One stand-up's idea for the Edinburgh Fringe

The huge costs of putting on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe has long been blamed for helping to make comedy an increasingly middle-class pursuit.

But with less wealthy comedians at risk of being priced out, one comic is planning to give a boost to those poorer acts who do make it to the festival.

Lee Kyle hopes to publish a comedy brochure featuring only acts from working-class backgrounds, giving them a PR boost for no cost – and helping punters who might want to seek out such comics.

Launching a crowdfunded donation campaign yesterday, the Geordie stand-up wrote: 'Okay, so, I (and a lot of other acts) have been kicking up fuss about how much harder it is to do the Edinburgh Fringe when you are from a working class background and are poor.

'That's just how it is though, that probably won't change. I have an idea that may help in some small ways for those who just can't possibly afford the expensive PR and billboards and such.'

Comics hoping to feature in his brochure will need to define themselves as working-class. Though 'we will be doing a bit of research to check they don't live in a castle or something' Kyle has promised.

The aim is to put out a 16-page booklet, and 'ideally we'd like to raise enough for flyerers too but, if not, we'll distribute it ourselves' he adds. And 'if it all goes mad we could get billboards I suppose…'

The campaign has raised just over £200 in its first  day, with many of those contributing being comics who could benefit from being in the brochure.

- by Jay Richardson

Published: 22 Mar 2018