Edinburgh's much-loved Stand Comedy Club has warned that they are on the brink of closure unless they can get an urgent arts funding bailout, reports comedy news site Chortle.
The comedy clubs - including the one in Edinburgh city centre - have been closed since March, and although they have been putting on regular live-streamed shows in return for donations, this hasn't been enough to cover a huge £342,000 trading loss generated during the closures due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Comedian Richard Herring took to Twitter to pay tribute to the clubs, saying:
"The Stand is an incredible organisation that treats the audience and comedians with total respect and plays a huge part in the cultural life of all the cities it operates in. It’s top of the tree and if it’s in trouble then nothing else can make it."
In an email to supporters, director Eva Mackay said that the company pays £1million a year to comedians who play its venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle, as well as a living wage to employees, adding that the firm needs urgent help beyond the government’s furlough scheme and hospitality industry funding.
Chortle reports that she called on Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government "to step up and help before it’s too late", adding:
"Without their support there will be no Stand Comedy Club providing a real living wage to its employees, providing revenue for acts and supporting charities.
"There will be no clubs to provide entertainment enriching the culture of the country.
"Our world-leading comedy industry is on the brink of collapse and runs the risk of being forgotten by emergency government arts funding."
You can donate to support The Stand here.
This year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe - which usually takes place in August - has not gone ahead as usual in 2020. However, live outdoor performances will be able to start up again from the 24 August.
One stand-up comedian - Nathan Cassidy - arranged to do a solo show in the courtyard of the Three Sisters pub in the Cowgate, billing it as the only show at this year's Fringe.
