross-cultural identity, resonating deeply with audiences.

Bamgboye's comedic approach is characterized by a thoughtful exploration of language and a dynamic performance style that shifts between sophisticated English and Nigerian-inflected speech. This reflects her upbringing, which involved periods spent between Lagos and a boarding school in the Lake District. The show, while touching on difficult subjects like grief over her father's passing, ultimately offers a joyful and unpredictable experience, aiming for a 'controlled chaos' that engages and surprises attendees.