Leicester Comedy Festival - 7-25 February 2018 by Leicester Comedy Festival

7-25 FEBRUARY 2018

Trusted on comedy since 1994

Official Manifesto Tickets 0116 456 6812

COMEDY-FESTIVAL.CO.UK

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;A programme bursting with varietyâ&#x20AC;? daily mirror

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

11/10/2017 14:32

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

CONTENTS SPONSORS

The great companies that sponsor the festival

WELCOME

Welcome from Festival Director, Geoff Rowe

Our local business supporters

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Useful bits of information

WATCH OUT FOR More than your average comedy festival. Here are some things to look out for

A-Z OF ACTS

Times, events, titles, venues and prices for quick reference

22 – 36

OUR LISTINGS EXPLAINED

How the listing section works

BUSINESS PARTNERS CLUB ROLL OF HONOUR

Performers names at a glance

FESTIVAL DIARY

9 19 – 21

SHOW LISTINGS Find out more about the shows (listed in alphabetical order)

ACCESS GUIDE TO THE FESTIVAL MAPS & VENUE INFORMATION Find your way around the festival

CONTACT & PEOPLE Get in touch with the team behind the festival

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS People and organisations we want to thank

39 – 155 156 157 – 161 162 162

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER For all the latest news and gossip from the festival subscribe to our newsletter.

VISIT WWW.COMEDY-FESTIVAL.CO.UK TO REGISTER

COMMENTS

WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF EVENTS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM THIS YEAR! You can now use our search facility on our website to filter your choices. TICK THE BOXES next to the dates, start times or venues to find events at the time and place to suit you, or use our keyword search to find an event if you know the title or performer. Once you find an event – make a night of it using our SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER EVENTS before and after the event you’re interested in.

We work with over 250 promoters who take the responsibility for organising the individual events. We co-ordinate the programme and provide overall marketing and publicity. This means that we do pass on your praise, comments and criticism to the relevant promoter or organiser of the event. We are keen to know what you think of events, venues, marketing, workshops and everything that takes place as part of the festival.

Our contact details can be found on page 162 so please do get in touch!

“Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent” the guardian

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

SPONSORS

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

HIGHLIGHTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

WELCOME TO LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2018! Grab your tickets online (via or call the ticketin www.comedy-festival.co.uk) g team on 0116 45 6 6812.

Welcome. When we started Leicester Comedy Festival back in 1994 we didn’t plan (or expect) it to last so long. This year is our 25th anniversary and we’ve come a long way since those early days. We are now the Official Comedy Party for the UK and we welcome all of you who are joining our party and Voting for Comedy. This year’s “party” will feature hundreds of comedians who come to a growing number of venues across the City and County to perform for you. This year there will be almost 70 venues and the festival will feature a record number of shows and events. Of course, some of the biggest names in comedy will appear (including Harry Hill, Dave Spikey, John Cooper Clarke, Sara Pascoe, Jonathan Pie, Katherine Ryan, Griff Rhys Johns, Paul Chowdhry) but we’re also proud to present some of the best new and emerging comedians as part of the festival as well as some exclusive events which can’t be seen anywhere else. One of the things I’m most proud of is the fact that you, our audience, support all the acts taking part and the festival is well known as being a supportive place to try out new material and begin their comedy careers. This year many of you have supported our Circuit Breakers project which is designed to provide a specific platform for emerging comedians and give support and advice; we are totally committed to continuing our support for new acts and the festival is a great place to spot new talent and the stars of the future. We’re also committed to ensuring that as many people as possible can get involved in the festival, try out comedy performance and benefit from being involved. There are loads of community groups and charities who take part and we hope you will support them again this year. We are thrilled to be producing our “Laugh Term Comedy School” for the first time which will allow young people to learn comedy performance techniques and take to the stage for the first time. We’re also producing our Loving Laughing project with Primary Schools across Leicester and Leicestershire, teaching joke telling and performance skills.

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

All of this wouldn’t be possible without the financial support we receive each year. We continue to work with some great sponsors and partners who support the festival and there is a growing number of individuals who donate money and support the development of the festival. We pass on 100% of the ticket sales to our promoters, venues and acts so if you are able to make a donation when you buy your tickets, to support the festival, we’d be really grateful. So, check out the line up and start making your choices about what to see. We’re bringing back festival favourites (including the UK Pun Championship, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Hotel D’Comedie, Comedy in the Dark, Secret Tours, Roar with Laughter Fringe, BIG Weekends in Loughborough and Melton) as well as some exclusive shows and events to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Tickets are now on sale from either www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call the ticketing team on 0116 456 6812. During the festival period our Festival Hub will once again be on Jubilee Square in Leicester city centre so pop in and buy tickets and get the latest information. A massive thank you to everyone who works on the festival and supports what we do. We couldn’t do it without you. Thanks so much. Cheers Geoff Rowe BEM Director Leicester Comedy Festival @geoff_rowe

FEATURE

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

ROLL OF HONOUR PLATINUM MEMBERS

GOLD MEMBERS crosscut media

SILVER MEMBERS 24Sevensameday Ltd

Somerbys

Curve

The Belmont Hotel

Hair@1RD

The City Rooms

PETER Pizzeria

The Rowleys Partnership Ltd

Ramada Encore Leicester

CHARITY MEMBERS Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland

New Horizons in British Islam

LOROS Hospice

The Real Junk Food Project Leicester

King Richard III Visitor Centre

Moat Community College

SUPPORTERS OF LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2018 SPONSORED BY

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

FESTIVAL INFORMATION FESTIVAL TICKET OFFICE: 0116 456 6812 HOW TO BOOK TICKETS: Tickets for all festival shows are available from our festival box office. Give the helpful ticketing team a call on 0116 456 6812 or click on www.comedy-festival.co.uk. The ticket office will be open for telephone sales Monday – Friday from 10am-6pm.

ACCOMMODATION If you’re coming from out of town, there are several hotels in Leicester where you can stay and catch some laughs late into the night. Our official hotels are The Belmont and Ramada Encore and our website has information about deals and how to book. UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION: Visit:

Tickets are also available to buy in person from the Festival Hub located in Jubilee Square during the festival period. You can also collect tickets from our ticket booths located at venues and locations across the city centre. Check the website for more information about where/when these will be open. Outside of these times, tickets may be available to purchase direct from the venue. Details are listed on pages 157 -161.

BOOKING FEES We’ve reviewed the booking fees we charge via the festival ticket office. We pass on 100% of ticket income to our venues, promoters and acts so charge a booking fee to help pay for the ticket office. This year we are charging 80p for all tickets allocated via our ticket office, with a maximum charge of £4.80. This means that the vast majority of our customers will pay less this year. If you have any feedback on our centralised ticket office, do let us know info@comedy-festival.co.uk These are the booking fees and arrangements for our main festival box office. If you buy tickets from elsewhere, the booking fees and arrangements may be different so please check with who you are buying tickets from. This year booking fees will be charged on for all tickets allocated via the ticket office. Leicester Comedy Festival is produced by Big Difference Company, a registered charity (1135167). If you are able to make a donation when you buy your tickets, we’d be really grateful. If you want to contact the show promoter, contact details are shown on page 157-161. SPECIAL OFFERS There will be various special offers promoted leading up too, and during, the festival. These are often available via twitter or facebook or sign up to our newsletter which is sent out from time to time and is the best way to get the latest festival news. You can subscribe to the newsletter via our website www.comedy-festival.co.uk PRICES & TIMES Prices for events are contained in this brochure; full price tickets are shown and relevant concession/discounted prices are shown in brackets. Those who are entitled to discounts do vary according to the event, so check with the ticket office when booking. Start times are shown and indicates the time the performance will start; the venue may open before this and you are advised to check when booking tickets. We have also tried to suggest finish times (so you can enjoy more than one event in a day). It is difficult to guarantee finish times as comedy shows do sometimes overrun and delays can happen but we hope the estimates are useful.

www.comedy-festival.co.uk or join our Facebook group

Twitter: @LeicsComedyFest Watch:

Search for Leicester Comedy Festival TV on www.youtube.com

Listen:

BBC Radio Leicester www.bbc.co.uk/leicester – Official radio station

Read:

Leicester Mercury for interviews, previews & reviews

GET THERE EARLY! Some of the venues have fixed seating and you’ll get issued with an exact seat when you buy your ticket (reserved). Other venues allocate seats on a first come, first served basis so there are occasionally queues of people waiting to get in to make sure they get the “best” seats (unreserved). We’ve indicated which option is relevant next to each event. If the seating is unreserved, and you turn up late, you might be sat/stood at the back of the room. ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES All the promoters and venues that put on events try and ensure that everyone is able to attend Festival events and have a comfortable time when they get there. We have produced a guide to visiting our venues for people with disabilities and this can be downloaded from our website or by contacting our main festival office. If you want to discuss visiting a venue further, contact the relevant promoter (details are shown on page156). VOLUNTEERS Are you interested in going behind the scenes and experiencing the festival in a different way? Join our team and help make 2018 truly marvellous! We have loads of opportunities for people to volunteer and gain valuable experience at one of the largest festivals of its kind in Europe. For more information email volunteers@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk DIRECTIONS We’ve included basic maps (157-161) which show the location of Festival venues. We have tried to include postcodes for as many venues as possible so you can search online or type it into your Sat Nav. COMMENTS We work with over 250 promoters who take the responsibility for organising the individual events. We co-ordinate the programme and provide overall marketing and publicity. This means that we do pass on your praise, comments and criticism to the relevant promoter or organiser of the event. We are keen to know what you think of events, venues, marketing, workshops and everything that takes place as part of the festival. Our contact details can be found on page 162 so please do get in touch!

“Leicester’s mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom” i

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

DONATE

AND SUPPORT LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL WE MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE The festival supports new and emerging comedians, and also encourages local community and charitable groups to use the festival as a showcase for the work they do. We want to continue this in the future but need donations and support to make this work happen.

For 25 years Leicester Comedy Festival has been produced by registered charity Big Difference Company (number 1135167). Less than 5% of our income comes from public subsidy and there is a growing number of individuals who donate money and support the development of the festival. We pass on 100% of the ticket sales to our promoters, venues and acts so if you are able to make a donation when you buy your tickets, to support the festival, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be really grateful.

Thank you. You can donate by visiting www.comedy-festival.co.uk

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

HIGHLIGHTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

WATCH OUT FOR: SPECIAL OFFERS

There will be various special offers promoted leading up to, and during, the festival. These are often available via twitter or facebook or sign up to our newsletter which is sent out from time to time and is the best way to get the latest festival news. You can subscribe to the newsletter via our website www.comedy-festival.co.uk. THE BIG WEEKENDS Back for a 3rd year, a great line up of shows in Loughborough & Melton. The BIG Weekends are taking over these Leicestershire towns and providing a taste of the main festival.

ROAR WITH LAUGHTER FRINGE The Roar with Laughter Fringe is back, taking over Everards pubs across Leicester & Leicestershire. 7 pubs are putting on great nights of comedy featuring top comedians. Past acts have included Sarah Millican, Gary Delaney, Iain Stirling and Joel Dommett. Check out the listings for more information.

THE SECRET TOURS A complete sell out in past years, join us on The Secret Tour. See several festival shows in one night or check out the new Daytime Secret Tours and enjoy some shows during the day. The catch? We won’t tell you which shows you’ll be seeing. Take a chance, you won’t regret it. Tickets are only available in advance from www.comedy-festival.co.uk or 0116 456 6812. FREE SHOWS Don’t let the excess of Christmas mean you can’t come along and have a laugh. We have a host of free shows every day of the festival, as well as shows for as little as £5. There really is no excuse! Many free shows are ticketed so get your ticket in advance to guarantee entry. There are also a range of shows which are “Pay What You Want” (PWYW) where comedians will collect money at the end of their shows; please give generously!

LEICESTER FRIDGE Back for another brilliant year, a selection of brilliant shows featuring locally sourced acts and their friends. Check out the advert on page 76 and look for the “fridge” icon next to shows. BEYOND A JOKE Following the success last year, we have increased the number of talks & seminars we are promoting as part of the festival. These build on previous seminars and are aimed at people who want to delve a little deeper into issues linked to contemporary comedy. Topics this year include politics, the environment, Northern comedy and television. We’re also thrilled to be hosting exclusive live Q&A’s with Harry Hill, comedian and film actor Dave Johns and Festival Director Geoff Rowe.

COMEDY SHOWS This year you can once again have a few laughs and feel content in the knowledge that the ticket money is going towards good causes. There are various shows in the programme, in aid of charities including Prostaid, Big Difference Company, LOROS, Charity Link, The Real Junk Food Project and Comic Relief.

“The festival offers big names… and innovative curios” the times

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

HOOCH IS PROUD TO SUPPORT LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2018 Search HoochLemonBrew

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

“Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent” the guardian

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

Leicesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier Heritage Attraction

Dinosaurs, German Expressionists, Arts & Crafts, Picasso Ceramics and much more, all for free. New Walk Museum & Art Gallery 53 New Walk Leicester LE1 7EA leicestermuseums New Walk Museum Ad 176x228mm.indd 1

WANT TICKETS?

leicestermuseum 18/10/2017 11:01

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

Stay the night...... If you want to extend your stay at the festival, we’ve teamed up with 2 brilliant Leicester hotels who are our “ofﬁcial festival hotels”. Both are located close to the city centre so they are in easy walking distance of many of our central festival venues.

The Belmont Hotel De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GR 0116 254 4773 belmonthotel.co.uk

Ramada Encore

Leicester City Centre 84-90 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1GE 0116 366 0150 mercureleicester.co.uk A Modern Leicester Hotel in the City Centre

From Bed & Breakfast in the 1930’s to AA 4* rated Boutique & Bistro Hotel in 2017, The Belmont has been the heartbeat of Leicester life for 80 years. Now the hotel is part of Leicester’s bright and brilliant future, with fabulous new food and drink menus, individually designed bedrooms, bespoke business and wedding facilities and much, much more. Situated in pretty New Walk, the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the train station, festival venues and brilliant shopping and entertainment.

Please call the hotel directly to receive 10% off the best available rate during the festival.

Ramada Encore Leicester City Centre is a newly constructed hotel with stylish hotel rooms, friendly service, and an unbeatable location in the heart of the Cultural Quarter. Opened in 2012, our contemporary lodging serves business travellers as well as families and couples on holiday. Just steps away from the front door is the heart of the City and all its attractions dining, shopping, nightlife, museums, and sports venues. Leicester Railway Station is less than a mile from the hotel. We offer accessible accommodation, an onsite restaurant, meeting rooms, and modern amenities that are sure to enhance your time visiting Leicester Comedy Festival.

Please call the hotel directly and check online for a special price for Festival attendees.

Travel to Leicester with

5 trains/hour Monday to Saturday London to Leicester in just 1 hour 6 minutes

Check www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk for best fares

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

A F U N N Y C IT Y COM E AN D FI N D OUT: When and why Wallace & Gromit visited Leicester city centre to hang around When a young Peter Kay performed 2 “secret” gigs to kick of the biggest UK comedy tour at that time Which year you could see Harry Hill & Matt Lucas perform for £2.50 When Mark Lamarr, Jo Brand & Frank Skinner performed at The Monkhouse Comedy Club Over the last 18 months a group of young people have been working with us to gather memorabilia, memories, press cuttings and archive materials telling the story of comedy in Leicester since 1979. They have unearthed an impressive number of hidden gems which tell the story of venues, performers, promoters and audiences. The exhibition and website will help preserve these forever www.afunnycity.co.uk Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Thanks to Anna Peavitt.

“One of the highlights of the comedy calendar” the independent on sunday

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

You heard it here first Our app has everything you need to book your next trip

East Midlands Trains are proud to support Leicester Comedy Festival

At Stationl Online l App

“Three weeks of laughs in Leicester” the mail on sunday

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

A series of talks and events exploring contemporary issues in stand-up comedy. These events provide an opportunity to go beyond the laughter with contributions from comedians, industry professionals and academics. In partnership with Centre for Comedy Studies Research (Brunel University), De Montfort University and www.beyondthejoke.co.uk

MAKE ME LAUGH

FREE

FREE “THE ART OF THINKING” ABOUT COMEDY

FREE 25 YEARS OF LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL WITH GEOFF ROWE

AN INTERVIEW WITH HARRY HILL

12.00pm

Saturday 10th February PETER Pizzeria

Sunday 12th February Curve

See page 109

Saturday 10th February PETER Pizzeria

I SAY WITH SARA PASCOE

See page 109

£5.00

CARRY ON FILMS WITH ROBERT ROSS

1.30pm See page 141

FREE

WHY STAND-UP MATTERS:

3.30pm See page 40

FREE

AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVE JOHNS

£10.00

2.00pm See page 46

FREE

How comedians manipulate and inﬂuence with Dr Sophie Quirk

Friday 16th February

Hugh Aston Building

5.45pm See page 85

THE BASTARD GHOST FREE OF BERNARD MANNING:

Saturday 17th February PETER Pizzeria

class stereotypes and Northern comedians

IS THAT FUNNY? COMEDY & POLITICS / POLITICS & COMEDY

Sunday 18th February

The Cosy Club

12.30pm See page 141

The Cosy Club

12.30pm See page 58

Saturday 17th February PETER Pizzeria

FREE

GREENING THE LAUGHS

2.30pm

Sunday 18th February

See page 87

The Cosy Club

WANT TICKETS?

