Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 is only days away. It contains over 400 live shows at 70 venues across 19 days in Leicester. The event is highly anticipated in and around the community.
The rundown
Leicester Comedy Festival has been running for 25 years now, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to come to a halt anytime soon.
From 1994 until 2000 well-known comedians and celebrities would host, perform and feature in special events around Leicester. This helped gain a large audience and the Comedy Festival soon had amazing reviews and a big fan base.
From 2001 until 2007 we saw the BBC get involved creating comedy workshops and recording a News Quiz from college students’ own sketches. Then, popular names such a Jason Manford, Jimmy Carr and Russell Brand performed in and around the East Midlands as part of the event, along with other first time and experienced comedians.
As the Comedy Festival grew, the length expanded from 7 to 17 days by 2010. The number of events taking place rocketed from 40 to a whopping 530. In 2012 the Festival was renamed ‘Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival’ as it enters into a partnership with the TV Channel Dave.
From 2014 until 2017 we continued to see popular names such as Sarah Millican, Johnny Vegas, Lee Nelson and Tom Allen. Last year alone 80,000 tickets were sold via the main box office and a further 35,000 people attended the free events. The economic benefit for Leicester is over £3million and there were more shows sold out than ever before!
Leicester Comedy Festival 2018
What should you expect this year you ask? One big comedy party. There will be the usual mix of exclusive shows produced especially for the Festival, and a great line up with the likes of Harry Hill, Sara Pascoe, Jonathan Pie, Kathrine Ryan and Dave Spikey.
There are absolutely hundreds of events you can go and see this February, and we have all – if not most – of the best and unmissable shows at your fingertips. Some of the shows and acts offer their entertainment for free, or for the option to ‘pay what you want’ which is a brilliant idea for anyone looking for a fun night out on a budget.
Competition Time
Click Here for your chance to WIN 2 tickets to see Paul Tonkinson: The Return of the Tonk performing at this years Leicester Comedy Festival.
Line Up & Tickets
Here, you’ll find all the information you need to know about the upcoming events, so have a look through and make a note in your diary for the ones that appeal to you. The Comedy Festival explores a vast amount of genres, such as discussion, storytelling, improvisation, interactive, spoken word and much much more so whatever you’re into you’re guaranteed to find it this February!
Wednesday, 7th February – Thursday, 16th February
THE ONE LINER SHOW
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Why are one-liners better than anecdotes? Well, long story short… Puns, gags, jokes, wordplay and quips galore! And nothing more. Join us as the best pro-comedians from the circuit do their finest short jokes all in one place
SCOTT BENNETT: SHIRK LIFE BALANCE
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
A new stand up show from the Amused Moose Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee, Panelbeaters show regular and tour support for Rob Brydon. Scott is a dad, a husband and a born worrier and now he’s suddenly decided to follow his dreams.
BRIAN DAMAGE AND KRYSSTAL
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Wygston’s House
Brian & Krysstal have entertained and delighted all kinds of audiences far and wide. Regular fixtures at The Edinburgh Festival, the duo have worked all over the UK as well as Germany, South Africa, Gozo, Spain, Denmark, Ireland, Australia and, of course, Peckham. Brian is infamously grumpy and deadpan, while his assistant Krysstal is glamorous but ditzy.
MEMOIRS OF A DATER
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Memoirs of a Dater is a modern-day spoken word performance about the trials and tribulations of a young woman and her dating disasters. Inspired loosely from the Vagina Monologues, this funny but truthful rendition of dating in the modern age is sure to have every woman in the room reflecting on their dating history in a comic way!
PROPER FUNNY’S FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The “Proper Funny Launch Party” is back to kick Leicester Comedy Festival off with a bang! The evening includes sets from a variety of acts, ranging from previous Festival Award Winners/Nominees to some of the very finest emerging acts.
OH, YOU PEOPLE…
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Adrian doesn’t like people very much, and as such, he notices all sorts of stuff wrong about them. This is a show that may offend, upset, and poke fun at things you or someone you know does. Don’t expect laddy, chavy, or a bellend type of humour here. Instead, bring your thinking cap, if you have one.
JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: THE BEST OF 2012-2017
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Leicester Comedy Festival Award-nominated musical comedy stars Jonny & the Baptists return with a riotous celebration of the last five years. A joyous night of silly songs and satirical anthems from the iTunes Comedy Chart-toppers and Radio 4 comedy regulars.
HA HA LAND
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
There’s England. There’s New Zealand. And then there’s Ha Ha Land. Ryan is English, and he’s angry. So angry, he can barely control it. This doesn’t bode well for a do-gooder with a passion for animals. Jake is a Kiwi, and he’s searching for the meaning of life. Not great for a boozy over-eater who is more delusional than ethereal. Join us.
ASIAN PERSUASION
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Asian Persuasion returns to present another top line up of the very best in comedy talent… Headlining is Tez Ilyas – sharp and astute crowd-pleasing stand up from this TV and radio regular.
HANNAH SILVESTER: I’M NOT TOO BAD THANKS
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Hannah Silvester is feeling not too bad thanks. It’s true that she occasionally struggles with the meaningless nature of all human existence when she feels lost in a metaphorical wilderness, but she’s generally not too bad. Join the award-winning comedian as she returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a new solo show.
CEREAL FOR DINNER
From 7th until 9th February
Venue: Queen of Bradgate
“Whats for Dinner mum?” “Cereal son.” Chris Young’s debut show Cereal for Dinner recalls the life of a young boy desperately trying to escape the clutches of an unforgiving 90’s council estate, the kind where to get caught wearing cheap trainers was essentially a death sentence.
FIRST NIGHT FUNNIES
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Celebrate the first night of the festival with The Real Junk Food Project and a few of their funny friends! Headlining this very special event is the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2017, Alasdair Beckett-King
THE OAKLEYS
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Wygston’s House
Duncan Oakley has been a musician since age 6. As an adult, his unique style has brought him to festivals, perform on BBC Radio 4’s Shappi Talk, and appear in feature films. However, 19 years into his comedy career, Duncan realises he may not be the funniest person in the family, so he introduces his wife Oli onto the stage to find out. Who knows, maybe their three-year-old Herbie will get up and prove them both wrong!
OLIVER COLEMAN: RIGHT THEN…
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
This is Australian comedian Oliver Coleman’s UK debut. He puts on a really tasty comedy show. It’s very modern. There’s between 16 and 32 costume changes depending on how he’s going for time. He cried a lot making it so that you would laugh a lot watching it.
LLOYD GRIFFITH MUCKS ABOUT FOR ROUGHLY AN HOUR
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe
Jack Whitehall and Rob Beckett’s tour support and Diane Griffith’s son, Lloyd Griffith comes back to his favourite Leicestershire city to muck about and try some new jokes in his favourite pub on Silver St.
THE ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING MYSTERIES
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
Alasdair Beckett-King is a legendary comedian, in that there is little historical evidence he exists. But he does exist. He was Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2017 and his debut show tackles the conundrums of impending extinction and vegan flimflam. Come and see it, please.
ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS AWARDS SPONSORED BY FLOGAS
Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Venue: Curve – Studio
Join us for the 2nd Alternative Business Awards, celebrating the serious men and woman who drive the region’s economy. Following the huge success of the first event back in 2016, we’re bringing the awards back and encouraging the local business community to show their fun side and salute individuals and companies in a series of unique categories.
SI DEAVES – SI’S MATTERS
Showing 7th February and 18th February
Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre – 2
Nuclear annihilation! Brexit?! Rabies?? There are so many issues in the world today, yet Si Deaves still finds time to worry about the little things, in his own unique way. Join Si’s world as he tackles public abuse of grammar, superstitions, fears of inadequacy and much more in his official debut stand-up hour, Si’s Matters.
LOVING LAUGHING
Wednesday, 7th February
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
An annual showcase of the comedic talents of primary school children from across Leicester and Leicestershire! We have been working with young people to teach them the basics of joke telling and comedy performance and the participants will take to the stage to show off what they have learnt and we will crown one school the “funniest school in Leicestershire”.
This event is invitation only
1000 YEARS DAILY SHOW
From 7th February until 25th February
Venue: The Guildhall – Library
The 1000 Years Show is back for the third year of 20 minute shows throughout each day of the festival. Featuring various topics from history slanted to Leicester, the songs can vary from show to show but expect a dose of Richard III, and Lady Jane Grey and if you have a suggestion of a topic for a song (between 1066 and 2066), tweet it to @1000yearsShow in advance and I will attempt to write the pick of suggestions.
A FUNNY CITY EXHIBITION
From 7th February until 9th February
Venue: DMU Heritage centre
An exhibition charting the history of comedy in Leicester since 1979, and the development of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival. We have spent the last 18 months searching through personal archives and public records to find materials which capture comedy shows, venues, promoters, activities and memories.
CLICKING COMEDIANS
From 7th February until 24th February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Steve Best’s many years on the comedy circuit has allowed him to build trust with some of the funniest people on earth. This exclusive access has given him an opportunity to take hundreds of intimate, deeply moving images of his fellow comedians. The exhibition runs throughout the festival. For one night only, the 20th Feb at 7pm, Steve tells his story behind the photos he’s taken and his Herculean efforts to turn all this into a book.
MAKE ‘EM LAUGH 3
From 7th February – 25th February
Venue: The Y – Just seating downstairs
A hilarious exhibition of stunning showbiz caricatures, created by TV Times & GQ illustrator George Williams, focusing on the theme of comedians of the UK’s stage and screens. Inspired by a display of luvvies at Brighton’s Colonnade Bar, this is the third installation of characters, all of whom will be household names and instantly recognisable.
BOB SLAYER: BOBBY’S INNER CIRCLE
From 7th February until 24th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Bob Slayer’s infamous late night lock-in: Storytelling, yarn-spinning and a right good laugh. Anything can happen if you let it.
ANDY ZALTZMAN
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Andy Zaltzman is a stand-up comedian, broadcaster, and author, who has firmly established himself in the vanguard of British comedy with his unique brand of political satire.
STEVE DAY – DRIFT AWAY
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Steve Day’s dad has Alzheimer’s. There’s nothing he can do about it except remember the way he was. Steve has also been deaf since his teens but has new hearing aids so now he’s going through all the music he’s missed since then. It reminds him of his dad. Laugh, cry, sing along if you want. If you like a bittersweet comedy about deafness and dementia then this is the show for you.
SARAH JOHNSON – MUM’S GOING TO IBIZA
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
2017 saw Sarah Johnson’s show, Reminisce, nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival and now in 2018 she is bringing her Work In Progress show ‘Mum’s Going to Ibiza’ to The Criterion. If you were invited to a 50th Birthday party in Ibiza, would you go?
JOE BAINS – CURRIED MUSTARD
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Growing up in the deepest darkest parts of India and then being thrown into the west with no language, looks, personality or a clue.
JEW-O-RAMA
From 8th February until 14th February
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
After a sell-out run at The Camden Fringe 2017, Jew-O-Rama makes its Leicester Comedy Festival debut bringing you the best Jewish Stand Up in the country.
SELLOTAPE
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
CLIVE, the dad to me, is a small town convenience shopkeeper eschewing tradition (and convenience) to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, and marriage, down the drain. There will be tears, porn and potatoes, lots of potatoes.
ALEX HYLTON: I CAME, I SAW, I COMPLAINED
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Needle and Pin
Alex Hylton has been performing for four years. He’s done gigs for hundreds of people in packed theatres and a gig to just two people at the Red Lion, in Dudley. He’s travelled all over the UK, but was he impressed? Find out in this ambitious, award-nominated show.
SCOTT GIBSON: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Award-winning comedian Scott Gibson is back on the road with his sold-out, smash-hit Fringe show, ‘Like Father, Like Son’. An honest and frank insight into the men who have influenced and impacted Scott’s life – the good, the bad… and the indifferent.
RHYMES AGAINST HUMANITY: MUSICAL IMPROVISED COMEDY
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
What if you could choose the title of a brand new musical and then see it performed instantly? That’s what is going to happen to one audience member when the East Midlands’ favourite musical improv team takes to the stage. Rhymes Against Humanity will perform a brand new, fully improvised musical immediately after reading your suggested title – no scripts, no conferring, no pre-planning, just totally spontaneous musical madness!
TOM BINNS: THE CLUB SETS
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Hospital DJ Ivan Brackenbury, Psychic Ian D Montfort and Tom’s Ventriloquist Puppet family all feature in this critically acclaimed show.
THE VILLAGE HUB COMEDY CLUB
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Village Hub
A mixed bill of some of the best comedians around arrive at Leicester’s newest comedy club. The Village Hub Comedy Club takes over the University of Leicester, giving students the chance to enjoy some of the best comedy at the festival.
PAUL ‘SILKY’ WHITE: GREATEST HITS
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
An hour of prime stand-up & stunning music from the best comedian you’ve never heard of. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year joint runner-up 2000.
GIANTOLOGY
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Will this freak find a way to love, hate or simply fit in? His award-winning story is not the usual one…
BUY WAND GET WAND FREE
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Magic show jam-packed with puns, gags, props and music.
ROB KEMP: THE ELVIS DEAD
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Standing/Seating
A tribute concert to the sequel to the ultimate in gruelling terror… and the King of Rock‘n’Roll. Brilliantly executed: winner of Best Show and Best Musical at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017.
PAUL SAVAGE: PERFORMATIVE WOKENESS
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Paul Savage is trying to be good. He’s trying to do the best he can. But what’s the point if no one notices how good you’re being? A brand new stand up show.
HOTEL D’COMEDIE: LOUGHBOROUGH
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Holywell House – Hotel DComedie
This exclusive festival show returns to Holywell Guest House in Loughborough for the second year. Take a tour of Holywell Guest House and bump in to some of it’s more unusual visitors. This intimate show will introduce you to four comedians who are guaranteed to give you a night to remember.
DEAD LEICESTER
From 8th until 16th February
Venue: Magazine Gateway
Join our two superb storytellers as they guide you on a theatrical tour through the lantern-lit back streets. Marvel at the Myths and Legends from the recent and distant past. Hear true historical tales, spine-chillingly conjured and re-enacted. Watch displays of terrifying comic stupidity, performed for your merriment and titillation. Join Dead Leicester on a journey that will create more nightmares than a cheese sandwich before bedtime.
SUGGS: WHAT A KING CNUT
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: De Montfort Hall – Auditorium
Due to huge popular demand, after his first tour-de-force, smash hit, one-man show, My Life Story, Suggs is treading the boards again with a brand new show. If the first show was about how on Earth he got there, Suggs: What a King Cnut is about the surprises that awaited him when he did.
IAIN STIRLING: U OK HUN? X
From 8th February until 9th February
Venue: The Cookie
BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling is back after a summer narrating smash hit Love Island and now you can see his actual face on his brand new tour! Join the ‘star of comedy’ as he explores dinner party etiquette, feminism and the pressures on a generation brought up in a world of instant gratification.
ROSS BRIERLEY – ACCUMULATOR
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Ross has spent almost 15 years betting and half of that making a living from it. But no one believes him. Come watch as he finds the funny in the idea that predicting the future can pay your bills.
MARLON DAVIS: WORK IN PROGRESS
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
Happy go lucky comedian Marlon Davis debuts at Leicester Comedy Festival following a life-changing experience. Davis presents tales of his road to recovery.
JULIETTE BURTON: BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Following total sell-out, Edinburgh Fringe shows 2015-17, award-winning comedian, Juliette Burton, as seen on The One Show & This Morning investigates the power of kindness in her new docu-comedy show. Join Juliette’s one-woman revolution!
DAVID MORGAN – BUTTONS (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
David Morgan brings his brand new show to Leicester. It’ll be really fun and there will be actual buttons.
CHRISTIAN BRIGHTY’S FREE WILL
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Law graduate Christian Brighty presents a show about what he knows best: law.
A BELLYFUL OF LAUGHS IN AID OF CHARITY LINK
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Fish and The Chip
The team at The Fish & The Chip will treat you to delicious dishes and a dollop of fun with local comedian Anthony King. You will have a nice warm feeling knowing that proceeds raised will help local people and children have a decent standard of living.
DALE HARRIS
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
New stand up comedian from Leicester putting a fun twist on his life experiences. No matter what the situation, if there’s a joke to be found, Dale will find it.
1 WOMAN, A HIGH-FLYER AND A FLAT BOTTOM: SAMANTHA BAINES
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Award-winning comedian Samantha Baines returns to Leicester after a smash-hit, sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run. This year she’s exploring the lost women of science. Expect facts, puns and an ear trumpet attached to a whiskey bottle.
ADAM ROWE: WORK IN PROGRESS
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
The viral sensation, Liverpool Comedian Of The Year Winner & English Comedian Of The Year Finalist brings his Work In Progress show to Leicester Comedy Festival, ahead of his Australian tour, Edinburgh Fringe Festival dates & a nationwide UK tour.
SEAN MORLEY – I APOLOGISE FOR MY RECENT BEHAVIOUR
Thursday, 08 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Thank you. Thank you so much. I’m so glad you took the time to read about my show and once again I am so incredibly sorry for my recent behaviour. I promise you I have put all that behind me now…
SELF INDULGED GENT
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Richard Massara, winner of two, regional comedy awards in 2012, is going to talk about himself for roughly fifty-five minutes. A brilliantly funny hour of stand up comedy exploring insecure narcissism, science, the nature of self and the three questions all people will ask themselves at some point in their life.
ROB KEMP’S: WHEEL OF SHOWS
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Rob Kemp has nailed three (definitely finished) show concepts to the WHEEL OF SHOWS, and he will spin it for you tonight, and perform, in entirety, whichever of the shows it lands on! The madman! Will it be: a monologue set in a bookshop; Something involving time-travel; or maybe, Beetlejuice? Cross your fingers and toes and make a bet on which it will be… It could be any of them, as they are all definitely fully-formed written down ideas.
PHIL KAY: EUPHORIC
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
“A comedian like no other. There’s so much humour in the hour it’s hard to breathe. This original comedy genius is a Choose Your Adventure. The free-forming journey that is utterly unforgettable!”
NO JOKES PLEASE, WE’RE MUSLIM!
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
For the first time in Leicester Comedy Festival history, a Muslim charity is hosting a comedy night. That’s right, you know that global religion that’s known for its sense of humour?! It promises to be a fantastic evening with a line-up that will ‘blow you away’ with its take on jihad, hijabs and kebabs (it rhymes, go with it!).
NICK HALL: SPENCER
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Spencer Percival has one claim to fame. He’s the only Prime Minister ever to be assassinated. Unfortunately, no one’s heard of him. 206 years later, Nick Hall tells his story.
HAYLEY ELLIS “ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A HAYLEY” (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
Join Hayley Ellis (Tour support for Rob Delaney) for an hour of comedy about trash television, dogs with no teeth and pigeons.
GARETH RICHARDS: IDIOT WIND – THE CHURCH OF GARETH
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Join Gareth Richards, Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards best newcomer nominee 2010 for his seventh show of hilarious stand-up, and low-key comedy songs, about his weird fundamentalist Christian upbringing and whether he’s recovered. There will be singing, preaching and an over-head projector.
BIG HOWARD LITTLE HOWARD: MAN & BOY
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
The world’s first and only human/cartoon double-act return after a full-to-capacity run at Ed Fringe 2017. Being a grown-up has snuck up on Big Howard, yet Little Howard remains 6. How does one tackle the harsh realities of the world when your co-star wants to close the show on his fart-psychic routine?
ROB AUTON
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
A show for anyone who has, or has had, hair and hairs. Award-winning stand-up comedian and poet Rob Auton!
THE DEAD LEICESTER CHRONICLES
From 9th February until 17th February
Venue: The Guildhall – The Great Hall
Romans, Kings, Football and Hosiery! To name a few of the mind-blowing topics explored in this epic new show from Dead Leicester. Our storytellers will drag you giggling and screaming on a roller-coaster ride through two thousand years of Leicester’s history.
LAUGHTER AT LOROS
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: LOROS Hospice
LOROS invites you to the third annual “Laughter at LOROS”, an evening of charitable chuckles here at the Hospice. Featuring 2017 Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee, Lucy Thompson, 2016 Comedy Gladiators Winner, Thomas Rackham and Edinburgh Fringe regular, Jason Neale.
THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: COLD HARD CACHE
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
In Cold Hard Cache, Chris and Amy, aka The Delightful Sausage take you on a journey to the dark heart of The Internet. Oddball sketch comedy, packed-tight with surreal sketches, unsettling illustrations and lots of yeast.
RICHARD HERRING: OH FRIG I’M 50
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at O2 Academy
I only regret the people I didn’t have sex with… .. And 60% of the people I did have sex with…
MARK STEEL – EVERY LITTLE THING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Loughborough Town Hall
This time last year, it seemed highly unlikely the UK would vote to leave the EU; we had a reasonable opposition to the Tory Government; Donald Trump was a buffoon who surely wasn’t going to beat Hilary Clinton and Mark was living the married suburban ideal, a year later it’s all gone to absolute shit! But don’t worry, as Mark thinks Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright.
LAUGHTER LOFT
From 9th February until 24th February
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Best Small Venue Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 returns with it’s incredible Laughter Loft shows every Friday and Saturday. Every show has four of the best comedians from the UK Comedy Circuit (You’ll even have seen some of them on your TV) performing in the best pub in Leicester is a recipe for success and that’s why these shows sell out every month!
GAY COMEDY NIGHT
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
The Y Theatre Leicester celebrates Gay Comedy for its 22nd year! With a fantastic lineup…
7 ACTS FOR £7
From 9th February until 23rd February
Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall – The Big Room
Just the Tonic brings you 7 comedians each Friday night for only £7. A total bargain of a mixed bill show!
COCK-KANE THE CLOWN (UK) AND THE MAGIC BOX
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Knight & Garter
Magic Music and Mayhem. Fear the Face Paint. You’ve seen the Clown; but what exactly is in the Magic Box? Punish yourself with an outrageous fun packed hour of distorted traditional entertainment. Includes Sexy Clown Magic and Alluring Music… Fear the Face Paint.
SEAN MORLEY: EARNED HELPLESSNESS
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Two Queens – Project Space
Hi! Wow! It’s me! Sean Morley! Top lad, the big friend, always tries his best. Here I am with some of the biggest best jokes, ready to really raise the roof, raze the venue, bring the plane crashing down. Slammin’ out some industry-ready jokes, bashing them out, hauling them in – salting the Earth; nothing more shall grow here for I have been Sean Morley and none shall travel in my wake.
THE MMORPG SHOW
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
A crowd gathers, no doubt they hear I seek a champion… From the makers of Knightmare Live comes The MMORPG show (Spirit of the Festival winners VAULT 2016). Combining improvised comedy with tabletop gaming in an epic, sprawling, open world, entirely made up fantasy quest of the audiences own devising. Every show is different.
STEVE BUGEJA: SUMMER CAMP
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
It’s 2009 and an eighteen-year-old Steve Bugeja decides to spend his summer working at a kids camp in America, dreaming of red cups, beach parties and being mistaken for Prince Harry. Unfortunately, coming to America doesn’t stop him from being notoriously terrible with children and even worse at talking to women.
LEICESTER FRIDGE: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Back for a 4th year, four of Leicester’s regular comedy nights go head-to-head in our annual comedy bunfight, to see whose is the funniest night out in town. It’s up to the audience to decide who wins the coveted Battle for Leicester trophy, made from the rubble of the demolished City Council offices.
HELEN BAUER: YELLOW FLOWER
Showing on 9th February and 24th February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Hotly-tipped new stand up comedian Helen Bauer presents a work in progress show of her thoughts, feelings and emotions on pretty much everything. Every thought is overthought and then has alcohol thrown on it.
RUSSELL ARATHOON: THE CURIOUS INCIDENTS OF THE GAY IN THE NIGHT-TIME
From 9th February until 10th February
Venue: Queen of Bradgate
Manchester-born comedian, Russell Arathoon brings his debut sell-out show at Leicester Comedy Festival. After a sell-out run at the Greater Manchester fringe and a sold date in central London expect big laughs and not so family-friendly fun.
NATHAN CASSIDY: IF I CAUSED THE FINANCIAL CRASH OF 2008 (PREVIEW)
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
Award-winning comedian and ex-banker Nathan Cassidy exposes the secrets behind the financial crisis of 2008. It was all down to him. If he did it.
THE NOT SO LATE SHOW WITH ROSS & JOSH
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Join your hosts, Ross Brierley and Joshua Sadler, as they take the late-night chat show to its illogical conclusion. A multimedia comedy extravaganza from the creators of UK Garage Horse Racing, back for their second year at Leicester Comedy Festival following a sell out shambolic success in 2016.
SCOTT CAPURRO
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Scott Capurro is an award-winning comedian, actor and author. He’s appeared in several films, including but not limited to Star Wars: Phantom Menace and Mrs Doubtfire. Scott has played almost every English speaking venue on and off the comedy circuit. His husband speaks four languages and is an excellent chef.
JARLATH REGAN: ORGAN FREEMAN
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
A selfish man is forced to reassess his entire life when his best friend needs a kidney. A standup show from the creator of multi-million downloaded Irishman Abroad podcast, about life and death, give and take, Ant and Dec, youth and young manhood, getting it wrong while getting it right and never worrying about anything ever again.
JACK CAMPBELL: SEX WITH GUESTS
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
English Comedian of the Year 2014, Jack Campbell hosts an array of guests for an hour-long panel show all focused on S-E-X. Guests will be discussing losing their virginity, best times, weirdest place and their general views on the world of sex, hoping to break some of the taboos around the topic.
TOM BINNS IS IAN D MONTFORT WHO IS ACTUALLY PSYCHIC
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
“Spookily skilful wonderfully observed and hysterically funny” Guardian.
KIDS COMEDY HUB
Showing on 10th February, 17th February and 24th February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Get yourself down to the Kids Comedy Hub every Saturday of the festival to enjoy some family-friendly workshops, shows and maybe a game or two. Most of the activity is free with a few optional paid shows between the advertised times.
LEICESTER FRIDGE: NAKED COMEDY
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
The unforgettable Naked Comedy returns after causing a splash in 2016, then winning the Liberty Award for embodying the spirit of the festival in 2017. Male & female comedians face their biggest fear and perform ‘au naturel’ to raise money for MIND, for better mental health.
HELL TO PLAY
From 9th February until 10th February
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Hell To Play is a bad-taste comedy game show set in hell, hosted by the devil. Audiences attempt to save their souls from eternal damnation by tackling games put to them by the damned and cursed.
CONVERSATION GARDEN DOES A ‘BAKE OFF’ THEMED MURDER MYSTERY
Friday, 09 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Leicester’s very own cult comedy crew Conversation Garden are returning in Conversation Garden does A ‘Bake Off’ Themed Murder Mystery. Last year’s Conversation Dungeon saw Jack, Dan, and Lewys in a Leicester-based D&D style quest; this year they’ll be the detectives in a bakery themed whodunnit.
CAUSTIC COMEDY NIGHTS
Showing on 9th February and 16th February
Venue: Wygston’s House
An evening of entertainment not to be forgotten! A handpicked selection of some of the world’s top touring comedians. Enjoy cutting-edge comedy in the newly renovated and stunningly beautiful Wygston’s House, Leicester’s oldest standing building since 1480.
PAUL F TAYLOR’S BACK!
From 10th February until 17th February
Venue: The Cookie
The award-winning Paul F Taylor is BACK! with his usual high octane mish-mash of one-liners, flights of fancy & unrelenting nonsense.
QUIRKY TOURS
From 10th February until 24th February
Venue: Newarke Houses Museum
An informal walking tour exploring tales of Leicester’s comedy history. Expect to hear about clubs, comedians, cabaret and car parks. Discover the city’s comedy roots with this offbeat, lighthearted look at Leicester’s comedy scene.
CAM SPENCE: THE MATRIARCHY EXPERIENCE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Tired? Depressed? Your gender getting you down? Experience what this world would be like as a matriarchy! Like a holiday for your gender binary! Lasting results! Free seat to sit in!
STUART GOLDSMITH: ONE NIGHT ONLY WIP
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
At the time of writing this blurb, my output is precisely nil. Worked last time. Won a bloody award didn’t I? No idea what this one will be about. The previous seven were about reason, anxiety, selfishness, birth and death, challenging yourself, compromise, and then – Christ knows – anger maybe? Come along and find out.
JANE HILL – HAPPY NOW?
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
People are always telling me how to be happier. Smile more. Be nice to people. Get yourself a hobby. Stop being so bloody mardy. I’m trying, honestly. Happy now?
RUTH COCKBURN – LOVE LETTERS FROM BLACKPOOL
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
What is love? How do we find love? And how do we keep it? With stories, poetry, recorded interviews, found love letters and songs, Ruth, in this one-woman show, tries to answer these questions.
A SILLY HOUR OF FUN
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
What happens if you cross a whirlwind of fun, a magician of mirth and a Tsunami of the song? This show, that’s what! 3 comedians use puns, music & award nominated gags to have childish fun. Not to be missed!
“THE ART OF THINKING” ABOUT COMEDY
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Why does what makes us laugh make us laugh? Can it change the way we think? In 2018 are comedians becoming timider for fear of offending people and ruining their career? An entertaining hour-long talk illustrated by clips, by the insightful and entertaining philosopher Dr Greg Scorzo, followed by an audience discussion. How would ground-breaking work of yesterday be viewed today? Part of the Beyond a Joke series.
SHORT & CURLY: YOUNG AT START
Showing on 10th February and 17th February
Venue: The Cookie
Curly is convinced that appearing youthful is the answer to success & he will do whatever is necessary to get “youth”. Will Short manage to convince Curly to see the light before it’s too late? Will Curly’s dreams come true? Find out in this multi-sketch show from the critically acclaimed double act Short & Curly.
MAKE ME LAUGH WITH BRETT MILLS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
The ‘Make Me Laugh’ project followed members of British TV’s comedy industry for 3 years, to find out how they do their jobs, what gets in the way, and how programmes get made.
FINALLY, TWO WHITE MEN PERFORMING STAND UP COMEDY
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
This is a pioneering show. Two white guys do stand-up. They said it couldn’t be done. Matt Hoss and Mark Grimshaw break the norm by splitting an hour with their best jokes and greatest hits. It’s a diverse show: one’s vegan and the other has autism. Let’s break social conformities.
LOUISE REAY: GASLIGHT
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The story of Simon and Garfunkel having a nervous breakdown? I am not legally allowed to tell you what this show is about. The personal is political. A brand new show by award-winning comedian Louise Reay.
PHIL JERROD: SUBMERGED
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Everyone’s obsessed with living longer, looking better, being healthier, but Phil’s still overweight, still hairy and still just about keeping his head above water in a world that’s gone mad.
THE PATRICK MONAHAN GAME SHOW
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
A brand new one-hour dating show, by Patrick Monahan & Lily Lovett. In less than 60 minutes Lily & Pat will bring together single people in the audience with a chance to win a date.
MARC BURROWS – MIND YOUR HEAD
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Journalist, musician and stand-up Marc Burrows presents a personal trek through his mental health history, including his time in a psychiatric ward, suicide attempts, depression and bipolar diagnosis. But with jokes.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN COMEDIAN ADVENTURE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Combining Choose Your Own Adventure books with a live hidden camera show, come along and be part of the audience that gets to take control of a comedian. Using a live video feed and their social media accounts, you get to experience what it’s like to be in their head making their decisions as they try to complete a series of tasks live on the streets of Leicester.
25 YEARS OF LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL WITH GEOFF ROWE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Join Festival Director Geoff Rowe for a chat about the origins of the festival including how & why it was set up. Hear some of the highs and lows of the past 25 years and some of the plans for how the festival might develop over the next 25 years. A unique opportunity to hear some of the inside stories about Europe’s longest-running comedy festival
PHIL PAGETT: BARE JOKES
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Expect a no-frills hour of hilarious jokes in the debut solo show from Birmingham’s master of puns. Definitely not for the easily offended.
PAUL ‘SILKY’ WHITE: QUIZ UP YOURSELF
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
A brand new show, and brand new concept from Silky, the best comedian you’ve never heard of, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year joint runner-up 2000.
BAD CLOWNS: WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
The brand new show from comedy troupe the Bad Clowns. Join them for a whirlwind of fun as they take you hostage with their unique blend of crazy sketch comedy!
ALEXANDER BENNETT SCREAMS INTO THE VOID (YOU)
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Rising cult comic Alexander Bennett vents sarcastically about serious topics. Look, I’m funny and i’ll be trying out my new show, ok? I’m a bit odd and can be a bit dark.
IMRAN YUSUF – WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
It’s the end of the world! Or is it actually getting better and is the best it’s ever been? Considering that our ancestors met each other with fear and judgement, little did British colonialism know that one day it would be dependent and enriched by the efforts, vision and citizenship of the children of the commonwealth, and of the various immigrants who contribute critical skills to keep Britain as quite possibly the greatest country on Earth.
COMEDY IN THE DARK FOR KIDS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Phoenix – Main
A special version of this unique comedy experience. It’s still a comedy, and it’s still dark… A perfect family show for half-term giggles!
THE MAKEYUPPERS’ BEDTIME STORIES
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Follow the trail of breadcrumbs to see your favourite bedtime stories poked with a big stick before being tossed into a cauldron with physical comedy and biting wit. Sample the results. They may not taste as sweet as you remember.
GO UKULELE CRAZY: COMEDY CONCERT
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Back by popular demand for a fourth year running! Join Go Ukulele Crazy as they perform their Comedy Concert repertoire. Be prepared to join in with the actions and the singing!
DANIEL NICHOLAS: TRAVAUX EN COURS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Apparently, there are 8 different types of love, 8 different stories based on this past year where Dan has been falling in and out of love and is starting to wonder what exactly that means. He’s been relentlessly sharing memes to figure it out.
ROBIN MORGAN: YAAAS QUEEN
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
The second-hour show from Robin Morgan, a writer for Have I Got News For You, The News Quiz and The Now Show, a warm-up for The Graham Norton Show and tour support for Ellie Taylor.
NATHAN CASSIDY: IF I CAUSED THE FINANCIAL CRASH OF 2008 (PREVIEW)
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Award-winning comedian and ex-banker Nathan Cassidy exposes the secrets behind the financial crisis of 2008. It was all down to him. If he did it.
GIANTOLOGY
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Will this freak find a way to love, hate or simply fit in? His award-winning story is not the usual one…
MITCH BENN: I’M STILL HERE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Congratulations! It’s 2018 and you’re still here! So is Mitch, looking backwards, forwards and sideways, trying to make the world a better place one silly song at a time. Join him as he looks back over what, for the lack of a better word, he still refers to as his career and ponders where he – and indeed all of us – might be going next.
IN THE VIC COMEDY CLUB
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Loughborough Town Hall – Victoria Room
In The Vic Comedy Club brings nationally established and hot up-and-coming comedy prospects to Loughborough for a special mixed-bill evening as part of Leicester Comedy Festival!
ROYAL OAK ROARS WITH LAUGHTER
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Royal Oak – Acorn Suite
A top night of stand-up comedy from Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2016 Bilal Zafar. All under the watchful eye of hilarious one-liner comedian Chris Norton Walker. Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger.
PRESIDENT OBONJO – THE RISE OF A COMEDY DICTATOR
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
President Obonjo returns to Leicester Comedy Festival to perform his new show, The Rise of a Comedy Dictator. In the age of Trump, populism and Brexit, the world probably doesn’t need another bloated ego pretending to give easy solutions. Thankfully, what we need is a comedy character who skewers them with precision, hilarity and who isn’t afraid of showing vulnerability. President Obonjo leads a Comedy Revolution.
PATRICK MONAHAN: REWIND SELECTOR 90S
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
Brand new stand up show from multi-award-winning comic, talking about his life as an Irish Iranian teenager growing up in 90’s Cool Britannia. Drink and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ were some of the trademarks of the 1990’s but for the Teetotal and drug-free Monahan it was ‘cake and tea and R ‘n’ B!’.
JOHN KEARNS: DON’T WORRY THEY’RE HERE
Showing on 10th February and 24th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The only winner of both the Best Show and Best Newcomer prize at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards returns for the first time. An hour of “richly idiosyncratic comedy, frequently compared to Tony Hancock”.
CHRISTOPHER MACARTHUR-BOYD: REASONS TO LIVE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
An hour of stand-up from someone who doesn’t want to kill themselves anymore!
BRIGHTSPARKS COMEDY ASYLUM
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Join us for BrightSparks Comedy Asylum’s tenth-anniversary show. With Rob Gee’s expert guidance, the Comedy Asylum group write and produce a comedy show like no other. Prepare to be amazed, confused, entertained and wowed by these masters of improv.
ALFIE MOORE: ‘IT’S A FAIR COP’ WORK IN PROGRESS
From 10th February until 25th February
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Join cop-turned-comedian Alfie Moore for an hilarious, interactive work in progress for his critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 comedy series ‘It’s A Fair Cop’. It’d be a crime to miss it.
PETER BRUSH: WHAT TO DO WITH A DRUNK SPARROW
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Apparently, birds have no bladder, so if a bird gets drunk once it will stay drunk forever, which means it’s hard to know if you meet a drunken bird whether or not it has a problem. Join Peter Brush as he discusses more animal facts, that time his toenail got stolen, and his attempts to contact the dead with balloons.
STUART GOLDSMITH: LIKE I MEAN IT
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017. International tour, seven million downloads, completed therapy.
AMADEUS MARTIN: A HISTORY OF PET HATES
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Amadeus goes through his own list of ‘pet hates’, starting with his ridiculous name, which he relates back to his father’s male postnatal depression. Amadeus may occasionally be obscene, so if you’re easily offended, be sure to come along.
SIMON EVANS: GENIUS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Endlessly distracted by the trivial, we allow the classical tools of grammar, logic and rhetoric to lie unregarded in the shed of consciousness, rusting to a picturesque hue that would actually look really great on Instagram. But which filter? Hmmm…
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE IPSWICH: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
Showing on 10th February and 23rd February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Tom Cruise is trying to be a bona-fide Hollywood star, but he’s lost his mojo and he thinks a provincial East Anglian town in the 1980s and its strange inhabitants can help him. Join us for weirdness. Join us for sexiness. Join us to sing along to some classic tunes from some classic films! This is the director’s cut. We’ve got more baby oil, more gin, more costumes and more dodgy Nicole Kidman accents! Watch the Suffolk craziness unfold!
JUST THE TONIC COMEDY CLUB – SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
Showing on 10th February and 24th February
Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall – The Big Room
Just the Tonic Comedy Club has returned to its regular home in Leicester. Bringing you 4 of the circuits finest acts for a Saturday night full of top quality comedy!
HOME TRUTHS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
An hour of stand-up based on their experiences on relationships, growing up, and frustrations with people and modern society. Come witness two rising stars of the UK comedy scene perform their unique brands of stand-up!
ADAM ROWE: UNBEARABLE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Unbearable is an hour of hilarious, brutally honest & opinionated stand-up comedy about selfishness, arrogance & the effect we have on other people’s lives without realising it.
COMEDY IN THE DARK
Showing on 10th February and 16th February
Venue: Phoenix – Main
This unique comedy experience returns to the Leicester after sell-out shows across the UK and Europe. At Comedy in the Dark, the audience’s senses are heightened – things look and sound different.
RED LIGHT COMEDY CLUB
Showing on 10th February, 17th February and 24th February
Venue: Future Cycles
We’re back! Check out our new shop on Market St and treat yourself to some wheelie-good laughs… OK… we’ll leave the comedy to the professionals… this ‘being funny’ is pretty tyre-ing anyway! Join us for a fantastic mixed-bill line up every Saturday of the festival, a pop-up bar & only a few bike puns!
STAND UP MI DUCK
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Knight & Garter
Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present ‘Stand Up Mi Duck’ a showcase of the best new and emerging East Midlands comedy talent.
JACK BARRY
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
Hello friends. Be a pal and come see my new show, won’t you. It’s October now and so far I’ve written 10 minutes of lovely jokes about sex. By February, who knows what I’ll have! Hopefully more. I promise I’m good at comedy.
TIFF STEVENSON: BOMBSHELL
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
Some say she oscillates wildly between Sylvia Plath and Beyonce like Belva Lockwood fused with your drunken aunt. Tiff says she’s very funny and a right old smarty-pants. She also says she’s very, very, very modest.
