Making Creativity Pay

This episode is with writer and Comedian Candace Bryan. We talk about her show MILF (Mom I’d Like to Find), moving from a ‘Coward’s Hour’ in 2023 to Debuting with a full show this year, her decisions behind venue choice and ticket price as well as her experiences in Roast Battles and how her Work in Progress shows have helped shape this show.

We also talk about her writing career and the balance between being a writer and a performer.

Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/candace-bryan-milf-mom-i-d-like-to-find 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/candacebryan/ 

Website (including snails): https://www.candacebryan.com/ 

Soho Theatre Comedy Lab:

https://sohotheatre.com/project/comedy-lab-stand-up/ 

https://sohotheatre.com/project/comedy-lab-plus/ 

Cover Art Photo: https://www.instagram.com/itsjamiehendo/ 

Cover Art Design: https://www.instagram.com/alexwbeighton/ 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/

“ every party we go to, every new person we meet, every workshop we're at, we plug the show which I think is always the way to go. Word of mouth.”

This episode is with Sian Kayleigh on Pansy Productions about their upcoming show The Sentimental Value of a Half-Eaten Biscuit and the Psychological Ramifications of a Lost Hair Tie which is on at the Bread and Roses Theatre Clapham from 17th-19th July

We talk about how the show came together, why they picked the Bread and Roses Theatre, the difficulties of choosing a price point as well as challenges promoting the show.

Tickets: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandahursycomedian/ 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 
Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/

“ I've been in sales my whole life and I went for a promotion and my manager told me that I needed more confidence presenting and in true Glaswegian style, I thought, “is that right?” So I signed up to an open mic to prove him wrong and then I get booked back. So I've just kinda been going ever since”  

Out latest guest is Comedian Amanda Hursy.  We talk about her upcoming Debut fringe show Carted, her experience as being one of the members of last years Best in Class cohort and what that entailed as well as discussing moving into scripted comedy as well as Stand Up.

See Amanda’s Fringe Show - Carted 18:20 every day 30th July - 25th August https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/amanda-hursy-carted 

Gilded Balloon: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5830/ 

WiP Shows: https://linktr.ee/hursy 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandahursycomedian/ 

Best in Class: https://bestinclass.org.uk/   

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/ 

“ Just before my first work in progress, I got really sick, had a chest infection so I couldn't go to work for four days because I was on antibiotics, and it was great because I couldn't talk but I could write the show, and so I ended up accidentally having time to write."  - Our latest guest Holly Spillar. 

We talk about her experience as a finalist at this years Musical Comedy Awards, the importance of the Keep it Fringe Fund and the challenges faced by trying to balance work and creativity, especially in London and how this fits in her upcoming fringe show, 'Tall Child'

Fringe Show: Tall Child https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/holly-spillar-tall-child 

Underbelly Bristo Square 30th July - 24th August (not 12th or 19th) @ 5:45pm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyspillar/  

Episode Photo:  Jennifer Forward-Hayter https://www.instagram.com/jenny_graphic/ 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/ 

“ I described the show when I was trying to pin down a venue to say, what themes are touched on. I listed all the themes and I was like, I wouldn't come to this. I wouldn't go and see that show if it was written down like that.

You've gotta sort of sell it in a different way. But when you're trying to apply to a venue, you need to be like, okay, so it touches on all this. So you read it like, Jesus Christ sounds dreadful. Sounds so depressing. But yeah, it's not. It's actually much the opposite.“

- Comedian Aaron Wood about his upcoming Fringe show “More to Life” 

We talk about moving from 45 minute shows in previous years to this being his debut hour and what that entails, and why he feels the ‘Pay What you Want’ method is the best option for him.

We also talk about his approach when being a tour support for other comedians, his podcast OffYaChest and why it came to an end and about wanting clips to go viral for the right reasons.

Fringe Show: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/aaron-wood-more-to-life   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronwoodcomedy/ 

Website: https://aaronwoodcomedy.com/ includes links for Aaron’s UK tour in Sep/Oct 2025

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@offyachestcast 

Aaron Photo: Owen Peters https://www.instagram.com/owenpetersphotography/ 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/ 

“ I encourage people to do standup comedy… 'cause when it goes really well, it is like the everything medicine. You know, I think if you blew off my legs with a cannon after a really good gig, I would be like, well, this is a nuisance. But this is still a good day for me.” 

We talk to Comedian Gabriel Featherstone about the preparations for his upcoming Fringe show “Robocop vs The Terminator vs Gabriel Featherstone” including the benefits and downsides of the Free Fringe vs Ticketed shows.