2.30pm See page 154

FREE

Saturday 17th February PETER Pizzeria

4.30pm See page 46

Tickets and further information available from www.comedy-festival.co.uk

4.30pm See page 80

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

A–Z OF ACTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 A Aaron Levene

Chris Kehoe

David Trent

104

Dawn Rigby

106

Barbara Nice

Abi Roberts

Barry Cryer

Chris Phillips

Adam Elmi

Barry Ferns

Chris Purchase

Adam Hess

Bec Hill

Chris Tavner

Adam Larter

Becky Brunning

Chris Washington

Adam Rowe

42,43

Becky Fury

Chris Young

Dillon Mapletoft

Adam Willis

Ben Briggs

Christian Brighty

Dommy B

41,43

Adele Cliff

39,50,136

41,47,61,71,130,145

Chris Norton Walker

154

Desiree Burch

Dharmesh Rajput

Diane Spencer

Diani Gatenby Davies

61,81

Ben Cohen

152

Christian Dart

Donna Scott

Adham Fisher

Ben Earl

147

Christian Reilly

Doug Deans

Adrian N. George

119

Ben Ennis

Christian Talbot

Douglas Deans

Adrian Tauss

Ben Macpherson

143

Christopher Bliss

Dr John Cooper Clarke

Ahir Shah

Ben Target

Aidan Goatley

Ben Van Der Velde

Al Grant

Bennett Arron

Bentley Browning

Alan Seaman Alasdair Beckett-King

142

Drew Taylor Steffan Evans

51,62

Christopher McArthur-Boyd

Duncan Oakley

Christopher Norton Walker

Clare Buckinham

101

Ed Gamble

148

44,74,140

Beth Vyse

Alex Black

116

Bilal Zafar

49,53,54,119,130

Alex Hylton

44,71,101,103,152

Alex Kealy Alex Leam

Christopher Cantrill

Col Howarth Colin Chadwick

63 59,70

Ed Night Edward Spence

66 136 71 140 102,145 71 71,72,116 136

Billy Bleach

136

Colin Havey

106

Bisha K Ali

54,66

Colin Hoult

Elaine Panting

106

El Baldiniho

Bob Dangler

Colin Sell

Emily Brady

127

Alex Mahoney

62,116

Bob Slayer

Comedy Asylum Group

Enter Edem

Alexander Bennett

45,84

Bobby Mair

54,55

Alexander Clifford

136

Craig Byrne

70,142

Eric Rushton

Esther Manito

152

Brendan Murphy

101

Alf 128

Brendon Burns

Dale Harris

Evelyn Mok

Alfie Brown

45,73

Brennan Reece

Daliso Chaponda

Alfie Moore

Brett Goldstein

Damian Kingsley

67,152

Faye Treacy

62,73

Ali Brice

Brett Mills

109

Dan Antopolski

Fern Brady

73,130

Alice Fennell

127

Brian Damage

Dan Cardwell

Fiona Ridgewell

Alice Frick

154

Brian Pern

136

Dan Evans

Fran Jenking

Alison Northern

153

Bridget Thomas

126

Dan Wallbank

103

Freddie Farrell

Alison Thea-Skot

147

Bruce Edhouse

66,103

Allan Smith

146

Dan Webber Dane Baptiste

67,137 68

G Gareth Berliner

Alun Cochrane

Cam Spence

Daniel Nicholas 53,66,68,72,99,103,113,117,118,136,152

Gareth Richards

Alwin Solanky

Cariad Lloyd

Daniel-Ryan Spaulding

Gareth Waugh

Amadeus Martin

Carl Donnelly

Danny Buckler

Garrett Millerick

Amy Cooke-Hodgson

Carl Jones

Danny McLoughlin

Gary Delaney

77 50

58 68,147

142

Carly Smallman

Danny Posthill

125

Gary Sansome

Amy Howerska

Cassie Atkinson

119

Daphna Baram

Gavin Webster

Andrew Bird

Catherine Bohart

Darrell Imbert

118

Gemma Walker

144

Andrew Lawrence

Catriona Knox

Darren Harriott

Andrew McBurney

153

Charles Barnsley

118

Darren Walsh

69,125,126

Charlie Baker

Dave Chawner

57,69

Charlie Hammond

Dave Gotheridge

48,66

Charlie Leslie

118

Charlie Miller

Andy Zaltzman

Angela Barnes

48,55

Amy Gledhill

Andrew O'Neill Andrew Ryan Andy Barr Andy Fowler

Anna Morris Anthony King

47,125 47

48 39,40

55,68

Geoff Norcott Geoff Rowe Geoffrey Allerton

146

George Egg

Dave Johns

George Lewis

Dave Kinchington

George Rigden

Charlotte Gittins

Dave Spikey

George Vere

Charlotte Pearson

119

David Earl

George Wiliams

Charmian 59

David Ephgrave

Georgia Hurt

Chris Betts

David McIver

Georgie Morrell

Archie Maddocks

Chris Brookes

Arielle Souma

Chris Chopping

Asish Bhagat

Chris Coltrane

Asmeeta Bhogaita

Chris Fay

David Mills

Giacinto Palmieri

David Morgan

Glenn Moore

David Smith

74,153

62,116

David Tandy

118,136

“Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent” the guardian

78 40,46 136 78 78 58,62,78 41 108 85 78,79 79 79,87,141

Glenn Wool

Graham Dickson

A–Z OF ACTS Graham Milton Greg Scorzo Griff Rhys Jones

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 80

Hannah Silvester

Katherine Mary

101

80,91

Katherine Ryan

Maddie Rice

155

Kathryn Bond

Marc Burrows

109

Jarred Christmas

Kathryn Mather

147

Marcus Skidd

Jasmine Chatfield

Katie Mulgrew

Marga Villalonga

92,102,103,126,140

Katie Pritchard

41,99

H Hannah Cameron

Jamie Oliphant Jarlath Regan

141

Jane Hill

Jason Neale

Harrie Hayes

155

Jay Hampson

Harriet Braine

Jay Neale

Harriet Dyer

Jayde Adams

Harriet Kemsley

Jeanette Bird-Bradley

Harry Hill

Jen Brister

Hayley Ellis

Jenny Collier

Heather Urquhart

Heidi Regan

Helen Bauer

74 109

Marilyn Bird

127

101

Mark Cram

109

Katy Schutte

Mark Dolan

109,125,154

Keith Carter

Mark Grimshaw

Kelly Convey

Mark Simmons

110,126

Katy Schute

134,152 92 127

Mark Steel

110

Kev Sutherland

133

Mark Vigil

87,146

Jenny Laahs

137

Kevin Hudson

154

Marlon Davis

Jenny May Morgan

120

Kevin Precious

Marny Godden

Jeremy Flynn

116

Ki Shah

146

Marshal B Anderson

Helen Duff

Jim Smallman

58,93,116

Henry Churney (churniavsky)

Jimmy Bird

Henry Paker

Herman The Comedic German Holly Burn Howard Read Howard Walker

77,92

Kelsey De Almeida

110 110 110,137

Kieron Lefever

147

Martin Dewey-Findell

127

152

Kirsty Munro

Martin Pilgrim

111

Joanna Neary

Kit Sullivan

101

Martin Semple

111

Joanne McNally

Krysstal 56

Masai Graham

Jody Kamali

Kwame Asante

Masie Adam

108

Matt Adlington

111

53,85 106

93,94

101

Joe Bains

Joe Bor

Laura Anderson

Matt Green

111

Joe Jacobs

Laura Lexx

102

Matt Hollins

46,141

Iain Stirling

Joe Samuel

Laura Monmoth

102

Matt Hoss

Ian Crawford

Joe Sutherland

Lauren Pattison

103

Matt Hutson

111

Joe Turner

Matt Kinson

Ian Fleming Ian Hall

103,141

John Aggasild

Ian Lane

John Bond

Ian Smith

John Kearns

Imran Yusuf

John Pendal

Ishi Khan-Jackson

John Robertson

Ivo Graham

J Jack Barry Jack Britton Jack Campbell Jack Kirwan

89 66,115

146

Lee Apsey

Lee Kyle

103

Matt Richardson

111 87,113

Lee Ridley

105

Matt Watts

39,95

Leo Kearse

104

Matthew Highton

113

Lewys Holt

66,72,117,118

Mawaan Rizwan

113

142

Liam Pickford

104,125

Maxine Jones

113

John Robins

Liam Webber

127,141

Megan Marston

118

John Symonds

Liam Withnail

104

Megan Shandley

John-Luke Roberts

Lindsey Santoro

132

Michael Brunström

114

Johnny Macaulay

144

Michael Legge

114

Jon Levene

153

Jon Pearson

96,153

Jack Shanik

Jonathan Elston

Jack Topher

Jonathan Pie

Jacob Hatton

Jacob Hawley

90,99

65,96,102

Lindsey Warnes Carroll

115,135,143

Liz Peters Lloyd Griffith

Michael Sydney

105

Mickey Sharma

114

Micky Bartlett

Micky Overman

114

Lolly Jones

119

Mike Gunn

115

Lou Conran

105,106

Mike Lash

147

Lloyd Langford

Lloydie James Lloyd

Jonny Donahoe

Jordan Brookes

96,97

39,105

Jake Howie

Jordan Gray

Lou Sanders

87,106

Mike Newall

115

Jake Lambert

Joseph Morpurgo

Louise Reay

106

Milo McCabe

115

Jamali Maddix

Josh Pugh

Lovdev Barpaga

136

Mitch Benn

115

James Acaster

Joshua Sadler

145

Luca Cupani

106

Mo Haroon

James Campbell

Julian Deane

Lucy Frederick

107

Morgan Rees

James Cann

Juliet Meyers

Lucy Hopkins

107

James Cook

54,151

Juliette Burton

Lucy Pearman

107

Nathan Cassidy

Lucy Porter

107

Nathan Lang

James Farmer

Nathan Parkinson

127,141

Kai Humphries

Lucy Thompson

41,54,63,102,103,108

James Meehan

Kat Butterfield

119

Luke Honnoraty

108

Nathan Willcock

James Rowland

101

Kate Fox

141

Luke Rollason

108

Niamh Hall

Jamie Allerton

147

Kate Lucas

Jamie Lee

127

Kate Smurthwaite

James Lloyd

WANT TICKETS?

Luke Smith

116,130 95,116 125 66,117 141

Nicholas Parsons Nick Cranston

116 62,116

. .

83 103

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

A–Z OF ACTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Nick Hall

118

Nick Read

155

Rachel Sambrooks

Nick Revell

118

Rachel Thorn

Nicola Dempsey

Radu Isac

Nicola Lucey

Rahul Kohli

Nigel Lovell

143

Rajendra Brahmbhatt

Nigel Ng

118

Not Yet Know

Nuala Harvey

O Oddsocks Productions

155

Samantha Baines

Tom Bell

101

131

Tom Binns

148

Samantha Sinyakena

114

Tom Burgess

Sameena Zehra

131

Tom Houghton

126

Samantha Pressdee

57 56,126,143 49,127

Sara Pascoe

39,131

Tom Little

128

132

Tom Lucy

149

Tom Machell

155

Sarah Callaghan

Rebecca Shorrocks

135

Sarah Johnson

132,140

Red Redmond

133

Sarah Kempton

Rhiannon Vivian

Sarah Keyworth

65,77,132

127

Sasha Ellen

Richard Hanrahan

127

Scarlet Sohandsome

128

43,132

Tom Roe

125

Tom Taylor

149

Tom Toal

149

133

Tom Walker

Scott Bennett

55,133

Tom Young

146,149,150

Oh! Standfast

Richard Herring

Olaf Falafel

119

Richard Lindesay

128

Scott Capurro

133

Tony Basnett

Olga Koch

Richard Massara

134

Sean Morley

133

Tony Beckton

Oli Oakley

145

Richard Pulsford

128

Sergej Lopouchanski

Tony Carpenter

Oliver Coleman

119

Richard Soames

101

Shappi Khorsandi

134

Tony Cowards

Richard Todd

134

Si Deaves

135

Tony Jameson

Rob Auton

128

Silky 120,121

Tony Law

Simon Butler

118,136

Tony Wright

80,81

Simon Caine

136

Top Joe

Oliver Taylor

P Pat Cahill Patrick Draper Patrick Monahan

39,120 120 45,120,145

Rob Carter Rob Coleman Rob Gee

106

41,150 136 82,143 150 150 150,151 41 151

Simon Day

136

Tracey Gee

128,129

Simon Donald

137

Travis Jay

151

Rob Leeson

Sooz Kempner

137

Trev Tokabi

151

Rob Mulholland

Sophie Quirk

154

Trevor Lock

152

Rob Mulloholland

125

Sorcha Shanahan

144

Troy Hawke

115

121

Rob Kemp

Paul Connolly

137

Paul Cox

152

Paul Currie

121

Paul Chowdhry

148

85,132

Rich Wilson

123,131

Paul F Taylor

121,135

Rob Pybus

147

Spring Day

137

Paul Flannery

101,144

Rob Thomas

129

Steff Todd

125,137

Paul Foot

121

Robert Bilic

Steffan Alun

138

Vicky Johnson

Paul O'Donnell

153

Robert Ross

Stella Graham

138

Paul Palmer

153

Robin Ince

129

Stephen Bailey

138

Warwick Comedy

Paul Savage

84,121

Robin Morgan

129

Stephen Carlin

125

Wayne Carter

122

Robyn Perkins

129

Stephen Frizzle

Will Henderson

105

Paul Tonkinson

122

Romina Puma

Steve Best

Will Horspool

125

Paul Vickers

152

Rosie Holt

Steve Bond

Will Naameh

137,146

Paul Wade

122

Rosie Revan

127

Steve Bugeja

138

Winter Foenander

Pete Cliff

127

Ross Brierley

129,145

Steve Day

138

Wisarut Jantarasorn

Pete Johansen

Ross Spaine

109

Steve Gribbin

135

Pete K Mally

122

Russel Hicks

130

Steve Vertigo

139

Yazz Fetto

141

Pete Miller

151

Russell Arathoon

130

Stuart Goldsmith

139

Young People And Staff Focus Charity

139

Peter Brush

122

Ruth Cockburn

130

Stuart Mitchell

139

Yuriko Kotani

155

Peter Dobbing

122

Ruth Moreton

153

Suggs 139

Phil Carruthers

127

Ryan Byrne

70,142

Sunil Patel

140

Zahra Barri

Phil Chapman

123

Ryan Dalton

Susan Murray

155

Zoe Lyons

Paul Sinha

Phil Cooper

62,116,123

Phil Jarvis

Phil Jerrod

55,123

Sachin Kumarendran Sajeela Kershi

Phil Kay

123

Sally-Anne Hayward

Phil Pagett

123

Sam Arrowsmith

125 82,143

Phil Wang Philip Hutchinson

Suzi Ruffell

S 55 119,130 131

152 74 153

155 104,155

77,140

T Tania Edwards Tez Ilays

140 49

Thomas Rackham

Sam Golin

Tiernan Douieb

Sam Irving

137

Tiff Stevenson

147 147

102,103,108

Philip Simon

Sam Marshall

127

Tim Andrews

Piotr Dlugiewicz

Sam Nicoresti

131

Tim Fitzhigham

President Obonjo

125

Sam Plummer

127

Tim Renkow

148

Professor Elemental

126

Sam Walls

Tom Allen

148

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

Valdemar Pustelnik

DIARY START TIME

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EVENT TITLE

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 12:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 12:30 14:30 12:30 13:45 17:00 18:00 18:30 21:15 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:55 19:15 20:15 19:30 20:15 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:15 20:00 21:30 20:00 21:00 20:15 22:30 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 22:45 23:55

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Loving Laughing Business Lunch Si Deaves - Si's Matters Alternative Business Awards sponsored by Flogas The Alasdair Beckett-King Mysteries Lloyd Griffith mucks about for roughly an hour The Oakleys Brett Goldstein - What Is Love Baby Don't Hurt Me Oliver Coleman: Right then... First Night Funnies Cereal For Dinner Hannah Silvester: I'm not too bad thanks Jonny & the Baptists: The Best of 2012-2017 (with a live band!) Asian Persuasion Ha Ha Land Proper Funny's Festival Launch Party Oh, you people... Memoirs Of A Dater Lloyd Griffith mucks about for roughly an hour Brian Damage and Krysstal SCOTT BENNETT: SCOTT VS SCOTT The One Liner Show Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle

Grays@LCB Depot The Y DMU Heritage centre The Guildhall The Y Vijay Patel Building Broood @ Vin Quatre Curve The Cosy Club The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre PETER Pizzeria Queen of Bradgate Manhattan 34 The Cookie The Y The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre Upstairs At The Western The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Wygston's House Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion

62 108 40 39 106 57 135 45 140 105 145 56 119 74 58 81 96 49 81 126 119 114 105 56 133 145 54

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8TH 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 14:15 12:00 17:00 17:50 18:40 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:00 18:30 23:00 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:45 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:20 19:30 21:15 19:30 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:40 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:55

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Shakespeare Martineau (Comedy) Curry Club A Funny City exhibition Sean Morley - I Apologise For My Recent Behaviour Adam Rowe: Work In Progress Dale Harris A Bellyful of Laughs in aid of Charity Link 1 Woman, A High-Flyer And A Flat Bottom: Samantha Baines David Morgan - Buttons (work in progress) Marlon Davis: Work In Progress Ross Brierley - Accumulator Juliette Burton: Butterfly Effect Christian Brighty's Free Will Hotel D'Comedie: Loughborough Iain Stirling: U Ok Hun? x Dead Leicester Suggs: What A King Cnut Cereal For Dinner Dr John Cooper Clarke Paul Savage: Performative Wokeness Paul 'Silky' White: Greatest Hits Buy Wand Get Wand Free Rob Kemp: The Elvis Dead Si Deaves: Leaves With a D The Village Hub Comedy Club Giantology

Grays@LCB Depot The Y The Guildhall Chutney Ivy DMU Heritage centre Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot The Fish and The Chip Just the Tonic at BrewDog PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Upstairs At The Western Attenborough Arts Centre Heroes @ The Criterion Holywell House The Cookie Magazine Gateway De Montfort Hall Queen of Bradgate Dryden Street Social Manhattan 34 Black Horse Laughter Loft The Exchange Bar The Y Grays@LCB Depot The Village Hub Just the Tonic at BrewDog

62 108 39 134 40 133 43 67 40 39 70 110 129 97 61 85 86 70 139 58 71 121 120 57 129 135 146 79

WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

20:15 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:45

21:10 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:55

TOM BINNS: THE CLUB SETS Rhymes Against Humanity: Musical Improvised Comedy Alex Hylton: I Came, I Saw, I Complained ABI ROBERTS: WORK-IN-PROGRESS Sellotape Sarah Johnson - Mum's Going To Ibiza Joe Bains - Curried Mustard Steve Day - Drift Away Jew-O-Rama Andy Zaltzman Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle

Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western The Needle and Pin The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion

148 127 44 42 134 132 94 138 92 48 54

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) A Funny City exhibition Matt Adlington -Welcome Matt Twonkey's Night Train To Liechtenstein The Dead Leicester Chronicles Rob Auton Big Howard Little Howard: Man & Boy Nick Hall: Spencer Hayley Ellis "Once, Twice, Three Times a Hayley" work in progress Gareth Richards: Idiot Wind - The Church of Gareth Phil Kay: Euphoric No jokes please, we're Muslim! Rob Kemp's: Wheel of Shows Self Indulged Gent The MMORPG Show Sean Morley: Earned Helplessness Cereal For Dinner Cock-Kane The Clown (UK) and The Magic Box Iain Stirling: U Ok Hun? x The Dead Leicester Chronicles Richard Herring: Oh Frig I'm 50 7 Acts for £7 Laughter Loft The Delightful Sausage: Cold Hard Cache Mark Steel - Every Little Thing's Gonna Be Alright Gay Comedy Night Laughter At LOROS Tom Binns is Ian D Montfort who is actually Psychic The Not So Late Show with Ross & Josh Scott Capurro Brennan Reece: Everlong Jack Campbell: Sex With Guests Jarlath Regan: Organ Freeman Russell Arathoon - The Curious Incidents of the Gay in the night-time Nathan Cassidy: If I caused the financial crash of 2008 (preview) Leicester Fridge: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER Helen Bauer: Yellow Flower Steve Bugeja: Summer Camp Jew-O-Rama Caustic Comedy Nights Conversation Garden does A 'Bake Off' Themed Murder Mystery Hell To Play Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle Leicester Fridge: NAKED COMEDY

Grays@LCB Depot The Y The Guildhall DMU Heritage centre Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Guildhall The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western Firebug Two Queens Queen of Bradgate Knight & Garter The Cookie The Guildhall The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Black Horse Laughter Loft Just the Tonic at BrewDog Loughborough Town Hall The Y LOROS Hospice Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western Firebug Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Wygston's House Firebug Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34

62 108 39 40 111 152 142 128 53 118 83 77 123 119 128 134 144 133 58 63 86 142 128 40 102 142 110 77 102 148 145 133 55 89 91 130 116 103 83 138 92 58 66 84 54 103

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9TH 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 17:00 17:00 18:00 17:50 18:50 18:00 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:05 19:30 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 20:00 20:50 20:00 22:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:55 20:00 21:30 20:00 21:30 20:15 21:10 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 22:00 23:30 22:00 23:00 22:00 23:00 22:45 23:55 23:45 00:45

“Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent” the guardian

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DIARY START TIME

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 11:30 15:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 13:30 12:30 13:30 13:30 15:00 14:00 14:50 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:20 14:30 15:30 14:30 16:00 15:00 16:00 15:15 16:15 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:10 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:40 17:35 16:45 17:45 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 17:55 17:00 18:00 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:50 18:00 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:50 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 21:30 19:30 21:25 19:30 21:30 19:30 21:00 19:30 20:30 20:00 20:50 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:10 21:10

EVENT TITLE

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PAGE

Clicking Comedians Make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em Laugh 3 Kids Comedy Hub 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make Me Laugh with Brett Mills Short & Curly: Young At Start "The Art Of Thinking" About Comedy A Silly Hour Of Fun Jane Hill - Happy Now? Ruth Cockburn - Love Letters from Blackpool Stuart Goldsmith: One Night Only WIP Cam Spence: The Matriarchy Experience Quirky Tours Paul 'Silky' White: Quiz Up Yourself Phil Pagett: Bare Jokes The Patrick Monahan Game Show Marc Burrows - Mind your Head 25 YEARS OF LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL with GEOFF ROWE Choose Your Own Comedian Adventure Hurt & Anderson: Work in Progress Paul F Taylor's Back! Phil Jerrod: Submerged Louise Reay: Gaslight Finally, Two White Men Performing Stand Up Comedy Daniel Nicholas: Travaux En Cours Robin Morgan: Yaaas Queen Giantology Nathan Cassidy: If I caused the financial crash of 2008 (preview) GO UKULELE CRAZY: COMEDY CONCERT The MakeyUppers' Bedtime Stories Dead Leicester Comedy in the Dark for Kids Imran Yusuf - Work in Progress Bad Clowns: work in progress Peter Brush: What to do with a Drunk Sparrow Lauren Pattison - Lady Muck Alexander Bennett Screams Into The Void (You) Alfie Moore: 'It's a Fair Cop' Work in Progress President Obonjo - The Rise of a Comedy Dictator Royal Oak Roars with Laughter John Kearns: Don't Worry They're Here Christopher MacArthur-Boyd: Reasons To Live Patrick Monahan: Rewind Selector 90s BrightSparks Comedy Asylum In The Vic Comedy CLub Stand Up Mi Duck Red Light Comedy Club Mitch Benn: I'm Still Here Dead Leicester Mission Impossible Ipswich: The Director's Cut Home Truths Adam Rowe: Unbearable Comedy in the Dark Just The Tonic Comedy Club - Saturday Night Special Laughter Loft Bobby Mair Amadeus Martin: A History of Pet Hates

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Grays@LCB Depot The Guildhall PETER Pizzeria The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug Newarke Houses Museum Black Horse Laughter Loft The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at BrewDog PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Manhattan 34 The Cookie Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse The Cookie Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway Phoenix Firebug Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Manhattan 34 Kayal PETER Pizzeria The Royal Oak Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Sue Townsend Theatre Attenborough Arts Centre Loughborough Town Hall Knight & Garter Future Cycles Firebug Magazine Gateway Grays@LCB Depot Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog Phoenix Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Black Horse Laughter Loft The Cookie Kayal