BOBBY MAIR
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
30 years ago, Bobby was put up for adoption and now he’s tracking down his birth family one by one. Saying his search has hit a couple of snags would be an understatement and he still has relatives out there who continue to elude him – except for Justin Bieber.
JULIAN DEANE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Fresh off a world tour with Paul Chowdhry including Wembley Arena, Hammersmith Apollo and that Pub in Finchley, Julian Deane is now doing a show at Leicester Comedy Festival. Julian Deane is celebrated across the country for his ingenious punch lines.
LUCY HOPKINS: POWERFUL WOMEN ARE ABOUT
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
A vibrational revolution of being, channelled by a goddess. Part electro-ritual, part theremin-experiment, part light-fantastic.
SAMANTHA PRESSDEE: BACK 2 BASICS
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
A bittersweet tale of political awakening. With nothing left to lose but everything to fight for, Samantha followed Russell Brand to the frontline of the revolution – a council estate in Barnet. An adventure through the Neverland of anarchy where squatters, families and activists unite in a battle to cover basic needs. There’s no place like home.
ROB THOMAS: CALLBACK
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
An hour of creative stand-up from multiple comedy-award finalist Rob Thomas. The rubber-faced raconteur gives us his quirky take on drum and bass, dictionaries and, of course, seagulls as he tries to learn from his past and shape the future.
TONY LAW: ABSURDITY FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Whimsy is not just for nerds and hipsters. Tony is your maverick truth slinger of ridiculousness for the people. Hysteria for nurses, mothers and plumbers. Important non-sense for all. Tony Law is going to be the Michael McIntyre of the surreal. The Micky Flanagan of madness. He’s going to fill arenas with his strangeness for the masses.
HA HA HARBOROUGH
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Venue: Harborough Theatre Lounge
The headliner is Chris Washington, Best Newcomer Nominee at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017, hilarious storytelling from one the North-West’s top acts.
Tickets from the festival box office have now sold out. Please contact the venue for other ticket outlets.
DARREN WALSH: MASSIVE PUNT
Showing on 10th February and 24th February
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Join Darren Walsh for an onslaught of new video sketches, 1-liners, jingles and general nonsense.
BIG HOWARD’S LOL-TASTIC YUKFEST FOR KIDS AND WELL-TRAINED ADULTS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Howard is a massive kid. A massive kid with a moustache. He makes words, pictures, animation and noises, nearly all of which will make you laugh. This hour of fun features stand-up, interactive digital animation, sound effects, jokes and lots and lots of clever nonsense
AN INTERVIEW WITH HARRY HILL
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Curve – Studio
In 1994, a guy called Harry Hill performed as part of the very first Leicester Comedy Festival. Since then Harry has come a long way and he is now one of the UKs most loved comedians.
BEN BRIGGS – THIS IS WHAT IT’S COME TO
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
After sell-out shows at Leicester Comedy Festival in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Ben Briggs brings a new hour of stand up comedy to Leicester Comedy Festival 2018. Brash, confrontational and dark, but always very, very funny. Not to be missed.
STELLA GRAHAM: KICK OFF
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Stella returns to Leicester to indulge in the Midlands rage she was born with. She’s always ready to kick off, over anything, even on a Sunday. Come along and enjoy her latest scrapes with hilarious consequences, and be glad that she doesn’t have the launch codes for North Korea’s nukes.
HOWARD READ: WORK IN PROGRESS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
A brand new work-in-progress by the multi-award-winning stand-up, animator and song-writer, Howard Read. This show could contain anything from Howard’s trade-mark Perrier-Nominated interactive animated characters, to his Writer’s Guild Award-Winning jokes, or his Musical Comedy Award Nominated songs. He doesn’t know what’s going to be in the show at time of going to print, and he still might not, at time of stepping on stage.
COLIN HOULT / ANNA MANN: WORK-IN-PROGRESS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Colin Hoult’s ‘master class in character comedy’ (Time Out) is back with a brand new show.
CHRISTOPHER BLISS: WRITING WRONGS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Christopher Bliss writes two to three novels a day. He’s fairly well known amongst his family and friend, and he’s pretty sure he’s the best writer in his village. Rob Carter’s loveable character is back with a new hour of unique storytelling and literary blunders.
RICH WILSON STILL RELEVANT
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Rich Wilson is a middle-aged man who after 13 years in comedy still has something to say so why don’t you get yourselves along to hear him say it!
CHARMIAN HUGHES: BRA TREK
From 11th February until 12th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Brand new comedy quest- to boldly go where no man has gone before, uplift humanity, not divide, and climb every mountain on the way.
SAMANTHA BAINES: WORK IN PROGRESS FUN
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
Brand new comedy from award-winning comedian Samantha Baines. This year she’s exploring the science of sound in this work in progress showing.
DAVID EPHGRAVE: NOW WHO’S A COMEDIAN?
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
The daily-blogging comic dissects his awkward life & obscure bugbears. His wife threatened to take a show with this title to the Fringe; David got in first.
CHRIS KEHOE: MANOLOGUE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Is Chris Kehoe a real man? Was Jesus a real man? Could a woman be a real man? Do real men eat fancy Pot Noodles? Join comedian (and man) Chris Kehoe as he asks these questions and more in an attempt to understand what it means to have a penis in 21st century Britain.
TOM TOAL IN MASK YOUR LUNACY
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Tom Toal in Mask Your Lunacy In 2003, Tom Toal took us a position behind the meat counter at Morrisons. It was a temporary Christmas position that was to last 9 years.
LUKE ROLLASON’S PLANET EARTH (IS A WORK IN PROGRESS)
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Planet Earth In Progress is a low-budget, one-man nature documentary set in a future where our worst predictions came true – following ecological collapse, thousands of endangered species are extinct, including the BBC. But one plucky (and unpaid) intern isn’t giving up.
BOARD GAME SMACKDOWN
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Hosted by award-winning comedian and UK board game champion James Cook, the funniest Leicester Comedy Festival performers play classic and new board games. See website for details.
SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD: COMEDIENNE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
An hour of jokes from a female/woman unafraid of embracing her bitchier side. Watch out fussy eaters, over-sharers, and definitely that busy-body of a neighbour who hasn’t returned a single one of her home produced surveys on local off-street parking.
CHRIS NORTON WALKER: YEAH!
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
A gloriously inventive hour of one liners, jokes and puns, gags, and wordplay.
SHIRLEY AND KEN’S LUCKY DIP
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Award-winning local comedians Lindsey Warnes Carroll and Ian Hall return as Shirley and Ken with a feast of fun for the whole family. Dip into their brimming bran tub of daft delights and see what you can find. Expect jokes, songs, dancing, balloons, magic and some joiny-in bits too.
CULT COMICS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Two award-losing nerds (Sam Golin & Bisha K Ali) present an hour of geek-culture themed stand-up comedy, fun and games. If you’re a gamer, a comic book fan, a sci-fi & fantasy buff or addicted to horror movies, Cult Comics is for you.
RICHARD PULSFORD: UNS-PUN
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Master of wordplay Richard Pulsford brings his fourth solo show to Leicester Comedy Festival.
WIZARD OF OZ
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
The “irresistibly anarchic” Oddsocks Productions are bringing another classic adventure to life with a hearty dollop of their trademark comedy: new songs, familiar faces and laughs aplenty! In a brand-new adaptation of L Frank Baum’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the Oddsocks troupe invite you to meet Dorothy as you’ve never seen her before. Join the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man as they travel through the weird and wonderful land of Oz.
SARAH KEYWORTH: DARK HORSE (WIP)
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Rising star Sarah Keyworth, tour support for Stewart Francis and Kerry Godliman, brings an hour of brand new stand-up that shines a light on the relationship between a little girl and a world that is failing her.
RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, THE FACT IS THIS IS TOM LITTLE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
Tom Little was the 2015 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and a 2014 BBC Radio New Comedy Award finalist. This show is apparently the best of everything he’s done since he started comedy. It’s about geese, karate, peanuts, confusion, Sonic the Hedgehog, laboured points, obscure references, less obscure references, a pun, screaming, pineapples, another pun, a cow and more.
NATHAN LANG: THE STUNTMAN
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Professional idiot Nathan Lang (Pinhead from Neighbours) tells the high-energy, surreal tale of The Stuntman through clowning, characters, physical comedy and real onstage stunts… Evel Knievel meets Wile E. Coyote in Technicolor!
JULIET MEYERS – BIKES & DOGS & ROCK & ROLL
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Juliet (writer on Sarah Millican Television Programme and 8 out of 10 Cats) performs her work-in-progress show about loving/cursing her rescue dog, group dynamics, adventure holidays and trying to rid the world of scones and Boris Johnson.
RUSSELL HICKS: PSYCHOBABBLE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Russell Hicks talks about whatever he wants, as fast he can, for an hour.
TIM ANDREWS: PUNSUNG HERO
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Join Great Yorkshire Fringe New Comedian of The Year… Semi-Finalist Tim Andrews for his debut hour as he attempts to make sense of the world around him through stories, wordplay and songs. Come for the puns, stay for the stories and enjoy spoofs of pop classics, adapted to cover subjects as diverse as voting, over eating and airbnb. Expect dating disasters, a Tinder musical and a tale of a journey so harrowing, you’ll never board a Megabus again!
ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE FOR CUTLERY USERS – LEVEL 2
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Do you know how to safely operate a butter knife? Do you know how to minimise injury from an unsupervised fork? Do you have “spoon-sense”? Health & Safety really has gone mad, courtesy of comedy character Ian Crawford, an adviser from the Steel & Cutlery Manufacturers Association. World famous biscuit expert Roy Windsor from the Great British Biscuit Manufacturer’s Association will also be present.
GEORGE RIGDEN: LOVE PLUS NONE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
Are you lonely? Shy? Hate being picked on? Do you worry you’re fundamentally unlovable? Then this probably isn’t the show for you.
JAYDE ADAMS IS JAYDED
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Jayde has always found it hard fitting in and now fitting in is currency. Chortle Best Newcomer nominee 2017 & Funny Women winner 2014.
1000 YEARS HOUR SHOW
Showing on 11th February until 21st February
Venue: Wygston’s House
The 1000 years covers 1066 to 2066 so expect the odd current and/or future topic. This show is ‘clean’ so if you’re tired of constant swearing and crudity this is the show for you. It’s okay for children too, although it might not be their kind of thing.
TOM HOUGHTON – CLASS HALF EMPTY
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Solo debut by the former star with a guitar of The Noise Next Door as silver-spooned rebellion hilariously collides with privilege, elite military tradition and outrage. A fabulously positive show about taking risks and embracing the unknown with wicked gags and perhaps a song
SIMON DONALD – BARRY TWYFORD’S CHATTY CHITHOUSE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Simon Donald’s hapless market researcher, Barry Twyford, has decided to put on a celebrity talk show. It is guaranteed to be a disaster. As usual, against the odds, Barry produces an hour of hilarious, chaotic fun.
LEICESTER FRIDGE: A QUESTION OF SNORT
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
The pub quiz with a difference returns for the fourth year of general knowledge-related buffoonery. Score points for correct answers, and get extra points for funny answers! A team of comedians will be on hand to provide extra laughs and there will be bizarre prizes aplenty, so gather together a team and spend your Sunday evening testing your general knowledge
AUSTENTATIOUS! AN IMPROVISED JANE AUSTEN NOVEL
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
Join the all-star cast as they improvise a hilarious new Jane Austen masterpiece, based on a single audience suggestion. Previous “lost” works include Sixth Sense and Sensibility, Double 0 Darcy and Mansfield Shark. No two shows are ever the same!
DANNY CLIVES – WORK IN PROGRESS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
After demolishing the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017 as part of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, cage fighter and ex-Playboy bunny Danny Clives is back with a Work-In-Progress show of new jokes/ideas/ pinnacle comedy truths.
MATT RICHARDSON: SLASH
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
It’s been a weird few years for Matt Richardson. From ghost hunting with Craig Revel Horwood, having his phone stolen by Kate Moss and finding copious amounts of Fan Fiction about himself online.
KAI HUMPHRIES: PUNCH-DRUNK
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
In boxing, the only thing more powerful than sibling rivalry is brotherly love.
JON & NATH LIKE TO PARTY
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Direct from Brighton & Edinburgh, a mischievous sketch comedy show from two best friends who can’t stand each other. Feel the slaps for real as they take you through Jon’s celebrity flatshare dramas, dance lessons with the Groovematic 3000, their outrageous Deconstructed Pizza, and the hottest Jehovah’s Witness act in town!
COLIN HOULT / ANNA MANN IN HOW WE STOP THE FASCISTS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
In this smash-hit hour, actress Anna Mann returns to take on the terrifying rise of fascism. Fear not, gentle liberals, Mother Mann is here.
BIG DIFFERENCE FUNDRAISER
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
A mixed bill of festival acts and special guests all supporting the charity behind the annual Leicester Comedy Festival
JOHN PENDAL: FAMILY
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
John Pendal returns with a preview of his new solo stand-up comedy show: “Family”. His first two shows “International Man of Leather” and “How to Escape From Stuff” went on to tour Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Edmonton, Melbourne and Rome.
SILLY SAUSAGE
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Lovdev Barpaga returns this year with his stupidly hilarious show ‘Silly Sausage’ full of crazy stories along with his old-fashioned jokes, promises of a belly full of laughter.
JON PEARSON: WORK IN PROGRESS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
A work in progress hour from Melton Mowbray’s own Jon Pearson. Come see as Jon test his material out, some for the very first time. You’ll laugh, cry and enjo yourselves. A feel good hour from a strong performer.
WEIRD ARSEHOLES
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
A portmanteau of horror comedy – you’ll wish you were dead! 10-year-old Simon copes with his miserable home life by escaping into the world of his favourite comic book Weird A***holes. From the minds of award-winning character acts Andrew Mcburney, Jack Kirwan and Paul Palmer.
BRAD TALKS
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Mixed bill of standups, with several Edinburgh Fringe shows between us. Various acolades that might entice people to come and see us include winning University of Birmingham’s Got Talent 2016, Headlining Valefest 2016, reaching the semi-finals of So you think You’re Funny 2017 and working a paid comedy writing role for the Labour Party.
LUCY HOPKINS: SOMEWHERE ON THE SPECTRUM OF DEVELOPMENT
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Heroes At The Criterion
A whirlpool of spanking new shenanigans from international sensation Lucy Hopkins. Let’s dip our toes into the pool of collective creativity. We might even have a paddle.
LUCY PORTER: CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Lucy Porter’s brand new stand-up tour. In these combative times, it’s easy to be irritated, offended or downright enraged by other people. How do we know which causes are worth fighting for? Lucy uses her hilarious experiences to help you decide. Recent TV and radio appearances include: QI, Insert Name Here, Alan Davies’ As Yet Untitled, Room 101, News Quiz, The Now Show.
UPSTAIRS AT THE WESTERN PRESENTS GRADUATION NIGHT
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Come see the stars of tomorrow. Today! Upstairs At The Western proudly present graduates from their Spring comedy workshop course. Come watch our new stand-up stars as they take to the stage for the first time. All held together by the enigmatic Daniel Nicholas and a headline act from Leicester Comedy Festival.
PUNEL SHOW
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Ever pundered what shows like Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, QI or Never Mind The Buzzcocks would be like if they were just puns? Punder no longer. Darren Walsh (BBC iWonder, Dave’s Joke of the fringe) and Mark Simmons (The Mirror’s Joke of the Fringe, Seann Walsh tour support) join forces to present the Punel Show: A new panel game focused on puns and general silliness.
TONY BASNETT OWES IT TO HIMSELF
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Multi competition finalist Tony Basnett returns to Leicester after 2016’s sell out show. Brand new show about debt, cults and never giving up. Come, consolidate all your laughter into one one easy manageable show.
TOM YOUNG’S DAFT CONVERSATION
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Nothing is planned. No topics have been pre-selected. Everything covered will come from audience suggestion and wandering minds. We might record it as a podcast, but if it’s complete nonsense, we won’t put it out! We simply offer an hour in good company.
STEFF TODD: FIRST IMPRESSIONS (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Creating a first impression is important, whether it be meeting new people, dating, interviews – or your debut solo show… Join Funny Women’s One to Watch, Steff Todd, as the comedian and impressionist present a gag-packed hour!
SIMON AND FRIENDS PUT THE WORLD TO RIGHTS
Showing on 12th, 13th and 14th February
Venue: The Little Theatre – Haywood Studio
The world is a dark and scary place – nuclear war looms, sea levels rise, and the price of a Cadbury Dairy Milk Freddo continues to soar. Don’t you wish there were people who could set the world right? Simon and his friends are not those people, but that won’t stop them sticking their noses into problems they have no business solving!
LUCY THOMPSON: SHAKE IT OFF
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Lucy returns with last years best show nomination ‘Shake It Off’ – with a different ending as life is never that straightforward! “Like Billy Connolly inside Victoria Wood” – Commoners Comedy
AMY HOWERSKA IS A GODDESS *UNLESS TIRED OR HUNGRY
From 12th February until 13th February
Venue: The Cosy Club
Howerska has released her inner Goddess!… she’s a lazy nightmare, that might be holding her back, not ideal when it’s time to start popping out sprogs, sadly her goddess prefers gin and cockapoos to toddlers, best tell society then.
THE UK PUN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: De Montfort Hall – Auditorium
A total sell out for the past three years this amazing hit show celebrates the great British pun in all its wit and whimsy. Contestants from across the UK compete head-to-head in front of a live audience to be crowned the UK Pun Champion. ‘A pantomime atmosphere.’
SARAH JOHNSON & LINDSEY SANTORO – BEYOND HELP
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Sarah Johnson and Lindsey Santoro are two Midlands comics who have teamed up to deliver an hour of hilarious stand-up. These ladies have come together over the acceptance that, as adults, they are both Beyond Help.
THE EXTRAORDINARY TIME-TRAVELLING ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN
Showing on 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Amazing tales elegantly told. Top award-winning comedians and improvisors tell extravagant stories all based on the Adventures of Baron Munchausen. There will be swords, and duels, and elephants and castles built of cheese, and all of it is completely and irrefutably true.
LAUGH TERM COMEDY SCHOOL
Mon 12 until Fri 16 February 2018
Venue: Moat Community College
A dedicated school for aspiring teenagers to develop their skills and experience of performing live comedy. Join the school each day and work with real life comedians and develop your very own comedy performance which will be performed on the Friday night in front of a live audience. Suitable for young people aged 13-18.
MARK CRAM: NOT BENT. JUST BROKEN
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Mark Cram has had a pretty big year. He left his hometown, ended a long-term relationship and had to re-evaluate every detail of his life.
PATRICK DRAPER’S ‘DARK TRIP CAPERS’
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
After accepting a string of high stakes gigs for the W.I. Draper has to produce an hour of non-crude material suitable for decent clean living ladies. Starting with nothing, he begins a journey of self discovery to see if he can find – within the dark mills of his mind – a nice pot of home made jam to share.
PETE K MALLY – FOR THOSE ABOUT TO LAUGH
Monday, 12 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Pete K Mally hits Leicester with his stand-up routine on his passion of all things rock and heavy metal, the premier of his Live n Loud For Those About to Laugh tour. Talking about his love of Metallica to his hatred of AC/DC pyjamas in Primark K Mally justifies his love of all things hairspray, grunge and all things loud. Oh and his life-skills learnt by Bon Jovi.
JODY KAMALI: HOTEL YES PLEASE
From 12th February until 13th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Need a Hotel? Then why not book a room at Hotel Yes Please, a shambolic hotel managed by Fernando, a clueless dimwit with different ideas of how to run a hotel. Cheap rooms; a chef who shouldn’t be a chef and a terrible Murder Mystery event. Expect a feast of character comedy & physical clowning from one of the most exciting comedians on the alternative comedy circuit.
LEE KYLE AND NICK CRANSTON
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Two of the very best and brightest act from the North East bring their successful Edinburgh Shows to the Leicester Festival. This isn’t to be missed out on!
KATIE MULGREW: VIRGINIA
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Comedian Katie Mulgrew is a Catholic, who briefly grew up Mormon. Her husband is an atheist and her brother is a priest. Oh yeah, she feels guilty about something pretty much all of the time. It’s super healthy.
