Stand-up comedian Kate Smurthwaite has blamed Oasis for having to cancel two of her shows when no one turned up to her Edinburgh Fringe gigs.
The television regular, 49, who describes herself as a ‘left wing, feminist, atheist, polyamorous comedian and activist’, is performing at the comedy festival but was yesterday forced to cancel her gigs ‘due to zero audience’ despite her shows being free.
The stand-up said the lack of interest for her show was due to Oasis performing at Murrayfield Stadium in the Scottish capital this weekend as she called on the Gallagher brothers to be ‘more considerate’.
Oasis are not due to perform in Edinburgh until Friday, while Kate’s cancelled gigs were due to take place on Tuesday.
In a video filmed at the Banshee Labyrinth, a free venue in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the furious comic films herself in the empty venue and said: ‘I’m still in costume, 25 minutes after my show should have started and THIS is the Oasis effect.’
‘So I did a couple of hours flyering as I usually would, that would usually get me a good crowd and I could tell it wasn’t working.’
‘Big groups of people in Oasis shirts coming past. No interest in hearing about my show or anybody else’s show that was out there.’
‘Advertising my children’s show this morning, also cancelled due to zero audience members showing up.
‘I’m also aware of performers losing their accommodation because landlords have suddenly realised they can make more money by renting the space out to Oasis fans.’
‘I think it is absolutely heartbreaking to be cancelling shows. The first time I’ve done this in 10 years at the Edinburgh Fringe.
‘Literally pulled a show because no-one showed up.’
‘I think the Fringe Society should have seen this coming and done more about it and a band like Oasis should be more considerate of their fellow performers when they decide where and when to put their shows on.’
The comedian who plays Drag King, Penis De Milo, later added in a Facebook post: ‘Of course there’s some luck. Some general impact of inflation and stagnant wages. The fact yesterday was my day off and sometimes people take a flyer and come the next day.’
‘But the big factor is Oasis. They’re playing huge gigs at Murrayfield Stadium on 8th, 9th and 12th. It was so obvious as I flyered. Big groups of people in Oasis shirts with no interest in my show or anyone else’s.’
She took particular aim at The Fringe Society who help organise the iconic performing arts festival every August.
Kate said: ‘They raised no objection to the concerts being staged in the middle of the Fringe. They glibly suggested Oasis fans might also come to Fringe shows.
‘We all knew better. Oasis themselves must remember what it was like being regular performers trying to make a living. They could have played Edinburgh any dates they wanted.’
But the comedian faced a backlash from those defending Oasis for their upcoming gigs on the 8th, 9th and 12th August.
Rowan Lavender wrote: ‘With all due respect; Oasis are not the reason nobody showed up.’
Scott Laing said: ‘Maybe people just don’t fancy going to your show, it’s not the oasis effect , oasis gig goers won’t attend the fringe, I am an Edinburgh resident and don’t attend any fringe and never have.’
‘Accommodation is always a huge price hike and again nothing to do with oasis it’s the council and landlords price hiking. Banshee is a good wee venue but maybe just maybe you don’t look back in anger and stop crying your heart out.’
Another wrote: ‘Not convinced anyone that normally frequents the Banshee is off to the Oasis show.’
Fellow stand up Yvonne Hughes, however, agreed with Kate about her predicament, writing: ‘I have 0 in for tomorrow. 2 lovely folk today. People are deliberately staying away bc of Oasis.’
Another performer Aimee Cooper said: ‘Jesus, we knew the oasis effect would be bad, but seeing this is making it more real.. so sorry this has happened Kate.’
The comedian previously debated Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain where she revealed that she embraces her natural body hair.
The debate started with Piers Morgan asking if the woman growing body hair was ‘helping feminism or promoting laziness?’, and he went on to ask Kate if she had any problems with men because of it.
‘It’s funny how people care about how men will react to this, but I’m polyamorous and have several boyfriends, so I’m fine thanks.’
Kate said that going unshaven is actually an advantage in relationships, saying: ‘It filters out the kind of men who thinks that important – which is a plus for me.
However, her fellow guest replied: ‘I’m sorry I know it’s your personal choice but I find it repulsive, it’s the hygienic aspect of it.
Pulling up her arm and wafting it into her fellow panelist’s face Kate said ‘It’s not smelly,’ while the guest went on to turn away from her and visibly wretched at the situation, while Kate laughed about it.
