Comedy Critic Brian Logan Addresses Questions on Edinburgh Fringe

Exploring Diversity in Comedy

Brian Logan, our esteemed comedy critic, tackled a range of questions at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. One major topic was the perceived overrepresentation of privately educated performers, which has sparked debate about class and socio-economic diversity within the fringe community.

Logan firmly rejected the notion that the fringe is merely a “posho fest.” He stated, ‘Of course there’s lots of work to do to ensure that a wider range of people can attend and present work at the fringe. But I defy anyone to spend a day or two at the fringe, watching a more or less random cross-section of work, and come away thinking that they’ve only seen posh people at play.’

Masepod asked whether the comedy industry should consider relocating its annual trade fair to a different location, like Manchester or Bristol. Logan’s response was clear: ‘It might be sensible. But who wants their comedy to be sensible? I fully acknowledge the huge problems around access and the costs attached to visiting Edinburgh at festival time, as a performer or as an audience member.’

Logan also addressed the challenge of reviewing comedy. When asked how he decides which shows to review, he explained that it's not always straightforward: 'I try not to be steered too much by paid PR. I have conversations, I read other reviews. I try to see as many new (to me) acts as I can, and to go off-piste when I can – while balancing that with readers’ desire to read about (and my desire to write about) newsworthy acts, bigger names and shows that are acknowledged to be making a splash.'

Finally, Logan offered advice for parents considering bringing their children to the festival. 'Please take your kids!' he encouraged. 'I take mine every year. Especially before the Scottish schools go back, there are loads and loads of shows for kids to enjoy. And even if you don’t go to a single one, the streets teem with the kind of life that blows a child’s mind.'

Logan's reflections underscore the vibrant and diverse nature of the Edinburgh Fringe, while also highlighting ongoing challenges in accessibility and representation.

Source: The Guardian