We also talk about how he considers comedy an emotional anaesthetic, his experiences working with previous podcast guests Hot Death Theatre, the legal ramifications of impersonating Tinky Winky and lots more.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabefeatherstone/ 

Fringe Show: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robocop-vs-the-terminator-vs-gabriel-featherstone 

London as part of PBH Free Fringe in London (29th June): https://linktr.ee/pbhweekender 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/

“ I genuinely thought that Liz Truss was a comedian, and I was jealous of her career because she was doing a better job at comedy than I was.” Actress and Comedian Nerine Skinner.

We talk about Nerine’s experiences creating online videos and sketches and the influence Liz Truss has had on her career both in terms of creating videos for YouTube and TikTok as well as being a big part of her 2024 Edinburgh show ‘The Exorcism of Liz Truss’.

We talk about the demands of creating topical comedy, her experience on Britain's Got Talent,  the financial pressures of the Fringe and about running her own comedy night Crackin’ Comedy and creating the right atmosphere for both comedians and audience.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nerineskinner/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nerineskinner 

Crackin’ Comedy: https://www.instagram.com/crackincomedy/ 

Website: https://www.nerineskinner.co.uk/ 

Nerine on BGT: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJPN8DOob12/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nerineskinner 

Work In Progress May 25th London https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/well-done-for-not-killing-yourself-by-adam-rhys-davies-decisions-decisions-by-nerine-skinner-wip 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/

“ If Scottish comedians can't afford to go to the Fringe, then that's a crazy problem that we have.”

I spoke with Comedy Director and Promoter Katie Palmer of Brass Tacks Comedy, we discuss the skills she brings to a number of performers at the Fringe and her work with Red Bull on creating the Brass Tacks Debut Fund (which since recording has been awarded to Ayo Adenekan).

We talk about her aim to reduce a lot of the gatekeeping that exists around the Fringe and the difficulty even Scottish acts have in affording to perform at the Fringe.

Instagram: 

Brass Tacks Comedy: https://instagram.com/brasstackscomedy 

Mailing List: http://subscribepage.io/brasstackscomedy 

Red Bull/Brass Tacks Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-brass-tacks-comedy-comedy-workshop-tickets-1300029054899 

Brass Tacks acts at the Fringe:

Ayo Adenekan: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ayo-adenekan-black-mediocrity 

Grace Mulvey: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/965-grace-mulvey-did-you-hear-were-all-going-to-die 

Tamsyn Kelly: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tamsyn-kelly-hot-titty-bungalow 

Amy Anette: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/amy-annette-busy-body 

Jodie Sloan :https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/jodie-sloan-she-hot 

Jack Traynor :https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/jack-traynor-i-forget 

Linktree for the above and more: https://linktr.ee/brasstackscomedy 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/ 

“ I think there's generally like one or two people who win the Fringe every year and everyone else just has a time ranging from OK to heart breaking, our Fringe experiences as Hot Death Theatre have sort of sat more in the heart breaking camp.  Whereas our experiences with almost every other Fringe we've done have been quite uplifting”

I spoke with Freya and Lawrence of Hot Death Theatre about their shows b i r d and Powersuit, we talk about the different atmospheres for various fringes and festivals around UK and Europe as well as how despite being based in Glasgow the Edinburgh Fringe is not for them as things stand.

We also discuss the differences in alternative comedy versus more mainstream comedy as well as the value of bringing physicality to any kind of comedy.

Powersuit at Glasgow Comedy Festival: https://www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com/performances/powersuit/ 

b i r d at Brighton Fringe: https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/b-i-r-d/ 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/freyabenteauxperformer/ 

https://www.instagram.com/hotdeaththeatre/ 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website: https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 
Making Creativity Pay Newsletter: https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/

“ It certainly feels like the entire structure of the music industry has been created and maintained to separate the artist from their money.”

This episode is with Musician Josienne Clarke and Filmmaker Alec Bowman Clarke, we talk about the music industry, Josienne’s crowdfunder for her new album and the accompanying making-of documentary Alec is filming as part of the process.

We also discuss Josienne’s experiences in the industry that has taken in working with record labels as well as being an independent as well as Alec talking about the value of music videos in helping to build an audience.

Crowdfunder: Closes 10:47am 11th Febhttps://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/josienne-clarke-album-12 

Josienne is currently on tour around the UK:

https://josienneclarke.com/live/ 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/josienneclarke/ 

https://www.instagram.com/mralecbowmanclarke/ 

Web:

https://josienneclarke.com/ 

https://alecbowmanclarke.com/ 

https://josienneclarke.bandcamp.com/ 

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYHqEUciqe82BUvh_cR-4g 

Find More about ‘Making Creativity Pay’

Website:https://podcasting.makingcreativitypay.com/episodes/ 

Twitter:https://twitter.com/Beyond_the_Pod 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingcreativitypay/ 

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbarnett/ 

Making Creativity Pay Newsletter:https://makingcreativitypay.substack.com/