I am Rosalind Romer, otherwise known as ‘Punchline’. I produce and promote large-scale comedy shows in Edinburgh, bringing the best comedians together to create amazing nights of comedy.
Comedy has always been a part of my life. From watching The Marx Brothers aged four and Blackadder at nine, I moved on to watch live comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe when I was 10. When I was old enough, I worked at the Fringe Box Office during my summer holidays and went to see as many shows as possible. After graduating from Glasgow University, I went on a trip to Australia and the Melbourne Comedy Festival, and snuck in the Adelaide Fringe while I was there.
I returned to the UK full of enthusiasm, and applied to be a judge on the Perrier Panel. After an extensive interviewing process, I was told I had been successful. I had to ask them to repeat it when they said I had won! It was an intense three weeks, where I broke the record of seeing the most shows (over 100). I got the comedy bug more than ever and decided a career in comedy was for me.
After scouting for the Perrier Awards the following year, I went to seek my fortune in London and worked at Chambers Management for two years, managing Jimmy Carr’s tours, and working with Frankie Boyle, Sarah Millican and Andrew Lawrence.
I was then asked back to coordinate the now Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, where I stayed for two years. London was exciting but after four years I felt Edinburgh calling me home. But one thing was missing: Comedy. In August, Edinburgh is the centre of the comedy universe, but there isn’t the same choice as in London which is the home of most UK comedians.
Which is where Punchline comes in. I took the plunge, choosing the best four comedians and mixing a carefully balance blend of comedy to suit all tastes, and staging it in one of the country’s most lavish buildings, The Usher Hall. The reception was very positive, and one year on, I am about to produce my third show.
The next Punchline takes place this Friday, 8th March at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, featuring Pappy’s, John Hastings, David Trent and Charlie Baker. You can still book tickets HERE and check out the trailer below from the last show.
So what’s next? There are exciting plans in the Punchline pipeline so please keep in touch with me on Facebook and Twitter.
Rosalind Romer, Punchline