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62 108 99 39 109 135 141 41 91 130 139 57 126 121 123 145 109 40 59 85 121 123 106 74 68 129 79 116 80 144 70 65 86 50 122 103 45 45 125 130 95 62 120 56 87 137 127 115 70 115 84 42 65 98 102 54 46

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

20:15 20:30 20:30 20:30 20:30 20:45 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:30 22:45 23:00 23:00

21:15 22:30 22:50 23:00 21:30 21:45 22:00 21:50 22:00 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:20 22:30 22:30 23:00 00:00 23:55 00:00 00:00

Stuart Goldsmith: Like I Mean It HA HA HARBOROUGH Platform One Comedy @ The Midland Railway The Same Faces: Improvised Comedy Darren Walsh: MASSIVE PUNT Tiff Stevenson: Bombshell Russell Arathoon - The Curious Incidents of the Gay in the night-time Jack Barry Silent Comedy Lucy Hopkins: Powerful Women Are About Hell To Play Samantha Pressdee: Back 2 Basics Julian Deane Tony Law: Absurdity For The Common People Rob Thomas: Callback THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Comedians Karaoke Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle Shaggers Late Night Jokes On Us

Heroes @ The Criterion Harborough Theatre Lounge The Midland Railway Upstairs At The Western PETER Pizzeria Sue Townsend Theatre Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Kayal PETER Pizzeria Broood @ Vin Quatre Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Manhattan 34

139 81 125 146 69 147 130 89 136 107 84 131 97 150 129 143 63 54 134 101

Make ‘Em Laugh 3 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Ben Briggs - This is what it's come to Big Howard's LOL-tastic Yukfest For Kids And Well-Trained Adults Sally-Anne Hayward: Comedienne An Interview with Harry Hill Shirley and Ken's Lucky Dip Cult Comics Chris Norton Walker: YEAH! Board Game Smackdown Charmian Hughes: Bra Trek Quirky Tours Rich Wilson Still Relevant Stella Graham: Kick Off Cereal For Dinner Howard Read: Work In Progress Christopher Bliss: Writing Wrongs Colin Hoult / Anna Mann: Work-in-progress Accident Avoidance for Cutlery Users - Level 2 Tim Andrews: Punsung Hero Juliet Meyers - Bikes & Dogs & Rock & Roll Russell Hicks: Psychobabble Sarah Keyworth: Dark Horse (WIP) Wizard of Oz Rightly Or Wrongly, For Better Or Worse, The Fact Is This Is Tom Little Fern Brady: Suffer Fools Nathan Lang: The Stuntman Richard Pulsford: Uns-pun Luke Rollason's Planet Earth (Is A Work In Progress) Tom Toal in Mask Your Lunacy Chris Kehoe: Manologue Matt Richardson: Slash Samantha Baines: Work in progress fun David Ephgrave: Now Who's a Comedian? 1000 Years HOUR Show Simon Donald - Barry Twyford's Chatty Chithouse

The Y The Guildhall The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Kayal Curve Broood @ Vin Quatre The Exchange Bar The Cookie The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum Kayal The Cookie The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug The Soundhouse Broood @ Vin Quatre Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar The Y The Cosy Club Firebug Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Exchange Bar The Cookie The Cosy Club Just the Tonic at BrewDog Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion

108 39 51 53 131 46 135 66 61 54 59 126 127 138 58 85 62 63 42 147 97 130 132 155 128 73 116 128 108 149 60 113 131 69 39 137

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11TH 2018 10:00 22:00 12:00 12:20 12:30 13:30 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:30 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 14:50 14:15 15:15 14:20 15:15 14:30 16:00 15:20 16:10 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:15 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:45 16:35 16:00 17:00 16:40 17:40 16:40 17:40 17:00 18:00 17:00 19:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 17:55 17:15 18:15 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

19:00 19:00 19:00 19:20 19:45 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:15 20:40 21:00 21:30 21:30

22:00 20:00 20:00 20:20 20:45 20:45 21:00 22:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 22:00 22:00 20:55 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:40 22:30

Leicester Fridge: A QUESTION OF SNORT Tom Houghton - Class Half Empty Austentatious! An Improvised Jane Austen Novel Jayde Adams is Jayded Silly Sausage George Rigden: Love Plus None KAI HUMPHRIES: PUNCH-DRUNK Big Difference Fundraiser Colin Hoult / Anna Mann in How We Stop The Fascists John Pendal: Family PUNEL Show Lucy Porter: Choose Your Battles Upstairs At The Western presents Graduation Night Jon & Nath Like To Party Lucy Hopkins: Somewhere on the Spectrum of Development Brad Talks Weird Arseholes Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle Jon Pearson: Work In Progress

Broood @ Vin Quatre Black Horse Laughter Loft Sue Townsend Theatre Kayal The Soundhouse The Cosy Club Black Horse Laughter Loft Attenborough Arts Centre Firebug The Exchange Bar PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Upstairs At The Western Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar

103 148 49 92 136 78 98 53 63 95 126 107 152 95 107 55 153 54 96

MONDAY FEBRUARY 12TH 2018 09:00 17:00 09:30 12:00 10:00 22:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 14:00 15:00 17:50 18:45 19:00 20:00 19:30 22:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:25 21:30 22:25 21:30 22:30

Clicking Comedians Laugh Term Comedy School Make ‘Em Laugh 3 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Laugh Term Comedy School The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Charmian Hughes: Bra Trek Sarah Johnson & Lindsey Santoro - Beyond Help The UK Pun Championships Simon and Friends Put the World to Rights AMY HOWERSKA IS A GODDESS *unless tired or hungry Lucy Thompson: Shake it off Happy Monday Comedy Club Steff Todd: First Impressions (Work In Progress) Tony Basnett owes it to himself Tom Young's Daft Conversation Patrick Draper's "Dark Trip Capers" Mark Cram: Not Bent. Just Broken Jody Kamali: Hotel Yes Please Jody Kamali: One Man Murder Mystery Pete K Mally - For those about to Laugh

Grays@LCB Depot Moat Community College The Y The Guildhall Moat Community College The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ The Criterion De Montfort Hall The Little Theatre The Cosy Club Broood @ Vin Quatre Cognito The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse

62 101 108 39 101 143 59 132 146 136 46 108 82 137 150 149 120 109 93 94 122

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13TH 2018 09:00 17:00 09:30 12:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 11:30 12:30 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 14:00 15:00 14:30 15:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:20 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:50 19:00 19:45

Clicking Comedians Laugh Term Comedy School Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition Dogs Don't do Ballet 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Laugh Term Comedy School The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Dogs Don't do Ballet Mawaan Rizwan: Twerk In Progress Maxine Jones: Never Been 61 Before Catriona Knox Work In Progress Mark Simmons: Work in Pro-gags Nicholas Holt Does Improv At Every Venue: The Exchange!

Grays@LCB Depot Moat Community College The Y Soft Touch Arts The Y The Guildhall Moat Community College The Exchange Bar The Y The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar

62 101 108 40 71 39 101 143 71 113 113 58 110 118

WANT TICKETS?

PAGE

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

19:30 19:30 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:15 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:30

20:30 20:30 20:45 22:00 21:00 20:55 21:00 21:15 22:15 22:25 22:30 22:20

Simon and Friends Put the World to Rights AMY HOWERSKA IS A GODDESS *unless tired or hungry (Welsh Man) In Hammersmith Palais/The Full English Lee Kyle and Nick Cranston Carl Donnelly: The Nutter on a bus Katie Mulgrew: Virginia Dan Evans: 10% Jordan Brookes Freddie Farrell & Masai Graham: BRAND NEW JOKES Jody Kamali: Hotel Yes Please Danny Mcloughlin: SM-all Change. A Work In Progress Mark Simmons: One-linerer

The Little Theatre The Cosy Club Manhattan 34 Black Horse Laughter Loft The Cookie The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar The Cookie

136 46 154 103 57 98 67 96 75 93 68 110

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14TH 2018 09:00 17:00 09:30 12:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 11:00 12:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 13:30 14:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:30 17:50 18:40 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 20:55 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30

Clicking Comedians Laugh Term Comedy School Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition The Book of Daft 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Laugh Term Comedy School Kids court The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Nicholas Holt Does Improv At Every Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre - Kids Show! Marga Villalong & Ross Spaine: THE TRADITION Joe Bor: A Room With A Jew Pamela DeMenthe presents: Sticky Digits Luca Cupani: Words in Progress (W.I.P.) Shaggers The Man of a 1000 FARCES The Cricketers Roars with Laughter Karma Sutra-Tacular: Valentine's Day Special Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire Simon and Friends Put the World to Rights Lou Conran: What now? ( A work in progress) Catherine Bohart - Order Sally-Anne Hayward: Comedienne Dave Chawner; Mental James Acaster: WIP Chris Coltrane: Socialist Comedy For Lovely People Jacob Hatton: Ozymandias Scarlet SoHandsome's Valentine's Day Massacre An Hour of Entertainment with Matt Hollins Jew-O-Rama Lost Voice Guy - Inspiration Porn

Grays@LCB Depot Moat Community College The Y Soft Touch Arts Attenborough Arts Centre The Guildhall Moat Community College Attenborough Arts Centre The Exchange Bar Attenborough Arts Centre Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Broood @ Vin Quatre The Cricketers PETER Pizzeria International Arts Centre The Little Theatre The Cosy Club Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Exchange Bar The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Exchange Bar

62 101 108 40 141 39 101 99 143 117 109 94 120 106 134 144 141 98 153 136 106 58 131 69 90 60 89 133 46 92 105

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15TH 2018 09:00 17:00 09:30 12:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 13:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 17:50 18:40 18:30 19:30

Clicking Comedians Laugh Term Comedy School Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Laugh Term Comedy School Megazone Presents: Comedy Tag - Kids Show Aaaaargh Dinosaurs! The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Marga Villalong & Ross Spaine: THE TRADITION Lou Sanders - SHAME PIG

Grays@LCB Depot Moat Community College The Y Soft Touch Arts The Guildhall Moat Community College Megazone Leicester The Y The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie

62 101 108 40 39 101 113 41 143 109 106

“Leicester’s mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom” i

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

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18:30 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:15 20:30 20:30 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30

19:15 20:00 20:00 20:00 21:00 19:55 20:00 21:30 21:30 21:20 20:20 20:45 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30

Life as a hungover scumbag Luca Cupani: Words in Progress (W.I.P.) Henry Paker: Work In Progress insTED Talks Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Chance To Dream Gary Delaney: Work In Progress Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire Simon Day in Character Shappi Khorsandi: Mistress and Misfit Dead Leicester Ben Van der Velde: Sidekick Tony Cowards: Punderdog Ed Gamble: Mammoth Dave Chawner; Mental Adam Hess: Cactus Gavin Webster's Hour Long Complaint Aidan Goatley: Conversations with someone I don't believe in John Robins: The Darkness of Robins Josh Pugh: These Things (Work In Progress) George Egg: DIY Chef Glenn Moore: The Da Vinci Glenn Hotel D'comedie Classic Joke Club Lost Voice Guy - Walk In Progress Nicholas Holt Does Improv At Every Venue: Grays! The Man of a 1000 FARCES Jason Neale: Happy To Help

Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Upstairs At The Western Curve Attenborough Arts Centre PETER Pizzeria International Arts Centre Melton Theatre The Little Theatre Magazine Gateway Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog Sue Townsend Theatre The Exchange Bar The Cookie Black Horse Laughter Loft Grays@LCB Depot The Y Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western PETER Pizzeria Hotel Maiyango Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion

105 106 84 87 135 59 77 153 136 134 70 51 150 71 69 42 77 44 95 97 78 79 85 62 105 117 144 92

Clicking Comedians Laugh Term Comedy School Make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Matt Hutson: Impressive Nicholas Holt Does Improv At Every Venue: Firebug! I Say - The Annual Comedy Conversation Ft. Sara Pascoe Joe Jacobs: Ripe Bilal Zafar: Biscuit Dead Leicester Aside Effect Life as a hungover scumbag Liam Withnail: The Immigration Game Circuit Breakers Cattle Market Comedy Club Extreme Commuter 10 James Farmer: Jerk In Progress Laugh Term Comedy School Showcase Fight, A Work in Progress Helen Duff: How Deep is Your Duff? JARRED CHRISTMAS: REMARKABLY AVERAGE Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Dan Antopolski: Return of the Dan Antopolski Top Joe: Leaving the House Marshal B Anderson - The Time Traveler's Remorse Daliso Chaponda: What The African Said

Grays@LCB Depot Moat Community College The Y Soft Touch Arts The Guildhall The Exchange Bar Grays@LCB Depot Firebug Hugh Aston Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Magazine Gateway Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog PETER Pizzeria The Banqueting Suite Upstairs At The Western The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Moat Community College Manhattan 34 Attenborough Arts Centre Firebug Curve Heroes @ The Criterion Two Queens Knight & Garter The Cookie

62 101 108 40 39 143 111 117 85 94 54 70 49 105 104 62 58 72 90 101 73 83 91 135 67 151 110 67

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16TH 2018 09:00 17:00 09:30 15:30 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 17:30 18:30 17:45 19:15 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:00 18:50 18:00 18:45 18:30 19:15 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:00 19:00 21:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30

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19:30 21:30 Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire 19:30 21:50 Dave Spikey: Juggling on a Motorcycle 19:30 22:00 Chuckle Busters Showcase 20:00 20:50 Dead Leicester 20:00 22:00 Phil Wang - Kinabalu 20:00 22:00 Bottle Rocket Comedy Club 20:00 22:30 7 Acts for £7 20:00 21:00 Comedy in the Dark 20:00 21:00 Aidan Goatley: The Joys of Retail 20:00 22:00 The "BRAND NEW" Comedy Showcase 20:00 22:00 Laughter Loft 20:00 22:10 Paul Chowdhry: Live Innit 20:00 21:00 Happily Never After 20:10 21:10 ForniKATEress 20:15 21:15 Olaf Falafel Presents The Marmosets Of My Mind 20:30 21:30 George Egg: DIY Chef 20:30 21:30 The Mystery show 20:30 21:30 Ben Van der Velde: Sidekick 21:00 22:00 Ahir Shah: Control 21:00 22:00 Hotel D'comedie 21:00 22:00 Bilal Zafar (Work in Progress) 21:00 22:00 Flo & Joan 21:30 22:30 Adrian Tauss and Sasha Ellen: We Should Know Better 21:30 22:30 Peter Dobbing: 'pleased with yourself' isn't the same as being happy 21:30 22:25 Brendon Burns (Content Subject to Change) 21:30 22:30 The Man of a 1000 FARCES 22:00 23:00 DMU vs. University of Leicester : Stand Up Battle 22:00 23:30 Caustic Comedy Nights 23:30 00:30 Ultimate Comedy Championship

International Arts Centre The Little Theatre Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Magazine Gateway Sue Townsend Theatre The Y Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Phoenix Grays@LCB Depot SomeBrightSpark Black Horse Laughter Loft De Montfort Hall Just the Tonic at BrewDog Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western Attenborough Arts Centre Manhattan 34 The Cookie Hotel Maiyango The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at BrewDog Manhattan 34 Wygston's House Manhattan 34

153 69 62 70 125 55 40 65 44 140 102 121 81 75 119 78 144 51 43 85 53 74 43 122 55 144 71 58 152

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17TH 2018 09:00 17:00 Clicking Comedians 10:00 22:00 Make ‘Em Laugh 3 11:00 17:00 A Funny City exhibition 11:30 15:00 Kids Comedy Hub 12:00 12:20 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) 12:15 16:15 The Daytime Secret Tour 12:30 14:00 CARRY ON: 60 GLORIOUS YEARS with ROBERT ROSS 12:30 13:30 Short & Curly: Young At Start 14:00 15:00 Warwick Comedy: Stand-Up Special 14:00 15:00 Grumpy Boots - The Return 14:00 15:00 Comedy Club 4 Kids 14:20 15:20 Thunderbulb 14:30 16:00 Quirky Tours 14:30 16:00 WHY STAND-UP MATTERS: HOW COMEDIANS MANIPULATE...with DR SOPHIE QUIRK 14:30 16:30 Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire 15:00 21:00 Comedy Beer Tour 15:15 16:15 Richard vs Alf - International Joke-Off 15:30 16:30 Paul F Taylor's Back! 15:30 16:15 Deadline Day: Work In Progress 15:30 16:30 Damian Kingsley: Can't Dance, Won't Dance 15:30 16:30 Crabula! 15:30 16:15 Jack Topher; Things I Shouldn't Like 16:30 18:00 An interview with Dave Johns 16:40 17:40 Sam & Tom: Interview 16:45 17:45 Warwick Comedy: Best-Of Sketch 17:00 18:00 Kelly Convey & Jacob Hawley: Work in Progress 17:00 17:45 Becky Brunning - Work In Progress (with good bits)

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Soft Touch Arts Grays@LCB Depot The Guildhall Ssshhhh it's a secret!! PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Manhattan 34 The Cookie De Montfort Hall Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum PETER Pizzeria International Arts Centre Elephant and Castle, Thurlaston The Soundhouse The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug Manhattan 34 PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse Firebug Grays@LCB Depot

62 108 40 99 39 142 58 135 153 80 65 147 126 154 153 65 128 121 70 67 66 89 46 131 153 99 51

“The festival offers big names… and innovative curios” the times

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

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17:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 17:30 17:50 18:00 18:00 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:50 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:10 20:15 20:30 20:30 20:30 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:00

18:00 17:50 17:50 18:00 18:30 18:50 18:50 22:00 19:15 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:50 20:00 20:30 20:00 20:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:00 22:30 21:30 21:00 20:30 21:30 20:45 21:50 21:30 20:30 22:00 20:50 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 22:10 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:30 22:00 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:00 23:00 23:00 23:00 00:00 00:00 00:00

David McIver: Big Strong Boy Lucy Frederick - Even More Naked Harriet Kemsley Tom Taylor is the Indie Feel-Good Hit of the Summer (WIP) Building Relations Joanna Neary The Dead Leicester Chronicles The Secret Tour Life as a hungover scumbag Sara Pascoe: LadsLadsLads Lloyd Langford - Six Quid's Worth of Jokes LET ME DAVIDTAIN YOU Darren Harriott: Work In Progress Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - the new show Anna Morris: Bitchelors Circuit Breakers Knightmare Live We've Got Each Other George Egg: DIY Chef Comedy on the Wolds Ahir Shah: Work-In-Progress Ian Smith - Snowflake 25 acts for Â£25 Jonathan Pie: Work in Progress Red Light Comedy Club Dan Webber - Sweargasm Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire More Coffee Comedy Club Barry Cryer & Colin Sell 'Fancy A Laugh?' Comedy Night Tom Taylor presents The Flannel Show Laughter Loft The Dead Leicester Chronicles It's all my mother's... Work in progress Chris Betts: Work In Progress Tony Law: Chat Show Chris Washington: Dream Big (Within Reason) (Welsh Man) In Hammersmith Palais/The Full English Paul Chowdhry: Live Innit Ya Cor Say That David Earl is Brian Gittins: Don't Feed The Monkey Man Tom Allen: Absolutely Heidi Vs Sharks: Work in Progress Paul Currie: Cats in My Mouth Tom Young's Something Old Paul Sinha: Shout Out To My Ex Morgan Rees & Friends Sunil Patel Adrian Tauss and Sasha Ellen: We Should Know Better John-Luke Roberts: LOOK ON MY WORKS, YE MIGHTY, AND DESPAIR! (All in Caps.) DANE BAPTISTE: G.O.D (GOLD, OIL, DRUGS) GAYSHIT Jay Hampson - Terrified JARRED CHRISMAS & HOBBIT: COMEDY BEATBOX PARTY BITCHES Christian Reilly: LOLternative Rock Tom Young's Something New THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Comedians Karaoke Late Night Jokes On Us Shaggers

Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion The Guildhall Ssshhhh it's a secret!! Grays@LCB Depot Curve The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Manhattan 34 Kayal Firebug PETER Pizzeria Sue Townsend Theatre Attenborough Arts Centre Upstairs At The Western Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Loughborough Town Hall Future Cycles Knight & Garter International Arts Centre More Coffee Co. The Y Congregational Jubilee Hall Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Black Horse Laughter Loft The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot Manhattan 34 The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Soft Touch Arts De Montfort Hall Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Curve Attenborough Arts Centre Firebug Upstairs At The Western Sue Townsend Theatre Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Kayal Firebug Wygston's House Upstairs At The Western PETER Pizzeria Broood @ Vin Quatre Manhattan 34 The Cookie

