Comedy impresario Karen Koren is the founder of one of Edinburgh’s largest Fringe Festival venues and is responsible for launching some of the most successful comedy careers in the UK today. Bill Bailey, Eddie Izzard, Dylan Moran, Rhona Cameron, Sean Hughes and Peter Kay are all ‘Koren Pedigree’ -and like so many comedians they cut their teeth on the Gilded Balloon stage. Named Top Comedy Talent-spotter in 2005 Koren is widely admired for her generosity, energy and determination to succeed.
What do you do?
I run my own business called the Gilded Balloon, which is one of the biggest venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I also manage and represent several comedians, and I run Edinburgh’s Christmas Winter Wonderland.
How did your career begin?
It began in 1985 when I opened a club with a guy who really wanted to open a casino but couldn’t get a license, he used me as his front person and we opened it as a private members club and put on comedy and cabaret. It only lasted a year and that’s when I opened the Gilded Balloon, who’s first Festival was in 1986.
What makes a Comedian good?
Apart from the obvious – to make people laugh and be funny – a good comedian is someone that has a nice disposition, a good strong personality and is not bitter about life and how it has treated them. They see the funny side of life and are positive about life. What doesn’t make a good comedian is moaning, on or off stage, and being a diva!
What is the secret to becoming a successful Comedian?
Never give up. Things get in the way and there are many failures along the way – however, there is a reason for the saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!” I’m not so sure I am very good at taking that advice sometimes. However if you have a dream, follow it, and don’t give up!
What projects are you working on at the moment?
I am working on Edinburgh’s Christmas Winter Wonderland, which I have just won the tender for, although I started the event in 1998. It is an open-air ice rink in the centre of Edinburgh in East Princes Street Gardens. It is incorporating a large snow-slide this year together with an Ice Gallery, little kiddie rides and food and mulled wine stalls. Very Christmassy!
What do you consider are your most significant achievements to date?
That’s a hard one – having the longevity and determination to have kept the Gilded Balloon going for 22 years against many odds, including being burnt down in 2002. Also keeping our comedy competition “So You Think You’re Funny” going for 20 years, we’re coming up to our 21st year in 2008. And being at the beginning of so many Comedians careers and helping, supporting and nurturing many of them.
And your biggest challenges to date?
Picking myself up after the fire and starting again from scratch, as everything was lost in the fire. It was not easy to start again and try and find a new home and build a new business, all is not achieved as yet – there is a lot still to be done.
What aspect of your job provides you with your biggest thrills?
Seeing a performer or a show do well and audiences loving it fills me with pride and I think, they all love this and it was me that brought it to them or it was me that made that happen. It is a wonderful feeling to make something happen or start something that people like. For example, Late’n’Live our late night show has a brilliant reputation and has been going for 20-odd years. People love it and want to be there to see wild and wonderful things happening on stage that they would otherwise not see – that fills me with pride and satisfaction. The Christmas event also, when you see little children and families having fun and I think – I made this happen – that is job satisfaction. Though it has to be said – I am very critical and am never really satisfied.
What drives you?
Passion – it certainly isn’t money, which is what pushes a lot of people to do what they do. I believe that talent should be seen and I like to help good work come to the fore.
What is a typical day in the life of Karen Koren?
There isn’t really a typical day – however, I go to work around 9.30 a.m. and have a coffee – answer emails. I try and do a “priority” list each day, but things always get in the way, I feel a sense of achievement if I manage to get through my priorities in a day. I have meetings about future projects and I go home around 7 ish. Once a week I go and look after my grandchildren, twice a week I go to the gym and otherwise I meet friends once or twice a week. Most of my friends are connected with my job, so we exchange moans, and or, successes.
If you could have a complete career change what would it be?
I want to write a book – don’t we all – however, I will at some point. I have already written quite a bit. I would also like to go and live in New York for a few months maybe even a year. Or just live on a tropical island were there are no responsibilities. I don’t really think of a career change as my age precludes a brand new career – but there are many things I can do – like making some TV programmes – or just travelling and learning!