DAN EVANS: 10%
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
10% is as far as comedian Dan Evans gets with most of his ideas. Until now – because the time has come for you to decide which of his embryonic creations he should nurture to full term. Expect products, tunes, philosophies for benevolent World Management, and possible disappointing nudity.
(WELSH MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS/THE FULL ENGLISH
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Two half-hour slices of matured comedians, Chris Phillips and Kevin Hudson. Chris is a soft-spoken raconteur, weaving tales from his textile-based history with the product of his vivid Punk IPA-fuelled imagination. ‘This Celtic post-punk comedic contribution is bangin” South Wales Echo Echo Echo. Kevin is exactly what you’d expect from a poet-comedian-accountant, in a show called The Full English just to annoy Chris.
NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: THE EXCHANGE!
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Improv like you’ve never seen it before. Featuring local lads Lewys Holt (does comedy but is also a professional dancer… whaaaat?) and Daniel Nicholas (a comedian mildly obsessed with animal print shirts) They’ll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes something… .else. Expect crazy characters, unusual moves, and homoerotic behaviour. Who knows what will happen? They don’t.
MARK SIMMONS: WORK IN PRO-GAGS
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe – Upstairs
This Work In Progress show will contain a lot of jokes. Dave’s #6 Joke of the Fringe ‘Combine Harvesters and you’ll have a really big restaurant’ sparked an online campaign to become the face of the popular restaurant. Did it succeed? No. Come along to see jokes told my the man who was almost the face of Harvester.
CATRIONA KNOX WORK IN PROGRESS
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Following sell-out runs with Edinburgh shows ‘Adorable Deplorable’ and ‘Catriona Knox Thinks She’s Hard Enough’, Catriona returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a high-octane hour of indomitable, warrior-like comedy.
MAWAAN RIZWAN: TWERK IN PROGRESS
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Fresh off tour, having supported Simon Amstell, Mawaan is back with a new show. A concoction of confessional stand up, absurd songs and trippy poems.
MAXINE JONES: NEVER BEEN 61 BEFORE
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
In Eastern tradition, 61 is regarded as the beginning of a new life cycle. With sons gone and job gone, Maxine suspects that it is – especially when she develops surprising new skills. Maxine is a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe and has featured on BBC Woman’s Hour, BBC New Comedy Awards, and RTE Comedy Showhouse.
DOGS DON’T DO BALLET
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
The very funny tale of a small dog with BIG dreams! Biff is not like other dogs. He doesn’t do dog stuff like weeing on lampposts, or scratching his fleas, or drinking out of the toilet. No, Biff likes moonlight and music and walking on his tiptoes. You see, Biff doesn’t think he’s a dog. He thinks he’s a ballerina! Based on the bestselling children’s book by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie, a fabulous feel-good show!
MARK SIMMONS: ONE-LINERER
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
This show is for people that like jokes. Nominated for the ‘Amused Moose: Best Show’ at the Edinburgh Festival and featured in Dave’s Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe. Rob Brydon tour support. As seen on BBC3’s One for the Road.
DANNY MCLOUGHLIN: SM-ALL CHANGE. A WORK IN PROGRESS
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Hi everyone. I’m Danny Mcloughlin and I’m doing a work in progress show I’m throwing out some fresh ideas, and some new material as well as some embryonic routines (and some fully formed ones too). I’d love you all to come and be a part of it (please come with all you friends)
FREDDIE FARRELL & MASAI GRAHAM: BRAND NEW JOKES
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
JORDAN BROOKES
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show nominee presents a work-in-progress of his follow-up hour. A high-wire act of existential stand-up, gross physicality and meta absurdism.
CARL DONNELLY: THE NUTTER ON A BUS
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Join double Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee, Carl Donnelly for a show about spiritual awakenings and letting go of your past. Carl has been described as an “observational genius” by The Guardian.
SHAGGERS
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
The popular and fun show that has been a hit at festivals and theatres worldwide returns for another season, with a number of great comedians of all shapes, sizes, genders and styles doing their best material based around the hilarious subject of shagging!
THE CRICKETERS ROARS WITH LAUGHTER
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: The Cricketers – Main Room
The Cricketers plays host some of the best stand-up comics on the circuit, including festival favourite and previous winner of the Leicester Mercury Comedian Year competition Matt Hollins.
LUCA CUPANI: WORDS IN PROGRESS (W.I.P.)
Showing 14th February and 15th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The Italian who was too funny for his own country brings to Leicester Comedy Festival his new work in progress. A natural storyteller, observant Catholic and hypochondriac, Luca is ready to entertain you with his gentle, endearing dark humour.
KARMA SUTRA-TACULAR: VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
It’s Valentine’s Day and what better way to spend the evening than with a good book? Or how about the greatest book on love ever written? The Karma Sutra is the world’s leading book of love & lust.
JOE BOR: A ROOM WITH A JEW
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
An hour of stand up from award winning comedian and Jewish Comedian of the year Joe Bor. TV credits include Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You.
PAMELA DEMENTHE PRESENTS: STICKY DIGITS
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Looking for the perfect Valentines day treat? Self-published erotic authoress, Pamela DeMenthe, is throbbing her way around the nation to present her hotly anticipated novel, Sticky Digits and host a masterclass in erotic fiction.
MARGA VILLALONG & ROSS SPAINE: THE TRADITION
Showing on 14th February and 15th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Join Marga Villalonga and Ross Spaine for a weird and wonderful hour celebrating one of the most special human characteristics: Tradition. Come meet the locals in the fictional town of Sa Pofax on the most anticipated night of the year, El Tradition.
NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE – KIDS SHOW!
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Improv like you’ve never seen it before. Featuring local lads Lewys Holt (does comedy but is also a professional dancer… whaaaat?) and Daniel Nicholas (a comedian mildly obsessed with animal print shirts) They’ll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage.
KIDS COURT
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
An improvised comedy courtroom where kids, siblings and parents all get to each other on trial for crimes against the family! Nominated for Best Kids Show at the Leicester Comedy Festival Awards 2017
THE BOOK OF DAFT
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Award-winning local comedian (and daft apeth) Ian Hall plus daft-as-a-brush daughter Niamh return with a jam-packed joint-in jamboree of (daft) fun for the whole family. Delve into their bottomless props box to dress up, sing and dance along to help bring ‘The Book of Daft’ to life.
AN HOUR OF ENTERTAINMENT WITH MATT HOLLINS
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Come and enjoy an hour of entertainment with locally based and widely travelled entertainer Matt Hollins.
SCARLET SOHANDSOME’S VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Roses are red. Violets are blue. Valentine’s Day is a sham and everyone you love will die. Celebrate your favourite capitalist construct with UK’s leading Drag Comedian Scarlet SoHandsome. An hour of razor-sharp lovesick stand-up from your new favourite sex symbol.
JACOB HATTON: OZYMANDIAS
Showing on 14th February and 21st February
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Epic Comedy for Kings. Stand up and sketches for Emperors and madfolk from up and coming surrealist and wild-man Jacob Hatton. Come for sagas of great men, heroic deeds, love and er… Old Macdonald. Comedy for the brave, chivalrous and true.
BRENDON BURNS: MANSPLAININ’
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
WORLD PREMIERE BRAND NEW HOUR! Brendon Burns, host of the internationally acclaimed Dumb White Guy podcast, Edinburgh award winner and renowned berserker with terrible ideas has written A BRAND NEW HOUR ALREADY! Defending and redefining masculinity. Could be funny, could be a proper f***ing car crash.
JAMES ACASTER: WIP
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
After a run of sold-out shows last year, James Acaster returns to Leicester Comedy Festival to test out his new material
Tickets from the festival box office have now sold out. Please contact the venue for other ticket outlets.
SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD: COMEDIENNE
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
An hour of jokes from a female/woman unafraid of embracing her bitchier side. Watch out fussy eaters, over-sharers, and definitely that busy-body of a neighbour who hasn’t returned a single one of her home produced surveys on local off-street parking.
DAVE CHAWNER: MENTAL
Showing on 14th February and 15th February
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Award-winning comedian Dave Chawner premiers his new show about mental health (rather than mental illness).
VALENTINE: THE QUINTESSENTIAL VAMPIRE
Showing on 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th February
Venue: International Arts Centre
Valentine, a 100-year-old human-vampire hybrid, and late night florist living in Putney, is waiting for his full vampiric traits to kick in. He lives with his sister Natalia and is incredibly lonely until the bubbly Hayley wanders into his shop. Things between vampire and mortal develop quickly, much to the dissatisfaction of Natalia, who calls Valentine’s parents to deal with the situation.
LOU CONRAN: WHAT NOW? (A WORK IN PROGRESS)
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
after my critically acclaimed show in Edinburgh 2017, then, well, you’d be silly not to spend your Valentine’s eventide with me. Guaranteed joy.
THE MAN OF A 1000 FARCES
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
LOST VOICE GUY – INSPIRATION PORN
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Inspirational internet memes are everywhere these days and Lost Voice Guy is sick of being an unintentional porn star. Come and see why the BBC New Comedy Award winner and star of BBC Radio 4 is not your inspiration, and why he thinks these stupid memes are bollocks.
CATHERINE BOHART – ORDER
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
An hour of new material from a rising star. “A distinctive voice and a story you’d like to hear” Chortle “Pretty much the perfect comedy package” Beyond the Joke This is a Work in Progress Show.
BEN VAN DER VELDE: SIDEKICK
15th February until 16th February
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Some people are life’s heroes: leading men and women full of swash, buckle and daring do. Others just hold their jackets. As the credits roll and the heroes hump, join Ben off-camera as he salutes the Barney Rubbles, Boo-Boos and Dr Watsons of the world.
SIMON DAY IN CHARACTER
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Melton Theatre Auditorium
Starring Prog rocker and humanitarian Brian Pern; Fast Show pub bore Billy Bleach; Unpublished Yorkshire poet Geoffrey Allerton & One of Britain’s most dangerous men and habitual criminal Tony Beckton.
SHAPPI KHORSANDI: MISTRESS AND MISFIT
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Little Theatre – Main
Shappi presents England’s unsung heroine, Emma Hamilton. For too many years she has been known as just ‘Nelson’s mistress’, a bit of a harlot. (You get ONE job in a brothel and bang goes your reputation.) Women’s lib wasn’t a ‘thing’ in Georgian times, Emma moved mountains to haul herself from ‘scullery maid’ to ‘Lady Hamilton’. Yes, she occasionally danced on tables naked to get ahead in life, but who hasn’t?
INSTED TALKS
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Mark Vigil brings you four characters each delivering a sort of ted talk, type of thing, ish. You will laugh, you will cry, you will learn – as you are taken on a journey exploring the world, the future of technology and falling in love with strippers.
SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL
15th December until 16th December
Venue: Curve – Studio
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical – spontaneous musical comedy at its finest! Winners of the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment & Family Show, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe. A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at each performance as audience suggestions are transformed in to all-singing, all-dancing productions with hilarious results!
HENRY PAKER: WORK IN PROGRESS
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
Award winning stand-up and comic writer, Henry Paker is one of the most sought after comic brains in the UK. Described by The Guardian as “one of the funniest men on the planet” Henry has gone on to star in BBC3’s Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live, Russell Howard’s Good News and Comedy Central at The Comedy Store. Join him as he debuts a brand new hour at Leicester Comedy Festival.
CHANCE TO DREAM
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Delve into the dreamland. Your dreams interpreted by Mystic Munro, Laughable Lullabies and Facetious Facts about the land of Nod; Night Of Dreamboats. Confessional stories of pulling ‘All Nighters’, things that go bonk in the night and how to win the ‘share of the bed battle’. Snore no More! Insomnia Cure! Wake up to a Phoor! It’ll make all your dreams come true.
LOU SANDERS – SHAME PIG
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Lou Sanders talks about her most shameful experiences & somehow manages to fit it into fifty minutes
LIFE AS A HUNGOVER SCUMBAG
15th February until 17th February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
How’s Your Hang?, a cult Scottish Facebook page, designed to assist worthless, hungover scumbags is coming to England to promote the scumbag way of life. Ironically referred to as “the good community” vegans and hippies are forbidden from becoming How’s Your Hang? members. So if you eat kale or sport a man bun this show isn’t for you. Likewise, if you’re successful in life and have a good job or, God forbid, your own teeth, then piss off.
AAAAARGH DINOSAURS!
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Multi award-winning poet Dommy B presents Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Dinosaurs! – a fun adventure story for children 5+ and their families. Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Dinosaurs! is an engaging and hilarious poetry show full of rhymes, silliness and a lot of joining in! The audience will guide the action as Dommy B improvises around their suggestions, creating a whole world on stage with only his words and our imagination!
HOTEL D’COMEDIE
15th February until 16th February
Venue: Hotel Maiyango – Hotel DComedie
Check in at Hotel D’Comedie and experience a series of unique comedy moments in one of Leicester’s swankiest hotels! Take a tour of the hotel’s luxurious suites to encounter and interact with a variety of intriguing comedy acts. Set in different rooms through Hotel Maiyango, this is an interactive show where the four comedians perform outside their comfort zones. Not to be missed!
GLENN MOORE: THE DA VINCI GLENN
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
‘Tipped for great things’ (GQ), Glenn Moore, from Mock the Week and Absolute Radio, returns to Leicester with his third hour of off-beat stand-up comedy. Full of his distinctive and inventive jokes, this show will give you a torrent of punchlines well above the current exchange rate. Also, he got nominated for Best New Show here in 2016, so this one’s probably worth a look too.
GEORGE EGG: DIY CHEF
15th February until 17th February
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
The comedian who cooks on stage. A health scare sees George banished from the kitchen to the shed. During an inspiring and inventive evening of stand-up, live cooking and comedy lecture he prepares three plates of food using power tools, office equipment, hair-dressing appliances and more. And the audience gets to eat it all at the end.
JOSH PUGH: THESE THINGS (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Brand new show from the highly inventive English Comedian of the Year 2016.
ADAM HESS: CACTUS
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated chap and star of Live at the Palladium, Live From the BBC and other stuff returns for another smash-hit show. He’s five foot eleven, he hates other families’ plates, and he had his 18th birthday party on a riverboat on the Thames so when people realised how boring it was they couldn’t leave.
TONY COWARDS: PUNDERDOG
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
“The best joke writer around” (GQ) returns with his new show bursting at the seams with glorious gags, preposterous puns & witty one-liners. Punderdog is the follow-up to last year’s hilarious Daft Pun, which featured in the Top Jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe for The Scotsman, Daily Mirror, Evening Standard & The i. If you like your comedy fast and furious, daft and silly, then “you’ll definitely enjoy this.
JOHN ROBINS: THE DARKNESS OF ROBINS
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Double Chortle Award winning comedian John Robins – one of the most exciting and distinctive voices in comedy – returns reflecting on love, loss and lamenting the fact he can’t breakup with himself. The stand-up, vibe magnet and London’s saddest DJ ™ would love to promise The Darkness of Robins won’t be an hour-long yell of a show, but he can’t. He’ll shout, snarl and sneer in his attempts to grapple with life’s fall-outs in what promises to be a pivotal moment in his being. Powerful, angst-ridden comedy at its finest, this is a must-see from one of the UK’s brightest talents.
GAVIN WEBSTER’S HOUR LONG COMPLAINT
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Cult Geordie comedian Gavin Webster complains for an hour about the state of light entertainment, modern Britain and just about everything in between whilst doing ‘proper jokes’ and turning out sardonic ukulele based filthy satire.
ED GAMBLE: MAMMOTH
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
That gobby little toerag Ed Gamble is back with a brand-new lumbering beast of a comedy show.
AIDAN GOATLEY: CONVERSATIONS WITH SOMEONE I DON’T BELIEVE IN
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Aidan Goatley doesn’t believe in God but due to his wife’s decision to train as a Vicar, he’s starting to question religion. Is it a force for good, the starter of wars or just the world’s largest franchise operation?
MAWAAN RIZWAN: TWERK IN PROGRESS
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Fresh off tour, having supported Simon Amstell, Mawaan is back with a new show. A concoction of confessional stand up, absurd songs and trippy poems.
THE MAN OF A 1000 FARCES
15th February until 16th February
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
“The Man of a 1000 Farces”, is the new touring show from that International man of misery: Johnny MacAulay. It is a one hour psychedelic mind flip of magic,character sketches , sideshow and quickchange mayhem.
NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: GRAYS!
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Improv like you’ve never seen it before. Featuring local lads Lewys Holt (does comedy but is also a professional dancer… whaaaat?) and Daniel Nicholas (a comedian mildly obsessed with animal print shirts) They’ll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes something… .else. Expect crazy characters, unusual moves, and homoerotic behaviour. Who knows what will happen? They don’t.
LOST VOICE GUY – WALK IN PROGRESS
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
BBC New Comedy Award winner and star of BBC Radio 4, Lost Voice Guy, brings his work in progress show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Come and see how much of it has been written in time for the festival! Lost Voice Guy can’t talk but isn’t silent. He is the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid. He won the BBC New Comedy Award 2014, has his own sitcom on BBC Radio 4 and has been described as “a very funny guy” by Ross Noble.
JASON NEALE: HAPPY TO HELP
15th February and the 20th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Leicester’s own Jason Neale brings a BRAND NEW 1-Hour Show to Leicester Comedy Festival. What’s the show about? Come find out for yourself… but it’s certain to be delivered in his usual no-nonsense style with plenty of laughs throughout.
CLASSIC JOKE CLUB
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Join our handpicked curators of comedy as they share classic jokes handed down to them by their family. Chickens, doctors, elephants, Englishmen, Irishmen and Scotsmen all welcome to walk into this bar. Discover the definitive answers behind the number of people required to change a light bulb, what to do with errant mothers-in-law and why three representatives of the British Isles are always getting into such unexpected scrapes.
Friday, 16th February – Sunday, 25th February
FIGHT: A WORK IN PROGRESS
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
In 2014, Olga Koch’s father got stopped by authorities on the Russian border, which resulted in the most surreal year in her family’s life. This year, the Amused Moose National New Comic Award Finalist will try to dissect this real-life spy drama with nothing but a projector and “a naturally comic mind”.
EXTREME COMMUTER 10
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
With this tenth show, you might expect a retrospective of Adham Fisher’s greatest hits. No – the extreme journeys on public transport continue. This time, find out what happened when his team tried to ride on every single London bus (593 of them) in 24 hours.
DAN ANTOPOLSKI: RETURN OF THE DAN ANTOPOLSKI
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The prodigal triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Radio 4 star return “as inventive as ever” with his eighth stand-up hour about change, pain, honour and gain.
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Showing on 16th February and 17th February
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
The chance within the festival to see the stars of the future from the best of emerging UK comedians. We have carefully selected those acts who have been gigging for a while but have yet to break into the big time.
LIAM WITHNAIL: THE IMMIGRATION GAME
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Withnail returns to the Festival after discovering the true cost of love in the United Kingdom.
JOE JACOBS: RIPE
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Religion. Rap. Pogs. Sexism. Gaviscon. Mental illness. Success. Decline. Commitment and coffee coasters. Join Joe as he tries to make sense of all this and more prior to his best before date, in this critically acclaimed stand-up and hip-hop show.
I SAY – THE ANNUAL COMEDY CONVERSATION FT. SARA PASCOE
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Hugh Aston – Room 0.08
Our special guest is comedian, writer & performer Sara Pascoe. Join her as she chats with Festival Director Geoff Rowe about her career and future plans. In association with Equity & De Montfort University.
NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: FIREBUG!
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Improv like you’s never seen it before. Featuring local lads Lewys Holt and Daniel Nicholas they’ll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes something… .else. Expect crazy characters, unusual moves, and homoerotic behaviour. Who knows what will happen? They don’t.
MATT HUTSON: IMPRESSIVE
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Fresh from a split-bill Edinburgh Fringe run that impressed A LOT of people. Up-and-coming musical comedian Matt Hutson returns with a work-in-progress solo show to impress you all again – this time for a slightly longer amount of time.