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 START TIME

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18 2018 10:00 22:00 Make ‘Em Laugh 3 12:00 12:20 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) 12:30 14:00 THE BASTARD GHOST OF BERNARD MANNING: CLASS STEREOTYPES... with KATE FOX 13:00 14:00 Laughter Loft's Little Laughs 14:00 15:15 The Further Adventures of Shirley 14:00 14:40 Mickey Sharma - work in progress 14:00 15:00 Alfie Moore: 'It's a Fair Cop' Work in Progress 14:00 14:55 Donna Scott: Kebabble 14:00 15:00 Daddy Jones 14:15 15:15 Adele Cliff: Sheep (WIP) 14:20 15:20 Thunderbulb 14:30 16:00 Quirky Tours 14:30 16:00 "Is that funny?": Comedy and Politics / Politics and Comedy 15:20 16:20 Matt Green: Work in Progress 15:30 16:30 Ed Night: Anthem for Doomed Youth 15:30 16:30 Crabula II: Sharkenstein! 15:30 16:30 Robyn's Bad Decision Time 15:30 16:30 Harriet Dyer - "Soo's a prick" 15:30 16:30 Trev Tokabi - Mayday! Mayday! 15:30 16:30 Peter Fleming: Have You Seen? 15:45 16:35 Northern Power Blouse 16:00 17:00 JARRED CHRISTMAS & HOBBIT: THE MIGHTY KIDS BEATBOX GAMESHOW 16:30 17:30 Greening the Laughs 16:40 17:40 Mo Haroon & Alex Black: East meets Westlife 16:40 17:40 Spring Day: Help! I've Fallen in Love and I Can't Get Up! 17:00 18:00 Holly Burn's B List Celebrity Floor Show 17:00 18:00 Steffan Alun: Romantic Comedy 17:00 18:00 Si Deaves - Si's Matters 17:00 17:50 Col Howarth : End to End 17:00 18:00 Jim Smallman: I'm Sorry, I Love You: A History Of Professional Wrestling 17:00 18:00 Simon Caine: Laughter is the best Placebo 17:00 18:00 Bennett Arron: I've Never Told Anyone This... 17:15 18:15 The International Incident 17:50 18:50 Joanna Neary 18:00 19:00 Stuart Mitchell: Morals 18:00 19:00 Bisha K Ali's Life Is A Work In Progress 18:30 19:30 Giacinto Palmieri - Ride of the Wagnerian 18:30 19:20 Tales from Wales 18:30 20:00 Pantomime 99 18:30 19:30 Michael Legge: Jerk 18:30 19:30 Brennan Reece: Work In Progress 19:00 20:00 Radu Isac: One Romanian Answering Questions 19:00 20:00 Tim Renkow has Accepted Satan as Lord and Saviour 19:00 20:00 Hardeep Singh Kohli: Alternative, Fact. 19:20 20:15 Lou Conran: I Love Lou C 19:30 20:25 Chris Betts: Bewilderbeest 19:30 20:30 Chris Chopping: Premature Emasculation 19:30 20:30 The All New Ten Commandments 19:45 20:45 Bald Man Sings Rihanna 20:00 21:00 Luke Honnoraty "Doing Alright" 20:00 22:00 Alun Cochrane 20:00 23:00 Wax Comical Showcase 20:00 22:00 ZAZUTINANY 20:00 20:55 Barbara Nice: Raffle 20:00 21:00 Ed Night Work In Progress 20:15 21:15 Sooz Kempner - Super Sonic 90s Kid 20:30 22:10 No Cluedo

VENUE

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“Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent” the guardian

The Y The Guildhall The Cosy Club Black Horse Laughter Loft Broood @ Vin Quatre The Cookie Kayal The Guildhall The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum The Cosy Club Kayal Attenborough Arts Centre Firebug The Exchange Bar The Cookie Broood @ Vin Quatre Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse PETER Pizzeria The Cosy Club Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Broood @ Vin Quatre Wygston's House Firebug The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Cosy Club Just the Tonic at BrewDog Wygston's House PETER Pizzeria Firebug The Exchange Bar Broood @ Vin Quatre Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Kayal The Cosy Club Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Attenborough Arts Centre The Soundhouse Black Horse Laughter Loft Melton Theatre The Noels Arms Firebug Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House

108 39 141 102 143 114 45 71 66 43 147 126 87 111 72 66 129 82 151 123 119 91 80 116 137 84 138 135 63 93 136 51 143 93 139 54 79 140 120 114 55 126 148 82 105 60 60 141 50 108 45 153 155 50 71 137 118

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20:30 20:40 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30

21:30 21:40 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30

It's all my mother's... Work in progress Andrew Bird Bec Hill: Work in Progress The Man of a 1000 FARCES Ian Smith - Work in Progress Lovely. Simply Lovely.

Broood @ Vin Quatre Kayal Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar

87 47 50 144 86 106

MONDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 12:00 12:20 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 19:55 19:15 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:30 22:00 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:35 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:25 21:30 22:25 21:30 22:30 21:45 22:35

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Radu Isac: One Romanian Answering Questions Maisie Adam: Living On The Edge Nicholas Holt Does Improv At Every Venue: Just the Tonic! Geoff Norcott Chris Betts vs The Audience It's all my mother's... Work in progress Jacob Hawley: WIP The Same Faces: Uncle Armando Ivo Graham: Take Me To Your Butler (Work in Progress) Paul Wade: Mortal (Work in Progress) Go Slay Dragons DANNY BUCKLER: FOOLIN' Yuriko Kotani: Green in English, Blue in Japanese (Work In Progress) John Aggasild: WELCOME Jamali Maddix: Work in Progress THIS IS NOT A MAGIC SHOW Jenny Collier: Jen at Work Alex Hylton: Everybody's Different, And I'm The Same Lucy Thompson & Thomas Rackham as THE TOADSHOW Friz Frizzle Gets His Organ Out Keith Carter - Bring Me The Head Of Ant & Dec Frank Foucault: Shoes

Grays@LCB Depot The Y The Guildhall Broood @ Vin Quatre The Cosy Club Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre The Cosy Club Upstairs At The Western Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse Black Horse Laughter Loft Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre The Cookie Black Horse Laughter Loft Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse Just the Tonic at BrewDog Broood @ Vin Quatre

62 108 39 126 108 117 78 60 87 90 146 89 122 79 68 155 94 90 147 92 44 108 75 99 75

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20TH 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 18:00 22:00 18:00 19:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:10 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Too hot to handle! Charlie Baker: Work In Progress What the Frick?! Desiree Burch: New Sh!t (Work in Progress) Alfie Brown: Lunatic (Work in Progress) Richard Hanrahan is doing this. Five Reasons Why (I Quit Teaching) Martin Pilgrim: Sadulthood Professor Elemental Makes It All Better Nathan Willcock: Holland, 1980 Gareth Waugh and Micky Bartlett -Double Team Nigel Ng: Malaysian Sensation (Work In Progress) Holt and Talbot: Mansplaining Feminism Jamali Maddix: Work in Progress Liam Pickford: But Why Haven't My Memes Stopped Racism Forever? Travis Jay - Seriously Joking Paul Tonkinson: The Return of The Tonk Eric Rushton and Friend Jason Neale: Happy To Help Rahul Kohli: Newcastle Brown Tales Part II (Work in Progress)

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Soft Touch Arts The Guildhall Soft Touch Arts Firebug The Cosy Club Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Black Horse Laughter Loft The Little Theatre Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Firebug Manhattan 34 Black Horse Laughter Loft The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar

62 108 40 39 151 59 154 70 45 127 74 111 126 117 77 118 84 90 104 151 122 72 92 127

WANT TICKETS?

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21 2018 09:00 17:00 Clicking Comedians 10:00 22:00 Make ‘Em Laugh 3 11:00 17:00 A Funny City exhibition 12:00 13:15 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy 12:00 12:20 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) 17:50 18:50 Matt Kinson: Endorphin Alchemist 18:30 19:30 Suzi Ruffell: Work in Progress 19:00 20:30 Best of the Stand Up Challenge 19:00 20:00 Angela Barnes: Work In Progress 19:00 19:55 Helen Duff: How Deep is Your Duff? 19:00 20:00 Jacob Hatton: Ozymandias 19:30 20:30 Phil Cooper : Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool 19:30 21:00 Five Reasons Why (I Quit Teaching) 19:45 20:45 Becky Fury: Apocoloptimist 19:45 20:45 Chris Washington: Everyman (Work in Progress) 20:00 20:50 Jen Brister - Work in Progress 20:00 21:00 Tony Jameson - Idealist 20:00 21:00 Mike Gunn Happy Hour 20:15 21:15 Valdemar Pustelnik: 53 Minutes about 52 Sheep (60 Minutes long) 20:45 21:45 A Verbal Tightrope Walk 21:00 22:00 1000 Years HOUR Show 21:00 22:00 Joe Sutherland: Model/Actress 2.0 21:00 22:00 Tom Lucy: Work In Progress 21:15 22:15 Graham & David Can't Go On Like This 21:30 22:30 Rahul Kohli: Newcastle Brown Tales Part II (Work in Progress) 21:30 22:30 Trevor Lock's Community Circle 21:30 22:30 Sarah Callaghan: Work In Progress

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Soft Touch Arts Attenborough Arts Centre The Guildhall Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Little Theatre The Cosy Club Manhattan 34 The Cookie The Exchange Bar Black Horse Laughter Loft Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre Wygston's House Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie

62 108 40 56 39 111 140 53 48 83 89 123 74 51 61 92 150 115 152 41 39 94 149 80 127 152 132

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:30 18:30 19:25 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 21:30 19:30 20:45 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 19:45 20:45 20:00 20:55 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:30 20:00 20:50 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:10

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Soft Touch Arts The Guildhall Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Just the Tonic at BrewDog Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Upstairs At The Western The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Attenborough Arts Centre Heroes @ The Criterion Ssshhhh it's a secret!! White Lion The Y Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Manhattan 34 Curve Just the Tonic at BrewDog PETER Pizzeria Black Horse Laughter Loft Megazone Leicester The Cookie De Montfort Hall Grays@LCB Depot The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion

62 108 40 39 117 136 132 152 48 141 78 109 101 40 154 135 145 90 121 123 115 96 113 47 98 148 49 50

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Nicholas Holt Does Improv At Every Venue: The Criterion! Silver Stand Up Final hosted by Mrs Barbara Nice Sasha Ellen: No Man's Land Unhinged Angela Barnes: Fortitude The Clones: An Improvised Show George Lewis: Work In Progress Marc Burrows - Mind your Head Kit Sullivan: Villain 25 Comedy Club White Lion Roars With Laughter SHUNTED AGAIN! Steve Gribbin's real story of the railways The Not So Game Show with Ross & Josh James Meehan - Gaz Paul Foot's Game of Dangers: Bigger & More Dangerous Phil Chapman: The Man With The Spatula MILO MCCABE: THE TALENTED MR HAWKE Jonathan Elston - Fat Boy Slim Pickings Megazone Presents: Comedy Tag Andrew Ryan: Sure, You Know Yourself (Work in Progress) Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room Tinder Rehab Archie Maddocks: ArchLife Barry Loves You

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

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EVENT TITLE

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20:30 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:45 23:00

21:30 22:00 22:00 22:15 23:00 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:55 00:00

(Welsh man) in Hammersmith Palais Jake Lambert: Work In Progress Faye Treacy Worries The Delightful Sausage: Work-In-Progress Five Reasons Why (I Quit Teaching) Steve Bugeja: Work In Progress Tom Lucy: Needs To Stop Showing Off In Front Of His Friends Trevor Lock's Community Circle Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle Improv Provocateur

Upstairs At The Western The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot The Exchange Bar The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ The Criterion Knight & Garter

154 90 73 142 74 138 149 152 54 86

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Extreme Commuter 10 Thea-Skot Through The Heart And You're To Blame Jamie And The Oliphant In The Room The Secret Tour Ishi Khan-Jackson: I'mMigrant! The remix Kate Lucas: Work in Progress Garrett Millerick: Facts I Wish I'd Invented C.S.I: Crime Scene Improvisation Ali Brice's Lemonade Stand Andy Fowler - I'm Better Than This... Tania Edwards: Not My Dog Alex Kealy: Leave Them Wanting Not Less Jordan Brookes: Body Of Work The Rose and Crown Roars with Laughter Anchor Inn Roars with Laughter Chuckle Busters Showcase Griff Rhys Jones: Where Was I? Mission Impossible Ipswich: The Director's Cut Laughter Loft Comic Relief Live 7 Acts for £7 Mark Dolan Live Jordan Gray: Change Is Good Andy Barr: Neustadt Archie Maddocks: IlluminArchie The Fall of Byron Montrose Poet Gentleman Lover Revan and Fennell: Work in Progress Police Cops In Space Zoe Lyons: Work In Progress Micky Overman: Work in Progress Stephen Bailey: Can't Think Straight Andrew O'Neill's History Of Heavy Metal - full band show! Five Reasons Why (I Quit Teaching) Trevor Lock's Community Circle A Rush Of Laughter Showcase Christian Reilly: LOLternative Rock Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle Haver Improv Provocateur

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Soft Touch Arts The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Ssshhhh it's a secret!! Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western The Little Theatre Manhattan 34 Attenborough Arts Centre The Rose and Crown Anchor Inn Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Curve Grays@LCB Depot Black Horse Laughter Loft The Y Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western The Little Theatre Attenborough Arts Centre PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at BrewDog Knight & Garter

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23RD 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 17:00 18:00 17:50 18:45 18:00 18:40 18:00 22:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:15 19:30 20:45 19:30 22:00 19:45 21:15 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 23:00 21:30 22:30 22:00 23:00 22:00 23:00 22:45 23:55 23:00 00:00 23:00 00:00

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 START TIME

END TIME

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24 2018 09:00 17:00 10:00 22:00 11:00 17:00 11:30 15:00 12:00 12:20 12:30 13:30 13:00 13:45 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:10 14:30 16:00 15:15 16:00 15:30 16:15 15:30 16:25 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:40 17:40 16:45 17:45 17:00 18:00 17:00 17:50 17:00 18:00 17:00 17:45 17:30 18:30 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:35 18:00 20:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:50 19:50 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 21:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:30 22:15 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:45 19:45 21:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 21:00 20:10 21:10 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 22:50

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

Clicking Comedians Make ‘Em Laugh 3 A Funny City exhibition Kids Comedy Hub 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Fran Jenking: 'Frantastic Day' It's me Kat Bond come home now, so cold. A WIP. John Pendal: Family Zahra Barri: 'Zahra: Warrior, Not Princess' Straight Outta Cob-ton Marny Godden Presents Flap 'em On The Gate: The Return... Quirky Tours Katie Pritchard: Tsunamiramirami Deadline Day: Work In Progress Diane Spencer 2018 collection Beth Vyse as Olive Hands in The Hand that Rocked the Cradle WIP a Fish? Chicken Soup Crusader Fix My Brain 110% John Kearns and Pat Cahill Faye Treacy Worries Andrew O'Neill: WIP Orwell That Ends Well Ian Lane - Bodily... Helen Bauer: Yellow Flower Jim Campbell - Work in Progress Georgie Morrell: A Poke In The Eye LUCY PEARMAN: GREAT GRAPES Hats Off to Laurel and Hardy Spontaneous Sherlock Arielle Souma - Souma Untitled Hurt & Anderson: Come What May Too Many Jameses Joanne McNally: Wine Tamer Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - the new show The Rose and Crown Roars with Laughter Georgie Morrell: The Morrell High Ground C.S.I: Crime Scene Improvisation Gujarati Comedy Night John Kearns: Don't Worry They're Here Evelyn Mok - Work in Progress MIGHTY Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Red Light Comedy Club Jonathan Pie: Back to the Studio Black Dog Roars with Laughter Pick of the Fest Mike Newall: Desert Boot-Leg Island Discs SAJEELA KERSHI - FIGHTS LIKE A GIRL! Laughter Loft ANDREW LAWRENCE THE HAPPY ACCIDENT TOUR Just The Tonic Comedy Club - Saturday Night Special GARETH BERLINER : Crossroads Third Wheel Pat Cahill: The Fisherman A Serious Play About World War II Platform One Comedy @ The Midland Railway

Grays@LCB Depot The Y Soft Touch Arts Grays@LCB Depot The Guildhall The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Manhattan 34 Leicester Town Hall Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum The Soundhouse Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Little Theatre Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Kayal The Little Theatre Heroes @ The Criterion The Guildhall Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog Manhattan 34 The Cookie Kayal The Rose and Crown The Little Theatre PETER Pizzeria Rushey Mead Academy Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Attenborough Arts Centre The Y Future Cycles De Montfort Hall Black Dog Curve Just the Tonic at BrewDog Grays@LCB Depot Black Horse Laughter Loft The Cookie Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Manhattan 34 Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre The Midland Railway

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“One of the highlights of the comedy calendar” the independent on sunday

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

20:30 20:30 21:00 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:30 22:45 23:00 23:00

21:30 21:30 21:55 22:30 23:00 22:25 23:00 23:00 23:00 00:00 23:55 00:00 00:00

David Mills: Rumour Has It Darren Walsh: MASSIVE PUNT Martin Semple: #StandUpSoldier Adam Larter: Boogie Knights Five Reasons Why (I Quit Teaching) Mickey Sharma - Club Comic Robin Ince: Pragmatic Insanity THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Christian Reilly: LOLternative Rock Comedians Karaoke Bob Slayer: Bobby's Inner Circle Late Night Jokes On Us Shaggers

The Little Theatre PETER Pizzeria The Guildhall Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot Manhattan 34 The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Wygston's House Broood @ Vin Quatre Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 The Cookie

70 69 111 42 74 114 129 143 61 63 54 101 134

Make ‘Em Laugh 3 1000 Years DAILY show (additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Hannah and Charlie: Making It Kwame Asante: Work in Progress C'est La Vegan The Laurel & Hardy Cabaret Matthew Highton: Please Come to the Show, They Have My Kids! Heavenly Laughter hanksgiving service for Leicester Comedy Festival with Nicholas Parsons Alfie Moore: 'It's a Fair Cop' Work in Progress Evelyn Mok - Hymen Manoeuvre Clonely Leo Kearse - The History of Pets Laura Monmoth - LGBTQZX Alwin Solanky's Spanish Omelette Gujarati Comedy Night The Dark Room for Kids Kevin Precious Unholier Than Thou: The Non-Believing RE Teacher (Work in Progress) Ben Target: Work-in-Progress AAAAH The Growing Pains of a Neurotic Jew ... Henry Churniavsky Sameena Zehra: How Not to Steal a Llama Michael Brunström: The Great Fire of London Harriet Braine: Total Eclipse of the Art Alasdair Beckett-King: Full Velvet Jacket (WIP) Laura Lexx - Live (Work in Progress) Ahir Shah: Work-In-Progress Steve Vertigo - As Far As I Can See Rachel Sambrooks: Life is a Caba-Rach The Same Faces: Improv Smackdown 2018 Royal Oak Roars with Laughter, again! Consignia's Panopticon Nick Revell - Sympathy for the Revell The Dark Room Poetman - Righting Wrongs by Writing Songs Leicester Comedy Festival's 25th Birthday Party Becky Fury: Apocoloptimist Emergency! Comedy night Laughter Loft Gong Show Leo Kearse: I Can Make You Tory Chris Tavner - Sh*t Socialist Bobby Mair: Loudly Insecure Caustic Comedy Nights

The Y The Guildhall Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal Attenborough Arts Centre The Guildhall Heroes @ The Criterion Leicester Cathedral Kayal Attenborough Arts Centre Broood @ Vin Quatre Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Rushey Mead Academy Firebug Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Broood @ Vin Quatre Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug The Cosy Club Kayal PETER Pizzeria Broood @ Vin Quatre Wygston's House Upstairs At The Western The Royal Oak Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal Firebug Attenborough Arts Centre The Little Theatre The Cosy Club The Y Black Horse Laughter Loft Just the Tonic at BrewDog Kayal The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Wygston's House

108 39 81 101 57 143 113 83 45 72 63 104 102 46 80 142 99 51 42 131 114 82 44 102 43 139 126 146 130 66 118 142 125 103 51 72 102 104 61 55 58

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25TH 2018 10:00 22:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 14:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:15 15:00 16:30 15:20 16:20 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:20 16:00 18:30 16:30 17:30 16:40 17:40 16:40 17:40 17:00 18:00 17:00 17:55 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:00 18:45 18:00 18:55 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 21:30 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:20 20:20 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 22:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:40 21:40 21:00 22:00 22:00 23:30

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

“One of the highlights of the comedy calendar” the independent on sunday

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

OUR LISTINGS EXPLAINED Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that everything in our brochure is listed alphabetically rather than in date order. The performance dates for each show are shown under each entry in black. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also included an A-Z list of all the performers in the festival, with page references so you can easily find them, and a festival diary, so you can see who is performing on each day.

