Leicester Comedy Festival Does Not Pay Artists

May 15, 2026, 16:59
UKEntertainment

Introduction

The Leicester Comedy Festival has money problems. Many artists did not get their money after the February show.

Main Body

The company Big Difference organizes the festival. They did not pay hundreds of artists by April 19. Only 22 percent of the artists got their money. Some artists are missing £2,000. The boss, Michael Harris-Wakelam, says the company has no cash. Other companies did not pay the festival for tickets and sponsors. Now, the boss is looking for new money to pay the artists. The festival is still working. They are planning a show in June. They are also planning the festival for 2027.

Conclusion

The organizers want to pay the artists, but they are still planning new shows.

Learning

The 'Past' Trick

Look at these words from the text:

  • Did not get
  • Did not pay

The Secret: When we use did not, the action word stays in its simple form. We don't change it to the past.

❌ Did not paid (Wrong) ✅ Did not pay (Right)

Money Words

In this story, we see three ways to talk about money:

  1. Cash →\rightarrow Physical money (coins and notes).
  2. Sponsors →\rightarrow People or companies who give money for a project.
  3. Missing →\rightarrow When money is gone or not where it should be.

Future Planning

How do we talk about the future in a simple way?

"They are planning a show in June."

Pattern: Am/Is/Are + Action-ing →\rightarrow This tells us about a plan happening soon.

Vocabulary Learning

money (n.)
Cash or funds you have.
Example:I need money to buy a book.
problem (n.)
A difficult situation.
Example:The company has a big problem.
artists (n.)
People who create art or perform.
Example:Many artists came to the festival.
pay (v.)
To give money in return for work.
Example:The boss will pay the workers.
hundreds (n.)
Many sets of one hundred.
Example:There were hundreds of tickets sold.
percent (n.)
One part of a hundred.
Example:Only 22 percent of the artists got paid.
missing (adj.)
Not found or not present.
Example:Some artists are missing £2,000.
boss (n.)
The person who manages a company.
Example:The boss is looking for new money.
cash (n.)
Money in coins or bills.
Example:The company has no cash.
tickets (n.)
Paper that lets you enter an event.
Example:People bought tickets for the show.
sponsor (n.)
A person or company that supports an event.
Example:Sponsors helped pay for the festival.
new (adj.)
Recently made or discovered.
Example:They are planning a new show.
planning (n.)
The act of arranging or deciding.
Example:Planning a festival takes time.
show (n.)
A performance for an audience.
Example:The show was very funny.
festival (n.)
A celebration with many events.
Example:The Leicester Comedy Festival is popular.
work (v.)
To do tasks or jobs.
Example:They are still working on the festival.
organizers (n.)
People who arrange events.
Example:The organizers want to pay the artists.
company (n.)
A business that provides services.
Example:The company Big Difference runs the festival.
difference (n.)
The state of being different.
Example:The difference between the two plans is small.
organizes (v.)
To arrange or plan an event.
Example:The company organizes the festival.