It's hard to see the funny side of the collapse of management agency Junkyard, with claims performers have not been paid for dozens of gigs.
Junkyard Artist Management represents some big names in comedy including Aaron Chen, as well as his fellow performer on ABC TV's hit comedy Fisk, Sam Campbell.
The collapse has left more than two dozen comedians without management representation in Australia ahead of the local season of comedy festivals.
Others affected include Andrew Hamilton, Scout Boxall and Alexandra Hudson.
Comedian Lewis Garnham was represented by Junkyard and says he hasn't been paid for a week at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in October, and a whole month of nightly shows at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe in August.
"It's just brutal to think that I'm not going to get any money ... just so much work, such an intense month," he said online.
Junkyard Artist Management appears to have removed its Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts as well as its official website.
The company, run by Craig Ivanoff, has been contacted for comment.
Garnham has promised material about his experience at his upcoming shows in Wollongong on Thursday and Newcastle on Friday, followed by a show on the Gold Coast.
"My manager went bankrupt out of absolutely nowhere ... the least I can do is talk about my experience and hopefully get some ticket sales out of it cause I have no money now thanks to you," he said in an online post.
He thanked the industry for its support and encouraged punters to buy tickets to any live shows by performers they like.
Fellow comedian Andrew Hamilton, who is performing in Sydney on December 13, says he is trying to recover lost money.
"I got hit pretty hard. I lost all the money from my national tour," he said in an online post.
"What matters most is that just like when the police arrested me for selling heaps of drugs, I am once again a victim," he joked.
Andrew Spring of insolvency solutions firm Jirsch Sutherland has been appointed as liquidator to Junkyard, and its related production firm West Street Sports.
Both companies have ceased trading.
Investigations into the failure of the companies, the number of creditors affected and amounts owing are still being determined, Jirsch Sutherland said in a statement provided to AAP.
