The UK Live Comedy Sector survey has reopened today with the aim of getting more responses from people working in the UK comedy sector. The survey is led by a partnership between the Live Comedy Association, British Comedy Guide and Centre for Comedy Studies Research (Brunel University of London).
The survey was first opened earlier this year but is being reopened to try and get additional data from comedians, promoters, producers, festivals, clubs and venues. People working in the sector are encouraged to complete the short survey which can be found here https://comedysurvey.co.uk/
The Live Comedy Association (LCA) was formed in May 2020, when industry representatives came together in response to the crisis faced by the industry due to a significant lack of public funds and government support during the pandemic. The new LCA leadership team has worked on various activities over the last couple of years to benefit those working in the sector. These include lobbying government and parliament to recognise live comedy as an essential part of the UK’s creative industries, holding development workshops for members and making representations to party political policy forums.
Dr Sharon Lockyer, Director of Centre for Comedy Studies Research (Brunel University of London) said “we were really pleased with the responses we received when the survey was first distributed earlier this year. However we have received feedback from people that they were unable to complete the survey at that time. We are therefore re-opening the survey to give people a little more time to make their voices heard and to ensure the survey report reflects as many people working in the sector as possible.”
Jessica Toomey, co-chair of the LCA, said “the first sector survey report we published earlier this year, based on the 2024 survey, was vital to our work and making our voice heard by politicians and decision makers. We need to keep up the pressure on governments and policy makers and our annual sector survey is a crucial part of us hearing from those working in live comedy and understanding more. We are calling on as many people as possible to complete the survey before it closes at 23:59 on Friday 24th October.”
The Centre for Comedy Studies Research has a number of aims including contributing to debates relevant to industry and practitioners. Their research examines the production, content, reception and wider socio-political implications of comedy in its variety of formats, from television sketch shows to comedy thrillers. The Centre works closely with its advisory group, international affiliated researchers and founding ambassadors which include comedians Jo Brand & Lee Mack, producer Simon Minty and Leicester Comedy Festival founder Geoff Rowe. All of their work is strongly underpinned by the belief that comedy is socially, culturally, politically and economically significant at local, national and international levels.
The UK live comedy sector survey is available to those who consider the UK live comedy industry to be their main sector of work to contribute to. Everyone working in live comedy are encouraged to visit the website and fill out the survey before the 24th October 2025. All contributions remain anonymous, and it will take 10 minutes to complete.
UK Comedy Sector Survey - https://comedysurvey.co.uk
