Going beyond the joke at the Live Comedy AGM

Walking into the second Beyond A Joke: Live Comedy AGM at the Leicester Comedy Festival in February I was full of awe and genuine excitement as this is still very new in our sector. Hosted by Geoff Rowe the original founder of the Leicester Comedy Festival and UK Kid’s Festival. Geoff spoke passionately about the shift that is still needed to shift comedy from being an illegitimate art form to being made legitimate.  *Watch my video and clips below

Comedy is currently missing out on millions of pounds of funding, support and much need infrastructure and investment because of the terrible stranglehold on it’s validity.  Government needs to recognise it’s billion pound yearly power along with the holistic, wellbeing and unique beauty that humour deposits to society and support those who contribute and live in this undervalued art form.

We were swift to hear from my dear friend Dr Sharon Lockyer and Dr Simon Weaver (Centre for Comedy Studies Research, Brunel University) about the sector 2025 survey Intricate details of the live comedy sector data were picked through as Dr Sharon spoke about the economic, social and cultural benefits of comedy to the UK economy. It was powerful to hear about the impact from last year's survey and she shared how conversations with government happened as a direct result of the survey and data gathered. To me his highlights the importance of proper sustained funding of her work as currently research funding is not sufficient.

This powerful and painstaking study is being used at Governmental levels as politicians start to analyse and learn about the untapped potential and necessary conversations that are needed to develop and sustain the UK comedy sector as whole.

It was later discussed how easy it is to loose art and theatre such as the music hall tradition was just left to decay over a 10 year period a 110 year tradition dissolved as no one sought to save it. The consent in the room was unless we all act to build into comedy first it's art form status, structure, shape and vision the UK comedy sector could face the same shocking fate.

Wages are down for comedians again, lack of funding, tax benefits, creative grants are a major factor in the daily struggle that comedians are facing. Currently 74% of comedians have other jobs, this was actually up from last years findings as more comedians struggle to survive despite the sector as a whole being work billions.

Dr Simon Weaver,  (Centre for Comedy Studies Research, Brunel University) spoke about the location of comedy highlighting the continual dominance of London with 25% of single location comedy club based there compared to 11% in the South-East with Wales and East Midlands with only 4%. Read the full report to understand the data and it’s potential.

Comedy is known for high profile cases of abuse, fraud, racism and sadly assault as the lack of an HR department and safe guidelines are still being established. However out next speaker the joyful Nina Gilligan from Get Off Live Comedy is helping to protect members and challenge the status quo of silence and lack of support.  Nina shared startling statistics following on from there own survey done with Sunderland University about the sector.  Currently 1 in 6 comedians have experienced some form of sexual harassment, she shared her own experience and misconceptions about the importance of supporting survivors of abuse in the sector.  Unlike other sectors there is still much to be done to protect people and establish channels to help those who have suffered abuse.  

The question was raised was raised does Get Off support victims of racial abuse? Sadly the answer is no due to lack of funding, people and structure, however in the future this area will be supported I was glad that there is a system of support but until the clubs and venues come on board to support the work there is still much to be done to educate and challenge the comedy sector for good.

Nina shared about protection, prevention and the work they are doing with clubs to produce a ‘kite mark’ of safety for comedians.

Dr Oliver Double, British Stand-up Comedy Archive spoke about wonderful artefacts and rare pieces of the rich comedy past in the UK.  He explained the role of the archive, and how comedic history has been protected such as the role of women in those early days of comedy.  He brought amazing pieces of the archive with him to show us such as Stewart Lee’s set list from 1992! Rare posters and fan collections are available for the public and comedians to look through and learn about the rich and diverse comedy history.

Finally Barry Ferns shared his story of being a comedian, falling into huge debt from the circuit and then setting up Angel comedy that helps grass root comedians flourish.  

‘Everyone creates a community around something that means something in their life’ 

I found it refreshing to hear about his philanthropic usage of comedy and the power to help others develop and grown their comedic gifting either to become comedians or just love their ‘funny’.  However once again the struggle to survive was again present as the lack of funding and grants always means that this work can be challenging.

There were updates on the Stand Up and Give fund and venue-led fundraising.

an overview of the Government’s visitor levy consultation

Current updates on lobbying and next steps with the government and of course the exciting Live Comedy Day taking place on April Fools Day.

I was very glad to attend as I did last year and would recommend that anyone in the field supports the 2026 survey as takes part. The future of comedy is as bright as we make it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-SViCa9O6k

A selection of powerful clips and comments from my day