...even though he's very much alive

Physical comedian Luke Rollason has set up a  bursary dedicated to his own memory… even though he is very much alive.

He is offering funds towards a cost of show at the 2022 Brighton Fringe, hoping to encourage performers from alternative backgrounds to bring unusual approaches to comedy to the festival.

The Luke Rollason Memorial Bursary will cover the cost of registration fee, contributions to marketing costs and free rehearsal space as well as ‘crisps and fizzy drinks’.

According to the rules of the award: ‘This is a bursary for anyone creating alternative comedy (ie, not traditional stand-up) whose background or identity is underrepresented in this genre. You could be an individual or a group, you could be a clown, drag artist, poet, musical comedian or something that totally defies description.’

Luke Rollason is a physical comedian who has been performing shows on the Fringe circuit since 2017. He was recently cast as a major role in the upcoming Disney+ series Extraordinary. 

He said: ‘When I first began performing at the Brighton Fringe, I benefitted massively from bursaries which no longer exist. So now this one does.

‘I just want to make live alternative performance a tiny bit more financially viable for someone who might not otherwise consider it an option. Alternative comedy needs all the help it can get." 

Apply here before January 14.

Published: 5 Jan 2022