Parliamentarians Demand Official Recognition for Live Comedy as a Unique Art Form

Members of Parliament are urging the government to officially recognise live comedy as a distinct art form, a move they believe will unlock crucial funding opportunities currently inaccessible to the sector. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has highlighted significant barriers faced by live comedy, preventing it from receiving the same support as other creative industries.

Comedy's Call for Recognition

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has formally recommended that the government acknowledge live comedy as a unique art form. This call follows an evidence session that revealed how differences in infrastructure, workforce, and audience engagement compared to other arts have excluded live comedy from funding streams, including those managed by Arts Council England. The committee's letter to the DCMS Minister emphasizes the need for this recognition to ensure fair access to funding.

Key Takeaways

• Live comedy should be formally recognised as a distinct art form.

• This recognition is crucial for accessing funding available to other creative industries.

• The sector requires better support for its workforce and improved accessibility for audiences.

• Concerns have been raised about the affordability of major festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe.

Supporting the Comedy Ecosystem

Beyond formal recognition, the committee has put forward recommendations to safeguard the live comedy workforce. It suggests that major comedy venues, producers, and promoters should consider adopting a voluntary scheme, similar to the grassroots music levy, to support the industry. This initiative aims to create a more sustainable environment for those working within live comedy.

Addressing Festival Challenges

With the Edinburgh Fringe currently underway, the committee has also drawn attention to the vital role of comedy festivals in providing platforms for performers and benefiting local economies. However, it has expressed concerns that the escalating costs associated with the Fringe, for both performers and audiences, are limiting participation and hindering the diversity of acts. These issues will be further explored as part of the committee's ongoing inquiry into major events.

Sources

• MPs call for live comedy to be recognised as distinct art form to open up funding access - Committees, UK Parliament.