Costs covered for one debut act

Comedy producer Brass Tacks is offering to fund an Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut for one Scottish or Scotland-based comedian this year.

The company will cover registration costs, venue costs, PR support, street team, poster and flyer printing, technician costs and marketing costs – but not accommodation – for one-up-and-coming comic from north of the border.

Katie Palmer, pictured, who runs the company, said: ‘The Scottish comedy scene is renowned as one of the best in the world. Scots pride ourselves on our sense of humour, and yet at the biggest arts festival in the world, hosted on our own doorstep, some of our best new talent find themselves priced out of performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 

‘Performing at the Fringe is a dream for so many comedians, but can be out of reach for many due to the rising costs associated with bringing a show there. 

‘This opportunity was created to remove some of those barriers and spotlight the vibrant, diverse talent within Scotland's comedy scene and give one rising comedian the chance to experience the Fringe and focus on their debut show, without some of the financial worries that plague so many of the artists each year.’

 Applications for the Brass Tacks fund, which is sponsored by Red Bull, are open from now until  January 31. Apply here. 

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of Scottish comedy industry and established comedians before the recipient is chosen.

Comedian Rosco McClelland said: ‘Sometimes it feels like Scottish acts get forgotten about during the Edinburgh Fringe, and that’s the established acts!

‘I remember how daunting it felt starting out and doing my first run, the numbers being quoted at me, the fact that I was genuinely told if I sold every ticket I would only lose £400. 

‘A career in the arts is hard and even the smallest amount of help feels like finding an oasis in the desert. This opportunity could be the catalyst that helps someone on their way to becoming one of the greats and I think that’s amazing.’ 

It is one of several schemes trying to help performers with the cost of going to the festival.

Applications will open on Monday for the Fringe Society’s Keep It Fringe fund which, with the help of UK government backing, will give grants of £2,500 to up to 180 shows this year. 

Chortle is helping five comedy ‘hotshots’ out with their registration fees. The first showcase takes place in Manchester on Sunday February 2, followed by Edinburgh on February 5, London on February 10, Birmingham on February 19 and Bristol on February 25. Details.

The eligibility criteria for the fund announced by Brass Tacks Comedy – which last year produced Fringe shows from Amy Annette’ and Grace Mulvey – are:

• You are Scottish or have lived in Scotland for the last two years
• You are performing regularly on the Scottish comedy circuit 
• You will be in a position to have a 55-60 minute debut show ready for August 2025 
• You have not taken a 55-60 minute show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe previously 
• You are able to be in Edinburgh every day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 
• You are serious about building a career in comedy 
• You are willing to promote your Fringe show and will engage with the organisers to make the most of this opportunity, including media interviews, appearances, rehearsals and more
• You feel unable to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival without financial support 

Published: 15 Jan 2025