Live Comedy Sector AGM details confirmed
- The first AGM for the UK live comedy sector will take place on Thursday 6th February 2025 in Leicester
- The PWYW event will include a networking lunch and a series of speeches from Sky Studios, The Comedy Trust, Women In Comedy Festival, Centre for Comedy Studies Research and Big Difference Company
Representatives from Sky Studios, The Comedy Trust, Women In Comedy Festival, Centre for Comedy Studies Research and Big Difference Company have been confirmed to take part in the first UK Live Comedy Sector AGM.
The event, taking place from 10.30am on Thursday 6th February 2025 at Leicester-based venue LCB Depot, is being produced by a partnership between the Live Comedy Association (LCA) and Centre for Comedy Studies Research (Brunel University London).
The AGM, which includes lunch, will also provide an opportunity for LCA members to network and learn more about the organisation set up to represent and connect those working in the UK live comedy industry. This includes comedians but also agents, managers, producers, technicians, festivals, promoters, club managers and anyone working in the sector.
Earlier this year the LCA published a national survey highlighting the size and scale of the sector. Produced in partnership with Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR), the data demonstrated that the combined value of live comedy is over £1billion to the UK economy. Dr Sharon Lockyer (Director of CCSR) and Dr Simon Weaver (Founding Member of CCSR) will speak at the event and give more detail gained from the survey. Copies of the full report will be published on the same day. Other confirmed speakers include:
Adnan Ahmed (Producer, Sky Studios)
Sam Avery (Director, The Comedy Trust)
Jessica Toomey (Founder, Women In Comedy Festival)
Michael Harris Wakelam (CEO, Big Difference Company)
Topics for the presentations will include the importance of the live comedy sector to TV production, the role of comedy in building community resilience, diversity and comedy for children and young people.
Speaking about the event, David Elphick (co-chair of the LCA) said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the speakers for the AGM. We have worked hard to try and pull together presentations from people that in some way help demonstrate the range of work being done under the banner of 'live comedy'. We all know that live comedy isn't just a commercial sector, and in so many ways echoes other sectors which have not for profit activities which are delivered out of passion, commitment and love. We also know that live comedy is a vital part of the UK cultural economy and the LCA is working to ensure there is a voice for our members in national government and amongst policy makers and funders. We are looking forward to meeting members and hearing more about what they want from the LCA. The AGM won't just be an opportunity to sit and listen to the impressive speakers; there will be plenty of time for people to chat, network and enjoy a delicious lunch!"
Dr Sharon Lockyer comments: "We are so proud to be working in partnership with the LCA to put on this event. It's vital that we share the results of the first national live comedy survey in more detail, and present our report to people working in the sector."
Dr Simon Weaver adds: "We will be sharing the report more widely with government and policy makers to help identify what support the sector needs to ensure it continues to thrive and survive these difficult times. I look forward to hearing the other presentations on the day."
The AGM event follows online meetings which have taken place this autumn for LCA members and will continue throughout 2025. Over the last 12 months the LCA has been working to act as a united front for the industry, lobbying for more recognition from the government. This has included work with Night Time Industries Association, Music Venue Trust and the Campaign for the Arts. Membership of the Live Comedy Association continues to be free and open to anyone currently working in any aspect of the live comedy sector across the UK. Join via livecomedyassociation.co.uk
PWYW tickets to the AGM are available via the Leicester Comedy Festival website
This article is provided for free as part of BCG Pro.
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