2016 Edinburgh Fringe
Mike Ward: Freedom of Speech Isn't Free
Having been sued by the Canadian Government for telling a joke, multi award-winning comedian Mike Ward makes his Fringe debut. The Human Rights Commission (Quebec) now wants to fine him $80,000! Mike has decided to get his money's worth by bringing the joke to Edinburgh as part of a show about Freedom of Expression. Mike is one of Canada's top comedians (his recent tour grossed $5,000,000), he hosts The Nasty Show, aired on HBO, which is the most popular show at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival, and the Gala at Quebec's ComediHa! festival.
Share this show
Featuring
Reviews
- Spiked
- Counter Culture UK
- One4Review
- The Mirror
- Edinburgh Festivals
- The Scotsman
- The Telegraph
- Fest Mag
- Voice Magazine
- Chortle
- The List
- Broadway Baby
Press articles
Defining the Norm winners announced
Will Franken reveals the winners of the first-ever Defining the Norm Awards.
Will Franken, Spiked, 31st August 2016Meet Mike Ward, the comic fined for telling a joke
They say that freedom of speech is free but Mike Ward begs to differ.
Jill Castle, The Herald, 24th August 2016Interview: Mike Ward
Mike Ward interview.
Rosie Gillott, Fresh Air, 14th August 2016Mike Ward: 'I was fined $42,000 for telling a joke'
Mike Ward talks comedy, censorship and why we can't let the offence-takers win.
Andrew Doyle, Spiked, 13th August 2016Mike Ward cheapens the fight for free speech
The Canadian comic is at the Edinburgh fringe with his protest show about a joke that saw him ordered to pay $42,000. It's not a well-argued defence.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 10th August 2016Political comedy isn't dead
Serious issues are back on the stand-up agenda. Here are the Fringe's hottest topics.
Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times, 7th August 2016Did you hear the one about the 'ugly' disabled singer?
Comedian Mike Ward's joke about the boy who sang for the pope might not be funny, but is that any reason to fine him $42,000?
David Mitchell, The Observer, 7th August 2016Mike Ward uses crowdfunding to cover legal costs
Comedian Mike Ward launched a crowdfunding campaign on Tuesday to cover the legal fees in connection to his litigation against the Human Rights Tribunal. Within hours he received nearly $2,500.
Montreal Gazette, 27th July 2016Mike Ward fined for violating rights with joke
Canadian comedian Mike Ward has been ordered to pay former child singer Jeremy Gabriel $35,000 for making jokes that violated his rights.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st July 2016Mike Ward: people are insane & too goddamn sensitive
Controversial Canadian comic Mike Ward doesn't care if you're offended by his material or not. Chances are some of you will be.
Kirstyn Smith, The List, 21st July 2016Performances
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 4th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 5th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 6th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 7th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 8th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 9th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 10th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 11th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 12th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 13th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 14th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 15th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 16th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 17th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 18th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 19th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 20th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 21st Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 22nd Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 23rd Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 24th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 26th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 27th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |
| 28th Aug 2016 | 20:45 | Gilded Balloon Teviot |