Low carbon comics keep their audience in the dark

TOP comedians will give performances in the dark at the Edinburgh Festival this year to show they care about the environment.

"Comedy in the Dark" is making its debut at the Gilded Balloon venue in the capital, where the audience will be able to hear the comedians without seeing them.

So far stand up stars such as Dan Antopolski, Jon Richardson, Shappi Khorsandi, Reg D Hunter and Lucy Porter have agreed to take part.

Organisers say that as well as sending an environmental message, the sensory deprivation adds to the comedy experience.

Mr Antopolski said it was a "unique experience".

"Other senses heighten, the language comes alive, and it gets really funny," he said.

The performers are also forced to use new skills as the gig is performed in the pitch black.

The idea was the brainchild of the Leicester Comedy Festival, as part of their Greening The Laughs programme, which aims to try to lower the carbon footprint of stand-up events.

Director Geoff Rowe said: "We've been working with partners for the past few years to promote environmental messages and lower the carbon footprint of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival.

"We're basing our programme of work on what has happened within the music industry where they have introduced initiatives such as the 'green rider' and the Greener Festival Award."

Other comedians taking part include Sarah Millican, Andrew Lawrence, Greg Davies, Rob Rouse, Holly Walsh, Joe Lycett, Stephen Carlin, Andrew Ryan, Seann Walsh, Marcel Lucont, and Patrick Monahan.

The show will be on at the Gilded Balloon from 6 to 19 August.