Board

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Director of the Community Interest Company, and help represent our members, please email us hello@livecomedyassociation.co.uk

David Elphick (co-chair)
David is a prominent figure in the UK’s live comedy and entertainment industry, with deep roots in Nottingham. His career spans over two decades, marked by entrepreneurial ventures and leadership roles that have significantly influenced the comedy scene both locally and nationally.

Elphick’s association with the renowned Jongleurs comedy brand began in 2001 when he managed the Nottingham venue. In 2010, he secured a franchise to reopen Jongleurs in Nottingham, expressing his ambition to make it “the live entertainment venue by which others will measure their standards”.  Later that year, he was appointed Managing Director of Jongleurs, taking over day-to-day operations from founder Maria Kempinska until leaving to set up his own comedy brand .

In 2017, David founded Dave’s Comedy, a consultancy dedicated to producing high-quality comedy shows across the UK . His commitment to the comedy industry extends to his role as Co-Chair of the Live Comedy Association, where he advocates for the interests of live comedy performers and venues . He also held an interim role as Chief Executive at the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Jessica Toomey (co-chair)
Jessica has been working in Live Comedy since 2003, joining the family business the Frog and Bucket Comedy club. The Frog is the longest running comedy club out of London, Est. 1994.  

Since then Jessica went onto also run the Women in Comedy Festival, established 2013 and was part of the original formation of the Live Comedy Association in 2020 which she has since become the director of. 

Jessica is also the founder of FAB Comedy Management and also freelances as an advisor / Comedy associate for the Edinburgh Fringe society.  

Mark Boosey
Mark Boosey founded the website British Comedy Guide in 2003. He still edits the website today, delivering news and information to nearly a million monthly visitors. His role involves attending shows at clubs, theatres and festivals around the UK, and he is regularly asked to judge the country’s various competitions for new acts as well as those for established performers.

Mark facilitates the Comedians’ Choice Awards, Malcolm Hardee Awards and Comedy Poster Awards at the Edinburgh Festival each August and oversees the website’s unique collection and collation of data related to live comedy whilst at the festival too. Through the BCG Pro platform, he also helps deliver advice and insight for up-and-coming performers and writers.