Salford scoops second win at national comedy competition

Erika Ehler, who studied Comedy Writing and Performance at the University of Salford, won the award last night at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

She received the award after her ‘deadpan and dark’ set impressed judges and took home the top prize of £1,000. 

Fellow Salford student Tom Short, who is currently studying for a masters in Contemporary Performance Practice, was named runner-up for his routine 'Tom Short's Wheel of Misfortune'. 

It is the second year a student from the Comedy Writing and Performance course has won the top prize, following Bexie Archer last year.

Dr Richard Talbot, Senior Lecturer in Performance at the University, said: “We are all delighted that Erika Ehler has won the Chortle Student Comedy Award. Erika is an outstanding and provocative comedian who thoroughly deserves this accolade. 

“This is the second year running that a University of Salford student has won the award. Erika has made a great contribution to our Comedy Writing and Performance programme having joined us from our sister course in Comedy Writing and Performance, Humber College Toronto. 

“I am also delighted hear that Tom Short is the runner up. He graduated from the programme in 2016 and is now studying for an MA in Contemporary Performance Practice. Well done!”