Exploring Inequality in Comedy in the East Midlands and Challenging Inequality

This chapter explores the East MidlandsEast Midlands as a case study in more detail, drawing upon research from the Cultural Economy of Comedy in the East MidlandsCultural Economy of Comedy in the East Midlands project. I argue that my interviewees often framed comedy as a passion project that made it difficult to envisage ways to challenge inequality within the industry. Furthermore, drawing upon Sharp and Threadgold’s work (2020) I explore the ways that male comedians in particular excuse inequality through reinforcing the narrative that things are the way they are and not changeable. In the last part of the chapter, I discuss strategies for increasing diversity within comedy, including through comedy nights for marginalised performers and grants and funding for comedians.