CMS Committee Chair Dame has said that the
Government still has more to do to support live comedy across the
country, and has again urged ministers to recognise it as an art
form in its own right.
A letter from the Government
published today ahead of Live Comedy Day on 1 April
sets out the progress that has been made on the commitments it made to
the committee last summer, followingan evidence session on
live comedy.
The correspondence provides an update on the ministerial comedy
roundtable held earlier this month, as well as the progress being
made on appointing a Freelance Champion and the development of
CIISA, the industry-led body working to uphold standards of
behaviour in the creative industries.
There is also an update on the adoption rate of the voluntary
music ticket levy and the possibility of a similar scheme to
support live grassroots comedy.
Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame MP, said:
“As we get ready to celebrate Live Comedy Day and the fantastic
contribution grassroots performances make to our wellbeing,
culture and economy, the Minister's letter shows that the
Government's policy on live comedy is still very much ‘work in
progress'.
The long-awaited comedy roundtable was a welcome first step in
bringing industry figures together, but there remains much more
to do if the Government is serious about helping our grassroots
comedians flourish, not least by accepting that live comedy is a
distinct art form.
The Committee will have the chance to further explore factors
relating to funding and support for live comedy when it takes
evidence from Arts Council England after Easter.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
The live comedy session was part of the Committee's State of Play
inquiry, which this week reopened for
submissions.
Last week, the Committee took evidence from on her review of Arts
Council England.
