Comedian Kate Smurthwaite has had to cancel performances of two shows she has on at the Edinburgh Fringe after nobody turned up. Smurthwaite lays the blame firmly at the Oasis run of gigs in the capital that start today (August 8) for the absence of audiences turning up for her daytime show Evolution Revolution and her night-time show Milo Standards: Penis De Milo.
Smurthwaite posted on Facebook on Wednesday: "Both of these shows pulled today due to zero audience.
First time I’ve cancelled Fringe shows for this reason in over a decade. And I flyered both shows for over an hour each.
Two years ago I barely flyered at all (for obvious reasons) and I had double-digit crowds at least every day, full on weekends.
Of course there’s some luck. Some general impact of inflation and stagnant wages. The fact yesterday was my day off and sometimes people take a flyer and come the next day.
But the big factor is Oasis. They’re playing huge gigs at Murrayfield Stadium on 8th, 9th and 12th. It was so obvious as I flyered. Big groups of people in Oasis shirts with no interest in my show or anyone else’s.
I am far from the worst affected. I haven’t splashed out £££ on adverts or PR.
The Fringe Society raised no objection to the concerts being staged in the middle of the Fringe. They glibly suggested Oasis fans might also come to Fringe shows. We all knew better.
Oasis themselves must remember what it was like being regular performers trying to make a living. They could have played Edinburgh any dates they wanted.
If you’re in/near Edinburgh or a performer here for Fringe yourself let’s support each other as much as we can. My contract obliges me to sit in the room audience or no audience (reasonably, in case people arrive late, etc) so even a few people mean I can run the show rather than staring at the walls. The shows are great. You’ll love them.
My late show Late With Kate is at Canon’s Gait at midnight. Hoping very much for a crowd there."
Smurthwaite's family-friendly science show Evolution Revolution won the 2025 Fringe World overall award for Best Children’s Event at Fringe World in Perth earlier this year.
For details of all Kate Smurthwaite's shows click here.
