Scottish comedy venues offers funded fringe for new comedian
Scottish comedy venue Blackfriars of Bell Street has joined forces with Brass Tacks Comedy to offer a funded Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut for Scottish comedian Jack Traynor.
Article Source: Blackfriars of Bell Street
Last Updated: 25 March 2025 15:48
Blackfriars and Brass Tacks Comedy have joined forces to bring the Cumbernauld comedian to Fringe 2025, with Jack set to perform at the Pleasance Courtyard for the month of August.
Jack’s upfront costs for his debut will be paid for by the Blackfriars fund, covering registration fees, marketing spend, venue costs, technicians and more. Jack’s debut show ‘Before I Forget’ will run from 30th July - 24th August, 9.55pm at Pleasance Bunker One with tickets on sale from 2nd April via www.pleasance.co.uk.
Blackfriars Basement is one of Scotland’s original comedy venues, with everyone from Billy Connolly, Kevin Bridges and Susie McCabe gracing the stage in Merchant City over the past 30 years. Relaunching three years ago with new initiatives including zero hall hire fee and 100% of ticket sales going to comedians, Blackfriars of Bell Street will now venture into their first Edinburgh Fringe as they support Jack Traynor’s debut.
Owner Chris Conway made the decision to provide funding for Jack’s debut after helping to judge over 50 applicants for Brass Tacks’ original Fringe fund, which is supported by Red Bull. The team at Blackfriars felt strongly about giving a Glasgow-based comic the chance, and chose Jack Traynor as this year’s recipient. Blackfriars have hosted Jack at various gigs including the weekly Comedy Pub Quiz alongside Paddy Linton, which took over BAAD as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival for their biggest quiz yet.
Jack Traynor hails from Cumbernauld and has been making a name for himself since 2022 as part of the Wholesome Prison Blues collective which brings comedy shows into prisons. His performances have gone global, with Jack ranked 4th in the Roast Battle leagues and this year will perform in LA as part of a Roast Battle show, thanks to Blackfriars sponsorship.
Chris Conway, Owner of Blackfriars of Bell Street said, “When Brass Tacks Comedy approached me to help judge applications for Red Bull’s fund, I knew after speaking with them that we wanted to get more involved than just judging.
“I made the decision to provide funding to enable Katie to offer another act this amazing opportunity. We are delighted to be involved and thrilled to have Jack Traynor as the act chosen. Jack is a tremendous comedian who has been a regular feature on the Blackfriars Basement stage and we know he will have a hugely successful Fringe.”
Katie Palmer, Brass Tacks Comedy said, “As a comedy fan I love Blackfriars Comedy Club, and as a promoter, their 100% ticket sales model is brilliant, so to be partnering with them on this project is a dream. I asked Chris to be part of the judging panel for the Red Bull Funded Fringe, and he agreed the standard of applicants was so high that the decision was impossible. Within the hour he had pulled some strings and we were partnering to support Jack.
“Jack Traynor is one of my favourite comics in the country. He had previously mentioned that performing his own show at the Fringe wasn’t in his future plans because he was completely priced out. Without the support of Blackfriars, we could have lost an incredible young talent in Scottish comedy, so I’m delighted to be part of the team providing Jack with this platform and can’t wait to see what he will do.”
Brass Tacks Comedy, run by Edinburgh local Katie Palmer, spearheaded the funded Fringe idea after speaking to comics in the Scottish industry who felt the Festival was not a viable option for them to take part in, due to exorbitant costs.
Katie worked with Red Bull UK to invite applications to win a funded debut, with Blackfriars staff invited to help judge applications. Now, two Scottish comedians will receive funded Fringe debuts courtesy of Red Bull UK and Blackfriars of Bell Street - with Red Bull’s comedian set to be announced in the coming weeks.
The fund will allow Jack Traynor to bring his debut to audiences from around the world supported by a team of comedy professionals from producers, technicians, PRs, programmers and more.
The Blackfriars and Brass Tacks fund will include:
• Upfront costs associated with the Festival Fringe paid for including: registration costs, venue costs, paid PR support, street team, poster and flyer printing, technician costs and bespoke marketing costs
• Brass Tacks Comedy as Fringe producer to guide and support the comic with Fringe planning including registration, administrative management including contracts, artwork, tech as well marketing planning and delivery, and day-to-day support throughout August
• Mentor support from Brass Tacks Comedy and other industry contacts
Follow @brasstackscomedy for more news on Scottish comedy, and follow @jacktcomedy to stay tuned for Jack’s Fringe debut.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Elements announces the return of its signature 444 lunch and cocktail experience to celebrate its first birthday
Elements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.
READ MORE
Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne joins the cast of The Battle at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Horne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.
READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched
PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace
This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials
The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MORE
King Pins opens its doors in Glasgow
The state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!
READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MORE
Glasgow retailer House Party relaunches with pop up at Pride Hub
Beloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!
READ MORE
Citizens Theatre announces first productions for 2026
With doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.
READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue
BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland
Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn
CUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement
Scotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MORE
Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums
Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE
Zander Murray to host Pride events in Glasgow
Scotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unveils 20th anniversary artwork created by local school pupils
Artwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MORE
Glaschu announces two further exclusive dinners with chef Brian Maule
Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long
Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres
This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORE
The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way: A Brand New Street Festival for 2025
This Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MORE
Take Me Somewhere Festival unveils 3 powerful performances ahead of full festival announcement
Three powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MORE
Free travel for Armed Forces Day
First Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
Play more, spend less at Topgolf Glasgow this Summer
Topgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MORE
11 year old Rachel Ronnie to take centre stage with the launch of a Busk Stop at Buchanan Galleries
Aspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MORE
Cast announced for landmark Citizens Theatre homecoming production Small Acts of Love
The Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MORE
Sunday mornings just got a lot more interesting...
El Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MORE
Talent shines at 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival
The curtain has closed on the 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival, reaffirming its place as one of the UK's premier and much-loved jazz events.
READ MORE
ParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg visits Cadder Primary School for special workshop
ParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg made a special appearance at Cadder Primary School to help deliver an exciting workshop on the importance of energy saving in partnership with British Gas.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links