'In the world of laughter, the clowns have to pay'

The Edinburgh Fringe has been accused of elitism by excluding working-class acts in favour of the rich.

Socialist activist turned comedy promoter Tommy Sheppard said the fact that comics can end up thousands of pounds out of pocket after the festival means working-class performers are excluded.

In his annual attack on the state of the festival, Sheppard, who runs Edinburgh's The Stand comedy club, argues the event has lost its roots as it becomes a trade fair, dominated by the Perrier award and with promoters playing safe to get their acts noticed.

Writing in the Scottish Left Review he said: "Fringe organisers may well imagine that they put up no barriers to anyone performing,but there is one enormous barrier - money.

"It costs more and more to mount a production on the Fringe. Anyone might think about it,but only the posh kids can afford it."

He called for new rules to limit the expansion of the bigger showcase venues, and a new fees structure to take into account a performer's ability to pay. At the moment, it costs £12 to register, but just under £400 for a programme entry.

Promotion and venue hire push the costs of staging a show into the thousands.

Sheppard said: "Somebody always has to pay,and in the world of laughter it is the clowns who have to reach for their chequebooks."

Paul Gudgin, the director of the Fringe, denied the charges, telling The Scotsman: "It has always been the case that you have to invest money to come, and fortunately 40,000 performers find the experience worthwhile."

Sheppard's full criticism can be read on the Scottish Left Review website.

Published: 29 Jul 2002