Dark Chocolate Seaside Easter Egg (vegan-friendly)
By Chococo
One of the best dairy-free Easter eggs, 67% Madagascan dark chocolate eg, decorated with natural colours studded inside with assorted seaside chocolate shapes. Suitable for vegans or anyone intolerant to dairy. Buy any 2 studded Easter Eggs for £22.50 (discount applied automatically)!
Rice Milk Chocolate Easter Egg
By Cocoa Libre
This Easter why not enjoy one of our rice milk chocolate eggs. Our eggs are free from dairy, gluten, nuts, peanuts, and wheat. Looking for a vegan Easter egg? Our Easter eggs are also suitable for vegans!
Tesco Finest Free From Belgian Dark Chocolate Egg 200G!
By Tesco
Belgian dark chocolate egg decorated with a chocolate flavour drizzle, with orange flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles and raspberry flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles. A beautifully crafted egg made with rich, intense Belgian dark chocolate. Paired with five hand decorated dark chocolate truffles in two fruit flavours.
Original Goupie Chocolate Easter Egg
By Goupie Chocolate
Our Original Goupie chocolates are cut into smaller pieces, covered in even more chocolate and packaged in a reusable, Faberge-inspired, tin egg and quirky Kraft box. Perfect for those looking for something a bit different this Easter!
This egg is vegan-friendly and comes in 36 different egg designs. These are chosen at random so you’ll get a lovely surprise when your order arrives!
Luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter Egg
by MooFree Chocolates Ltd
If you like salted caramel then you will really love these luxury, organic Easter eggs. Each of these large, sophisticated Easter eggs are made by infusing our delicious, multi-award-winning organic rice milk chocolate with the perfect blend of sea salt and caramel. As well as tasting absolutely amazing, these Easter eggs are also dairy free, gluten free, soya free and certified vegan.
Each luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter egg is lovingly made by Moo Free who are an ethical, family-owned UK manufacturer. We only use natural, high-quality ingredients including single origin, organic cocoa mass from plantations in the Dominican Republic.
We hope that you love these Easter eggs as much as we loved making them.
Extra Thick Easter Egg – Rare & Vintage
By Hotel Chocolat
When we first started making our Easter eggs 18 years ago, experts told us to make them as thin as possible. We did the opposite, opting for lavishly thick shells that are the epitome of indulgence.
An egg or two, generously proportioned, halves: explore the single-origin depth of flavour teased out in our small-batch roastery. Discover 75% Colombia with notes of butterscotch and roasted cocoa creaminess; and 72% Honduras Mayan Red with notes of red fruits and a smoky finish.
We’ve wrapped it in gold foil for a glint of anticipation when you untie the ribbon and lift the lid, then filled it with single-origin Luxe Nuts, and buches. No Alcohol. Vegan.
Sainsbury’s Selection of Buttermilk Easter Eggs!
By Sainsbury’s
We’ve introduced a delicious chocolate alternative egg to our collection, free from dairy, gluten and wheat so everyone can enjoy a treat this Easter.
Our love and enthusiasm for everything sweet have been guiding our Cornish confectionery since 1964. Peek inside our kitchen and you’ll find traditional copper pans bubbling away over open flames to make our award-winning indulgent treats.
Happy eating from the Buttermilk family!
Coast to Coast
Unit 73, Lower Level Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester LE1 4AN
We have 3 amazing pancakes for you to eat including Strawberries And Cream Pancakes, Banana And Salted Caramel Pancakes and Maple Flavour Syrup & Blueberries Pancakes. All available for Vegetarians!
Kinnerton Just Chocolate Egg and Bar
At Morrisons
This luxury dark chocolate Easter egg and bar are made with special care to ensure that it is truly vegan, indulgent…and free of any cross-contamination from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts, allowing allergy sufferers to enjoy it and cook with it.
Queen of Bradgate
93 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB
You can get 2-4-1 on Pancakes every Tuesday with Queen of Bradgate! Delicious tasty pancakes for you!
ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE FOR CUTLERY USERS – LEVEL 2
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Do you know how to safely operate a butter knife? Do you know how to minimise injury from an unsupervised fork? Do you have “spoon-sense”? Health & Safety really has gone mad, courtesy of comedy character Ian Crawford, an adviser from the Steel & Cutlery Manufacturers Association. World famous biscuit expert Roy Windsor from the Great British Biscuit Manufacturer’s Association will also be present.
ADRIAN TAUSS AND SASHA ELLEN: WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Adrian and Sasha are comedians who really should have learned by now. He makes children cry at parties and she has been known to cause the odd rescue operation. It’s train-wreck-seeks-catastrophe. A split bill stand up show about love, rejection and the benefits of smoking.
AHIR SHAH: CONTROL
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
In an age of global socio-political turmoil, Shah presents a show about freedom, fascism, history, hope, resistance, and milk. Ahir’s last show enjoyed packed runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Soho Theatre, and a national tour.
THE MYSTERY SHOW
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Can’t decide what to see? Let us choose for you. Join us for the Mystery show, it could be anything ranging from exhilarating theatre to jaw-dropping dance or hilarious comedy. For this special comedy festival edition, we’ve got a treat in store for you. But you won’t find out what until it starts, so grab a coffee or a bev and take a trip into the unexpected.
OLAF FALAFEL PRESENTS THE MARMOSETS OF MY MIND
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Back with another hour of surreal stupidity. Who knows what it will involve, maybe sandpaper, probably conkers. Whatever it is, I personally guarantee your money back if you actually learn something.
FORNIKATERESS
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
I thought the apocalypse would involve more sex than this, didn’t you? So, instead of my usual highbrow political satire, I’m doing a show about being polyamorous. Spoiler alert: it’s going to get political…
https://www.snizl.com/gb/leicestershire/leicester/kayal/events/fornikateress
THE “BRAND NEW” COMEDY SHOWCASE
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: SomeBrightSpark
Leicester’s Award-Winning Comedy night presents a Comedy Showcase for emerging talent, supported by Leicester’s multidisciplinary creative agency. The brief: Provide a platform for BRAND NEW Stand-Up comedians to perform at Leicester Comedy Festival!
PHIL WANG – KINABALU
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
Phil Wang is a son of the British Empire. But in a world suddenly intent on building walls and bolstering borders, what is a Commonwealth man to do? A blistering new hour of comedy gold – that’s what. Phil is a laid-back Eurasian stand-up comic with cerebral charm and a dorky swagger.
HAPPILY NEVER AFTER
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Award-winning improvisers The Maydays present this skin-prickling tale full of black comedy and haunting music, inspired by the warped imaginations of Tim Burton, Lemony Snicket and the Brothers Grimm. Starting with your suggestion, The Maydays take you on a bone-chilling journey, meeting the grotesque and the innocent, weaving a fantastical story that’s different every time.
BOTTLE ROCKET COMEDY CLUB
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Leicester’s longest running comedy club returns for this Comedy Festival Special – Book Early! Featuring a top line up of comedians.
ULTIMATE COMEDY CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
The comedic equivalent of a no-holds-barred cage fight. Expect trash talking, grudge matches, joke-offs, winners and losers, comedians going toe-to-toe, armed with their best material. The audience decides who wins!
DMU VS. UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER: STAND UP BATTLE
Friday, 16 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Which is better DMU or University of Leicester? That question can only be settled one way! Through a literal battle of wits. Award-winning professional stand-ups comedians and ex-alumni of each will fight (with puns and jokes and hilarious stories) to try and settle the score once and for all.
RICHARD VS ALF – INTERNATIONAL JOKE-OFF
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Two of the South West’s finest one liner comics take each other on to be crowned International Joke Off Winner by the audience. In one corner, there is Alf from Devon, with his sharp one liners combined with zany props. And in the other corner, Richard Lindesay from New Zealand brings observational jokes and flute-based antics. Two very different comedians with one thing in common – jokes aplenty.
WHY STAND-UP MATTERS: HOW COMEDIANS MANIPULATE AND INFLUENCE WITH DR SOPHIE QUIRK
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Does it matter what we laugh at? Join academic Sophie Quirk as she asks whether stand-up comedy has an impact on politics and society, exploring how it manipulates attitudes and voices dissent. This talk will demonstrate the potential harm – and real benefits – that may arise from ‘just’ being funny.
THUNDERBULB
17th February until 18th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
I, Rob Pybus, will be your guide through a visually rich world of delight, action and at times sorrow. The lengths and breadths of human existence delivered through a madcap cartoon-like world few have seen or care to understand. There will be no boundaries in this new form of comedy storytelling, including the way in which the narrative develops; the audience calling the shots. Join me for a trip that will please the eyes and soul.
GRUMPY BOOTS – THE RETURN
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Following its huge success last year, Rob Coleman is back with another hour of grumpy comedy. And this year he’s brought along some grumpy friends, Jane Hill and Chris Norton Walker, to help him out. He doesn’t seem to have got any less grumpy in the last twelve months, though. Look, he’s being grumpy by the seaside. How is that even possible?
WARWICK COMEDY: STAND-UP SPECIAL
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Warwick Comedy are back with another stand-up special at Leicester Comedy Festival! Having only performed stand-up shows for around 4 years, Warwick Comedy have already produced a number of Chortle Student Comedy and So You Think You’re Funny finalists and semi-finalists, as well as one Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Young Talent nominee. It’s safe to say we produce some of the best young talent in the Midlands.
COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: De Montfort Hall – Auditorium
Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families… but without the rude bits! A decade later, the company has expanded from one London residency to being countrywide, running shows and workshops all over the UK from Peebles to Portsmouth, even producing a book on how to write and perform stand-up. The show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy.
CARRY ON: 60 GLORIOUS YEARS WITH ROBERT ROSS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
In 1958 cameras started rolling at Pinewood Studios on a comedy film called Carry On Sergeant. The film would become the third biggest box office success in Britain of that year. Sixty years on the franchise is still going strong. A revealing talk illustrated by rare and hilarious behind-the-scenes footage, from the official Carry On historian Robert Ross. Part of the Beyond A Joke series.
THE DAYTIME SECRET TOUR
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Ssshhhh it’s a secret!!
You don’t need to be a night owl to experience our famous, sell out Secret Tour! See a selection of festival shows across one afternoon, with just one catch – we won’t tell you which shows you’ll be seeing in advance! Meet at a secret location and trust your guide to lead you to shows & venues across Leicester. Take a chance, you won’t regret it. Tickets are only available in advance. Exciting huh?!
LUCY FREDERICK – EVEN MORE NAKED
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Some years ago, Comedian Lucy Frederick appeared in a reality TV show in which she had to get naked. Like, completely naked. No socks or anything. And while that might sound alarming, she’s since discovered that actually, there’s a far more terrifying way to get your bits and bobs out for other people. And you don’t even have to take your coat off.
KELLY CONVEY & JACOB HAWLEY: WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Leicester Mercury Nominee 2017 & Metro’s 1 of 9 Top Female Comedians 2017, Kelly Convey is teaming up with BBC New Comedy Award Finalist 2017, Jacob Hawley to bring you a side-splitting split-hour that dreams are made of… or nightmares if you don’t have a sense of humour.
DAVID MCIVER: BIG STRONG BOY
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Wow, it’s time for the debut hour of comedy from hot ticket and nice friend David McIver! That’s right girls and boys, your special little man is all grown up and raring to go. Join your big warm buddy for high spirited absurdist nonsense and silly characters.
BECKY BRUNNING – WORK IN PROGRESS (WITH GOOD BITS)
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Funny Women Finalist and Broadchurch actor Becky is working on that awkward second show after her debut hour Beaming stormed* Edinburgh in 2017. She promises to fall back on good old bits if it’s turning into a debacle of awkwardness and silence.
WARWICK COMEDY: BEST-OF SKETCH
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Warwick Comedy are back for their third year at Leicester Comedy Festival, performing a ‘greatest hits’ of our best sketches from the last 5 years, as performed in our Edinburgh Fringe shows and beyond. Starring a cast of fantastic comedic actors.
SAM & TOM: INTERVIEW
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Sam & Tom cordially invite you to interview for the role of audience. Bring sensible footwear and examples of previous laughter experience. In their sophomore show, Sam & Tom will go over the basics of the job and tell you a little bit more about themselves. Successful audience applicants will display basic knowledge of punchlines and undergo a rigorous performance review.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVE JOHNS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Dave is one of the most respected comedians working in the UK, however, he almost gave up comedy in order to manage donkey rides at Whitley Bay. Come and listen to what happened when he got a call from film Director Ken Loach and went on to star in the critically acclaimed film “I, Daniel Blake” and won the coveted Palme D’Or Award.
JACK TOPHER: THINGS I SHOULDN’T LIKE
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Leicester local Jack Topher brings a fresh take on what it’s like to be a young man in the modern world. Does his love for musicals and cats undermine his passion for beer and football? Let’s find out together. Do not miss this debut show from a local rising star.
DEADLINE DAY: WORK IN PROGRESS
17th February and the 24th February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
Inspired by books of Ian Fleming and ex-footballer Steve Bruce comes Deadline Day, the action play written and performed by football manager Denis Ball. Can the greatest living tactician save the world from international terrorists and still get his team prepared for the game on Saturday? Come along, be part of the team and allow this pragmatic man manager take you to the REAL theatre of dreams.
DAMIAN KINGSLEY: CAN’T DANCE, WON’T DANCE
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The uptight, irritable, shy yet monstrously arrogant Kingsley has developed dangerously high blood pressure and a phobia of dancing. In this multi award-seeking show, the Roofsmasher considers the nature of inhibition, showing off and your ludicrous discotheque behaviour.
AHIR SHAH: WORK-IN-PROGRESS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club AT The Globe – Upstairs
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated political stand-up Ahir Shah brings a new hour of work-in-progress material to the Leicester Comedy Festival. Unless the world has somehow managed to sort itself out in the last few months, which seems disappointingly unlikely.
SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE – THE NEW SHOW
17th February and 24th February
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, earth’s funniest socks, are back with their brand new show for 2018. Once more Leicester sees it first! You loved Socks Do Shakespeare, Socks In Space, Minging Detectives & the others, now brace yourselves for their 10th brand new show. The title will be unveiled on the night.
LLOYD LANGFORD – SIX QUID’S WORTH OF JOKES
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Lloyd presents a sort of work-in-progress stand-up comedy show that he hopes to be rough but charming, like an old-timey hobo. May contain jokes about balconies, terror, acid and robins.
SARA PASCOE: LADSLADSLADS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Curve – Studio
Sara Pascoe is enjoying a year-long, one woman stag-do. From spiritual retreats, city-breaks, life-drawing classes and football matches; she has been drunk and lonely everywhere.
DARREN HARRIOTT: WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
After a hugely successful Edinburgh 2017, including a Best Newcomer nomination, Darren Harriott returns with a brand new show exploring more of the issues that keep him awake at night.
JOANNA NEARY
17th February until 18th February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Joanna Neary / Celia Cardigan in ‘Voting And Not Voting.’ Middle class housewife Celia investigates 100 years of votes for some women, and asks “what changed and what’s next? All Mrs Clack ever says is ‘how do you think the horse felt?’ ” Joanna appeared in the film Suffragette, she has a credit one above Meryl Streep.
BOOK TICKETS
BUILDING RELATIONS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
The beloved hosts of the Building Relations podcast and one of the most exciting new acts on the UK circuit are bringing there unique brand of humour in a classic double header stand-up comedy show.
HARRIET KEMSLEY
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Harriet’s back with a new show & it’s going to be real great. You might have seen her opening for Katherine Ryan, on ‘The One Show Edinburgh Special’, ‘Kevin Hart’s LOL Live’, ‘The Radio 1 Comedy Lounge’ as Daisy in Channel4 sitcom ‘Damned’ as an awkward waitress in ‘Doctor Foster’ or in her TV series on VICELAND ‘Bobby and Harriet Get Married’.
TOM TAYLOR IS THE INDIE FEEL-GOOD HIT OF THE SUMMER (WIP)
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
My father is in excellent health, I enjoyed a happy childhood and I am in a settled relationship. As such, my show is an hour of jokes and silliness which I have written and then remembered. Last year, one of my jokes featured in Telegraph’s 20 funniest one-liners from the Edinburgh Fringe. I will make sure this joke is in but I won’t tell you which one it is.
JONATHAN PIE: WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Loughborough Town Hall
Jonathan Pie is returning to the stage in 2018 with a brand new live show following a sell out tour ending at The London Palladium; a show that was described as “electrifying” by Chortle, “blistering” by the Evening Standard and “desperately misjudged” by The Times. Join him for this work in progress show as he warms up, blows up and possibly even cocks up!
DAN WEBBER – SWEARGASM
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Knight & Garter
Dan Webber has been involved in the East Midlands arts scene for the last 15 years and is a respected Actor, Writer, Producer and Director. Through Spoken Word he hopes to change this. LGBT+ Spoken Word Artist and Comedian Dan Webber performs at Leicester Comedy Festival for the first time.
BARRY CRYER & COLIN SELL
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Strictly Come Joking. The Ant and Dec of the Sanatogen set, reunite to bring you a new show devised by them after the visitors left. Cryer, still a “sprightly veteran” (Undertakers Gazette) and Sell a “legendary virtuoso” (Pensioners Website) combine to entertain you with songs, jokes and the amazing realisation that they’re still here.
25 ACTS FOR £25
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall – The Big Room
A show to celebrate 25 years of Leicester Comedy Festival. We bring you a whopping 25 comedians all under one roof, in one night. The evening will be hosted by ‘top class’ stand up Lloyd Langford.
WE’VE GOT EACH OTHER
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
A full-scale original Bon Jovi musical… that is almost entirely imagined by the audience. Taking a sideways look at the pomp and circumstance of modern jukebox musicals the show asks us to question if the art of imagination is being lost to machinery, illusion and extravagance.
COMEDY ON THE WOLDS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall
A top line up of stand-up comedy featuring a selection of festival favourites. Musical comedy sisters and Now Magazine Audience Choice Award 2017 winners (Toronto Sketchfest), Flo & Joan, bring you the best of their Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, whilst the Sarah Keyworth shares a few stories that are guaranteed to make you laugh.
KNIGHTMARE LIVE
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
Enter, stranger! Knightmare Live is back, and offers you the chance to wear the iconic helmet of justice and take part in the Greater Game. The critically acclaimed comedy stage adaption of the cult TV classic is now bigger and better than ever. Multiple dungeoneers will be required to take on Lord Fear’s catacombs of evil in a mostly improvised quest. Every show is different, every room a new challenge.
IAN SMITH – SNOWFLAKE
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
This is Ian Smith’s multi-award winning fourth solo show, Snowflake. It’s about uniqueness… like everybody else’s. It’s also about a holiday to Norway where he nearly killed a man in a sledding accident.
ANNA MORRIS: BITCHELORS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
The critically acclaimed character comic and creator of last year’s award-winning wedding comedy It’s Got to be Perfect returns. Morris revives 2014’s sell-out Would Like to Thank, as 4 characters compete at the Woman of the Year Awards, hosted by Georgina the Bride and judged by you. A Scouse Mumtrepreneur, a darkly secretive baker, a glamorous deadly foreign correspondent, an anti-marriage activist. Four women, one award, who wins? You decide!
TOM ALLEN: ABSOLUTELY
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Curve – Studio
As seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Bake Off’s Extra Slice, The John Bishop Show, Virtually Famous, Channel 4’s Comedy Gala at the O2 and heard on Radio 4’s Just a Minute. In the last year Tom has supported Sarah Millican around the world, sold out his Edinburgh and London runs and even passed his driving test.
PAUL CURRIE: CATS IN MY MOUTH
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
The next great show from this hairy idiot man-child, strap in for more fun and nonsense as the entire audience is taken by the hand into a true circus of silly. Best New Show as a Work in Progress at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017.
HEIDI VS SHARKS: WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Heidi Regan, winner of BBC New Comedy Award 2017 and So You Think You’re Funny 2016, explores our increasingly confusing world and terrible shark films.
DAVID EARL IS BRIAN GITTINS: DON’T FEED THE MONKEY MAN
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Star of Ricky Gervais’ Derek, Rovers (Sky), and Gittins (Channel 4). As seen on BBC’s Extras, Drunk History (Comedy Central) and Sky One’s Sick Note. David Earl’s alter ego, Brian Gittins, is an utter prat and according to the Sussex Argus, ‘The World’s Worst Comedian’. However, Brian’s not having any of it and he’s back with a live show with the might of powerhouse sponsor Rampoo (Shampoo for rams) behind him.
