Industry shindig deemed unviable

The annual Craft of Comedy event has been cancelled– with organisers saying it is not financially viable.

For the past five years, scores of comedy writers, producers and performers descended on the North Wales town of Llandudno for the weekend event. However the numbers were not big enough to sustain the industry event.

The news was broken with a statement on Twitter, which read: ‘It is with regret that we announce there will be no Craft of Comedy UK event at Llandudno in 2019.

‘We remain grateful to the support of our previous sponsors, speakers and loyal audiences, but the event is not, currently, financially viable.

‘We are looking at ways to make it so and will make further announcements if we are successful. We believed in what we achieved. We built it – and they came. But not enough of them.’

It is with regret that we announce there will be no Craft of Comedy UK event at Llandudno in 2019. We remain grateful to the support of our previous sponsors, speakers and loyal audiences, but the event is not, currently, financially viable. (1/2)

— Craft of Comedy UK (@CraftofComedy) February 5, 2019

The conference was the brainchild of Steve Doherty, a former BBC radio comedy producer, who wanted to set up an event which brought together the industry away from the pressures of the cities where they are usually based.

Guests and speakers at last year’s event included Al Murray, Mark Watson, Marcus Brigstocke and the cast of Dead Ringers – while a spin-off fringe event offered a programme of stand-up comedy shows.

Attendees expressed their dismay that there would not be a 2019 event.

John Elledge, assistant editor of the New Statesman, tweeted: ‘This is so sad: it was a really great event, with writers and producers and famous people and wannabes all hanging out together. It was really lovely.’

Laurence Doherty, who has written for Have I Got News For You, added: ‘Absolutely gutted at this news. @CraftofComedy was one of the best experiences I've had as a writer. A beautiful location coupled with an extraordinary wealth of knowledge on tap. I do hope the planets align to see the return of this fantastic event in 2020. Hurry up planets!’

Published: 5 Feb 2019