For lovers of comedy, cabaret and drama the Edinburgh Fringe seems like their idea of heaven. And it is. However, it can also be incredibly demanding. In recognition of this a new programme funded by the Wellcome Trust called The Sick of the Fringe will invite all the performers exhausted by the festival.
The Sick of the Fringe brings together scientists, doctors and performers who will focus on the health and vulnerability of those taking part in the Fringe.
For those who think this is for a bunch of prima donnas consider what stand up comedian Tom Allen has to say: “There is a unique level of exhaustion and competition up at Edinburgh. I am aware of people who have got halfway through a show and then said they can’t do any more and asked their audience to leave,
“People will laugh at this and argue we only do two hours’ work a day, so what is the big deal? But it is such an intense period of work and terrifying for a solo performer at any level.”
The programme has been curated by performer and Fringe veteran Brian Lobel and includes founder of Theatre de Complicite, Simon McBurney, neuroscientist Sir Colin Blakemore and actress, comedian and broadcaster Liz Carr.
Brian Lobel said: “The month is gruelling. Performers are not working in ideal conditions and if you are doing a solo revue in which you are also talking about yourself, it makes you even more susceptible to problems”.
Having regularly covered comedians who openly discuss their mental health issues and the strain of the job, we think this initiative is fantastic. Professor Gordon Claridge recently published his findings in the British Journal of Psychiatry, stating that comedians tended to have a “high levels of psychotic personality traits.” Regarding his findings Gordon said: “Obviously not all comedians are like this, but the trend does show these personality traits are more common. It is that idea of the sad clown.”
