Equity is supporting a number of members impacted by the financial difficulties of Leicester Comedy Festival’s parent company. The union has successfully secured payments for some comedians who had been left unpaid for shows performed during the festival held this February and is encouraging any other impacted members to contact Equity for support.
Concerns arose in the weeks following the festival, when several members chased up payment for their gigs and were told there would be a delay. Last week, Leicester venue The Big Difference – which was run by the charity behind Leicester Comedy Festival – was repossessed.
Equity’s Midlands office and Variety official were in action immediately in the Spring, keeping in close contact with the company and encouraging members to come forwards with any unpaid claims or other related issues.
“The problems with the company running Leicester Comedy festival is terrible news for the many performers and other workers who are yet to be paid for their work this year”, said Equity Midlands Official, Ian Manborde. “The Festival is a significant date in the comedy calendar and attracts big numbers of performers, but we knew there was a problem when so many were getting in touch about unpaid gigs. Thankfully, through some sensitive work, we’ve managed to secure payments for quite a few Equity members and we urge other performers to get in touch for support. We want to see performers paid for their work."
Five months after the Festival, many comedians are still seeking payment for their work. It is unclear what is happening with the company and Equity does not have confirmation of an intention for the company to seek liquidation – a move which often makes it harder to seek payment for performers. With liquidation a possibility, Equity is stressing that it's even more important any unpaid members get in touch for support as soon as possible.
Equity Variety Official Michael Day added: “Sadly, this is not an unusual situation and far too often it is precarious, gigging performers and artists who bear the brunt of cancellations and collapses. Equity wants to see rules tightened to ensure that financial security and obligation to pay performers is hardwired into events like this – there would be no comedy festival without comedians so it should be inconceivable that there isn’t a protected budget to pay such a key asset."
If you need help with issues arising from LCF, please contact: imanborde@equity.org.uk
Find out more about Equity’s work for comedians, or join the Equity Comedians Network.
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