Differing times on different dates

Appearance dates in black with keyline, with Weekends underlined

Price Reserved / non reserved seating

Refers to map on pages 157-161

LCF Fridge Approximate finish time Beyond a joke Start time

Reserved Seating

Non Reserved Seating

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LCF Fridge

Beyond a joke

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Hannah Layton Management present

1 WOMAN, A HIGH-FLYER AND A FLAT BOTTOM: SAMANTHA BAINES Award-winning comedian Samantha Baines (Call the Midwife, UK Pun Championship Finalist 2017, BBC Radio 4) returns to Leicester after a smash-hit, sellout 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. 'One of the ones to watch' (Evening Standard). 'Very funny' (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). 'One of the punniest comedians in the land' (Metro). www.samanthabaines.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8.50)

Map Ref: 24

Anthony King presents

WORLD PREMIERE

1000 YEARS DAILY SHOW

The 1000 Years Show is back for a 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. PLEASE NOTE: SHOWS LAST 20 MINS www.1000years.co.uk SOLO SHOW, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 54

Anthony King presents

WORLD PREMIERE

1000 YEARS HOUR SHOW

The ﬁrst full hour 1000 Years Show at the festival featuring themes such as Richard III, Lady Jane Grey, The Magna Carta and Famous Leicester. It's hystorical! 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. www.1000years.co.uk CABARET, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 69

Anthony King presents

WORLD PREMIERE

1000 YEARS HOUR SHOW

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: TBC

Plosive Productions

110% JOHN KEARNS AND PAT CAHILL Old friends John Kearns and Pat Cahill have gathered together 110% of their very best talking points, bloopers, songs and ﬁghting talks to discuss over a few of the the Criterion's ﬁnest draft liqueurs. Also featuring some hand picked friends from the cream of their alternative comedy price bracket. Previous guests include Nick Helm, Lolly Adefope, Sam Simmons, Adam Riches, Mat Ewins, Jordan Brookes and Lucy Pearman. ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Just the Tonic and Leicester Comedy Festival present

25 ACTS FOR £25 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 (As seen on Q.I and as heard on The Unbelievable Truth , The News Quiz and regular co-host on the Rhod Gilbert Show) and star of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, Barbara Nice ("catch her before she goes stratospheric" The Scotsman). More exciting acts TBA www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Map Ref: 25

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 19:30 (22:30) Entry: £25

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Big Difference Company present

25 COMEDY CLUB Join us for the launch of Leicester's newest and most exclusive comedy club. Entry is only open to members who will be treated to some of the best comedians at comedy nights held 6 times a year. Membership is strictly limited and the venue is a closely guarded secret. This launch night is going to be amazing so don't miss out. Contact katherine@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk for details. EVENT DATES:

Venue: Ssshhhh it's a secret!!

Time: 19:00 (21:30) Entry: Ssshhhh it's a secret!!

Big Difference Company present

25 YEARS OF LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL WITH GEOFF ROWE 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. Part of the Beyond a Joke series. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 39

Just The Tonic

7 ACTS FOR £7 Just the Tonic brings you 7 comedians each Friday night for only £7. A total bargain of a mixed bill show "Just the Tonic consistently boast some of the most inserting line ups in the country"The Times. Each week we feature some of the best acts from the UK circuit. Two and a half hour show for £7. Bargain. These shows will sell out, so book early For individual show listings check online at www.justthetonic.com www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 25

Charity Link present

A BELLYFUL OF LAUGHS IN AID OF CHARITY LINK 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, no matter what crisis, illness, disability or difﬁculty they are facing. Ticket price includes a delicious two-course meal and comedy night. By reservation only. www.charity-link.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Fish and The Chip

Time: 18:30 (23:00) Entry: £25

Map Ref: 53

Jokes On Us present

A FISH? Recent studies show that when trapped under ice some ﬁsh resort to alcohol, which they can produce internally to keep themselves warm. Oh Standfast is not a ﬁsh but he does adopt similar methods when trapped in his own head. Well, something like that. A 40 minute outburst courtesy of this self proclaimed reluctant poet and shouter of words. "**** The next generation of offbeat comedy gold" To Do List. Twit: @ohstandfast #ohstandfast http://ohstandfast.wordpress.com ALTERNATIVE, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund

A FUNNY CITY EXHIBITION 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 and these will be on display in addition to some rare audio and moving images. For further information visit www.afunnycity.co.uk EXHIBITION DATES:

Venue: Soft Touch Arts

Time: 11:00 (17:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 43

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund

Venue: DMU Heritage centre

Time: 12:00 (17:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 12

A Rush Of Laughter present

A RUSH OF LAUGHTER SHOWCASE A Rush Of Laughter brings you one hour of comedy featuring three of their amazing acts from their roster. Starring Tony Basnett - "undoubtedly funny with a healthy dose of conﬁdence" Gigglebeats, Tony Wright - "One day I will be paying money to watch you in an arena" - Justin Lee Collins & Lucy Thompson - Best Show & Best Debut Show Nominee, Leicester Comedy Festival. www.arushoﬂaughter.co.uk MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Willis & Vere

WORLD PREMIERE

A SERIOUS PLAY ABOUT WORLD WAR II

Following on from their hilarious, award-winning farce 'The Starship Osiris', Willis & Vere have created an extremely serious World War II play in an effort to win an award. Even though the duo have no experience in movement, music and dance, they will now use movement, music and dance to tell a harrowing and quite beautiful story. As usual, hecklers will be removed. Previous work: ***** (Broadway Baby, ThreeWeeks, LondonTheatre1) THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 2

A SILLY HOUR OF FUN

WORLD PREMIERE

What happens if you cross a whirlwind of fun, a magician of mirth and a Tsunami of song? This show, that's what! 3 comedians use puns, music & award nominated gags to have childish fun. Not to be missed! Ed.fringe best joke nominee (2016&17) Adele Cliff "Very funny" (FunnyWomen) - Musical Comedy Award 2017 ﬁnalist Katie Pritchard "Rather brilliant" (Everything Theatre) - Funny man Chris Norton Walker "Hilarious to watch" (Local Secrets) MIXED BILL, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 14:00 (14:50) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

A VERBAL TIGHTROPE WALK

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "Superbly formulated and consistently funny one-liners" - BSH Magazine. "Left me wondering just what he was going to say next" - Notts Comedy Review "A host of inventive gags doused in wordplay and performed with aplomb" Stage Fright Comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 20:45 (21:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

AAAAARGH DINOSAURS! 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! CHILDREN'S, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Map Ref: 63

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 AAAAH THE GROWING PAINS OF A NEUROTIC JEW ... HENRY CHURNIAVSKY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Henry Churniavsky in his solo show unloads to the audience all about his Jewish roots from growing up to getting old, with lots more in between. He discusses mothers, marriage,pregnancy, his children (twins) and his daughters (expensive) wedding. He also is a Neurotic, Paranoid, Hypochondriac who looks at nightmare dating, his wife and asks the question "What is being Jewish all about?"Ending up talking about medical procedures for good measure. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 5

Abi Roberts / Bawls Out Comedy

ABI ROBERTS: WORK-IN-PROGRESS BBC Radio 4s Abi Roberts returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a new work-in-progress show about freedom. Expect the usual belly laughs, impressions and high-energy stage show from this award-winning comedian. 'True comedy genius..on our list of newer stand-up comedians not to miss": GQ Magazine. "Hilarious, thought-provoking & a joy to watch" - Independent. ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. ***** Edinburgh Fringe Review. ***** Three Weeks. www.abiroberts.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 49

Fresh Frinton Productions present

ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE FOR CUTLERY USERS - LEVEL 2 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. CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 15:45 (16:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

The Cookie Comedy Club present

ADAM HESS: CACTUS 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 ﬁ ve 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

ADAM LARTER: BOOGIE KNIGHTS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "A giddy, bizarre whirlwind" The List "One of the most stupidly brilliant things you'll see " Fest CABARET, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Front Row Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ADAM ROWE: UNBEARABLE

Liverpool Comedian Of The Year Winner & English Comedian Of The Year Finalist brings his critically acclaimed show 'Unbearable' to Leicester Comedy Festival. 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. **** - The List **** - The Hook "True Comic Brilliance" - The Liverpool Echo www.adam-rowe.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Front Row Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

ADAM ROWE: WORK IN PROGRESS

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. This is brand new material from one of the country's fastest rising stars. **** - The List **** - The Hook "True Comic Brilliance" - The Liverpool Echo "Extremely strong routines" - Fest Mag www.adam-rowe.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

ADELE CLIFF: SHEEP (WIP)

WORLD PREMIERE

Adele Cliff, Dave's Top 15 Funniest Jokes of the Fringe 2017&2016, brings her brand new show Sheep to Leicester Comedy Festival! Packed with gags, anecdotes and fun this work in progress show is sure to amuse. Full of great new jokes to wow ewe all, flock in for some of the best comedy to be herd. "I find her really annoying to watch, as I'm constantly kicking myself for not having thought of those gags first" - Gary Delaney SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 14:15 (15:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

ADRIAN TAUSS AND SASHA ELLEN: WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER

WORLD PREMIERE

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 beneﬁ ts of smoking. Sasha Ellen- "Honest, hilarious and horrifying... the comedy future looks good for Ellen"- Canal-St. "Genuinely fresh" The Scotsman **** Adrian Tauss as seen on Comic Relief. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

The Cookie present

AHIR SHAH: CONTROL In an age of global socio-political turmoil, Shah presents a show about freedom, fascism, history, hope, resistance, and milk. In it, he theorised that we were being tugged in contradictory directions by a potential brighter future and resurgent worst of the past. He's currently trying to work out how to build that future in a time when the past appears to be winning. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 47

AHIR SHAH: WORK-IN-PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. 'A call to arms against political complacency' **** Guardian. 'One of his generation's most eloquent comic voices' **** Telegraph. 'Fiendishly clever and furious' **** Times SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: TBC

AHIR SHAH: WORK-IN-PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. 'A call to arms against political complacency' **** Guardian. 'One of his generation's most eloquent comic voices' **** Telegraph. 'Fiendishly clever and furious' **** Times SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 39

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Aidan Goatley

AIDAN GOATLEY: CONVERSATIONS WITH SOMEONE I DON'T BELIEVE IN

WORLD PREMIERE

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? (Special appearance by the almighty) "A riotously funny comedian" - Broadway Baby "A brilliant raconteur" Fringeguru "Charming and funny" - The Scotsman SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Aidan Goatley

AIDAN GOATLEY: THE JOYS OF RETAIL So you could have been an accountant like your grandmother wanted but instead you did a media degree. Congratulations, you now work in retail! Join Aidan Goatley as he details the horrors of working in shops from 'delightful' customers to frankly awful managers. "Proper comic gold" - Chortle "A riotously funny comedian" - Broadway baby "A brilliant raconteur" - Fringeguru SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 17

HD Management present

ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING: FULL VELVET JACKET (WIP) 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. ***** EdFestMag | **** The Scotsman | **** Fest | **** One4Review | **** Voice | **** Three Weeks (P.S. I know I'm not wearing a velvet jacket in the photo. Give me a break.) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:00 (18:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALEX HYLTON: EVERYBODY'S DIFFERENT, AND I'M THE SAME

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? "Catch him now, whilst he's still playing the smaller rooms!"- Hufﬁngton Post SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

ALEX HYLTON: I CAME, I SAW, I COMPLAINED 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 from one of the 'Top 10 Must See New Acts' (Hufﬁngton Post) 'Brilliant, self-depreciating bursts. Consistently funny' (EdFringeReview) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Needle and Pin

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Alex Kealy and Jokes On Us Festival present

ALEX KEALY: LEAVE THEM WANTING NOT LESS "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. "Hilarious... fresh, insightful, and original... a great hour of cerebral stand-up" - **** FringeGuru, "Hilariously funny... a very enjoyable hour of comedy" - **** Theatre Weekly, "Ferociously quick-witted... ﬂawless script" - **** EdFringeReview SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALEXANDER BENNETT SCREAMS INTO THE VOID (YOU)

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. **** (Stage) ***** (One4Review) "Anarchic... touched with madness. A producer and performer of some refreshingly different material" (Chortle) "Inspired: a comedian with plenty of potential" (Skinny) "Witty, weird and dark; all hail Alexander Bennett!" (Harry Hill) http://www.alexanderbennettcomedian.com/ SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

IAM present

ALFIE BROWN: LUNATIC (WORK IN PROGRESS) Alfie Brown (as seen on Viceland) 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. Alfie is one of the most exciting and challenging comedians working in the UK, charming, silly and sometimes livid he has earned exceptional reviews for his work. "Like a British Doug Stanhope" ****The Guardian. www.alfiebrown.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Blue Light Comedy present

ALFIE MOORE: 'IT'S A FAIR COP' WORK IN PROGRESS 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. "... offbeat, revealing and very funny" Daily Mail "Brilliantly funny... . genuinely hilarious" David Mitchell. 18th & 25th part of the Kayal All-Dayer. www.alﬁemoore.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 10th 18:50 | 18th 14:00 | 25th 15:20 Entry: £7 (18th & 25th £8 - Kayal All-dayer)

Map Ref: 26

Louis CK, Jerry Seinfeld and Ken Dodd present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALI BRICE'S LEMONADE STAND

You are cordially invited to The Grand Re-Re-Re-Re-Opening of Lemon Adrian's Lemonade Stand. The Health & Safety Inspector shall not win again. When life hands you lemons, remember to check the sell by date and ensure they've been legally sourced! ***** "a twinkle-eyed comedy natural" ShortCom.co.uk ***** "Eric Meat is a side-splittingly comical entity" TheUpcoming **** "joyously bonkers... the perfect level of exaggerated oddness" Chortle www.philcollins.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (19:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Big Difference Company present

ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS AWARDS SPONSORED BY FLOGAS Join us for the 2nd Alternative Business Awards, celebrating the serious men & women who drive the region's economy. Following the success of the 2016 event, 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. Hosted by Patrick Monahan (winner of ITV's "Show Me The Funny") In aid of Big Difference Company. EVENT DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 18:30 (21:15) Entry: £24

Map Ref: 10

Avalon present

ALUN COCHRANE Grumpy-joyful, silly-serious stand-up. Jokes, ideas and (possibly) movement will all be deployed for your amusement during this show. As seen on blah blah and blah, and heard on various funny radio shows. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre

Map Ref: 35

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £12.50

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 This is just Alwin saying Hello! Please come to my show!

ALWIN SOLANKY'S SPANISH OMELETTE 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. ALTERNATIVE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

AMADEUS MARTIN: A HISTORY OF PET HATES We all have our list of 'pet hates'; things that make us enraged, either because we are envious of what others have or we are appalled they have them in the ﬁrst place, whether these be kids or nuclear arms. 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. amadeus.martin.co.uk

SOLO SHOW, SATIRE

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:10) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 26

AMY HOWERSKA IS A GODDESS *UNLESS TIRED OR HUNGRY 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. Howerska brings her sell-out Edinburgh show to Leicester. **** THE Australian TIMES "proudly niche, but all the better for it" CHORTLE. www.amyhowerska.com SOLO SHOW, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

DC Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

AN HOUR OF ENTERTAINMENT WITH MATT HOLLINS

Come and enjoy an hour of entertainment with locally based and widely travelled entertainer Matt Hollins. "Strikingly Original" - Chortle "Wonderful and Unique" - Joe Lycett "A genuine original" - Leicester Mercury SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Big Difference Company present

AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVE JOHNS 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. An interview with Festival Director Geoff Rowe. Part of the Beyond A Joke series. Photo: Steve Ullathorne DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 16:30 (18:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 39

Big Difference Company present

AN INTERVIEW WITH HARRY HILL 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. Multi award winner, Harry has presented numerous radio & tv shows and in autumn 2017 he published his latest book "Matt Millz" about the youngest stand-up comedian in the world. Join Harry for this in-depth interview with Festival Director, Geoff Rowe. www.curveonline.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 14:00 (15:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 10

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Everards Tiger presnet

ANCHOR INN ROARS WITH LAUGHTER 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). Keep an eye on the festival website to see what other top festival acts will be joining him. Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Anchor Inn

Time: 19:30 (20:45) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 1

ANDREW BIRD 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. He has supported Rob Brydon and Michael McIntyre on tour and also a writer on Lee Mack's Duck Quacks Don't Echo. "Going to be a star" The Scotsman. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:40) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

RBM present

ANDREW LAWRENCE THE HAPPY ACCIDENT TOUR "Superbly intelligent, highly articulate and deeply sour." The Spectator Star of BBC1's Live at The Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Roadshow, Dave's One Night Stand and Sky Arts' The Outcast Comic, as well as the hugely successful self-penned BBC Radio 4 series, There Is No Escape. 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. www.andrewlawrencecomedy.co.uk SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 47

The Cookie Comedy Club present

ANDREW O'NEILL'S HISTORY OF HEAVY METAL - FULL BAND SHOW! 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! MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 47

The Cookie Comedy Club present

ANDREW O'NEILL: WIP Twice-award-nominated for his brand-new shows in Leicester, come and see what this inventive, surreal and quite tall comedian has written between the deadline for this listing and February. MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

Off The Kerb Productions present

ANDREW RYAN: SURE, YOU KNOW YOURSELF (WORK IN PROGRESS) Irishman Andrew Ryan (**** Metro) returns to Leicester with a new hour of stand-up comedy following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and UK tour. (Rapturously Funny ****- The List) As seen on BBC3's Russell Howard's Good News, Best of the Edinburgh Festival Live on BBC3, Live at The Comedy Store for Comedy Central, Live for MIND on Comedy Central, The Six O Clock show on TV3. www.andrewryancomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 47

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Laugh Out London present

WORLD PREMIERE

ANDY BARR: NEUSTADT

Visionary architect, Andy Barr, has been tasked with designing the ideal city. "Skilfully written and delivered lined ... Barr's comic timing and gestures are impeccable" **** - The List, "It's delightful" - Chortle, "He is a funny boy" Tim Key's Picks of the Edinburgh Fringe 2017 (i News) CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Fowl Humour present

WORLD PREMIERE

ANDY FOWLER - I'M BETTER THAN THIS...

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. "The best act you'll see ever. Unlike Gary Smedley, the arse." - A Fowler ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

The Cookie Comedy Club present

ANDY ZALTZMAN 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 47

Off The Kerb Productions present

ANGELA BARNES: FORTITUDE Angela Barnes (Mock The Week, BBC R4's The News Quiz, host of Newsjack on BBC R4Extra) is back after a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run with her new show "Fortitude". "She's just a gloriously down-to-earth, straight talking and extremely funny comic" The Guardian www.angelabarnescomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 47

Off The Kerb Productions present

ANGELA BARNES: WORK IN PROGRESS BBC New Comedy Award winner, Angela Barnes, returns to Leicester with a brand-new hour of jokes. A regular on Mock The Week and host of BBC Radio 4's Newsjack, Angela has also appeared on R4's Newsquiz, and sold out her run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017. "She's just a gloriously down-to-earth, straight talking and extremely funny comic" The Guardian www.angelabarnescomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 49

CatFace Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ANNA MORRIS: BITCHELORS

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! CHARACTER, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ARCHIE MADDOCKS: ARCHLIFE

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. www.archiemaddocks.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Jokes On Us present

ARCHIE MADDOCKS: ILLUMINARCHIE IlluminArchie is the hilarious show by "super cool, super smart storyteller" (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard), award-winning comedian, Archie Maddocks. He is described as "poignant, inventive and razor-sharp" (BroadwayBaby.com) and as having "a corking, almost cinematic story" (Chortle.co.uk). Join his Edinburgh hit show which looks at how he wishes someone would take control of his life so he didn't have to. www.archiemaddocks.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

ARIELLE SOUMA - SOUMA UNTITLED Arielle Souma is excited to present you her ﬁrst solo show: Souma Untitled. Finalist of numerous comedy competitions _ NATYS 2017, So You Think You're Funny 2016, Frog & Bucket World Series 2017... Arielle Souma doesn't give a damn! She says it as it is; which makes her stories absolutely hilarious. Get ready to laugh out loud about relationships, sex and the World going mad! "She is just what the comedy industry needs" Frankie Boyle STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Bottle Rocket Comedy present

ASIAN PERSUASION 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... Star of BBC Radio 4 and as seen on BBC One,BBC Two, BBC Three, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, Comedy Central and Sky Arts. Support from Bilal Zafar (Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee), Rahul Kohli and Sunil Patel. Previous acts include Romesh Ranganathan & Nish Kumar. www.brcomedy.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 63

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ASIDE EFFECT

A stand-up comedy show about a man (Winter Foenander) who ﬁnds himself in a perpetual state of madness; as he attempts to retrace his steps back to humanity. "If you want a lively evening with lots of talent he's your man" Peter Barron, Macclesﬁeld Cricket Club "Pace, energy, delivery... a machine gun of improvisation blended exquisitely with well honed material" Luton Comedy Club www.winterfoenander.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:00 (18:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

AUSTENTATIOUS! AN IMPROVISED JANE AUSTEN NOVEL 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! Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, this award-winning comedy smash is not to be missed. Swooning guaranteed. 'A potboiler of a parody, joyously performed' ***** (Times ) www.austentatiousimpro.com/

IMPROV

DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Map Ref: 45

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Bad Clowns Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