YA COR SAY THAT – SUSAN MURRAY
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Susan is a f*ckwit, gobsh*te, professional insomniac, air crash enthusiast but mostly a f*ckwit. This show is not for the easily offended. Or the faint hearted. Or people who like jazz. Actually especially those lot. You can stay at home listening to your terrible, smug music.
(WELSH MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS/THE FULL ENGLISH
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Soft Touch Arts
Two half-hour slices of matured comedians, Chris Phillips and Kevin Hudson. Chris is a soft-spoken raconteur, weaving tales from his textile-based history with the product of his vivid Punk IPA-fuelled imagination. ‘This Celtic post-punk comedic contribution is bangin” South Wales Echo Echo Echo. Kevin is exactly what you’d expect from a poet-comedian-accountant, in a show called The Full English just to annoy Chris.
CHRIS WASHINGTON: DREAM BIG (WITHIN REASON)
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Would you rather spend time with a man who dreams of fortune and fame, or a man who cried genuine tears of joy when his girlfriend won a Dyson? The latter? Perfect! Come in..
CHRIS BETTS: WORK IN PROGRESS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
New jokes, stories and thoughts from comedian and huge Point Break fan, Chris Betts
WISDOM OF A FOOL
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Little Theatre – Main
Star of 1950s British stage and screen, the legendary Norman Wisdom packed houses across the UK, won the hearts of millions and remains one of the UK’s comedy icons. The world of post-war Music Hall and Variety embraced his trademark manic slapstick routine and catapulted him to stardom. Over the years he perfected an act that would go on to shape his unique style; his cloth cap, ill-fitting suit and classic underdog character leading Charlie Chaplin to describe him as his ‘favourite clown’.
TOM TAYLOR PRESENTS THE FLANNEL SHOW
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Northern club biscuit Tom Taylor presents his unique alternative to a panel show in the form of a panel show. Watch the Gentlemen battle it out with the Players in a contest where there are no Gentlemen and past Players have included Simon Munnery, Patrick Monahan, Jo Caulfield and a bear.
TOM YOUNG’S SOMETHING NEW
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
“Look, I’ll level with you… They make us write this blurb in September; I’ve got no idea what this show’s going to be about yet. Although, there’ll probably be a bit about soul mates, since I’ve already written that. Otherwise, the possibilities are endless. I’m sure it’ll be pretty good though – this is my eighth new hour in as many years, and people have enjoyed the last seven. Worth a punt; might even have a title by January.”
JARRED CHRISMAS & HOBBIT: COMEDY BEATBOX PARTY BITCHES
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Combining the talents of the two coolest mofo’s in show biz; award-winning comedian and sometimes TV personality Jarred Christmas and UK loop station champion and Beatbox extraordinaire Hobbit. They’ll make your laugh pants fly off and your brain stems get hard. Comedy from the mouth, music from the mouth, laughter from the soul… that’s right, the freakin soul. Get involved, win prizes and partake in the most bonkers beatbox battle ever seen.
CHRISTIAN REILLY: LOLTERNATIVE ROCK
17th February until 24th February
Venue: Wygston’s House
Perrier awarded musical comedian gives LOLternative facts, yuge laughs and bigly hits
JAY HAMPSON – TERRIFIED
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
As a young man Jay Hampson thought that life was just one long party and didn’t have a care in the world. Then he hit his 30’s, had a kid and realised that the world is a dark and scary place filled with worry and anxiety, the perfect recipe for comedy gold. Jay is one of Manchester’s most promising up and coming comedians who’s been making a name for himself at gigs around the country.
DANE BAPTISTE: G.O.D (GOLD, OIL, DRUGS)
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Fresh from hosting Live at the Apollo and another total sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Dane Baptiste brings his third smash hit show on national tour. Original, provocative and exceptionally crafted, G.O.D. (Gold. Oil. Drugs) explores our worldwide pursuit of wealth, power and pleasure.
SUNIL PATEL
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Stand-up comedy from a pampered, sullen oaf with a head like a massive baby. A work in progress show. As seen on BBC’s ‘Asian Network Comedy’, Channel 5’s ‘Borderline’, Viceland’s ‘Bobby & Harriet Get Married’, Sky’s ‘Frightbusters’. Cooler than cool. Icier than ice. Dead inside. Peace & love
GAYSHIT
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
A night devoted to the weird, the wonderful and the fabulous. Host Wayne Carter, ‘consistently hilarious and perpetually bizarre’ (EdFringeReview.com), has hand picked acts from the cabaret, burlesque and comedy scenes for an unforgettable night. With sold out shows in 2016/2017, Wayne Carter aims to bring more of the same to LCF. This includes internationally acclaimed drag acts, comedians, musical acts and much more. Get your tickets fast.
PAUL SINHA: SHOUT OUT TO MY EX
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre
In his 2015 Edinburgh Fringe show, comedian Paul Sinha weaved an intricate tale of happiness based on a combination of doing the two jobs he loved, enjoying parental approval, and, actually being in a proper, grown-up, long-term relationship. The day after he returned home, the illusion of happiness was shattered. Was this the end? The beginning of the end? Or the end of a beginning?
MORGAN REES & FRIENDS
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
2017 So You Think You’re Funny runner-up and BBC New Comedy Award finalist Morgan Rees (“Super charming and delivers warmly” Chortle) presents a selection of the finest comic talents that South Wales and the West Country have to offer.
TOM YOUNG’S SOMETHING OLD
Saturday, 17 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Leicestershire lad Tom has been working on this show for the last eight years; this is as good as it’s got. His very best. The greatest hits. He’s even been touring it around friends’ living rooms for the last three months in order to make it as funny as possible. Now he plans to film this performance, so come and witness the recording of an award-ignored hour of stand up.
Dark Chocolate Seaside Easter Egg (vegan-friendly)
By Chococo
One of the best dairy-free Easter eggs, 67% Madagascan dark chocolate eg, decorated with natural colours studded inside with assorted seaside chocolate shapes. Suitable for vegans or anyone intolerant to dairy. Buy any 2 studded Easter Eggs for £22.50 (discount applied automatically)!
Rice Milk Chocolate Easter Egg
By Cocoa Libre
This Easter why not enjoy one of our rice milk chocolate eggs. Our eggs are free from dairy, gluten, nuts, peanuts, and wheat. Looking for a vegan Easter egg? Our Easter eggs are also suitable for vegans!
Tesco Finest Free From Belgian Dark Chocolate Egg 200G!
By Tesco
Belgian dark chocolate egg decorated with a chocolate flavour drizzle, with orange flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles and raspberry flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles. A beautifully crafted egg made with rich, intense Belgian dark chocolate. Paired with five hand decorated dark chocolate truffles in two fruit flavours.
Original Goupie Chocolate Easter Egg
By Goupie Chocolate
Our Original Goupie chocolates are cut into smaller pieces, covered in even more chocolate and packaged in a reusable, Faberge-inspired, tin egg and quirky Kraft box. Perfect for those looking for something a bit different this Easter!
This egg is vegan-friendly and comes in 36 different egg designs. These are chosen at random so you’ll get a lovely surprise when your order arrives!
Luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter Egg
by MooFree Chocolates Ltd
If you like salted caramel then you will really love these luxury, organic Easter eggs. Each of these large, sophisticated Easter eggs are made by infusing our delicious, multi-award-winning organic rice milk chocolate with the perfect blend of sea salt and caramel. As well as tasting absolutely amazing, these Easter eggs are also dairy free, gluten free, soya free and certified vegan.
Each luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter egg is lovingly made by Moo Free who are an ethical, family-owned UK manufacturer. We only use natural, high-quality ingredients including single origin, organic cocoa mass from plantations in the Dominican Republic.
We hope that you love these Easter eggs as much as we loved making them.
Extra Thick Easter Egg – Rare & Vintage
By Hotel Chocolat
When we first started making our Easter eggs 18 years ago, experts told us to make them as thin as possible. We did the opposite, opting for lavishly thick shells that are the epitome of indulgence.
An egg or two, generously proportioned, halves: explore the single-origin depth of flavour teased out in our small-batch roastery. Discover 75% Colombia with notes of butterscotch and roasted cocoa creaminess; and 72% Honduras Mayan Red with notes of red fruits and a smoky finish.
We’ve wrapped it in gold foil for a glint of anticipation when you untie the ribbon and lift the lid, then filled it with single-origin Luxe Nuts, and buches. No Alcohol. Vegan.
Sainsbury’s Selection of Buttermilk Easter Eggs!
By Sainsbury’s
We’ve introduced a delicious chocolate alternative egg to our collection, free from dairy, gluten and wheat so everyone can enjoy a treat this Easter.
Our love and enthusiasm for everything sweet have been guiding our Cornish confectionery since 1964. Peek inside our kitchen and you’ll find traditional copper pans bubbling away over open flames to make our award-winning indulgent treats.
Happy eating from the Buttermilk family!
Coast to Coast
Unit 73, Lower Level Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester LE1 4AN
We have 3 amazing pancakes for you to eat including Strawberries And Cream Pancakes, Banana And Salted Caramel Pancakes and Maple Flavour Syrup & Blueberries Pancakes. All available for Vegetarians!
Kinnerton Just Chocolate Egg and Bar
At Morrisons
This luxury dark chocolate Easter egg and bar are made with special care to ensure that it is truly vegan, indulgent…and free of any cross-contamination from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts, allowing allergy sufferers to enjoy it and cook with it.
Queen of Bradgate
93 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB
You can get 2-4-1 on Pancakes every Tuesday with Queen of Bradgate! Delicious tasty pancakes for you!
Dark Chocolate Seaside Easter Egg (vegan-friendly)
By Chococo
One of the best dairy-free Easter eggs, 67% Madagascan dark chocolate eg, decorated with natural colours studded inside with assorted seaside chocolate shapes. Suitable for vegans or anyone intolerant to dairy. Buy any 2 studded Easter Eggs for £22.50 (discount applied automatically)!
Rice Milk Chocolate Easter Egg
By Cocoa Libre
This Easter why not enjoy one of our rice milk chocolate eggs. Our eggs are free from dairy, gluten, nuts, peanuts, and wheat. Looking for a vegan Easter egg? Our Easter eggs are also suitable for vegans!
Tesco Finest Free From Belgian Dark Chocolate Egg 200G!
By Tesco
Belgian dark chocolate egg decorated with a chocolate flavour drizzle, with orange flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles and raspberry flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles. A beautifully crafted egg made with rich, intense Belgian dark chocolate. Paired with five hand decorated dark chocolate truffles in two fruit flavours.
Original Goupie Chocolate Easter Egg
By Goupie Chocolate
Our Original Goupie chocolates are cut into smaller pieces, covered in even more chocolate and packaged in a reusable, Faberge-inspired, tin egg and quirky Kraft box. Perfect for those looking for something a bit different this Easter!
This egg is vegan-friendly and comes in 36 different egg designs. These are chosen at random so you’ll get a lovely surprise when your order arrives!
Luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter Egg
by MooFree Chocolates Ltd
If you like salted caramel then you will really love these luxury, organic Easter eggs. Each of these large, sophisticated Easter eggs are made by infusing our delicious, multi-award-winning organic rice milk chocolate with the perfect blend of sea salt and caramel. As well as tasting absolutely amazing, these Easter eggs are also dairy free, gluten free, soya free and certified vegan.
Each luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter egg is lovingly made by Moo Free who are an ethical, family-owned UK manufacturer. We only use natural, high-quality ingredients including single origin, organic cocoa mass from plantations in the Dominican Republic.
We hope that you love these Easter eggs as much as we loved making them.
Extra Thick Easter Egg – Rare & Vintage
By Hotel Chocolat
When we first started making our Easter eggs 18 years ago, experts told us to make them as thin as possible. We did the opposite, opting for lavishly thick shells that are the epitome of indulgence.
An egg or two, generously proportioned, halves: explore the single-origin depth of flavour teased out in our small-batch roastery. Discover 75% Colombia with notes of butterscotch and roasted cocoa creaminess; and 72% Honduras Mayan Red with notes of red fruits and a smoky finish.
We’ve wrapped it in gold foil for a glint of anticipation when you untie the ribbon and lift the lid, then filled it with single-origin Luxe Nuts, and buches. No Alcohol. Vegan.
Sainsbury’s Selection of Buttermilk Easter Eggs!
By Sainsbury’s
We’ve introduced a delicious chocolate alternative egg to our collection, free from dairy, gluten and wheat so everyone can enjoy a treat this Easter.
Our love and enthusiasm for everything sweet have been guiding our Cornish confectionery since 1964. Peek inside our kitchen and you’ll find traditional copper pans bubbling away over open flames to make our award-winning indulgent treats.
Happy eating from the Buttermilk family!
Coast to Coast
Unit 73, Lower Level Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester LE1 4AN
We have 3 amazing pancakes for you to eat including Strawberries And Cream Pancakes, Banana And Salted Caramel Pancakes and Maple Flavour Syrup & Blueberries Pancakes. All available for Vegetarians!
Kinnerton Just Chocolate Egg and Bar
At Morrisons
This luxury dark chocolate Easter egg and bar are made with special care to ensure that it is truly vegan, indulgent…and free of any cross-contamination from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts, allowing allergy sufferers to enjoy it and cook with it.
Queen of Bradgate
93 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB
You can get 2-4-1 on Pancakes every Tuesday with Queen of Bradgate! Delicious tasty pancakes for you!
Dark Chocolate Seaside Easter Egg (vegan-friendly)
By Chococo
One of the best dairy-free Easter eggs, 67% Madagascan dark chocolate eg, decorated with natural colours studded inside with assorted seaside chocolate shapes. Suitable for vegans or anyone intolerant to dairy. Buy any 2 studded Easter Eggs for £22.50 (discount applied automatically)!
Rice Milk Chocolate Easter Egg
By Cocoa Libre
This Easter why not enjoy one of our rice milk chocolate eggs. Our eggs are free from dairy, gluten, nuts, peanuts, and wheat. Looking for a vegan Easter egg? Our Easter eggs are also suitable for vegans!
Tesco Finest Free From Belgian Dark Chocolate Egg 200G!
By Tesco
Belgian dark chocolate egg decorated with a chocolate flavour drizzle, with orange flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles and raspberry flavour fondant filled dark chocolate truffles. A beautifully crafted egg made with rich, intense Belgian dark chocolate. Paired with five hand decorated dark chocolate truffles in two fruit flavours.
Original Goupie Chocolate Easter Egg
By Goupie Chocolate
Our Original Goupie chocolates are cut into smaller pieces, covered in even more chocolate and packaged in a reusable, Faberge-inspired, tin egg and quirky Kraft box. Perfect for those looking for something a bit different this Easter!
This egg is vegan-friendly and comes in 36 different egg designs. These are chosen at random so you’ll get a lovely surprise when your order arrives!
Luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter Egg
by MooFree Chocolates Ltd
If you like salted caramel then you will really love these luxury, organic Easter eggs. Each of these large, sophisticated Easter eggs are made by infusing our delicious, multi-award-winning organic rice milk chocolate with the perfect blend of sea salt and caramel. As well as tasting absolutely amazing, these Easter eggs are also dairy free, gluten free, soya free and certified vegan.
Each luxury Sea Salt & Caramel Easter egg is lovingly made by Moo Free who are an ethical, family-owned UK manufacturer. We only use natural, high-quality ingredients including single origin, organic cocoa mass from plantations in the Dominican Republic.
We hope that you love these Easter eggs as much as we loved making them.
Extra Thick Easter Egg – Rare & Vintage
By Hotel Chocolat
When we first started making our Easter eggs 18 years ago, experts told us to make them as thin as possible. We did the opposite, opting for lavishly thick shells that are the epitome of indulgence.
An egg or two, generously proportioned, halves: explore the single-origin depth of flavour teased out in our small-batch roastery. Discover 75% Colombia with notes of butterscotch and roasted cocoa creaminess; and 72% Honduras Mayan Red with notes of red fruits and a smoky finish.
We’ve wrapped it in gold foil for a glint of anticipation when you untie the ribbon and lift the lid, then filled it with single-origin Luxe Nuts, and buches. No Alcohol. Vegan.
Sainsbury’s Selection of Buttermilk Easter Eggs!
By Sainsbury’s
We’ve introduced a delicious chocolate alternative egg to our collection, free from dairy, gluten and wheat so everyone can enjoy a treat this Easter.
Our love and enthusiasm for everything sweet have been guiding our Cornish confectionery since 1964. Peek inside our kitchen and you’ll find traditional copper pans bubbling away over open flames to make our award-winning indulgent treats.
Happy eating from the Buttermilk family!
Coast to Coast
Unit 73, Lower Level Highcross Shopping Centre, Leicester LE1 4AN
We have 3 amazing pancakes for you to eat including Strawberries And Cream Pancakes, Banana And Salted Caramel Pancakes and Maple Flavour Syrup & Blueberries Pancakes. All available for Vegetarians!
Kinnerton Just Chocolate Egg and Bar
At Morrisons
This luxury dark chocolate Easter egg and bar are made with special care to ensure that it is truly vegan, indulgent…and free of any cross-contamination from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts, allowing allergy sufferers to enjoy it and cook with it.
Queen of Bradgate
93 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB
You can get 2-4-1 on Pancakes every Tuesday with Queen of Bradgate! Delicious tasty pancakes for you!
LOVELY. SIMPLY LOVELY.
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Colin, Dawn & Howard all started to stand up in 2014 aged 42, and wish they’d done it sooner. That said, their maturity gives them an insight into life’s many questions.
IAN SMITH – WORK IN PROGRESS
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Ian Smith is a multi-award winning comedian. This is a work in progress of his fifth solo show.
THE MAN OF A 1000 FARCES
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
“The Man of a 1000 Farces”, is the new touring show from that International man of misery: Johnny MacAulay. It is a one-hour psychedelic mind flip of magic, character sketches, sideshow and quick change mayhem.
BEC HILL: WORK IN PROGRESS
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
The award-winning Australian comedian who you either know from Twitter, telly, or a Facebook post your mate put up, comes to Leicester! With a mix of brand new material and “the gold”, you’re guaranteed an entertaining night of silly stories, props and of course, flipcharts.
ANDREW BIRD
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
After 7 years of living in a new town Andrew’s wife pointed out she had made more Slovakian friends than he had made friends. Is he right to be aloof are people that great anyway? So come along and be probably the only people he has spoken to that day.
IT’S ALL MY MOTHER’S FAULT! WORK IN PROGRESS
Showing on 18th February and 19th February
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Romina Puma comes back and is darker than ever! It’s a show about love, or the lack of it, a show about a child longing to be cared for by her mother while having to care for her, and about selfishness as a last means of survival…What’s not to laugh about?
SOOZ KEMPNER – SUPER SONIC 90S KID
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Award-winning comic Sooz Kempner spent the 90s playing Sonic, going from a little kid to a fully-grown teen. But what the hell was the 90s all about? And will Sooz coast through life or will she try to complete it with all the Chaos Emeralds? 16-bit fun with an all-singing-all-dancing cheat code.
ZAZUTINANY
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Award-winning comedy troupe zazU presents ‘ZAZUTINANY’, an absurdly silly comedy gameshow incorporating sketches, games, a quiz and even some cheeky prizes.
WAX COMICAL SHOWCASE
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: The Noels Arms – Main Room
Wax Comical – Comedy Chip Shop Showcase A showcase of talent performing as part of Melton Mowbray BIG Weekend. As always, hosted by Melton’s very own Jon Pearson.
Tickets from the festival box office have now sold out. Please contact the venue for other ticket outlets.
LUKE HONNORATY “DOING ALRIGHT”
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Emerging from the Southwest, award-winning stand-up Comedian Luke Honnoraty brings his new show “doing alright” to Leicester Comedy Festival. Tracking his struggle from working-class roots to mixing with the middle classes and struggling to fit in.
YURIKO KOTANI: GREEN IN ENGLISH, BLUE IN JAPANESE (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Winner of the BBC New Comedy Award 2015 and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016 nominee, Yuriko Kotani brings you “wonderfully offbeat stories”.
