Equity union launches working practices charter for comedians

Measures aim to ensure safety, pay transparency and anti-harassment and discrimination policiesThe performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity has launched a comedian’s charter in an effort to ensure good working practices and the safety of pe…

Continue Reading

‘Fuelled by anger’: politics loom larger than ever at Edinburgh fringe

Scandals, an outgoing PM and a Tory leadership race – comics seeking material are spoilt for choicePolitics always plays a big role at the Edinburgh fringe. But with an outgoing prime minister, multiple Westminster scandals and a fast-moving Tory leade…

Continue Reading

‘It’s great to be back’: return of Edinburgh Fringe sees surge in sales

Attenders thrilled at festival but disgusted at the price of rooms, while venues are relieved at the bums on seatsThe past two summers without a full Edinburgh fringe have “felt weird” for Kwong Chan and his improvisational comedy troupe in Norwich, bu…

Continue Reading

Edinburgh fringe performers pitch tents and caravans as rents in the city double

Comics say they are being priced out, with venue directors warning that future of the event is under threatTony Law has been coming to the Edinburgh fringe to perform for 20 years, but he’s never had an experience quite like this year.Law is staying in…

Continue Reading

Edinburgh fringe performers pitch tents and caravans as rents in the city double

Comics say they are being priced out, with venue directors warning that future of the event is under threatTony Law has been coming to the Edinburgh fringe to perform for 20 years, but he’s never had an experience quite like this year.Law is staying in…

Continue Reading

Derry Girls effect boosts Northern Irish talent at Edinburgh fringe

Record number of NI performers at this year’s festival, with C4 comedy hailed for raising awareness of nation’s comic giftsThe biggest ever cohort of playwrights, comedians and artists from Northern Ireland are bringing their work to the Edinburgh frin…

Continue Reading

‘I’ve come to say thank you’: big names return to support Edinburgh fringe

Comedians such as Omid Djalili and Rachel Parris are back after festival’s tough two years due to CovidWhen Omid Djalili first performed at the Edinburgh festival fringe in 1993, it was to an audience of three, and they all requested refunds after it w…

Continue Reading

Rhod Gilbert announces he is being treated for cancer

Welsh comedian becomes patient at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, where he is a patronRhod Gilbert, the comedian and television presenter, has announced he is being treated for cancer.The 53-year-old from Carmarthen said he was a patient at Velindre…

Continue Reading

‘Someone’s making money but it’s not us’ – the comics spurning the Edinburgh fringe

Standups used to think they’d never make it if they didn’t play the festival. But it’s leaving many saddled with debt, stuck in squalid flats and even suicidal. Refuseniks tell us why they’re bowing outRose Johnson has spent eight Augusts at the Edinbu…

Continue Reading

Bill Bailey: ‘Keep saying funny things – that’s quite profound advice’

The standup on the wisest words ever given to him, his pre-show rituals and how he discovered his vocation at an anarchist vegetarian communeHow did you get into comedy?I grew up in the West Country and there wasn’t much of a comedy scene at the time. …

Continue Reading