BAD CLOWNS: WORK IN PROGRESS

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! Leicester Square Theatre Sketch Off! semi-ﬁnalists 2017 www.badclownscomedy.com SKETCH, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Gary Sansome

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BALD MAN SINGS RIHANNA

Ever heard a bald man sing Rihanna? Fresh from performing at the world's biggest comedy clubs, including Caroline's on Broadway, NYC and Yuk Yuk's Toronto, Scottish baldy Gary Sansome - ("Exceptionally funny" Mark Dolan, Balls of Steel) - takes an irreverent look at music and popular culture in one hilarious fun packed show. ***** "an hour of pure entertainment and hilarity" (Bunbury Magazine ) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Just The Tonic present

BARBARA NICE: RAFFLE Barbara Nice, the nation's favourite housewife, brings her hit Edinburgh festival show to Leicester Comedy Festival and invites you to join her in a classic game of risk and chance. Tip top fun from Phoenix nights star Janice Connolly "catch her before she goes stratospheric" The Scotsman SOLO SHOW, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 24

aep present

BARRY CRYER & COLIN SELL 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. EVENT, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 19:30 (21:50) Entry: £22

Map Ref: 63

BARRY LOVES YOU

WORLD PREMIERE

The new show from Barry Ferns: Spirit of the Fringe (2014, Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Malcolm Hardee Award winner. **** (Kate Copstick, Scotsman). "A marvellous, personal, beautifully constructed and laughter-packed hour" ***** (ThreeWeeks). **** (BroadwayBaby.com) www.barryferns.com SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 11th - 20:10 (21:00) | 18th - 17:30 (18:20) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

BEC HILL: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. "Hill is a multi-coloured ray of eternal sunshine. In a world of pain and darkness, her total lack of cynicism is refreshing." **** (Scotsman) bechillcomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 BECKY BRUNNING - WORK IN PROGRESS (WITH GOOD BITS)

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. Praise for previous work (which is absolutely no guarantee for this new stuff): ****Australia Times **** Dark Chat "Original, Inventive and Exciting" Sara Pascoe (*it's all relative) www.beckybrunning.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17:00 (17:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Big Difference Productions present

BECKY FURY: APOCOLOPTIMIST Double Malcolm Hardee Award winning Becky Fury presents the results of this year's Edinburgh WIP. The show 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. "A Rollercoaster ride of a story" "Finest sticks of comedy dynamite to be found for love or a suggested donation" (Scotsgay) SOLO SHOW, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

The Crumblin Cookie present

WORLD PREMIERE

BEN BRIGGS - THIS IS WHAT IT'S COME TO

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. "Inherently appealing style" - Chortle ''a nice cynical sneer' beyondthejoke.co.uk Nominated Best Act - Midlands Comedy Awards 2014 and 2015 Finalist - English Comedian of the Year - 2015 www.benbriggs.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 12:30 (13:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

Plosive Productions present

BEN TARGET: WORK-IN-PROGRESS New ideas from "maverick physical comedian (and Edinburgh Best Newcomer nominee) Ben Target" (Guardian). 2011 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year winner. "Impressively funny" (Scotsman). "Imagine there was no Ben Target. The world would unquestionably be a darker, less interesting place" **** (Chortle). "Target is a great ﬁnd and will leave you warmed up physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally" ****½ (Adelaide Advertiser). ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BEN VAN DER VELDE: SIDEKICK

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. "Sharp and crafty gagsmith." (Chortle) "He displays a crackling, spontaneous energy in which we're swept up." (Fest) Top 50 Jokes of the Fringe (Scotsman, Hufﬁngton Post, iNews.co.uk). www.benvandervelde.com SOLO SHOW, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) & 20:30 (21:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

BENNETT ARRON: I'VE NEVER TOLD ANYONE THIS... The Star of BBC TV's "The Kosher Comedian" and BBC Radio's "Bennett Arron Worries About... " returns with his funniest and most personal show yet. "Genuinely original and funny" The Times "Hilarious... clever wit... razor sharp" The Standard "A Welsh Seinfeld" The Guardian

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Map Ref: 24

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £7

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

Proud Sponsors of Leicester Comedy Festival

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New Car Sales - Used Car Sales - Service Parts - Accessories - Approved Bodyshop

www.sturgessgroup.com 52

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Big Difference Company present

BEST OF THE STAND UP CHALLENGE 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. In aid of Big Difference Company. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 39

Heroes

BETH VYSE AS OLIVE HANDS IN THE HAND THAT ROCKED THE CRADLE WIP

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Beth Vyse's sassy, leopard print clad alter ego Olive Hands (Britain's number two in the morning!), daytime TV wannabe, resurrects her career again! Can she ﬁnally talk her way into the perfect Hand's job? Olive Hand's left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. "Hands down the funniest thing I've seen at the Fringe" ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). "This show has cult written all over it, a formidable comic actress" **** (Chortle.co.uk). ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

BIG DIFFERENCE FUNDRAISER A mixed bill of festival acts and special guests all supporting the charity behind the annual Leicester Comedy Festival (Big Difference Company registered charity 1135167). The full line up will be conﬁrmed on www.comedy-festival.co.uk

MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 2

BIG HOWARD LITTLE HOWARD: MAN & BOY 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? Perrier-nominated Big Howard and Little Howard have graced stage and screen all over the world, won a Writer's Guild Award. "Genius" Daily Mail. www.littlehoward.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

BIG HOWARD'S LOL-TASTIC YUKFEST FOR KIDS AND WELL-TRAINED ADULTS 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 (WARNING! some of the clever nonsense will be extremely stupid). Howard has had his own show on CBBC, appeared on The Slammer and on the Royal Variety Performance. www.littlehoward.co.uk

CHILDREN'S, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 24

BILAL ZAFAR (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

Bilal Zafar was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for his debut show. He also won the Hackney Empire New act of the year award in 2016. (People call these things prestigious, I swear) He's also working on his own one off show for BBC Radio 4 and has been on proper TV a bit. This is your ﬁrst chance to see his brand new show! SATIRE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Map Ref: 49

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Cookie Comedy Club present

BILAL ZAFAR: BISCUIT Join 2016 Best Newcomer nominee and Hackney Empire New Act of the Year winner of the same year as he explores the fascinating world of online dating and ﬁnding love on social media in increasingly confusing times. He has appeared on Channel 4, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Asian Network, and has written for the Independent. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

Alex Hall for GetComedy presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BISHA K ALI'S LIFE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

Bisha K Ali brings a work in progress show to Leicester Comedy Festival. As heard on The Guilty Feminist, BBC Asian Network and seen on BBC 3, this rising star of the UK circuit makes the political personal with her original, inventive voice. Come for the jokes, stay for the heartbreak. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Everards Tiger present

BLACK DOG ROARS WITH LAUGHTER Festival favourite, multi-award nominee, and Midlands Comedy Awards Breakthrough Act of the Year 2016, Lucy Thompson, headlines a top night of stand-up comedy from the Black Dog ('Funny Bones' - Steve Bennett, Chortle | 'Absolutely Superb' - The Voodoo Stands up). See website for details and more acts as they're announced. Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Dog

Time: 19:30 (20:45) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 3

Jokes On Us present

BOARD GAME SMACKDOWN 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. www.jamescookcomedian.com GAME SHOW, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 14:15 (15:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

BOB SLAYER: BOBBY'S INNER CIRCLE

Bob Slayer's infamous late night lock-in: Storytelling, yarn-spinning and a right good laugh. Anything can happen if you let it. "Spirit of the Fringe... " (Guardian). "Everyone should spend an hour with Bob... " (The List) "Not as daft as he looks?" (The Times) Until Late! Latecomers very welcome. www.blundabus.com GAME SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 22:45 (23:55) | 11th - 21:30 (22:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

The Cookie Comedy Club present

BOBBY MAIR 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £12.50

Map Ref: 47

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Cookie Comedy Club present

BOBBY MAIR: LOUDLY INSECURE 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £12.50

Map Ref: 49

BOTTLE ROCKET COMEDY CLUB Leicester's longest running comedy club returns for this Comedy Festival Special - Book Early! Featuring a top line up of comedians... Nish Kumar As seen on The Mash Report and Live at The Apollo // Darren Harriott Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee "Properly funny" The Times // Scott Bennett One of the fastest rising stars on the UK circuit // Phil Jerrod "Casual brilliance" -- The Guardian. Line up subject to change www.ytheatre.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 63

Sachin Kumarendran/Adam Elmi

BRAD TALKS 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. Part of the Kayal all-dayer. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:40) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

Heroes present

BRENDON BURNS (CONTENT SUBJECT TO CHANGE) "I'm back in Leicester in February. It's October now. You honestly expect me to predict the future as to what the f*** is going to happen between now and then? We need a new system for this" Host of Dumb White Guy podcast and ghost of show business past. Warning! May contain material and some unjustiﬁable swagger that some might ﬁnd offensive! SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Live Nation present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BRENNAN REECE: EVERLONG

Edinburgh Best Newcomer Nominee (Me) and English Comedian Of The Year (Also Me) returns with a "powerfully entertaining" show about the stars (in the sky), memories (in the mind) and his Nanna (in a home). www.brennanreece.com STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

Live Nation present

WORLD PREMIERE

BRENNAN REECE: WORK IN PROGRESS

Back again throwing more shit at the wall and hoping it sticks. Come and see Brennan perform his "powerfully entertaining" "brilliantly infectious" comedy. Here is some proof that some of that shit has stuck in the past. English Comedian Of The Year Edinburgh Best Newcomer Nominee 5 Star Uber Rating Over 6 million YouTube hits ***** - Arts Award, Deﬁne Arts, Glitterati, **** - Chortle, The Sunday Times, The Independent www.brennanreece.com STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 52

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 BRETT GOLDSTEIN - WHAT IS LOVE BABY DON'T HURT ME Brett Goldstein - What Is Love Baby Don't Hurt Me Sex. Porn. Love. Addiction. Can you tell the difference? Brett Goldstein, award winning comic, actor and writer, returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a new stand up show about relationships, psychology, living in a post porn world, and the hell that is being in love. Come help him through this difﬁcult time. A work in progress comedy as therapy show. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

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FoxyComedy present

BRIAN DAMAGE AND KRYSSTAL Brian & Krysstal have entertained and delighted all kinds of audiences far and wide. Regular ﬁ xtures 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. A headline set from this unique act, with support from Ben Ennis, Mark Docker, Kevin Hayes. http://www.pearshapedcomedy.com MUSICAL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 69

BRIGHTSPARKS COMEDY ASYLUM

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Supported by the Big Lottery. www.brightsparksarts.uk THEATRE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (21:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 2

BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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! "Promises to leave at least one of you crying with laughter" - Mother and Baby Magazine. Ages 16+ and under 12 months. www.byobcomedy.com/ leicester for details. EVENT, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 12:00 (13:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 2

NCF Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BUILDING RELATIONS

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. Arielle Souma - "her attitude overpowers any resistance" - Chortle , Radu Isac - "plenty of edge" - Chortle MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 26

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 De Montfort University present

BUSINESS LUNCH The launch of Leicester Comedy Festival 2018, to guests and friends from local businesses, at De Montfort University, where the Festival began in 1994. To be held in the Vijay Patel Building Gallery. www.dmu.ac.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Vijay Patel Building

Time: 12:30 (13:45) Entry: By Invitation Only

Map Ref: 66

Sleight of Hair Entertainments present

BUY WAND GET WAND FREE Magic show jam packed with puns, gags, props and music. Not as bad as it sounds "Does one of the funniest jokes I've ever seen" Rich Hall "Mind-bogglingly daft magic, brilliant " John Marshall (AKA Agraman) EL Baldiniho is sensitively portrayed by comedy actor Jason Jared (as seen on BBC1, ITV, Channel 4 and CBBC) www.elbaldiniho.co.uk SOLO SHOW, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Dave Chawner

C'EST LA VEGAN 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. As heard on Radio 1, Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live. Three Weeks - * * * * Broadway Baby - * * * * The List - * * * * Edinburgh Festival Magazine - * * * * Ed Fringe Review - * * * * Arts Award Voice - * * * * * Bunbury Magazine - * * * * * (This show will be BSL interpreted) www.davechawner.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 2

The Chandeliers present

C.S.I: CRIME SCENE IMPROVISATION Mirth meets murder in the world's daftest whodunnit. Following a ﬁ ve-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! "A novel idea, executed superbly" ***** (The Wee Review) www.crimesceneimpro.com IMPROV, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 39

United Agents present

CAM SPENCE: THE MATRIARCHY EXPERIENCE 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! "Since experiencing a matriarchy, I have felt constantly sad because I wish I lived in one" (One of many satisﬁed customers). A debut show from fast-rising new character comedian Cam Spence. CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 14:30 (15:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 15

The Cookie Comedy Club present

CARL DONNELLY: THE NUTTER ON A BUS 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 and his comedy as "a touching and hilarious account of embarrassment and the fragility of modern masculinity" The Sunday Times SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 47

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Big Difference Company present

CARRY ON: 60 GLORIOUS YEARS WITH ROBERT ROSS 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. www.robertross.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:30 (14:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 39

CATHERINE BOHART - ORDER Catherine Bohart (BBC New Talent Hotlist 2017, BBC New Comedy Award and Funny Women Award Finalist) is the bisexual, OCD daughter of a Catholic Deacon and she's got a lot to say about it. 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. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

United Agents present

CATRIONA KNOX WORK IN PROGRESS 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. Star of BBC2's 'Revolting', 'Damned' on Channel 4, 'Boomers' (BBC1), and Charlie Brooker's 'Weekly Wipe' & 'Election Wipe' as News Reporter Emily Surname. "The next Joyce Grenfell" - Spectator ***** - ThreeWeeks SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

CATTLE MARKET COMEDY CLUB Cattle Market Comedy Club has arrived! An awesome line up of festival favourites all under the watchful eye of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee 2017, George Rigden. George's "Deliciously Dark" (Beyond The Joke) sense of humour has taken him to the ﬁnal of many national competitions... perhaps it's his impossibly arrogant and mean spited jokes that stop him going all the way? Come and see for yourself! More acts to be announced. www.comedy-festival.co.uk

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: The Banqueting Suite

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 46

Caustic Comedy Events present

WORLD PREMIERE

CAUSTIC COMEDY NIGHTS

Live Stand-up Comedy! **** 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. Experience 538 years of history, and 538 reasons to laugh! **** Headliners Feb 9 Daniel-Ryan Spaulding, Feb 16 Glenn Wool, Feb 25 Pete Johansson www.Caustic.nl/Giglist MIXED BILL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 22:00 (23:30) Entry: £8.50

Map Ref: 69

CEREAL FOR DINNER "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. THIS SHOW IS NOT TO BE MISSED, UNLIKE THE ENTRY TO "FATHER" ON HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE. "A fresh type of observational comedy has just been seen" - The laughter lounge SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 15:30 (16:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 CEREAL FOR DINNER

"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. THIS SHOW IS NOT TO BE MISSED, UNLIKE THE ENTRY TO "FATHER" ON HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE. "A fresh type of observational comedy has just been seen" - The laughter lounge SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

CHANCE TO DREAM

WORLD PREMIERE

"Comedy Cashback Winner", "Fantastically Funny" Arts In Mag. 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. #dreamsmaynotcometrue SOLO SHOW, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 2

Off The Kerb Productions present

CHARLIE BAKER: WORK IN PROGRESS Join Charlie Baker as he returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a brand-new hour of stand-up comedy. As seen on Harry Hill's Tea Time (Sky 1), Channel 4's Comedy Gala and Live at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central). "A superior take on the modern showman" -The Guardian "An absolute romp, with some shout-with-laughter moments" **** -Chortle www.charliebakercomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

CHARMIAN HUGHES: BRA TREK

WORLD PREMIERE

Brand new comedy quest- to boldly go where no man has gone before, uplift humanity, not divide, and climb every mountain on the way. "A class above other stand ups-great entertainer not to be missed!" New Zealand Dominion Post. "A joy!" Kate Copstick Scotsman "funny poignant profound" TheatreView. "Four stars!" Funny Women. Comedy Award Nominee. Glastonbury MC. www.charmianhughes.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 11th 14:20 (15:15) | 12th 17:50 (18:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Just The Tonic present

CHICKEN SOUP CRUSADER Daphna Baram, a Middle Eastern Mary Poppins, is saving the world again, armed with a semi-automatic umbrella and a pot of Jewish penicillin. Brexit will not break her, and Trump can trumpet away, she's back after a year or touring in Glasgow, Brighton, Edinburgh, Curious Art Festival, Manchester Women In Comedy Festival, Hastings and London. London Evening Standard's critics choice for Camden Fringe. " * * * * * Masterful" Bunbury Magazine www.missd.co.uk SOLO SHOW, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 24

Colin Chadwick

WORLD PREMIERE

CHOOSE YOUR OWN COMEDIAN ADVENTURE

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. www.colin.ie INTERACTIVE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 17

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Galton Agency present

CHRIS BETTS VS THE AUDIENCE 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. Scores are kept by an independent comedian judge and by the end of the hour we'll tally up the scores of arguments won and lost and declare a winner! Prizes for the audience if they win and prizes for Chris if he wins! "Properly hilarious"-What's On London www.chrisbettsisntfunny.com ALTERNATIVE, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Alex Hall for Get Comedy presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CHRIS BETTS: BEWILDERBEEST

Betts is back, but he's got a problem. What do you do when you can't trust the law, the elderly or even yourself? Join him for an hilarious dissection of human nature. This thoughtful, silly and crass Canadian jokesmith with a gift for "drolly original reasoning (and) zinging turn of phrase" (Scotsman) is a must see. www.chrisbettsisntfunny.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:30 (20:25) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CHRIS BETTS: WORK IN PROGRESS

New jokes, stories and thoughts from comedian and huge Point Break fan, Chris Betts. Top 20 Jokes of the Fringe -Telegraph. "An enticing prospect"Independent. "Drolly original reasoning"- Scotsman. "Properly hilarious"- What's On London SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Chuckle Busters present

CHRIS CHOPPING: PREMATURE EMASCULATION A pithy, witty hour of bold character comedy and hilarious stand up full of petty insecurities, impotent rage and a certain amount of erudite smut. "A really good comic, tremendously clever in both his delivery and subject matter" (Metro) chrischopping.co.uk SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

CHRIS COLTRANE: SOCIALIST COMEDY FOR LOVELY PEOPLE Uplifting, heart-warming political comedy, for people who love social justice, libraries and joy. Come along and enjoy a friendly hour of nonsense, as Coltrane tries new jokes out for his upcoming 7th solo stand-up show. Expect stories of activism, and stand-up that is pretty much guaranteed to bring neoliberalism to its knees. "The future of British political comedy" Mark Thomas SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHRIS KEHOE: MANOLOGUE

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. www.chriskehoe.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 CHRIS NORTON WALKER: YEAH!

