A new organisation has been launched today, aiming to protect stand-up comedians' rights. The UK Comedy Guild claims to be the first organisation in the history of the industry specifically dedicated to protecting the rights of people working in UK Comedy.
With 400 members and growing, representing every level of the business, the Guild will provide a strong and unified voice for fair pay andworking conditions, offering advice and backing to those facing harassment and exploitation. It will also vigorously promote good practice across the whole industry.
Comedian Sara Pascoe, one of the founders of the Guild, said: “Being a comic is a wonderful job, but it also leaves people vulnerable and solitary. For too long there’s been no recourse for individuals who have been mistreated. Now, working alongside Equity, we hope to change this, using positivity and communication and best practice guidelines.”
In May 2015, the UKCG established a Comedians Chapter within Equity. Pascoe added: “Thanks to our network we can now directly teach comedians and promoters how our industry should work, what the best practice and rules are, how to protect comedians from discrimination and harassment and to ensure they are properly paid where agreed and appropriate. “
From June 11th 2015, day-to-day operations of UKCG will be run by a central council, made up of 29 volunteer members.
Leeds-based comedian Silky said: “What we’ve done is to recruit a team of volunteers who will be the first point of contact for people with any issue they want to raise – comedy first responders if you will! The group will be able to call upon the resources of our members to provide solutions, mediate problems or in cases where specialist or legal support is needed, signpost people to where help is available.”
The first UKCG council will comprise: Matthew Baylis, Bobby Carroll, Ben Norris, Jarred Christmas, Matt Green, Dan Edge, Susan Murray, Jojo Sutherland, Silky, Javier Jarquin, Ross McGrane, Cerys Nelmes, Sheraz Yousaf, Brian Higgins, Trish Caller, Kahn Johnson, Paddy Lennox, PierretteS'Cobaz, Doug Segal, Danny Worthington, Alexis Dubus, John Scott, Pam Ford, Dominic Frisby, John Ryan, Julian Deane, Paul Adams, Justin Moorhouse and James Sherwood.
There was an attempt to set up a comedians' union in the 1980s. When BTJ tried to find out more about this one of the people involved was not prepared to answer our questions. Let's hope the latest attempt at solidarity is more successful.
Members of the Guild can be contacted via Facebook or Twitter, or by e-mailing [email protected].
