You Can Laugh, You Know Preview: Disabled-led comedy night in Leeds

Sam Judd and Peter Williams discuss how their comedy night at Heart Headingley is developing disabled comedy talent.

Transcript

00:00Hello, I am Sam Judd. I am the founder and co-owner of You Can Laugh You Know.

00:08It is Leeds' first and best BBC comedy supported disabled-led comedy night.

00:16I set it up in March 2023.

00:21It was actually in Bradford, but don't tell anyone.

00:26I wanted to increase disabled representation in the arts.

00:31I'm a strong believer that the greatest way to generate positive change is through creative expression.

00:39It was in September 2023 that we moved to the Hearts Centre in Headingley.

00:46We take a very holistic approach to You Can Laugh You Know.

00:49It's a night very much focused on inclusion.

00:51We try and include as much of the different disabled communities as we can

00:55and that focuses and translates into our comedy.

00:58We're really, really lucky to run out of a venue such as the Hearts Centre.

01:01They've been really accommodating to us.

01:03They've got disabled toilets, parking, every single request we've had.

01:08And as well, it's always good to have all the staff that are first aid trained,

01:11which is really important for a night like this.

01:13I couldn't ask for a better venue than Hearts.

01:16We have recently been awarded the BBC Comedy Grant.

01:22Therefore, we are really going to try to grow in the next few months.

01:26We feel like access should never be a challenge.

01:29We feel like access should be a conversation and that's what it really formed around.

01:34Our September show is with award-winning comedian Joe Birkwood.

01:40It is on September the 27th.

01:43You can find more information on our social media.

01:47I have been absolutely blown away by the love You Can Laugh You Know has received.

01:54A really diverse and supportive community has sprung up around us.