From
the BBC» Stand-up comedian, writer, actress, podcast host and a regular on TV and radio panel shows - Lucy Porter's done the lot.
An Edinburgh Fringe stalwart, she's back this year with a new show, Wake-Up Call.
Porter began working the comedy circuit in the middle of a recession in the early 1990s and money was tight for an aspiring comic.
But Porter fears the current cost of living crisis could make it even more difficult for comedians to go on the road.
"The thing that will kill stand-up is not TikTok or social media, it is petrol prices and train fares. I think it's just unmanageable for young comics," she says.
"If I was starting out now, there is no way that I would be able to afford to live anywhere or be able to afford to get to any gigs. Money hasn't gone up for the comedian, but the cost of getting there has.
"And for women, I think that's quite dangerous… I used to take risks when I was younger because I couldn't afford to get the train so I'd wait around a coach station in the small hours of the night and that's just a little bit scary."
A spokesperson for the union Equity told the BBC that "even before the current cost of living crisis, there were particular factors with comedy that made it difficult to get started without financial support from other jobs or sources.
"Fees start low. Performing for free can be the only way to get gigs and the work often involves significant travel, resulting in a loss.
"The current cost of living crisis also adds the cost of travel and food into the mix and may also limit audience numbers and their generosity when donating at free entry venues. We know that some comedians have decided not to do The Fringe this year for financial reasons."
I don't agree with Lucy Porter - I think major factors are hotel prices that seem to have rocketed, and the general cost of living. Walking around Lidl the other day and ASDA yesterday evening, I find that lines I bought at £1 a year or two back are £1.40 or even £1.60, packets of xxxx are still £1 but down from contents of 5 rather than 6 and I find myself buying far more budget lines than I used to. Don't get me started on energy bills which seem to be far higher now as a home than they were when operated as a hotel.
