Exclusive:The new era for the oldest Edinburgh Festival Fringe awards that launched Billy Connolly and Rowan Atkinson

They have propelled the careers of the likes of Rowan Atkinson, Billy Connolly, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Richard Gadd, Stephen Fry, John Byrne and Liz Lochhead.

Now, more than half a century after they were launched, The Scotsman’s Fringe First Awards are about to enter a new era.

The oldest prizes on the Fringe, recognising outstanding new writing at the festival, are being jointly sponsored for the first time – by Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University (QMU).

Phoebe Waller-Bridge won a Scotsman Fringe First Award for her one-woman show Fleabag in 2013. | National World

Their backing, which has been unveiled ahead of the official launch of the Fringe this weekend, will help meet the cost of running the awards and staging the three Fringe First ceremonies in August. The winners are decided on by a judging panel made up of critics covering the Fringe for The Scotsman, led by chief theatre critic Joyce McMillan.

The Fringe Firsts were instigated in 1973 by The Scotsman’s then arts editor, Allen Wright, to encourage companies and performers to bring new work to the festival, with Atkinson, Fry and Connolly some of the most notable early successes.

Recent success stories have included Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s one-woman show Fleabag, which was staged at Underbelly’s Cowgate venue in 2013. Her BBC TV adaptation went on to win BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

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Richard Gadd’s show Baby Reindeer, which was part of Summerhall’s programme in 2019, was adapted for a Netflix series launched earlier this year and has since landed 11 Emmy nominations.

Recalling her Fringe First success last year, Waller-Bridge said: “I had an out-of-body experience when I heard about the award. It’s a reminder that people are coming, they’re watching, they’re taking you seriously no matter how much or little experience you’ve had."

Other Fringe First recipients have included John Godber, David Harrower, Edwin Morgan, David Greig, AL Kennedy, Zinnie Harris, Steven Berkoff, John McGrath, Daniel Kitson, Stef Smith, Mark Thomas, Cora Bissett and Adura Onashile.

Both universities have strong track records in nurturing new talent in arts and culture.

QMU alumni include comic Craig Hill, playwrights Stef Smith and Morna Pearson, actors Kevin McKidd, Danielle Jam, Michael Nardone, Jordan Young and Lewis Gribben, theatre maker Jemima Levick, and Still Game stars Jane McCarry and Mark Cox.

Edinburgh Napier alumni include musician and composer Anna Meredith, actress Marli Siu, filmmakers Lynne Ramsay and Ben Sharrock, cinematographer Neville Kidd, photographers Margaret Mitchell and David Eustace, singer-songwriter El Mafrex and operatic tenor David Hamilton.

Professor Andrea Nolan, principal and vice chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “The Scotsman Fringe First awards are all about innovation, one of our core values, and that is why we are delighted to support them.

"We focus on fostering new talent and ensuring our students leave the university as real difference makers.”

Sir Paul Grice, principal of Queen Margaret University, said: "For over 50 years, Queen Margaret University has played its part in the development of creativity and culture through a range of exciting undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and by collaborating with a wide variety of organisations.

"We are passionate about nurturing new talent and providing individuals with a springboard to success. We are therefore delighted to partner with Edinburgh Napier University to sponsor the Fringe First Awards.

"It’s the perfect platform to identify and celebrate new talent and to keep rejuvenating this exciting and important industry.”