Hundreds of comedians unpaid by one of UK’s biggest comedy festivals
Hundreds of Comedians Unpaid by One of UK’s Biggest Comedy Festivals
Hundreds of comedians unpaid by one – One of the UK’s most celebrated comedy festivals, Leicester Comedy Festival, has left over 500 performers unpaid, sparking concerns about financial management and support for the industry. The event, which drew an estimated 100,000 attendees during its February run, featured high-profile names such as Sir Stephen Fry, Sara Pascoe, and Rosie Holt. Despite its popularity, many artists are still waiting for the money they earned from their performances, raising questions about the festival’s ability to meet its obligations.
Festival Faces Cashflow Crisis
The organisers of the Leicester Comedy Festival acknowledged the issue, stating they aimed to settle all debts promptly after the event. However, they cited cashflow problems as the primary reason for the delay. This financial strain has impacted hundreds of comedians, who now find themselves in a precarious position as they navigate personal expenses and professional commitments.
“I’m owed just short of £2,000. It’s very frustrating. I’ve got bills to pay like everyone else.”
Ben Alborough, a comedian who performs full-time, shared his frustration with the situation. He highlighted how the financial challenges extend beyond individual acts, affecting the entire ecosystem of the comedy scene. “Between festival registration fees and travel and accommodation costs, I have to invest several hundred pounds per individual show,” Alborough explained. His experience underscores the broader struggles faced by performers who rely on such events to sustain their careers.
Alborough, who first gained recognition at the Leicester Comedy Festival as a student, expressed his belief in the event’s value. “I want the Leicester Comedy Festival to succeed because it’s a brilliant thing,” he added. Yet, the current delay threatens to undermine the very community it supports. For many artists, timely payment is crucial to maintaining their livelihoods and continuing their creative work.
Comedians’ Disappointment and Reluctant Understanding
While the delay has caused disappointment, some performers empathize with the festival’s challenges. Zoe Brownstone, a Canadian stand-up comedian, noted that she was owed £180 by the event. “This by a mile was the most prepared, and people donated more [for tickets], leaving the festival I felt great,” she said. Despite the positive experience, the lack of payment at the end of the event left her feeling let down. “It is astonishing to me that a big organised festival can’t pay me at the end of the day,” Brownstone added, reflecting a common sentiment among those affected.
Other performers, like Rachael Johnson, who organises events in Leicestershire, also faced similar issues. Johnson was still waiting for £600 after hosting two shows for the festival. “We’ve paid all our acts and all of our team, but we haven’t actually had the money for the ticket sales come through… so we’re well and truly out of pocket,” she explained. The financial strain has forced her to prioritise immediate expenses over long-term planning, a challenge shared by many in the industry.
“We’ve got staff to pay. We’ve got rates to pay. We’ve got VAT to pay. We’ve got all of those bills that come at us relentlessly, but other people aren’t playing their part in keeping to the rules, and that’s really, really disappointing,” Johnson said.
Johnson admitted to understanding the pressures on the festival’s organisers, noting that the current situation is more challenging than the pandemic. “I’ve got sympathy with anybody who’s operating in this market right now because it is tough,” she remarked. “This is worse than Covid for a lot of organisations.” Despite her empathy, she stressed the importance of resolving the payment issue to maintain trust and credibility within the community.
Festival Organisers Seek Solutions
Michael Harris-Wakelam, CEO of Big Difference, the non-profit organisation behind the festival, stated that the cashflow problem is the key issue. “It is a case of the cashflow problem. What we’re trying to communicate with [the artists] is this is a case of a small delay rather than ‘you won’t be paid’,” he said. Harris-Wakelam explained that the festival is awaiting money owed to them for their activities, which come from multiple sources such as sponsorships, commission shows, and ticket sales through third-party platforms.
“We’re still waiting for money that’s owed to us for our activities during the festival. That comes from a number of sources, sponsorship, commission shows, ticket sales through third parties.”
While the payment delay is frustrating, the organisers are actively seeking solutions. Harris-Wakelam mentioned that they are in discussions with banks about bridging loans to expedite payments to artists. “We’re having to look at alternative sources of finance to bridge that gap, but that takes time,” he noted. He added that the festival is currently prioritising artist settlements, which has impacted some of their other planned initiatives.
Harris-Wakelam also pointed to the broader need for national support for comedy. “I think if comedy was treated with more seriousness on a national level, be that funders, be that government, then we would be in a different place completely,” he said. He suggested that additional funding and incentives, such as business rate relief or a VAT cut for ticket sales, could alleviate the financial pressures on festivals and performers alike.
Industry Concerns Over Funding
Recent warnings from comedy leaders highlight the risks of inadequate funding. The industry is facing a potential crisis, with grassroots venues struggling to receive the same level of support as other sectors. As of April 2026, live music venues and pubs in England can benefit from a 15% reduction in business rates, a measure that has not extended to comedy clubs. This disparity has left many comedy venues vulnerable, further compounding the financial difficulties of events like Leicester Comedy Festival.
The situation has prompted calls for greater investment in comedy. Harris-Wakelam and others argue that without such support, the next generation of comedic talent may be at risk. “We would want to make sure that there were further support packages provided around things like the business rates relief, things such as a potential VAT cut for tickets,” he said. These measures could provide much-needed stability to the sector, ensuring that performers are not left in the lurch.
The unpaid status of hundreds of comedians is a symptom of a larger issue within the UK comedy industry. While the Leicester Comedy Festival remains a flagship event, the delay in payments has raised alarms about the sustainability of such gatherings. Artists, venue owners, and event organisers are all feeling the impact of shrinking budgets and fluctuating income, creating a web of financial strain that could threaten the future of live comedy in the country.
As the festival moves forward, the challenge will be to address these concerns and restore confidence among performers. For now, the delay serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to support the vibrant comedy scene. Without timely payment and financial backing, the magic of live performances may be at risk, leaving both artists and audiences waiting for a resolution that feels far from certain.