A gloriously inventive hour of one liners, jokes and puns, gags, and wordplay. ("Hilarious to watch" - LocalSecrets.com) A show with music, silliness and a hell of a lot of laughter. ("A fun, teasing way of keeping the audience on their toes" - Chortle/Steve Bennett) Held together by a man trying to make the world a better place one joke at a time! ("Cementing his reputation as one of the best up and coming acts around" - Funny First Mondays) www.NortonWalker.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (14:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

CHRIS TAVNER - SH*T SOCIALIST

WORLD PREMIERE

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. A show for the many... "Likeable and funny" (City Life). As part of the Kayal All-Dayer (ticket covers full day of shows) www.christavner.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:40) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

CHRIS WASHINGTON: DREAM BIG (WITHIN REASON) 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... Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee. Tour Support for Jason Manford and Tom Stade. "Funny, relatable and heartwarming" Broadway Baby SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 24

CHRIS WASHINGTON: EVERYMAN (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Tour Support for Jason Manford and Tom Stade . "Gaining big laughs from the really small things in life" - **** The List SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Bright Buoy Productions present

CHRISTIAN BRIGHTY'S FREE WILL Law graduate Christian Brighty presents a show about what he knows best: law. Hold on to your horsehair wigs as this "hilarious legal advisor" (The List) takes us on the most legally rigorous comedy show Leicester has ever seen. Guaranteed valid will on exit! Disclaimer: Christian Brighty is not a qualiﬁed lawyer. It is advised you get your will made by a Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme accredited solicitor. ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (19:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

FoxyComedy present

CHRISTIAN REILLY: LOLTERNATIVE ROCK Perrier awarded musical comedian gives LOLternative facts, yuge laughs and bigly hits."Blisteringly funny"(Stage) "Hysterical" ****(ThreeWeeks)"Hyperventilating with laughter" *****(Student)"Amazingly high-quality" ****(BroadwayBaby)"The comedy equivalent of Motörhead slamming straight into Ace Of Spades"(Scotsman) 'If you're a fan of Bill Bailey or Rich Hall,you're a fan already'(Guardian).'Seriously funny'(Herring)"Funny sonofabitch (Rich Hall) MUSICAL, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Map Ref: 69

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Rob Carter, United Agents and Berks Nest present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CHRISTOPHER BLISS: WRITING WRONGS

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. "One of the best character shows we've seen for a long time" BRITISH COMEDY GUIDE. **** CHORTLE "This is how character comedy should be done." CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 19

Off The Kerb Productions present

CHRISTOPHER MACARTHUR-BOYD: REASONS TO LIVE An hour of stand-up from someone who doesn't want to kill themselves anymore! "A comedian on the ascent. The personal and political housed seamlessly." (The Skinny) "A comedy nerd's informed tweaking of stand-up convention." (Chortle) Three-time Scottish Comedian of the Year ﬁnalist. As heard on BBC Radio 1 and 4extra. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 49

Chuckle Busters present

CHUCKLE BUSTERS SHOWCASE Chuckle Busters presents a handpicked showcase of acts from the South West comedy scene joined by the cream of Leicester Comedy Festival. Acts will include Phil Cooper ("A fantastic set" Fosters Comedy), Morgan Rees (2017 So You Think You're Funny Runner-Up), Alex Mahoney (2017 Leicester Mercury Finalist) and Faye Treacy (Best Newcomer - Musical Comedy Awards). Look out for some incredible special guests! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

Big Difference Company present

CIRCUIT BREAKERS 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. Trust us; you'll be seeing these acts in arenas soon so come and see them so you can tell your friends you saw them before they were famous... . Check the line up on www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £7.50

Map Ref: 39

Joke On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CLASSIC JOKE CLUB

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. www.benvandervelde.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

CLICKING COMEDIANS 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. www.stevebest.com EXHIBITION, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 09:00 (17:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 CLONELY

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 fi ve-minute docking scene and long monologues about how dark and bleak space life is. Are you afraid of dying aclone? ("Chatfield and Hammond are gifted physical comedians." THE SCOTSMAN **** "I defy anyone not to be completely taken with this show. " ED FEST MAG ****) SKETCH, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

COCK-KANE THE CLOWN (UK) AND THE MAGIC BOX 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. CLOWN, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 27

standupforcomedy.co.uk present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

COL HOWARTH : END TO END

'The smiling assassin' (Clowns Pocket) and Welsh Unsigned Stand-Up Awards Finalist 2017, takes us on a fast-paced visual trip along the high street, joining the dots of a story that arcs between a cast of characters, sharp realisations and frankly irrelevant tangents. "End to End is a hilarious and charming journey from one of the most likeable comic minds we've seen." Clwb Comedy "One of those comedians who truly lights up the room." Comedy Den www.standupforcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 17:00 (17:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 69

Berk's Nest present

COLIN HOULT / ANNA MANN IN HOW WE STOP THE FASCISTS 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. Colin Hoult's "master class in character comedy" (Time Out) is back. "Funnier than almost all other shows at this year's Fringe" **** Times. "As Anna would lovingly say - ' oh f*ck off that's good'" ***** ThreeWeeks. ***** ShortCom ***** The New European **** Times **** Scotsman **** Fest **** Ed Fest Mag www.berksnest.com CHARACTER, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 15

Berk's Nest present

COLIN HOULT / ANNA MANN: WORK-IN-PROGRESS Colin Hoult's 'master class in character comedy' (Time Out) is back with a brand new show. 'Funnier than almost all other shows at this year's Fringe' **** Telegraph. 'As Anna would lovingly say - ' oh f*ck off that's good'' ***** ThreeWeeks. ***** ShortCom. ***** The New European. **** Times. **** Scotsman. **** Fest. **** Ed Fest Mag. **** Wee Review. www.berksnest.com CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

COMEDIANS KARAOKE Open for comedians and public to unwind after a day of shows with Karaoke til 1am then late disco and bar til 3am. Awards and prizes given to the most entertaining performances.

ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Map Ref: 5

Time: 22:30 (00:00) Entry: FREE

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

roar with laughter tour advert 176x228mm.pdf

06/10/2017

15:05

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

Everards Tiger Present

Roar with Laughter Tour ............................ Royal Oak, Kirby Muxloe ............................ Saturday 10th and Sunday 25th

................................ Cricketers, Aylestone ................................

Wednesday 14th

............................. White Lion, Whissendine .............................

CMY

Friday 22nd

................................... Anchor, Hathern ................................... Friday 23rd February

........................... Rose and Crown, Thurnby ........................... Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th

.................................. Black Dog, Oadby .................................. Saturday 24th February

For tickets and show details visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Everards of Leicestershire present

WORLD PREMIERE

COMEDY BEER TOUR

Like Beer? Like Laughing? Then this is the experience for you! A minibus takes you to 5 pubs, where you try 5 different beers (where you learn more about them than just if you like the taste) then you ﬁnish up at a stand up comedy gig where some of the ﬁnest comedians from the UK Comedy Circuit will entertain you! This experience is in association with Everards of Leicestershire. EVENT DATES:

Venue: Elephant and Castle, Thurlaston

Time: 15:00 (21:00) Entry: £40

Map Ref: 14

COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS 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! It's just like a normal comedy club, but it's on in the day, kids are allowed in, and thus there is a higher than usual chance of heckles like "why is that your face!?" Hosted by Tiernan Douieb. www.demontforthall.co.uk CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 11

Big Difference Productions present

COMEDY IN THE DARK 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. Past acts include Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, Jon Richardson, Shappi Khorsandi and Greg Davies. "Destined to become one of the most talked about shows" (Time Out). MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Phoenix

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 40

COMEDY IN THE DARK FOR KIDS A special version of this unique comedy experience. It's still comedy, and it's still dark... A perfect family show for half-term giggles! Please see www.comedy-festival.co.uk for more details and the line-up as it's announced. Recommended for 8 -12 years olds. Children need to be accompanied by a paying adult. CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Phoenix

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 40

COMEDY ON THE WOLDS 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 'Excellently deadpan' (Hufﬁngton Post) Sarah Keyworth shares a few stories that are guaranteed to make you laugh ('The funniest of bones' - Shappi Khorsandi). More acts to be announced. www.comedy-festival.co.uk

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall

Time: 19:00 (21:00) Entry: £12.50

Map Ref: 67

Comic Relief present:

COMIC RELIEF LIVE Join one of the UK's top comedians as they host 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. At least £5 per ticket will go to Comic Relief. Comic Relief registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland) EVENT, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Map Ref: 63

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £16 (£14.50)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 #sh*twave/Heroes

CONSIGNIA'S PANOPTICON Alternative Act of the Year winners Consignia present a comedy absurdist play about New Labour and Atoms. Cult hit of the fringe. "Consignia's Panopticon is THE BEST show at #edfringe2017." - Ben Target, "This is the traditional spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe." - John Fleming, "Perhaps the strangest comedy show of the year" - Laugh out London, "A man screams "No" as he's hit in the face with a mop." - The Skinny ALTERNATIVE, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Discerning Nights

WORLD PREMIERE

CONVERSATION GARDEN DOES A 'BAKE OFF' THEMED MURDER MYSTERY

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. They'll be guided once again by host Matt Watts with an improvised score from musicman Doug Deans - the perfect recipe for a unique evening of hilarity. GAME SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 15

Club Smashing present

CRABULA! Ever wondered how much more scary Dracula would have been if he'd also been a giant crab? A while back, local idiot Bruce Edhouse decided to write a spoof of both Dracula (which he'd never read) and Midsomer Murders (which he'd never really seen). For some reason, people seemed to really like it when it played to packed out rooms at the festival in 2014 and 2015, so it's back for one last time... and the sequel's on tomorrow too! STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 15

Club Smashing present

WORLD PREMIERE

CRABULA II: SHARKENSTEIN!

Right, you see that show listed just above this one? Well here's the sequel! Inspector Jim Stingers is back, this time taking on the forces of Baron von Sharkenstein (who sounds suspiciously like Donald Trump) and his band of kippers, in a fearsome battle against populist right-wing rhetoric. Needless to say, it's just a load of silly fun, really... "Full of laid back, tender wit and charm" Leicester Mercury STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 15

Jokes On Us present

CULT COMICS 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. Join us. Resistance is futile. www.cultcomics.tumblr.com ALTERNATIVE, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

DADDY JONES

At the age of 23, Carl Jones unexpectedly* became a Dad. Turning to his own upbringing for guidance, and his relationship with his own parents, he soon realised he might not necessarily have all the tools required to be responsible for another human being. *it wasn't entirely unexpected. He did do Biology... "Very funny... a breezily enjoyable half hour from a likeable comic." Chortle CarlJonesComedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 DALE HARRIS New stand up comedian from Leicester putting a funny twist on his life experiences. No matter what the situation, if there's a joke to be found, Dale will ﬁnd it.

EVENT DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 17

The Cookie present

DALISO CHAPONDA: WHAT THE AFRICAN SAID Britain's Got Talent and Amanda Holden's golden buzzer act comedian Daliso Chaponda has announced his debut stand up tour for 2018 entitled 'What The African Said... '. The Malawian born stand up was a stand out star from this year's show, capturing the nation's hearts and garnering over 8 million Facebook views and 9 million on Youtube. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 47

Anita Elizabeth Holmes Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAMIAN KINGSLEY: CAN'T DANCE, WON'T DANCE

The uptight, irritable, shy yet monstrously arrogant Kingsley has developed dangerously high blood pressure and a phobia of dancing. In this multi awardseeking show, the Roofsmasher considers the nature of inhibition, showing off and your ludicrous discotheque behaviour. "pithy, realistic dialogue with really well executed, novel elements and intelligent punchlines" - One4review, Edinburgh Fringe 2017 www.damiankingsley.co.uk STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Show And Tell in association with Noel Gay Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAN ANTOPOLSKI: RETURN OF THE DAN ANTOPOLSKI

The prodigal triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Radio 4 star returns "as inventive as ever" (Guardian) with his eighth stand-up hour about change, pain, honour and gain. "An unusual pairing of moving and silly" (**** Sunday Times). "Spectacular displays of verbal pyrotechnics" (Observer). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 19

DAN EVANS: 10% 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. "a favourite with audiences as well as with his notoriously hard-to-please comedic peers" The Guardian www.danevans.info SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAN WEBBER - SWEARGASM

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. SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Map Ref: 27

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Cookie Comedy Club present

DANE BAPTISTE: G.O.D (GOLD, OIL, DRUGS) 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. As seen on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4), Mock the Week (BBC Two), Chris Ramsey's Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 47

DONATE: Less than 5% of our income comes from public subsidy. If you want to support the festival, please make a donation via www.comedy-festival.co.uk or donate when purchasing a ticket.

Discerning Nights

WORLD PREMIERE

DANIEL NICHOLAS: TRAVAUX EN COURS

Recently described as the 'Prince of Peculiar' local lad Dan Nicholas is back with his own alternative brand of comedy, usually featuring audience interaction, surreal comedy and showmanship. 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. danielnicholas.co.uk STORYTELLING, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

DANNY BUCKLER: FOOLIN'

WORLD PREMIERE

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 with a brand new rollercoaster of a show that combines stories, improvisation and trickery with appalling impressions and questionable singing technique! Another hour of dynamite from the ultimate showman! SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 4

Fluid Thinking and Phil Mcintyre management present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANNY MCLOUGHLIN: SM-ALL CHANGE. A WORK IN PROGRESS

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) www.dannymcloughlin.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Jokes On Us present

DARREN HARRIOTT: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. "Passionate, articulate, witty and bursting with streetwise conﬁdence." Evening Standard **** The Times **** The Scotsman **** SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 DARREN WALSH: MASSIVE PUNT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "Punbelievable!" ***** - The Mirror. "Unstoppable tsunami of stupid puns." - Chortle. "Top 40 funniest blokes of the year" - Zoo Magazine. "A tall guy with a big talent for short jokes" - The Stage darrenwalsh.co.uk SOLO SHOW, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 39

DAVE CHAWNER; MENTAL

WORLD PREMIERE

Award-winning comedian Dave Chawner premiers his new show about mental health (rather than mental illness). As seen on BBC, ITV & Channel 4 As heard on BBC Radio 1, Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live * * * * * - Arts Award Voice * * * * * - Bunbury Magazine * * * * - The List * * * * - Edinburgh Festival Magazine * * * * - Three Weeks * * * * - Broadway Baby * * * * - Ed Fringe Review * * * * - Voice Mag SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Felix North Ltd present

DAVE SPIKEY: JUGGLING ON A MOTORCYCLE In 1987 someone uttered the immortal words, "You're really funny Dave, you should be a comedian" and for some reason, he took them seriously!! Only a few short months later he was crowned the winner of the national talent show "Stairway to the Stars". Larry Grayson, one of the judges, told him that it was a close run thing on the night but what clinched the award for Dave was his routine about a juggler on a motorbike. www.davespikey.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:50) Entry: £17.50 (£16)

Map Ref: 55

United Agents present

DAVID EARL IS BRIAN GITTINS: DON'T FEED THE MONKEY MAN 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. SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Doggett & Ephgrave present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAVID EPHGRAVE: NOW WHO'S A COMEDIAN?

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. Among the Daily Telegraph's 20 Funniest One-liners & Comedy Central's 35 Funniest Jokes from 2017 EdFringe. "As smooth as they come" (BBC). "A natural entertainer" (View From the Gods). "Devastatingly witty" (EdFest Magazine). "Never a dull hour" (List) www.mostlydavidephgrave.blogspot.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us present

DAVID MCIVER: BIG STRONG BOY 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. "A refreshing breath of air in every sense." **** - Broadway Baby. "Unique, silly... a fascinating blend of high nonsense." **** - The Mumble. Selected for the BBC New Comedy Award 2017. CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 33

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Vivienne Smith Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAVID MILLS: RUMOUR HAS IT

Sharp commentary, cocktail-swagger, hilarious rants and acidic takes on pop culture, politics, celebrity and modern life. Sharp-tongued sophisticated satire for adults fed up with whining millennial comedians. Seen on Sam Delaney's News Thing; Florence Forster Jenkins, (Dir Stephen Frears) "An archduke of comedy with the emphasis on 'arch'." CHORTLE **** "Class act. Beautifully crafted, sparkling missiles loaded with wit." SCOTSMAN **** www.itsdavidmills.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 55

Corrie McGuire Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

DAVID MORGAN - BUTTONS (WORK IN PROGRESS)

David Morgan (I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now, Safeword) brings his brand new show to Leicester. It'll be really funny and there will be actual buttons. "David Morgan is Funny. That's right. Capital F." Attitude. "A joy to behold" Metro. Leicester Comedy Festival Best New Show Award Nominee. thisisdavid.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 39

DEAD LEICESTER 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. www.deadleicester.co.uk

THEATRE, HISTORICAL

DATES:

Venue: Magazine Gateway

Time: 8th/15th 19:30 | 10th/16th 18:00 & 20:00 Entry: £10 (£7)

Map Ref: 32

Colin Chadwick

DEADLINE DAY: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. www.colin.ie CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 15:30 (16:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

DESIREE BURCH: NEW SH!T (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

Some new sh!t from American comic Desiree Burch ('This is Evolution', 'Unf*ckable'). Audacious, authentic, and achingly funny. As seen on 'Live at the Apollo', 'Chris Ramsay's Stand Up Central', 'Frankie Boyle's New World Order', 'Comedy Central Roast Battle' and '8 Out of 10 Cats'. "The funniest comedian I have ever seen in person." - ScotsGay ***** Funny Women ***** The Guardian **** The Scotsman **** Chortle **** desireeburch.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

dianespencer.tv present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DIANE SPENCER 2018 COLLECTION

Brand new stand-up comedy hour from delightfully engaging stand-up comedian Diane Spencer. With her charming onstage persona and refreshingly honest confessional style, Diane delivers heart-warming autobiographical wit and laugh-out-loud humour. Her other 7 hit shows are all available on YouTube. A personal message from Diane "just put buy a ticket, I know what I'm doing FFS, are all these adjectives really necessary?" SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 15:30 (16:25) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 47

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 DMU VS. UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER : STAND UP BATTLE

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. A Varsity show down like no other. Chose a side, roar with laughter, and pick a winner of the funniest University in the LE postcode! MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Little Blue Monster present

DOGS DON'T DO BALLET 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! CHILDREN'S, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 11:30 (12:30) & 14:30 (15:30) Entry: £9

Map Ref: 63

DONNA SCOTT: KEBABBLE People say Donna has big brains, but is she really some kind of genius or just an enigmatic idiot? Donna ponders the complexities of life, such as why do people think she has more than one brain? From Brainy Quotes to Bedlam via the Black Country accent... will synapses spark, or will she just be talking out of the top of her head? "Hilarious" - Laffacino, Birmingham www.donna-scott.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 14:00 (14:55) Entry: £3

Map Ref: 54

The Cookie Comedy Club present

DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE His latest show, touring across the UK and Europe this year, is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat - a chance to witness a living legend at the top of this game. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Dryden Street Social

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £22.50

Map Ref: 13

Avalon present

ED GAMBLE: MAMMOTH That gobby little toerag Ed Gamble is back with a brand-new lumbering beast of a comedy show. Off of Mock the Week (BBC Two), Drunk History (Comedy Central), Conan (TBS), Almost Royal (E4), Russell Howard's Stand Up Central (Comedy Central), Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live (BBC Three) and Man Down (Channel 4) . 'A master of unlocking the humour in everything' **** (List, 2016). "He is on irresistible form" **** (Telegraph, 2016). www.edgamble.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 45

Jokes On Us in association with Mick Perrin Worldwide and Troika Talent present

ED NIGHT WORK IN PROGRESS Ed Night brings a work-in-progress of his new show to Leicester Comedy Festival. God knows what it'll end up being about. Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee. "Ed Night stands at the dawn of the new age of stand up" - Fest. "Some of the cleverest, funniest and most unassuming comedy I've encountered" - A Younger Theatre. As seen on BBC2 and E4. www.ednight.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 52

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Mick Perrin Worldwide in association with Troika Talent present

ED NIGHT: ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH Following a run at London's Soho Theatre, Ed Night brings the show that got him nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer to Leicester. "Ed Night stands at the dawn of the new age of stand up" - Fest. "By the end of his refreshingly different show, you are left with a sneaking suspicion that you may have seen one of the future stars of British comedy" - iNews. As seen on BBC2 and E4. This show is BSL interpreted. www.ednight.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 2

EMERGENCY! COMEDY NIGHT Emergency Comedy! This years 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. ytheatre.co.uk EVENT, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 63

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ERIC RUSHTON AND FRIEND

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. If you're not enjoying it - maybe take a look at yourself for once in your life. Sick of you. Honestly mate, don't even come. "Intriguing and amusing" - Chortle. MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

EVELYN MOK - HYMEN MANOEUVRE 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" (Chortle.co.uk). "proves herself to have an ambition, originality and wit that augurs well" (The Times). BBC New Talent Hotlist 2017. This show will be BSL interpreted. www.evelynmok.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 2

EVELYN MOK - WORK IN PROGRESS Featured on BBC 3, Channel 4 and dubbed 'the Swedish Amy Schumer' (Comedy Central), the award-winning Swedish comedian presents a work in progress that promises to be "uncensored, unapologetic and... wildly refreshing" - **** BroadwayBaby. "proves herself to have an ambition, originality and wit that augurs well... " (The Times). WINNER Best Comedy Newcomer, The Indies. BBC New Talent Hotlist, 2017. www.evelynmok.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (19:50) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 49

EXTREME COMMUTER 10

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "I saw Fisher do a comedy gig at the Finsbury and it was hilarious" - a Guardian commentator "[He] should be working for some transit system somewhere" - John Fleming www.twitter.com/allthebuses STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 17

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 EXTREME COMMUTER 10

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

'FANCY A LAUGH?' COMEDY NIGHT Fancy a laugh?! Of course you do. Get yourself some tickets to a very special comedy night featuring the "hilarious to watch" (localsecrets.com) one-liner comic Chris Norton Walker (a "comedy dream" and "a must see for all!" - The Comedy Cavern) and the charming, silly, and sometime livid Alﬁe Brown ("Like a British Doug Stanhope" **** - The Guardian). Keep an eye on the festival website for more exciting acts as they're announced. www.comedy-festival.co.uk

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: Congregational Jubilee Hall

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 8

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

FAYE TREACY WORRIES

Debut hour (Best Newcomer Musical Comedy Awards 2015.) 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 a idiosyncratic underscored tale about a S.London Foster Family and why she's decided she wants to become a StepDad. "Treacy's charm soon wins us round... her one-liners are expertly crafted and sharp" (The List) SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 16:45 (17:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Chuckle Busters present

FAYE TREACY WORRIES Debut hour (Best Newcomer Musical Comedy Awards 2015.) 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. "Treacy's charm soon wins us round... her one-liners are expertly crafted and sharp" The List MUSICAL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: TBC

