Article: Why the Fringe isn't laughing at Comedy Festival proposal

The 'big four' venues have floated the idea of promoting their own separate event but critics, smaller venues and comedians have expressed fears that it could do more harm than good to those left behind, says Gareth Edwards

COMEDY, it seems, is no laughing matter. In a punchline-free press release, four of Edinburgh's biggest Fringe venues announced last week they were teaming up to promote a Comedy Festival this summer.

The news has sparked much wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst Fringe rivals, comedians and critics.

On the face of it, the plans by the Pleasance, Assembly, Underbelly and Gilded Balloon to run "the biggest comedy festival in the world" are fairly straightforward.

But ...

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