Association aims to give one voice to a fragmented sector

A total of 600 comedians, promoters, agents and others have signed up for a new comedy industry trade body within 24 hours of it launching.

The Live Comedy Association is the first formal union of its kind within the business and aims to be a united voice for the industry – especially as it reels from the devastating impact of the lockdown.

It was set up by producers Brid Kirby, from Fight In The Dog, Owen Donovan from Berk's Nest, and Charlie Perkins from Blink Industries as an attempt to speak for the many individuals and small companies that make up the sector.

An initial informal approach to industry figures recruited 150 people from the likes of The Stand, Soho Theatre, Monkey Barrel, the Frog & Bucket and the Leicester Comedy Festival. And since going public with their plans yesterday, hundreds more have signed up including comics Mae Martin, Marcus Brigstocke and Dave Johns.

The Live Comedy Association aims to represent the whole industry, comedy clubs, comedians, festivals, tour venues, promoters, production companies, agents, managers, publicists, and operations and backstage crews

Its initial aims are:

• To create a network across the industry to share their concerns and information, starting with how to cope during the Covid-19 crisis and what the approach to coming out shoudl be
• To represent all regions, circuits, and individuals who work in the industry.
• To lobby for more support from local and national governments.
• To raise funds for freelancers and small firms, especially those that have ‘fallen through the cracks’ of government support.

A spokesman for the LCA said: ‘We are increasingly aware of how many small businesses may close forever as a result of the current pause to live events - we’ve already seen venues like the Artrix in Bromsgrove forced to close and The Bill Murray in London send an emotive SOS. 

‘The LCA will fundraise to assist those individuals and companies most in need within the industry, as we acknowledge the live sector to be the bedrock of the whole comedy industry.’

The body is currently putting together a steering group to determine its precise aims for the Covid-19 crisis and beyond and further grow its membership.

Previous attempts to unite comedians into something like a trade union have had mixed results – the website of the UK Comedy Guild set up in 2015 is now defunct –but this is the first time an all-industry body has been attempted.

Anyone working within comedy who wishes to become a member can sign up here for free.

Published: 2 May 2020