Comedian Kevin Day joins appeal for support and recognition for the live events industry

British Theatre Guide podcast

#WeMakeEvents was launched in April 2020, soon after the first coronavirus lockdown, by PLASA, the Professional Lighting and Sound Association, to highlight the plight of its membership, the majority of whom are freelance workers and therefore not eligible for government furlough payments.

The campaign has grown to include other industry bodies and has become a global movement, with major performance venues lighting their buildings in red to highlight the red alert status of the industry. It offers financial assistance, wellbeing support and advice as well as campaigning with governments and the public to raise awareness.

The campaign has attracted a great many celebrity endorsements, including from stand-up comedian, comedy writer and sports presenter Kevin Day, who took part in a promotional video for #WeMakeEvents with fellow comics Griff Rhys Jones, Lucy Porter and Stephen K Amos.

Kevin has been prominent on the UK comedy scene since the late ‘80s when he performed regularly at The Comedy Store. He has written for Dave Allen and Jo Brand and continues to write for the long-running BBC comedy show Have I Got News For You. He spoke to BTG editor David Chadderton about how essential production staff are to theatre, festivals, live comedy and many other events, how important the live performance industry is to the UK economy and to the wellbeing of the country and how lockdown has personally affected him and his family—his son is also a stand-up comedian and his wife works in theatre production and event management.

For more information on the campaign, to make a donation, to buy merchandise or to find assistance if you are affected by the crisis, see the #WeMakeEvents web site.

Through industry charity Backup, you can also make donations via a texting service: text “ONETWO” plus the donation amount in numbers to 70085 (for instance, text ONETWO12 to donate £12).