Many women working in industry say allegations only scratch the surface of its culture of misogyny“When I was 18 I had an incident with a powerful male comedian in his 30s,” says Lucy (name changed), a female comic in her early 30s. “It was really harr…
Continue Reading32-year-old comedian whose set explores race, class and migration becomes first British-Asian to take prizeA show about multiculturalism has won best show at the Edinburgh comedy awards. Ahir Shah, the first British-Asian to win the prestigious award, …
Continue ReadingJulia Masli, Ahir Shah and Janine Harouni are on the eight-strong shortlist for the coveted £10,000 prize at the festivalA clown-therapy show that takes place in the middle of the night. A hymn to British multiculturalism. And a show at risk of imminen…
Continue ReadingComedian ‘blooming chuffed’ as she becomes the second woman to win the award in its 14 yearsA one-liner described by its author as “stupid” has topped the poll for best joke of the Edinburgh fringe.Lorna Rose Treen was voted winner of the annual compet…
Continue ReadingYounger audiences may not recognise people comedians are impersonating but some performers say there’s still plenty to work with“If I see somebody become famous, and they’ve got tremendously predominant mannerisms and they speak a certain way which is…
Continue ReadingWalkout by authors over fossil fuel links plus controversies about identity, racism and sexism are hot topics at politically charged eventWhen Jessica Gaitán Johannesson led a mass walkout at an Edinburgh book festival event last weekend, she told the …
Continue ReadingWhat’s the funniest thing on the festival fringe? No, not politics, but painful introspectionNominations for the prestigious Edinburgh comedy award, to be announced on Wednesday, are likely to include a few standup routines that sound about as funny as…
Continue ReadingMakeshift outdoor show held after two venues cancel booking of comedian known for his gender-critical beliefsA comedy event featuring Father Ted creator Graham Linehan was staged in the open air outside the Scottish parliament on Thursday evening, afte…
Continue ReadingLeith Arches cancelled scriptwriter’s comedy show after complaints from customersThe scriptwriter Graham Linehan is considering legal action against the Edinburgh venue that cancelled his comedy show after complaints from customers.On Tuesday morning L…
Continue ReadingPerforming at the Edinburgh festival is hugely stressful, but the things I learned there have been useful offstage tooIf the beginning of September still makes me think I need a new notebook and pencil case, the beginning of August makes me think I sho…
Continue Reading