Drag performer Crudi Dench has won the inaugural Banneret Award, securing a £1,500 cash prize and commemorative plaque designed to support working-class artists at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The prize was presented on Monday 24 August at Bannermans Bar in the Cowgate, recognising performers facing steep financial burdens to stage their work in the capital.
The award is the flagship initiative of the London Arts Facilitation Society (LAFS), a new charitable Community Interest Company established by comedians Sam Rhodes and Maria Fedulova alongside theatre producer Jason Weinberg. LAFS launched at the 2026 Fringe to champion artists with fewer economic safety nets, countering soaring accommodation costs and production overheads across the festival circuit.
Dench, known for writing and starring in previous festival hits Drag Queens vs Zombies and Drag Queens vs Vampires, took the prize for her debut solo hour, Someone Help Her!. Staged as a chaotic live studio taping of a light-entertainment television broadcast, the production combines stand-up and audience interaction as the northern drag queen attempts to solve caller dilemmas alongside guest stars.
The Banneret Award draws its title from the historical rank of knight banneret—a battlefield honour traditionally earned through service and merit rather than inherited wealth. Selection for the prize was run through LAFS’s daily midday showcase, 1 Hour of LAFS, based at Nic 7 in Nicolson Square Gardens (Hoots @ Nicolson Square) throughout August.
2026 Banneret Award Finalists
- Crudi Dench (Winner)
- Julian Hernandez
- Emmy Fyles
- Olivia Xing
- Richard Woolford
Speaking on the purpose of the award, the LAFS organising committee noted:
This award is about amplifying the voice of those brave enough to risk it all for a month of no work and high costs, just to get their art seen. Support for LAFS is support for those who fight hard to get their voices heard.”
Alongside running the daily mixed bill and judging process, the founders have been performing across the city. Rhodes debuted his stand-up hour Toy Cocoon at Hoots @ The Apex (21:50), while Fedulova presented Literal Saint directly afterwards at 22:50 in the same Grassmarket venue. LAFS has confirmed plans to return to Edinburgh in 2027 with expanded prize funding, dedicated PR assistance, and a larger support team for working-class performers.
1 Hour of LAFS continues daily at 12:00 at Hoots @ Nicolson Square until 31 August. For further festival coverage and show details, follow @LAFSUK on Instagram.
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