GO SLAY DRAGONS
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
A man in existential crisis and a nearby choir. A man full of heartbreak meets the music-loving woman of his dreams. A lost document and ring set a modern hairy-footed suburbanite on a quest for adventure. They’re all the same man. This is all true.
DANNY BUCKLER: FOOLIN’
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
A brand new hour from a showbiz id unleashed. A roller coaster ride of improvisation, anecdotes, sleight-of-hand and show tunes as only he can deliver! Expect big laughs as Buckler returns to Leicester Comedy Festival
PAUL WADE: MORTAL (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Do you struggle to fit in in an ever changing world? Does the speed of change make you feel old before your time? Then you know how Paul feels. Join him as he exposes his thoughts, fears and vulnerabilities and makes everyone feel a bit better about just being themselves.
THE SAME FACES: UNCLE ARMANDO
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
The Same Faces will be joined by a top circuit headliner, who will improvise monologues – based on your suggestions – in order to inspire the premises of the players’ fantastic, fully improvised scenes.
JACOB HAWLEY: WIP
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
BBC New Comedy Award 2017 Finalist Jacob Hawley prepares for his debut hour with this hour long WIP. As seen on BBC iPlayer and heard on BBC Radio 4.
IVO GRAHAM: TAKE ME TO YOUR BUTLER (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Holy mackerel! After two years in a row sprinting for the 9:58 train home, IG (they’re his initials) has settled his battered body into a more comfortable early evening slot.
CHRIS BETTS VS THE AUDIENCE
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Chris Betts will argue for or against anything. Bring your opinions, your facts, your life experiences and no matter what you say Chris will argue (hilariously I might add) the opposite.
GEOFF NORCOTT
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
The correspondent on BBC2’s The Mash Report takes to the road following his sell-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: JUST THE TONIC!
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Improv like you’ve never seen it before. Featuring local lads Lewys Holt and Daniel Nicholas. They’ll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes not. Expect crazy characters, unusual moves, and homoerotic behaviour. Who knows what will happen? They don’t.
FRANK FOUCAULT: SHOES
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Frank was told it was a good idea to do a theme show, so he’s doing it about shoes. I imagine that he’s beginning to regret this decision.
LUCY THOMPSON & THOMAS RACKHAM AS THE TOADSHOW
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Following on from the reasonable success of last year, Leicester based sketch comedy duo Lucy Thompson, nominated for ‘Best Debut’ at Leicester Comedy Festival 2016, and Thomas Rackham, NATYS 2016 Finalist, return with another hour of shambolic sketch comedy in your eyes, ears and laps (if near the front).
KEITH CARTER – BRING ME THE HEAD OF ANT & DEC
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Saturday Night television is dead! Families are falling apart! They have nothing to watch as they tuck into their traditional Kentucky Fried dinners! But fear no more! A show is here to revive Saturday night! A show that will resurrect Saturday Night from the Corpse of Blandness into King Zombie of Light Entertainment! THIS SHOW WILL BE YOUR NEW GOD.
FRIZ FRIZZLE GETS HIS ORGAN OUT
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Friz Frizzle is a Songruiner. Armed with a piano, he will take the tunes you know and love and mess around with them until you don’t know or love them anymore. It’s better than it sounds.
ALEX HYLTON: EVERYBODY’S DIFFERENT, AND I’M THE SAME
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
A brand new hour of honest, heartwarming and hilarious standup from one of the UK’s most exciting young acts. Alex’s mum always told him he was special, but now he’s an adult and he’s determined to find out what it is that makes him so different, or face the fact that maybe, just maybe, he’s the same as everyone else?
THIS IS NOT A MAGIC SHOW
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
A sleight-of-hand artist, a comedian and an impossible to describe surrealist play with the traditional structures of their craft, creating a baffling and inspiring 3-man show.They will entertain, amuse and baffle in equal measure. Change the way you think about a magic show forever, which it isn’t!
JENNY COLLIER: JEN AT WORK
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Work in progress from multi award-winning Welsh comedian. “Infectious to watch and a joy to behold”
JAMALI MADDIX: WORK IN PROGRESS
Showing on 19th February and 20th February
Venue: The Cookie
Rising star Jamali Maddix brings his new work in progress show to Leicester Comedy Festival. “If you are easily offended stay away. If you think you’re not, prepare to be challenged.”
JOHN AGGASILD: WELCOME
Monday, 19 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
John provides his unqualified, scorching-hot takes on attraction, faith, mental health and more in an attempt to articulate the human experience… MIND, BODY & SOUL.
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NIGEL NG: MALAYSIAN SENSATION (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Nigel Ng is from Malaysia. Join him as he observes and adopts your Western ways (he just started recycling!)
GARETH WAUGH AND MICKY BARTLETT – DOUBLE TEAM
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Two of the U.K’s fastest rising stand up comedians are teaming up for a special one-off show at Leicester Comedy Festival. Gareth Waugh has toured with some of the biggest stars in comedy including Kathryn Ryan and Daniel Sloss.
NATHAN WILLCOCK: HOLLAND, 1980
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Great comedy guy Nathan Willcock presents what promises to be a work in progress show. In this show, he will try and recreate the 1980 Eurovison song contest in its entirety, on his own.
PROFESSOR ELEMENTAL MAKES IT ALL BETTER
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
What defines creative success? What happens when it all goes wrong? Is it advisable to wear disco trousers on a first date? Expect songs about tea, trousers and togetherness, witty stand-up, freestyle and true confessions from a very strange life.
MARTIN PILGRIM: SADULTHOOD
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Four years have passed since Martin’s last show and not much has changed. He’s still single, he still works in a Post Office, and he still isn’t a famous comedian. In Sadulthood he tries to come to terms with his own mediocrity. Can an unspectacular life still be a happy one?
FIVE REASONS WHY (I QUIT TEACHING)
Showing on 20th February and 21st February
Venue: The Little Theatre – Haywood Studio
When Martin Goodman waves goodbye to a twenty-year career as a special needs teacher and joins the academic staff of his local university for a fresh start, he discovers a whole new parallel universe.
Tickets from the festival box office have now sold out. Please contact the venue for other ticket outlets.
ALFIE BROWN: LUNATIC (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Alfie Brown is back with new jokes in a new show. These are jokes about how we cling to easy epithets to claim some sort of identity in a world where the individual is washed of their character.
WHAT THE FRICK?!
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: The Cosy Club
Alice Frick, the confused Austrian abroad, leaves the Alps to check out the world. She talks about her life as a foreigner in the UK, coming out as gay to her religious grandmother, and what to do when your therapist tags you on twitter.
RICHARD HANRAHAN IS DOING THIS.
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Ursine stand-up Richard Hanrahan finally gets his act together or at least tries to. Fresh from 30 years in obscurity, this once critically acclaimed comedian pieces together highly literate material with the obtuse and the obscene, to a produce a multi-media show that is as much in the process as it is up itself.
CHARLIE BAKER: WORK IN PROGRESS
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Join Charlie Baker as he returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a brand-new hour of stand-up comedy.
RAHUL KOHLI: NEWCASTLE BROWN TALES PART II (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Showing on 20th February and 21st February
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Last year, it was stories about being pissed on by a dragon, near killed by a fire-breathing dragon, and accidentally joining a Romani Gypsy Drug Smuggling Ring. This year it’s a brand new hour of true stories.
ERIC RUSHTON AND FRIEND
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Eric Rushton and his friend (Joe Bowley) attempt to make you temporarily happier for an hour by each performing 30 minutes of their best stand up. They may not succeed, but please bear in mind that they are trying their best.
LIAM PICKFORD: BUT WHY HAVEN’T MY MEMES STOPPED RACISM FOREVER?
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Having nothing to live for and remaining numb in the face of other people’s suffering, what’s that about?!
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JEN BRISTER – WORK IN PROGRESS
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Jen Brister is back with a brand new work in progress that at the time of submission she hadn’t started writing yet. No doubt it’ll be HILARIOUS* (*I can’t promise that.)
TONY JAMESON – IDEALIST
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Tony Jameson returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a brand new solo show from one of the north easts most natural story tellers. He’s been described as ‘like hanging out with one of your mates’. Tony is refreshingly honest in tackling everyday subjects aswell as some slightly more thought provoking ideas as he searches for an idealist lifestyle.
MIKE GUNN HAPPY HOUR
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
The big problem with writing a comedy show is that the Time-Nazis who are masquerading as festival organisers, demand that you submit the synopsis and the artwork for the show six months before you have even the vaguest idea of what the show is about. So with that in mind … … this show will ruthlessly explore the relationship between the impact of the Cultural Revolution on China, Vicks vapo-rub and life as performance.
CHRIS WASHINGTON: EVERYMAN (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Join 2017 Edinburgh Best Newcomer Nominee, Chris Washington for an hour of brand new stories, ideas and (hopefully) laughs. Not here to challenge the way you think or tackle any of the world’s big issues, just here to (try his best to) be funny.
PHIL COOPER : OUTDOOR HEATED SWIMMING POOL
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
enue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Phil grew up with no money, living in a post-Thatcher mining town in the South Wales valleys. However, by 2017, Pontypridd boasts such luxuries as an outdoor heated swimming pool – funded by the EU. In the face of political uncertainty, Phil’s show explores his own anxieties, his childhood, and the effect of global politics on the future of Wales.
BEST OF THE STAND UP CHALLENGE
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Every autumn we challenge members of the the local business community to do their very first 5 minutes of original stand up comedy. Over the years 20+ brave (foolish?!) people have taken to the stage and tonight you lucky people can see some of the best.
SUZI RUFFELL: WORK IN PROGRESS
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Suzi Ruffell returns with a brand new hour of stand-up comedy following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
MATT KINSON: ENDORPHIN ALCHEMIST
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
After years in the wilderness, Matt Kinson has discovered something. He misses stand up comedy. Bad. Since his debut show he’s got divorced, moved in with and out of his parent’s house, got a new job and had some very strange thoughts. He’ll probably be banging on about some or all of that. IDK. He’s also resisting doing the joke where he mentions writing about himself in the third person. He is weak and he failed.
BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
The lunchtime comedy club for parents and their babies is coming to Leicester! Enjoy the funniest comedians at the festival without needing to book a babysitter! With top comedy for mum and dad, plus toys, soft flooring and more for baby … this show is a top night out during the day!
TOM LUCY: WORK IN PROGRESS
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club at The Globe – Upstairs
After winning the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year in 2016, Tom Lucy has gone on to support Jack Whitehall on his recent arena tour and sold out his entire run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. Join Tom as he debuts his brand-new hour of stand up at Leicester Comedy Festival.
JOE SUTHERLAND: MODEL/ACTRESS 2.0
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
A former model turned aspiring model, Joe Sutherland started from the bottom now he’s..here. The tale is less rags-to-riches, more would-like-to-meet-riches. As seen (briefly) in the movie Pride and supporting Ellie Taylor, Joe has taken the comedy circuit by the balls.
A VERBAL TIGHTROPE WALK – JACK SHANIK
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre
There’s a fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous. This one-liner comic has no idea where it is but has fun finding out. Wordplay and nonsense teetering on the boundary between daft and dafter.
TREVOR LOCK’S COMMUNITY CIRCLE
21st February until 23rd February
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The show that never begins that you won’t want to end, and leaves you feeling like you’re friends with everyone in the audience. An immersive show like no other, it’s only interactive if you want it to be, but you will want it to be. WARNING: THIS SHOW CONTAINS NOTHING.
VALDEMAR PUSTELNIK: 53 MINUTES ABOUT 52 SHEEP (60 MINUTES LONG)
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
An hour of absurdist, political, ridiculous clowning and storytelling. Danish comedian, actor, 4th generation immigrant and viking-look-a-like Valdemar Pustelnik presents a show about national identity, history, war, democracy, religion and “Hygge”.
DANNY CLIVES AND HIS COMEDY CHUMS
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: The Little Theatre – Haywood Studio
Danny Clives has put together a line-up of his favourite comedy chums to perform at The Little Theatre in Leicester. Danny was handpicked to be part of the 2017 Pleasance Comedy Reserve, he has supported Joe Lycett on tour, he was a finalist of the 2016 Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian and part of the 2014 BBC Comedy Award.
SARAH CALLAGHAN: WORK IN PROGRESS
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Award-winning comedian Sarah Callaghan returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with some brand new jokes, fresh from two hugely successful shows and tours of Australia.
GRAHAM & DAVID CAN’T GO ON LIKE THIS
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
A couple of embittered, lonely, depressed men somehow, in the face of all evidence to the contrary, think someone out there might give a s*** They’ve written a sketch show about loneliness and unhappiness to take their minds off the crushingly brutal way life has repeatedly let them down. Please be a part of the audience. It’ll be the only genuine human connection they will experience in 2018. Help them feel emotions again by laughing at them.
PAUL FOOT’S GAME OF DANGERS: BIGGER & MORE DANGEROUS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Curve – Studio
It’s back. It’s bigger. And more dangerous than ever. Paul Foot pits two teams against each other, discussing a series of real-life, perilous, yet bizarre situations and attempting to work out which of Paul’s unusual items will save them.
JAMES MEEHAN – GAZ
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Who Am I? A brand new stand-up comedy show from multi-award winning comic James Meeha.
EXTREME COMMUTER 10
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
With this tenth show, you might expect a retrospective of Adham Fisher’s greatest hits. No – the extreme journeys on public transport continue. This time, find out what happened when his team tried to ride on every single London bus (593 of them) in 24 hours.
THE NOT SO GAME SHOW WITH ROSS & JOSH
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Join Ross & Josh, hosts of the UK’s finest alternative comedy chat show The Not So Late Show, for a multimedia game show extravaganza. Games! Games! More Games!
SHUNTED AGAIN! STEVE GRIBBIN’S REAL STORY OF THE RAILWAYS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Veteran train traveller and highly experienced stand-up comedian Steve Gribbin rails against the current state of Britain’s Railway system. Using his very worst journeys as examples, Steve takes us on a (de)tour of cancellations, delays and overcrowding that’s enough to drive you to drive.
THE CLONES: AN IMPROVISED SHOW
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Never-seen-before… Never-to-be-seen-again! Witness the incredible as improv duo “The Clones” take to the stage. With no script, no staging, and only a pair of chairs for a set, they spin a simple audience suggestion into hilarious, spontaneous entertainment.
MARC BURROWS – MIND YOUR HEAD
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Journalist, musician and stand-up Marc Burrows present a personal trek through his mental health history, including his time in a psychiatric ward, suicide attempts, depression and bipolar diagnosis. But with jokes.
KIT SULLIVAN: VILLAIN
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
I’m a bad person, villainy is my ideal job role. Help me achieve my dreams by destroying yours. fun fun fun!
UNHINGED
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
We are Unhinged, a 5 piece female/male stand up group. We offer a variety of acts from a variety of backgrounds. Taking you on a comedic journey from Israel, through Lebanon to London. Via parenthood, singledom and good old-fashioned desperation. Our unique mix offers something for all audiences.
SASHA ELLEN: NO MAN’S LAND
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
A stand-up show of how Sasha brought a part of the world to a complete halt. A tale of an engagement, a missing person and a near catastrophe which explores love, loss and the pitfalls of drinking.
(WELSH MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Chris Phillips brings his all new, debut one-man show in Hammersmith Palais to Leicester Comedy Festival. It’s a post-punk stand-up tale of this wild looking son of the principality.
BARRY LOVES YOU
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
The new show from Barry Ferns: Spirit of the Fringe.
MEGAZONE PRESENTS: COMEDY TAG
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Megazone Leicester
After last year’s sold out show, Megazone and Daniel Nicholas, return with an hour of laser tag with a twist! You’ll be allocated to a team lead by upcoming and established comedians, as you battle it out together to win in this cops and robbers themed event.
ANDREW RYAN: SURE, YOU KNOW YOURSELF (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Irishman Andrew Ryan returns to Leicester with a new hour of stand-up comedy following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and UK tour.
TINDER REHAB
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
The 12-step comedy quirk-fest for love seekers. Join Bentley on his journey from Tinder addiction to awesome discovery, calling at Heartbreak Avenue and Self-Help City.
PHIL CHAPMAN: THE MAN WITH THE SPATULA
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks, George Carlin, Richard Pryor – all changed the game for stand-up – but only Phil Chapman has had the foresight to do it whilst holding a spatula. It’s basically him telling an hours worth of his jokes whilst holding a spatula, but it’s loads of fun.
MILO MCCABE: THE TALENTED MR HAWKE
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Poundland’s plastic communism, the nefarious get rich quick allure of the Bingo, the empty capitalistic promise of The Waitrose and more come under the inscrutable eye of the Hawke! Indeed, the world according to Troy has been spreading frenziedly on the internet.
JONATHAN ELSTON – FAT BOY SLIM PICKINGS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
Jonathan Elston is a fresh, punchy, gag-driven comic who combines sharp joke writing and quirky observations with a youthful likability that charms his audience and endears him to any room.
ARCHIE MADDOCKS: ARCHLIFE
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Award-winning comedian? Yes. “Charming” (Chortle)? Yes. Funny? That’s subjective, but yes. Flawed? Definitely. In ArchLife, a new work in progress show, Archie Maddocks explores his flaws and what makes him the person he is today, before turning his gaze outwards to the flaws we all have.
KATHERINE RYAN: GLITTER ROOM
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: De Montfort Hall – Auditorium
What does Canada’s first woman to have a worldwide Netflix special have in common with Britain’s first woman to have a worldwide Netflix special? They are both single mothers with too many pets. And they are both Katherine Ryan
IMPROV PROVOCATEUR
Showing on 22nd February and 23rd February
Venue: Knight & Garter
The illegitimate child of Improv and Stand up. Our players are put through various rounds of edgy and near the knuckle improvised comedy games, designed to test the bravest of performers. Four different players every night compete to be crowned winner. The much sort after ‘handsome certificate’ for the winner. Humiliation for the loser.
TOM LUCY: NEEDS TO STOP SHOWING OFF IN FRONT OF HIS FRIENDS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Fresh from supporting Jack Whitehall, Tom presents his debut show. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016.
STEVE BUGEJA: WORK IN PROGRESS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: The Exchange Bar – Downstairs
Steve Bugeja, as seen on Love Island Aftersun, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central and Radio 4’s Fresh From The Fringe, presents a work in progress show. Steve is writing a new stand-up show and will be testing out new jokes. Some will be great, some won’t.
FIVE REASONS WHY (I QUIT TEACHING)
Showing on 22nd February, 23rd February and 24th February
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
When Martin Goodman waves goodbye to a twenty-year career as a special needs teacher and joins the academic staff of his local university for a fresh start, he discovers a whole new parallel universe. Join us for his inaugural lecture.
THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: WORK-IN-PROGRESS
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Cult double act, The Delightful Sausage return with another hour of half-baked sketch comedy nonsense. What twisted treats will this work-in-progress show contain? Who knows, right now it isn’t so much a ‘show’ as just the word ‘power’ written on 400 post-it notes.
FAYE TREACY WORRIES
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Venue: Chuckle Busters at Queen of Bradgate
Faye worries a lot. When asked by her little sister for some career advice, Faye realised she’d spent the last half of her 20s trying to make trombone comedy work. Join Faye for an idiosyncratic underscored tale about a South London foster family and why she’s decided she wants to become a stepdad.
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C.S.I: CRIME SCENE IMPROVISATION
23rd February until 24th February
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Mirth meets murder in the world’s daftest whodunnit. Following a five-star sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2017, CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation returns to Leicester with a rip-roaring crime comedy made up entirely on the spot. A fully improvised, witty and absurd murder mystery. No one knows who the killer is; not even the cast!
ANDY FOWLER – I’M BETTER THAN THIS…
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
After being forcibly removed from his writers group, unappreciated poet, word weaver & philosopher Andy Fowler presents his works of literary genius to the masses, a small pub room at a time. Join him as he delivers his poetic works, gets audiences to act his visionary play scripts & share his disdain for the cultural world who won’t realise how good he is until he’s dead.
ALEX KEALY: LEAVE THEM WANTING NOT LESS
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
“Marvellous stand-up” (The Skinny) Alex Kealy presents the best 30 minutes of his 2017 show and the best 30 of his 2018 show. As featured in The Evening Standard’s Top Jokes of Edinburgh 2017.
