We are absolutely thrilled to hear that Pip Utton has been awarded The Stage's Special Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the festival's top accolades. This is excellent news for Pip as well as the Somerset theatre community, and we are feeling very proud of him.

The prize celebrates sustained excellence at the fringe, and has been awarded to Pip in recognition for his contribution to theatre. This year he is performing in two solo shows at the Fringe, Adolf and Playing Maggie, the latter of which we are looking forward to touring on our circuit next Spring (Feb, April and May - watch this space) and which has garnered a five-star review from The Stage.

Pip, who also sits on the board of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "I am very proud of the Fringe, a festival that permits anybody to come and perform anything... In August there is no place I would rather be. Sometimes it works, sometimes you have success, sometimes you fall flat on your face, but the creative energy in Edinburgh at the moment, and every year, at this time of year - which in the main is kindled by the energies of young people who have more dreams to fulfil than shattered dreams - is infectious."

The Stage's Edinburgh reviews team leader, Nick Awde, said: "Pip has not only helped to develop the whole genre of solo theatre through showcasing his work at Edinburgh, but he has also contributed to the structure of the running of the Fringe itself through his work with the Fringe Society. He has been an active board member championing the right of the performer on the fringe. We can also add that he has been supremely generous in helping other performers get a leg up."

Well done Pip!