Frank Chickens tops Fringe poll after subversive Twitter campaign
Frank Chickens, an obscure Japanese comedy troupe from the 1980s, are on the verge of being named best comedy act of the past 30 years following an impromptu Twitter campaign.
The unlikely act, named after a brand of pencil, rose to prominence following a round robin email issued by the Edinburgh Comedy Awards designed to elicit the best Fringe act since the awards began in 1981.
One drunken recipient, comedian Stewart Lee, inadvertently subverted this message however after branding the event “shameful” and “inane.”
Speaking frankly, Lee pointed out that recent commercial acts would have an inbuilt advantage over avant-garde hits from yesteryear writing: “Who among those you’re asking to vote has even heard of Frank Chickens, who for all anyone under 30 knows may be the best act on the list?”
Accidentally clicking “reply to all” the tirade was picked up by fellow comedians who have since picked up the Chickens cudgel on their Twitter feeds by urging their followers to vote for the act.
This appears to be making some headway with a quarter of votes cast thus far landing in the Chicken coop.