KATE LUCAS: WORK IN PROGRESS
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
A work in progress show from the sharp and wildly inappropriate 2014 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year winner Kate Lucas.
ISHI KHAN-JACKSON: I’MMIGRANT! THE REMIX
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
I’mMigrant! is a fun comedy show about migration, belonging and identity. At home in Britain, Zambian-born with Indian roots, is Ishi BriZamdian? Come along on a journey of discovery that culminates with a fun, energetic Bollywood dance.
GARRETT MILLERICK: FACTS I WISH I’D INVENTED
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Sensible answers to stupid questions, bar stool philosophy and subjects you’d normally discuss with a cab driver. Things you never realised were annoying, analysed in detail you never thought necessary. Millerick returns to LCF with his most acerbic, snarling, painfully funny hour yet.
JAMIE AND THE OLIPHANT IN THE ROOM
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Picked out as “one to watch”(John Connor at The Comedy Store), Jamie has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting and watchable new acts on the circuit.
THEA-SKOT THROUGH THE HEART AND YOU’RE TO BLAME
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Following her 5-star smash hit Edinburgh Fringe shows, Alison Thea-Skot explodes a sizzlingly chaotic, work in progress, character comedy. Discover what Bonjovi is really made of, take part in your own B-Movie and meet the Oyster Card looking for love.
ZOE LYONS: WORK IN PROGRESS
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
BBC Radio 4 & Mock the Week regular, Zoe Lyons, returns with a brand new show for 2018. Her trademark high energy, brilliantly observed routines, and sharply written material has left her with an ever-growing fan base.
THE FALL OF BYRON MONTROSE POET GENTLEMAN LOVER
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Upstairs At The Western
Blackadder meets Milton Jones. Pun filled comedy storytelling with breaks for bad poetry. The sellout Edinburgh Fringe show comes to Leicester Comedy Festival. In a cavalcade of wordplay, poetry and opium, meet Byron Montrose the 19th centuries lost romantic poet. Hear the tale of his adventures as he struggles with love, lust and laudanum.
REVAN AND FENNELL: WORK IN PROGRESS
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: The Little Theatre – Haywood Studio
Award-winning duo, Revan and Fennell, return to Leicester Comedy Festival with their brand of observational and silly sketch comedy. 2013 Funny Women Variety Award Winners and 2016 New Act of the Year Finalists. They’d tell you more about the show but it’s not written yet (correct at time of printing).
ARCHIE MADDOCKS: ILLUMINARCHIE
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
IlluminArchie is the hilarious show by “super cool, super smart storyteller” (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard), award-winning comedian, Archie Maddocks
MARK DOLAN LIVE
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
TV’s Mark Dolan returns with his brand new stand-up show for 2018. In this hilarious hour, he reflects on fatherhood, married life and his continued struggles with the supermarket self-checkout. The lady always comes over, and knows him by name now. Mark also tackles the big topical issues of the day, including Trump, Brexit and whether men over 40 should be allowed to wear skinny jeans
JORDAN GRAY: CHANGE IS GOOD
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
On April 1st 2017, after 11 years in the music biz, Transgender TV personality Jordan Gray (The Voice UK 2016) announced a sudden and unexpected jump from Pop to Stand-up. “Change is Good” is a darkly comic WIP that marries wit, puerility and musical comedy.
COMIC RELIEF LIVE WITH RUSSELL KANE
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Join one of the UK’s top comedians as he hosts a special Comic Relief Live show at the Leicester Comedy Festival, bringing a line-up of some of the most exciting up-and-coming comedy talent. The money raised will support Comic Relief to help people around the world, as well as here in the UK.
GRIFF RHYS JONES: WHERE WAS I?
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Curve – Studio
Join the star of Not the Nine o’clock News, Smith & Jones and Three Men In A Boat as he airs stories, anecdotes, reminiscences and outright lies – from forty years of travelling – down rivers and up mountains, into Africa, out of India, and across the arid wastes of the BBC canteen. It’s a career, if you mean bouncing chaotically downhill without a map.
ANCHOR INN ROARS WITH LAUGHTER
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Anchor Inn
Join the Anchor Inn for a very special evening of stand-up comedy. This year the pub plays host to the “hilarious to watch” (localsecrets.com) one-liner comic Chris Norton Walker. This gloriously inventive act has been described as “comedy dream” and “a must see for all!” (The Comedy Cavern).
TANIA EDWARDS: NOT MY DOG
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: The Little Theatre – Haywood Studio
It takes serious intelligence to enjoy dark jokes apparently – which makes Tania a genius – but is genius enough to slow her slide towards respectability? What can she cling to if everything is subject to change? Having recently supported Katherine Ryan on tour, Tania brings her new show to Leicester.
ANDREW O’NEILL’S HISTORY OF HEAVY METAL – FULL BAND SHOW!
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: The Cookie
Last ever chance to see this critically acclaimed show, which is now a best-selling book! The funniest, loudest, most affectionate take on the most enduring of musical genres. With full death-metal backing band Reprisal!
STEPHEN BAILEY: CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Meet your new potty-mouthed best friend, who supported Katherine Ryan and Jenny Éclair on their recent sell-out UK tours. As well as being a working-class, ginger, gay, northern comic, he is also a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do, has a degree in Languages AND loves a conspiracy theory (preferably involving a celebrity and a cucumber).
A RUSH OF LAUGHTER SHOWCASE
Friday, 23 February 2018
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
A Rush Of Laughter brings you one hour of comedy featuring three of their amazing acts from their roster.
Saturday 24th February 2018 – Sunday 25th, February 2018
MIKE NEWALL: DESERT BOOT-LEG ISLAND DISCS
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Accepting he’ll never guest on Desert Island Discs, Mike creates his own version. A love for music and nostalgia, it’s a show he’s always wanted to be on, and now he is. “Well-crafted jokes, great call-backs and a wonderfully dry delivery”
SAJEELA KERSHI – FIGHTS LIKE A GIRL!
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
The hilarious multi-award-winning comedian is putting up her dukes and picking her battles! What will YOU fight for? Winner of AWA Award 2015, Star of Edinburgh Award-winning show 2007.
ANDREW LAWRENCE THE HAPPY ACCIDENT TOUR
Venue: The Cookie
Without question the most subversive voice in UK comedy right now presents an all-new, riotously funny set of jokes, poking fun at Liberal pretentions & PC hysteria.
THIRD WHEEL
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Two Northerners and a Southerner, a power couple and a singleton, two ‘comedians’ and a ‘comedienne’. Come and work out which of these three are getting lucky, which will only eat food sourced from the River Thames and which of them drink gravy. Nothing cool has three wheels. Except us.
PAT CAHILL: THE FISHERMAN
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
2016 Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee Pat Cahill is The Fisherman. Having hidden in plain sight as an absurdist comedian for a while now, it’s time for him to flash you a sneaky peep at his ultimate form. Come and enjoy a bit of quiet reflection by the riverbank, interrupted by an idiot who insists on singing, chatting and spooking the fish.
A SERIOUS PLAY ABOUT WORLD WAR II
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
WINNER VAULT Festival Comedy Award 2017 WINNER Brighton Fringe Comedy Award 2017 After the success of their five-star, award-winning farce The Starship Osiris, Willis & Vere have surprised critics by turning their back on comedy to adapt the memoirs of a Holocaust survivor.
DARREN WALSH: MASSIVE PUNT
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Join Darren Walsh (UK’s first Pun Champion, BBC’s iWonder, Dave’s Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe) for an onslaught of new video sketches, 1-liners, jingles and general nonsense.
DAVID MILLS: RUMOUR HAS IT
Venue: The Little Theatre – Haywood Studio
Sharp commentary, cocktail-swagger, hilarious rants and acidic take on pop culture, politics, celebrity and modern life. Sharp-tongued sophisticated satire for adults fed up with whining millennial comedians.
PLATFORM ONE COMEDY
Venue: The Midland Railway – Syston
Platform One’s debut Leicester Comedy Festival shows and we have two bloody great shows for you!
ROBIN INCE: PRAGMATIC INSANITY
Venue: The Cookie
Robin’s first new stand up show in three years is a clash of the two cultures, a joyous romp through his favourite artists and strangest scientific ideas. From the work of Stanley Spencer to Niels Bohr, it is 90 minutes fizzing with ideas about creativity in science and art, as well as asking why we believe we see what we see and why we believe what we believe.
ADAM LARTER: BOOGIE KNIGHTS
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Sir DanceALot is the last of the known Boogie knights, a gang of brave steppers with funk in their hearts and nobility also in their hearts. In this show expect dungeons, dragons and disco disco disco. A medieval tale told through some superb tunes, probably some cardboard, probably some puppets maybe even some jokes.
FIVE REASONS WHY (I QUIT TEACHING)
Venue: Grays at LCB Depot – Lightbox
When Martin Goodman waves goodbye to a twenty-year career as a special needs teacher and joins the academic staff of his local university for a fresh start, he discovers a whole new parallel universe.
MICKEY SHARMA – CLUB COMIC – EVENT LINK NEEDED
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Mickey has been a comic for 8 years and he brings his best material to Leicester Comedy Festival 2018. No feelings, no story arcs, no personal discovery… ..just good solid jokes!
BOOK TICKETS
CHRISTIAN REILLY: LOLTERNATIVE ROCK
Venue: Wygston’s House
Perrier awarded musical comedian gives LOLternative facts, huge laughs and big hits.”Blisteringly funny”.
THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Fancy some late night laughs in the festival’s quirkiest venue? Of course, you do… Each Saturday we present a selection of handpicked festival acts guaranteed to make you giggle.
COMEDIANS KARAOKE
Venue: Broood at Vin Quatre – 2
Open for comedians and the public to unwind after a day of shows with Karaoke til 1am then late disco and bar til 3am. Awards and prizes will be given to the most entertaining performances.
BOB SLAYER: BOBBY’S INNER CIRCLE
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Bob Slayer’s infamous late night lock-in: Storytelling, yarn-spinning and a right good laugh. Anything can happen if you let it.
LATE NIGHT JOKES ON US – EVENT LINK NEEDED
Venue: Manhattan 34 – Downstairs bar
Join compere Alex Hylton as he presents a selection of some of the finest acts of the festival in this late night, no-holds-bar, ‘anything can happen’ showcase at Manhattan34. Leave your inhibitions at the door and find us downstairs. How much is it for this late night delight? It’s Pay What You Want. That’s right. The Jokes’ on Us.
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Hannah And Charlie: Making It EVENT NEEDS LINK
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Hello! I’m Charlie Miller, and I was in Budgie the Little Helicopter. I like to dress as a vampire and I once got a birthday card from Charlton Heston. Hello! I’m Hannah Cameron and I liked pineapples before they were cool. I lived in China for 4 years and now I make my own spacesuits. We would like to show you our best jokes. Not at the same time though, one after the other.
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C’est La Vegan
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Award-winning comic, Dave Chawner, brings back his critically acclaimed show about the origin of food, ideas and views. As seen on BBC, ITV & Channel 4.
Kwame Asante: Work-In-Progress NEEDS EVENT LINK
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
After a successful debut solo stand-up show at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe (where he was nominated ‘Best Newcomer’), Kwame Asante returns to Leicester Comedy Festival to present a collection of newer material in a work-in-progress show!
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The Laurel & Hardy Cabaret
Venue: The Guildhall – Mayor Parlour
Lucky Dog are the award-winning team behind the internationally-renowned and award-winning HATS OFF TO LAUREL AND HARDY. This spin-off cabaret is a bumper package of routines, sketches, songs and dances from The Boys’ lengthy career which you won’t find in the biopic.
Matthew Highton: Please Come To The Show!
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Seriously, they have my kids. I know this sounds like a joke, but they honestly have them and say if I don’t fill the room something awful will happen, so please, please come! Resident director/performer for the Chortle and Leicester Comedy Festival nominated Weirdos collective.
Heavenly Laughter – A Thanksgiving Service
Venue: Leicester Cathedral
In this 25th anniversary year for Leicester Comedy Festival, everyone is very welcome to attend this unique thanksgiving service celebrating humour, laughter and the contribution the festival has made to Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Join us, our guests and our very special guest Nicholas Parsons to give thanks.
Paul Tonkinson: The Return Of The Tonk
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Following the success of last year’s sell-out show, catch Paul as he delivers another first class hour in The Return of The Tonk. A guarantee of first-class laughs from a sensational live performer and top-billing stand-up star.
Alfie Moore: ‘It’s A Fair Cop’ WIP
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Join cop-turned-comedian Alfie Moore for a hilarious, interactive work in progress for his critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 comedy series ‘It’s A Fair Cop’. It’d be a crime to miss it. “… offbeat, revealing and very funny” Daily Mail “Brilliantly funny… genuinely hilarious” David Mitchell.
Alwin Solanky’s Spanish Omlette
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Alwin never went to Spain when it mattered, now he will attempt to bring Spain to you. Prepare yourself for the highs, lows and everything in between as he takes you on his own Spanish journey.
Clonely
Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre – 2
Clonely is an adventure in existential sci-fi crisis, a blend of bulls, arthouse theatre with sci-fi cinema, but on stage and with DIY props. Expect lo-fi aesthetics, an awkward five-minute docking scene and long monologues about how dark and bleak space life is. Are you afraid of dying a-clone?
Evelyn Mok – Hymen Manoeuvre
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Featured on BBC 3, Channel 4 and dubbed ‘the Swedish Amy Schumer’ (Comedy Central), the award-winning Swedish comedian explores first-generation guilt, intersectionality and adult virginity in this confident, smart and “powerful debut”
Laura Monmoth – LGBTQZX
Venue: The Soundhouse – Main Room
Laura Monmoth has spent her life battling demons, jealousy, breakdowns and level six of Manic Miner. This is the story of how a lifelong addiction to retro gaming caused it all, and forced the biggest change in her life.
Leo Kearse – The History Of Pets NEEDS EVENT LINK
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Comedian and naturalist Leo Kearse takes a light-hearted look at the history of our pets – the wild animals they came from, their domestication, legends around them and how they’ve become the animals we love today. Funny and interesting, this is a show everyone can enjoy.
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Gujarati Comedy Night
Venue: Rushey Mead Academy
A wholehearted Gujarati comedy show for all the family to enjoy, where English meets Gujarati with hilarious consequences. A variety of sketches exploring the day to day lives of unique but relatable characters in the Gujarati Community will leave you laughing with familiarity!
Sameena Zehra: How Not To Steal A Llama
Venue: Wygston’s House
Winner, ‘Outstanding Performer’ NZ Fringe 2017… Freedom of movement, a cheerfully murderous matriarch and memories of a wooden leg, all come together in this darkly humorous and absurd story of a 4-day trek up Machu Picchu, from award-winning performer and itinerant Fringe nomad, Sameena Zehra.
Michael Brunstrom: The Great Fire Of London
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
From the surreal mind that produced ‘Parsley’, ‘The Hay Wain Reloaded’, ‘The Golden Age of Steam’ and ‘The Human Loire’ comes a one-man re-enactment of the famous conflagration of 1666, featuring a prancing duck called Samuel Pepys.
Alasdair Beckett-King: Full Velvet Jacket (WIP)
Venue: The Cosy Club
Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year 2017 Alasdair Beckett-King returns to this timeline with an inter-dimensional work-in-progress stand-up comedy show.
Harriet Braine: Total Eclipse Of The Art
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
Harriet Braine is a musical comedian, who dedicates a remarkably large portion of her oeuvre to Art History. Winner of Individual Comedy Award at Buxton Festival Fringe 2017 and Finalist Amused Moose Comedy Award 2017
Laura Lexx – Live (Work In Progress) – NEEDS EVENT LINK
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Laura Lexx took a year off to have a baby and a nervous breakdown. She achieved one of them quite spectacularly but is unfortunately still not a mother. A show predominantly about soap and feelings by someone who once cut themselves on an aubergine. Directed by Jess Fostekew.
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Ahir Shah: Work-In-Progress
Venue: PETER Pizzeria – Violin Room
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated political stand-up Ahir Shah brings a new hour of work-in-progress material to Leicester Comedy Festival. Unless the world has somehow managed to sort itself out in the last few months, which seems disappointingly unlikely.
Steve Vertigo – As Far As I Can See
Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre – 2
Love, life and raving through surreal stand-up and story-telling. His new show widens his scope and starts to unpick thirty odd years as a DJ and the roads too, from and through it. He’s been accused of being clever but no-one’s proved anything. Dark, twisted, irreverent and hopefully a bit heartwarming. If he’s in the mood. Tall tales for a generation.
Consignia’s Panopticon
Venue: Heroes at The Criterion
Alternative Act of the Year winners Consignia present a comedy absurdist play about New Labour and Atoms. Cult hit of the fringe
Rachel Sambrooks: Life Is A Caba-Rach
Venue: Wygston’s House
Feel good stand up show on how to love life even when it’s rubbish from Rachel Sambrooks.
Royal Oak Roars With Laughter, Again!
Venue: The Royal Oak – Acorn Suite
Your last chance to get some comedy festival action! A fantastic line of stand-up comedians featuring the hilarious and multi-award-winning Sajeela Kershi.
Leicester Comedy Festival’s 25th Birthday Party
Venue: The Little Theatre – Main
In place of our normal finale event, Comedy Heaven, this is very special show celebrating a very special birthday. Join Leicester Comedy Festival on the final night of 2018’s mammoth event to celebrate 25 of years of the festival.
Poetman – Righting Wrongs By Writing Songs
Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre – Main Hall
Dubbed Poetman by a passerby in a park, Will Horspool printed a big red P on a T-Shirt and began transforming into Poetman whenever he held a microphone. Through the power of rhyme, he fights word crime, from corporate greed to your Facebook feed, from Simon Cowell & Jeremy Kyle, he targets the ruthless, cruel & vile.
The Dark Room
Venue: Firebug – Upstairs
You awake to find yourself in a dark room! You, the audience, must choose an option. Will you: A) Find the light switch. B) Cry for help. C) Go north? Come and play a live-action, text-based adventure game! It’s a choose your own adventure – choose it!
Becky Fury: Apocoloptimist
Venue: The Cosy Club
Becky Fury presents the results of this year’s Edinburgh WIP. The show is formerly known as Molotov Cocktail Party, Apocoloptimist. Based on Fury’s trip to the Calais jungle this show explores what happens when you try to do the right thing and it goes wrong with hilarious consequences.
Emergency! Comedy Night
Venue: The Y – Row Seating
Emergency Comedy! This year’s emergency night promises to be our most weird and wonderful yet! Enter Edem bringing us fun in the sun this February with side-splitting, saucy, silly, super over-inflated ‘X-tra Shiny Beach Balls!!’ And local lads Lewys Holt and Daniel Nicholas. Who’ll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes something… .else.
Laughter Loft Gong Show
Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft
The award-winning Laughter Loft brings you it’s first ever Gong Show! 10 acts go up against each other to try and win the prize! If the audience isn’t impressed then they will be Gonged off! Who wins? You decide!
Leo Kearse: I Can Make You Tory – NEEDS EVENT LINK
Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog
Sick of sanctimonious lefties lecturing you about global warming, Jeremy Corbyn and sexism? Award-winning comedian Leo Kearse slaughters these sacred cows with razor-sharp wit and shows that it’s right to be right wing.
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Chris Tavner – Sh*t Socialist – NEEDS EVENT LINK
Venue: Kayal – Upstairs
Chris Tavner presents his new stand up show about his life of being a Socialist activist. Well, we say activist, that depends on what time he gets up. Chris will explore lessons learned from his experience in the context of Brexit, Trump and Corbynmania, working through his own contradictions and hypocrisies along the way.
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Bobby Mair: Loudly Insecure
Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club
30 years ago, Bobby was put up for adoption and now he’s tracking down his birth family one by one. Saying his search has hit a couple of snags would be an understatement and he still has relatives out there who continue to elude him – except for Justin Bieber.
Caustic Comedy Nights
Venue: Wygston’s House
An evening of entertainment not to be forgotten! A handpicked selection of some of the world’s top touring comedians. Enjoy cutting edge comedy in the newly renovated and stunningly beautiful Wygston’s House, Leicester’s oldest standing building since 1480.