Signatories of a letter, who also include Janey Godley, Jo Caulfield and Des McLean, warned the sector is “at breaking point” as they urged ministers and bosses at the arts agency Creative Scotland to commit cash to help keep venues afloat.
The letter, sent by the Association of Scottish Comedic Arts, said help has been provided to the grassroots music industry, after lockdown forced the closure of venues across the country.
Our open letter to @CreativeScots and Creative Industries of @scotgov to ask for immediate support to #savescottishcomedy pic.twitter.com/whJPDcNfcg
— Scottish Comedic Arts (@ArtsComedic) August 23, 2020
But it added that despite a plea to ministers in July for financial support for the comedy sector, no cash has been announced.
The letter is also signed by key industry figures including Mike Jones, managing director of The Stand comedy club in Edinburgh, and Karen and Katy Coren – the artistic directors of the city’s Gilded Balloon venue.
They said: “We ask that the recognition of the importance of grassroots music venues in Scotland’s cultural landscape be extended to grassroots comedy venues, including the financial support these dedicated music venues have already received.
My first open mic set was @StandGlasgow over 16 years ago. Eva, Jane, Tommy etc helped me develop all the way through my career and it’s still the best comedy club in the UK. Come on @scotgov @NicolaSturgeon Sort them oot! @StandComedyClub #savelivecomedy
— Kevin Bridges (@kevinbridges86) August 22, 2020
“Scotland’s dedicated comedy venues have a long history of providing grassroots support. Without them household names like Kevin Bridges, Daniel Sloss, Frankie Boyle, Danny Bhoy, Fern Brady, Susan Calman, Fred MacAulay, Greg McHugh and Larry Dean would have struggled to develop their craft.”
They said the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland must provide either a “sector-specific package” for comedy in the coming weeks – or ring-fenced cash as part of larger support.
They warned: “If this is not secured, many clubs, venues, producers, promoters and performers will be lost forever and the Scottish arts scene will be poorer for it.”
