The Live Comedy Association, a new body representing the live comedy industry, has been launched as the first formal union of its kind within the comedy sector.
Established with the aim of providing a network for everyone involved in the creation of live comedy, including comedy clubs, comedians, festivals, tour/arts venues, promoters, production companies, agents/managers, publicists, and operations & backstage crews, the organisation is intended to provide a collective voice for anyone who derives the majority of their work, or who regularly benefits directly, from live comedy performance.
The LCA has plans for long term support of the industry but the impetus initially came about as an immediate response to the current challenges it faces during the Covid-19 pandemic. As with all industries that predominantly focus on live events it has seen its revenues plummet over the last six weeks, with no clear end point in sight.
To that end, an initial Steering Group will be put in place for the first six months of the LCA, tasked with formalising the association, defining its aims and missions, growing and diversifying its membership, and coordinating a cross-industry response to the ongoing Covis-19 crisis.
Recognising the need for a united network across the industry, the founders Bríd Kirby, Owen Donovan, and Charlie Perkins, all well known for their long-term work in the UK live comedy industry, last week reached out to their connections asking for input on the creation of the association. Over 150 key industry professionals quickly expressed their support for an organisation to be formed, thereafter the Live Comedy Association was born.
The LCA already has support from a large number of comics and comedy organisations such as The Stand, Soho Theatre, Monkey Barrel, Berk’s Nest, Angel Comedy, Fight In The Dog, The Frog & Bucket, Blink Industries, IAM, Little Wander & Leicester Comedy Festival.
Anyone within the industry who wishes to become a member can find out more and sign up by visiting www.livecomedyassociation.co.uk.
Nominations for the initial Steering Group are open now to members only, closing at midday BST on Friday 8th May. More information on the Steering Group positions and how to nominate people here: https://livecomedyassociation.co.uk/steering-group
The initial aims of the association are:
- Create a Network: The LCA will act as a network between venues, promoters, festivals, comics, and other stakeholders across the country. The membership will be encouraged to share their concerns, questions, and information about the state of industry. This will begin with an industry-wide approach to the Covid-19 crisis and how to support the industry throughout the exit strategy from the UK lockdown.
- Representation: The LCA has put Representation and Inclusion at the forefront of its aims. The body needs to represent the whole of the UK live comedy industry, so the initial Steering Group will work to expand the membership to represent all regions, circuits, and individuals who work in the industry.
- Lobbying: The LCA will act as a united front for the industry, fighting for more support from national governments and local councils. The LCA will reach out to other bodies within the Arts and Hospitality industries to ensure we have a voice alongside those organisations.
- Fundraising: The UK comedy industry is made up of a huge number of freelancers and small businesses. The LCA state “while support has been made available for freelancers, we have noticed that a lot of our industry’s freelancers in particular have fallen through the cracks of this support. We are also 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”.
