Edinburgh Comedy Awards boss Nica Burns on the Jewish comedians axed from their venue

Edinburgh Comedy Awards chief Nica Burns has praised the Fringe community for finding a new home for Jewish comedian Rachel Creeper after she was booted out of her venue.

And she praised the ‘generosity’ of Philip Simon, who was similarly axed last-minute, for urging comedy-goers and stand-ups not to boycott the pubs that banned them.

Whistlebinkies faced accusations of antisemitism when they cancelled Simon’s line-up showcase Jew-O-Rama and Creeger’s show Ultimate Jewish Mother last month, just weeks before the festival started, citing staff safety fears.

However, Creeger has now found new rooms with Le Monde and Hoots, although Simon, who also lost his solo stand-up slot at neighbouring PBH Free Fringe venue The Banshee Labyrinth, has not been accommodated elsewhere. 

Speaking at an industry lunch to launch this year’s Fringe, Burns said: ‘There is nowhere else like the Fringe, nowhere else where everyone can come to perform 1) if they want to; 2) if they can find a venue to host them; 3) if they can find the money to pay for it.

‘We all understand what the founding principles of the Fringe are – it’s about welcoming everyone. I never thought that we would have the kind of setback that we have seen this year. I am, of course, talking about Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon being kicked out of Whistlebinkies and The Banshee Labyrinth just before the festival started.

‘Now, I love the Free Fringe, it has made a huge positive impact to the Fringe and the lovely founder PBH [Peter Buckley-Hill] is here today. But unlike the big venues, there is not a lot of paperwork but there is a fantastic and clear website. 

‘On the website under the application section the fourth bullet point says, "Once you have accepted an offer with us, that’s a firm commitment." That gives the act permission to put the venue’s name as the location of their show in the Fringe programme.

‘So what happened between the venues accepting these acts and them kicking them out? Both these comedians were known quantities; they played at these venues before. Someone took the decision to kick them out of their venues very close to the Festival starting, it is a disaster for any act.

‘But what happened next is what I love about the comedy community – and it is a community. In this incredibly crowded festival, Rachel has found new venues and will now be performing at Le Monde and Hoots, and Philip is going ahead with his children’s show.’

She added: ‘On stage, the comics may compete for laughs, but the level of support I have seen between them is extraordinary. They step in for someone who suddenly can’t make a gig, they encourage a friend when they have had a bad night and they recommend other people's shows at the end of their gigs.

‘A few of my personal favourite community moments:

‘In 1987, I remember Paul Merton breaking his leg playing football, which led to him being seriously ill in hospital. Everyone went to see him; they rallied round and raised money to help him.

‘In 2018, Angela Barnes started the Safe Home Collective, raising money to help female comics afford cabs so they could get home safely late at night. Why? Because 23-year-old comic Eurydice Dixon was murdered while walking home from a late-night gig in Australia.

‘In 2023, Mark Simmons and Danny Ward organised a show for the much-loved Gareth Richards, a comedian who had died in a car crash. They raised £20,000 for his family and, fittingly, won the first Victoria Wood Award as the spirit of the Fringe.

‘From tiny shows to huge benefits, comedians are consistently generous in giving their performing services free to help.’

Burns – who also co-sponsors the awards and co-owns a string of West End Theatres – then said the circuit’s generosity as summed up by Simon’s words after his shows were cancelled.

He said: ‘I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received from so many inside and outside the comedy industry and hope everyone performing in Edinburgh has a productive and safe month. For those who have suggested boycotts of the venues, I would ask fellow comics not to do anything to jeopardise your own shows. 

‘Just go out there, do your own thing and smash it. If you are going to Edinburgh to see shows and enjoy comedy, please do not boycott these venues, as they are hosting some incredible acts who I wouldn’t want to suffer negatively because of this.’

Nica concluded by thanking the awards staff in their 45th year and sponsors  The Victoria Wood Foundation for backing war was formerly called the Panel Prize.  and the family of DLT Entertainment chief Donald Taffner, who are sponsoring the Best Comedy Award.

Published: 3 Aug 2025