TripleCeePee present

FERN BRADY: SUFFER FOOLS Following three shows that sold out through word of mouth alone in Edinburgh, Scottish comedian Fern is back for another Scottish hour. Scottish. As seen on English comedian Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, English comedian Stewart Lee's Alternative Comedy Experience and Viceland's new series Brexit Stage Left. God, I hope I can cry over a dead relative or come across as sincere this time. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FIGHT, A WORK IN PROGRESS

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" (Bruce Dessau). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 33

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FINALLY, TWO WHITE MEN PERFORMING STAND UP COMEDY

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. Mark Grimshaw: "A creative writer... A sure crowd-pleaser" - Chortle. Matt Hoss: "Warm and endearingly funny" - NARC Magazine, "Fan Favourite" - The Ocelot www.matthosscomedy.com MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 16:45 (17:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

PETER Pizzeria present

FIRST NIGHT FUNNIES 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 (***** EdFestMag | **** The Scotsman | **** Fest | **** One4Review | **** Voice | **** Three Weeks). More exciting acts to be announced at www.comedy-festival.co.uk. All proﬁ ts will be donated to The Real Junk Food Project. www.realjunkfoodleicester.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 39

Crooked Hand Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

FIVE REASONS WHY (I QUIT TEACHING)

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: 'Five Reasons Why I Quit Teaching'. A two-act comedy written and produced by Paul Gosling (Massive Number 2, Canvas No 9, Magic Number 6). Directed by Carolos Dandolo. THEATRE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 55

Crooked Hand Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

FIVE REASONS WHY (I QUIT TEACHING)

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 21:30 (23:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 17

FIX MY BRAIN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Two Cambridge Footlights ex-Presidents present their double-act debut: a story of friendship, depression and that's it. Dillon was a Finalist in the 2017 Chortle Student Comedy Awards and is a member of Soho Theatre's Young Company. Oliver is a Doctor with 1.75 million views on YouTube and has so far avoided the cuts. "Daring and hilarious... An astonishingly honest portrayal that will keep you in stitches from beginning to end" ***** Varsity STORYTELLING, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

FLO & JOAN "If Flanders & Swann and Flight of the Conchords and Garfunkel & Oates had a six-way time-travelling gang-bang that somehow mixed all their DNA, the offspring might end up sounding something like Flo and Joan" (Chortle). Fresh from a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017 musical comedy sisters Flo & Joan (The 2016 Song) present an hour of their comedy songs. Now Magazine Audience Choice Award 2017 (Toronto Sketchfest). MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 39

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 FORNIKATERESS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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... Award-winning, as seen on, etc. "One of the wittiest gun-slingers I've ever seen on stage... she can cover the full spectrum from crunchy political interviews to live prime-time comedy" The Spectator SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:10) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 26

KM Comedy Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

FRAN JENKING: 'FRANTASTIC DAY'

How many puns can Fran get out of his name? Lots more, he hopes! The cheekiest of chaps brings his mix of new material, crowd work and general silliness to all you lovely people. He's in his 30's and his life just won't stop changing... all he wants is a pint and an early night. Come and join the cheerful curmudgeon (unusual, I know). Support TBC. "Fran is one to watch. His likeability and audience skills are an asset to any club" Comedy Hut SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 12:30 (13:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

FRANK FOUCAULT: SHOES

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "A tiny work of comic genius" - The Scotsman. "Stupidly funny" - Chortle. Nominated for Magners New Act of the Year 2015. Chortle Student Comedy Awards Finalist ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 21:45 (22:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

Jokes On Us present

FREDDIE FARRELL & MASAI GRAHAM: BRAND NEW JOKES Freddie and Masai serve up 30 minutes each of brand new jokes. These jokes will either ﬂ y or die. Masai has won Best Joke of Edinburgh Fringe and the UK Pun Championships, while last summer Freddie released his debut comedy album Excuse Me While I Burst Into Flames, with American record label Comedy Dynamics. These guys are worth the free entrance fee. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FRIZ FRIZZLE GETS HIS ORGAN OUT

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. FrizFrizzle.com MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 21:30 (22:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Gareth Berliner with Heroes of Fringe and Jokes on Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GARETH BERLINER : CROSSROADS

Gareth's at a Crossroads... A traditional Stand Up for 12 years he's met a fork in the road. An accidental career in acting has lead him to playing dodgy geezer Macca Hibbs in Coronation Street as well as appearing in Eastenders, a Medieval Drama and Doctor Who... Join Gareth as he takes a cognitive dump on stage navigating his new identity. Expect Magic, mirth & mayhem, will Gareth's attempts to redeﬁne himself succeed? SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 33

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

THE AWARD-WINNING LEICESTER FRIDGE ARE BACK FOR A FOURTH YEAR OF DELICIOUS, NUTRITIOUS, LOCALLY-SOURCED COMEDY... BON APPÉTIT!

FRIDGE PREVIEW SHOW

£1 per ticket donated to

SATURDAY 20TH JAN at THE COOKIE (8pm) See loads of acts performing short teasers for their festival shows, for only £7! It’s the best way to discover great new acts to see at the festival, so get your tickets early because it always sells out! £7 advance - tickets available from thecookieleicester.co.uk

BATTLE FOR LEICESTER

FRIDAY 9TH FEB at THE CRITERION (9:30pm) 4 of Leicester’s regular comedy nights go head-to-head to see whose is the funniest night in town. “Showed the breadth of talent there is in Leicester’s thriving comedy scene” - Leicester Mercury. £5 advance - tickets available from comedy-festival.co.uk

NAKED COMEDY

proceeds go to

FRIDAY 9TH FEB at MANHATTAN34 (11:45pm) A total sell-out last year, and winner of the 2017 Liberty Award for embodying the spirit of the festival. Male & female comics face their biggest fear and perform totally starkers for charity! £8 advance tickets only (strictly no door sales). Available from comedy-festival.co.uk

A QUESTION OF SNORT SUNDAY 11TH FEB at BROOOD (7pm)

The perfect way to spend your Sunday evening. Essentially a pub quiz, but the teams get points for funny answers as well as correct ones, and there’s a team of comedians on hand to help or hinder! £1 entry per team member, pay on the night Leicester Fridge also supports dozens of locally-produced shows in the festival - LOOK OUT FOR THE LITTLE RED FRIDGE ICON in your brochure listings.

For ticket info, show details and information about our other events, visit our website and follow us on social media:

Leicester Fridge

www.leicesterfridge.co.uk WANT TICKETS?

@LeicesterFridge

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 GARETH RICHARDS: IDIOT WIND - THE CHURCH OF GARETH

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. As seen on Russell Howard's Good News (BBC3) and heard on BBC Radio 1 and Frank Skinner's Absolute Radio show. "A delightful hour of comedy." The Guardian www.garethrichards.net

STORYTELLING, MUSICAL

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 39

GARETH WAUGH AND MICKY BARTLETT -DOUBLE TEAM

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Northern Ireland's Micky Bartlett (BBCNI Monumental, Radio 4 State of the Nations, Tight Shorts BBCNI) has recently ﬁnished a tour of the east coast of Australia and is preparing to commence a tour of Europe. SOLO SHOW, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 4

Rabbit Rabbit by association with PBJ present

WORLD PREMIERE

GARRETT MILLERICK: FACTS I WISH I'D INVENTED

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. "As emotionally honest as the great comedians who trade on frustration & exasperation, like Louis CK. Millerick's become a genuinely impressive stand up" Chortle SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

CKP present

GARY DELANEY: WORK IN PROGRESS A regular Mock the Week panellist and as seen on Live at the Apollo, Gary is now testing jokes for his next tour show. Help him ﬁgure out which should be immediately put down for a good school and which should be quietly drowned in a bucket. 'Razor sharp one-liners' - Daily Telegraph www.garydelaney.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 39

GAVIN WEBSTER'S HOUR LONG COMPLAINT

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "Very few shows will be as palpably funny as this" Sunday Herald ***** "A raft of well written gags and a born raconteur" One4Review ***** "Virtuoso and close to the bone stuff" Sunday Sun http://www.gavinwebster.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 4

GAY COMEDY NIGHT The Y Theatre Leicester celebrates Gay Comedy for its 22nd year! With a fantastic line up with Suzi Ruffell "Circuit favourite... " - Time Out "She makes you laugh - a lot... " **** - Broadway Baby. Jen Brister "OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY" - Metro and Sarah Keyworth "Charming" (Independent). "Excellently deadpan" (Hufﬁngton Post). "The funniest of bones" (Shappi Khorsandi). www.ytheatre.co.uk MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Y

Map Ref: 63

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £14 (£12)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Wayne Carter

GAYSHIT 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. CABARET, BURLESQUE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

So Comedy & Broken Robot Productions by arrangement with Troika present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GEOFF NORCOTT

The correspondent on BBC2's The Mash Report takes to the road following his sell out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival . As seen on Live At The Apollo (BBC1) & Question Time (BBC1), and heard on The Now Show (BBC Radio 4). Tour support for Katherine Ryan. "Objectively funny regardless of your political leaning" **** (Fest) "An absolute tonic" **** (Telegraph) "Repeatedly and satirically incisive" (The Scotsman) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

The Badge Farm Foundation present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GEORGE EGG: DIY CHEF

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. "the wonderfully talented George Egg is genuinely unique" The Independent georgeegg.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 15th & 16th 20:30 | 17th 19:00 Entry: £10 (£8)

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Off The Kerb Productions present

GEORGE LEWIS: WORK IN PROGRESS Join George (host of BBC's Top Gear: Extra Gear, as heard on BBC R4) for his new show about his angst-ridden geeked-out teenage years. Expect nineties references, embarrassing diary entries, and tales from when George did what you should never do in secondary school: be yourself. Especially when your self is so weird. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016 runner up and BBC New Comedy Award 2016 ﬁnalist. Not to be missed! georgelewiscomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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GEORGE RIGDEN: LOVE PLUS NONE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Are you lonely? Shy? Hate being picked on? Do you worry you're fundamentally unlovable? Then this probably isn't the show for you. Impossibly arrogant lothario & all-round great guy GEORGE RIGDEN (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee 2017) uses his abrasive brand of Musical Comedy to show YOU how to attract potential suitors. No refunds/nerds. "Deliciously Dark" - Bruce Dessau Beyond The Joke "Very Funny Stuff" Steve Bennett Chortle MUSICAL, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 50

Laugh à Little present

GEORGIE MORRELL: A POKE IN THE EYE A Poke in the Eye returns after a two successful Edinburgh runs, transfer to Soho Theatre and UK tour. Georgie tells a unique account of what it is to face inevitable blindness with her very own brand of humour. Do your other senses really get stronger? Is it wrong to crack onto your doctor? Will I get a new eye that shoots lasers? "Remarkable comic"-(LondonPubTheatres.com). As heard on BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio 4 and seen on Channel 5. georgiemorrell.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 55

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Laugh à Little present

GEORGIE MORRELL: THE MORRELL HIGH GROUND Georgie's got 99 problems but disability is basically the main one. Can disability ﬁnally bring sexy back? Can Georgie save the NHS? Why can't disability be mega LOLz? Taking you through her hilarious journey, ﬁnd out how Georgie sees disability through her one eye! As heard on BBC Ouch, BBC Radio 4 and Channel 5. "Inspirational"-The Reviews Hub http://georgiemorrell.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 55

GIACINTO PALMIERI - RIDE OF THE WAGNERIAN What is it like to be obsessed with a 15 hours long cycle of late Romantic operas sung in German? Giacinto Palmieri loves Richard Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung" so much that he told its plot to all his ex girlfriends (note the "ex"). Now he wants to do the same with his audience. Hear all about dwarfs, giants, Walkyries, magic helms, love potions... and their connection with ofﬁce parties, IKEA, Facebook and modern dating rituals. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 24

GIANTOLOGY

WORLD PREMIERE

Will this freak ﬁnd a way to love, hate or simply ﬁ t in?? His award winning story is not the usual one... www.michaelsidney.com

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17:00 (17:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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GIANTOLOGY

WORLD PREMIERE

Will this freak ﬁnd a way to love, hate or simply ﬁ t in?? His award winning story is not the usual one... www.michaelsidney.com

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Avalon Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

GLENN MOORE: THE DA VINCI GLENN

'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. "Relentlessly silly and gag-laden. A potential comedy great" The List SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 39

Jokes on Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GO SLAY DRAGONS

A man in existential crisis and a nearby choir. A man full of heartbreak meets the musical 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. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 GO UKULELE CRAZY: COMEDY CONCERT 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! www.goukulelecrazy.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: FREE

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Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

GRAHAM & DAVID CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS

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 SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Big Difference Company present

GREENING THE LAUGHS Over recent years the team behind Leicester Comedy Festival have explored ways to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and making the festival as "green" as possible. This has included planting trees in the National Forest and working with the reFiesta team. This discussion will focus on reviewing some of these ideas and exploring new ways of working. If you have ideas, please come and share them with us. Part of Beyond A Joke. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 16:30 (17:30) Entry: FREE

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GRIFF RHYS JONES: WHERE WAS I? 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. "Great Comedy" **** The Telegraph SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (21:15) Entry: £18

Map Ref: 10

Custard Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

GRUMPY BOOTS - THE RETURN

Following its huge success last year, Rob Coleman is back with with another hour of grumpy comedy. And this year he's bought 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? The Bedfordshire News called him "a naturally funny man," but what do they know? MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE

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Gujarati Comedy Group (Leicester) present

GUJARATI COMEDY NIGHT 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!!!!! www.gujaraticomedygroup.com EVENT DATES:

Venue: Rushey Mead Academy

Time: 24th - 19:00 (21:30) | 25th - 16:00 (18:30) Entry: £8.50 (includes snacks)

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 HA HA HARBOROUGH Headliner is Chris Washington, Best Newcomer Nominee at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017, hilarious storytelling from one the North-West's top acts. Plus dark and brilliant one-liners from ROB COLEMAN, more support to be announced, compere ALAN SEAMAN.

MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Harborough Theatre Lounge

Time: 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 18

HA HA LAND 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. MIXED BILL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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HANNAH AND CHARLIE: MAKING IT 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. STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HANNAH SILVESTER: I'M NOT TOO BAD THANKS

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. "A joy to watch" Notts Comedy Review "All round appeal" The Stand www.hannahsilvester.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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HOW TO BOOK TICKETS: Tickets for all festival shows are available from our festival box office. Give the helpful team a call on 0116 456 6812 or click on www.comedy-festival.co.uk. During the festival, tickets will also be available to buy from the festival hub in Leicester city centre

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER 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. themaydays.co.uk IMPROV, HORROR DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Loughborough Student Union present

HAPPY MONDAY COMEDY CLUB Congnito hosts a very special comedy festival event. This one hour show features 3 fantastic stand-ups handpicked by the festival organisers. Kicking the night off will be 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). Keep an eye on the website to see what other top festival acts will be joining him. www.lsu.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Cognito

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 | FREE for LU students

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So Comedy and Broken Robot Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI: ALTERNATIVE, FACT.

The Radio 4 favourite, BAFTA winner and regular on BBC's Question Time, This Week and Daily Politics tours a brand new show following its critically acclaimed run performed to packed houses at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Join Hardeep as he gives his unique take on the political climate combined with his trademark "quick witted patter" **** (The Skinny). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12

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HARRIET BRAINE: TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE ART

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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, her debut hour delivers "an impressive array of songs about Leonardo Da Vinci, Monet, Tracey Emin ... and an incredibly catchy ditty about Pablo Picasso ("Nobody did it like you, bro")" **** EntertainmentFocus.com MUSICAL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

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HARRIET DYER - "SOO'S A PRICK"

WORLD PREMIERE

Ever wondered why Sooty never doth speaketh? Thought so. It's time you knew the truth, the oh so sinister truth. Expect usual Harriet Dyer (ITV1, 2 and Be, BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC Ouch) tomfoolery but with puppets, dance numbers and emotional turmoil. The larks you'll feel will be different. "Beautifully, brilliantly weird... Absolutely worth a watch" Broadway Baby www.harrietdyer.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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HARRIET KEMSLEY 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'. !A quirky, refreshingly charming comedian at the dawn of her TV career" The Radio Times. www.harrietkemsley.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (17:50) Entry: £5

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Lucky Dog Theatre Productions present

HATS OFF TO LAUREL AND HARDY The award-winning Lucky Dog bring their internationally renowned biopic about the best-loved comedy duo of all-time back to Leicester Guildhall. Widely regarded as being the most accurate show ever written about The Boys, it is the closest thing you can get to seeing the original pair in action. Be prepared to laugh your socks off before having your heart broken. ***** FringeReview, ***** RemoteGoat, ***** LoveFringe, ***** FringeGuru www.luckydogtheatreproductions.com THEATRE, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 18:00 (20:00) Entry: £10

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Dino Egg Creative

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HAVER

Megan Shandley (Scottish Variety Award Nominee 2017, Funny Women Regional Finalist 2016) and Wis Jantarasorn (Scottish Comedian of the Year SemiFinalist 2016) arrive fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe; could this be two Scotch roasters on the cusp of greatness? "Megan effortlessly combines the joy of personal anecdotes with topical observation" Funny Women "Wis is the next big thing, incredibly funny and very likeable" Breakneck Comedy MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 23:00 (00:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Avalon Promotions present

HAYLEY ELLIS "ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A HAYLEY" WORK IN PROGRESS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Join Hayley Ellis (Tour support for Rob Delaney) for an hour of comedy about trash television, dogs with no teeth and pigeons. "A solid hour of gags" Northern Soul, "Destined for comedy greatness" XFM **** Giggle Beats. "Hayley Ellis made everybody laugh" The Independent. As Featured in the top Edinburgh Fringe jokes of all time in The Scotsman,The Independent and The Mirror. Regular contributor to Russell Howard's Good News. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Big Difference Company present

HEAVENLY LAUGHTER - A THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL WITH NICHOLAS PARSONS 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 EVENT thanks. DATES: 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Time: 15:00 (16:30)

Venue: Leicester Cathedral

Entry: FREE

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Phil McIntyre present

HEIDI VS SHARKS: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. www.heidiregan.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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CKP present

HELEN BAUER: YELLOW FLOWER 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. "I don't think I stopped laughing for the entire half hour Helen was on stage. An incredibly likeable comic who takes anecdotal comedy to another level." Funny Women. As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra and seen on BBC3 https://www.ckproductions.co.uk/portfolio-item/helen-bauer/ SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 9th 21:30 (22:15) | 24th 17:00 (17:45) Entry: FREE

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HELEN DUFF: HOW DEEP IS YOUR DUFF?

WORLD PREMIERE

Whip smart, stream of consciousness comedy from "master of shamelessly silly yet socially conscious clowning" Helen Duff ****( BroadwayBaby). Dive deep as Duff "creates a level of intimacy that most acts wouldn't dare" (**** TheSkinny), slipping beneath the skin of standard storytelling to explode paradigms with the precision of a paint gun pellet. "Her energy is endless and boundless, and it's a joy to behold" **** EdFestMag. (WIP). STORYTELLING, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

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"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £6

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 HELEN DUFF: HOW DEEP IS YOUR DUFF?

WORLD PREMIERE

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £6

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Jokes On Us present

HELL TO PLAY 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. "Hugely fun: a very silly, very funny show"**** THE STAGE "Great fun - Excellent performers doing high quality dicking about" STUART GOLDSMITH, THE COMEDIANS COMEDIAN The award-nominated cult hit show was a sellout at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 http://www.alexanderbennettcomedian.com/hell-to-play.html GAME SHOW, HORROR DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 9th 22:00 (23:00) | 10th 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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HENRY PAKER: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. http://offthekerb.co.uk/henry-paker/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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PBJ Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

HOLLY BURN'S B LIST CELEBRITY FLOOR SHOW

A comedy variety show where you step through the curtain of glamour to a world of deranged showbiz. Holly Burn is the host who takes the 1970s variety night and reimagines it for millennials - welcoming the circuits best acts in an evening of wild, interactive stupidity. "Hilarious" The Independent "Like a holiday camp run by clowns and deviants... there's plenty of fun to be had" The Guardian. "Blessed with funny bones plus a charisma" Chortle www.hollyburn.org.uk ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £8

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Holt and Talbot present

HOLT AND TALBOT: MANSPLAINING FEMINISM Still talking to each other after last year's Edinburgh success with "Holt and Talbot Can't Stand The Sight Of Each Other", no one is more surprised than them. Rosie is unable to grasp the simple concept of feminism but over the course an hour of bickering, sketches and the most audacious bit of mansplaining you'll ever see, Christian attempts to set her straight. "Refreshing and very funny" (BroadwayBaby.com) SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:10) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Jokes on Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HOME TRUTHS

Kelsey de Almeida: "Blown away by his funny" (Stephen K Amos), "deﬁnitely one to watch" (Ellen Asquith, The Stand) and Fiona Ridgewell: Golden Jester, Jokers Joker and Comedy Knights ﬁnalist, have teamed up to produce an hour of stand-up based around 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! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 HOTEL D'COMEDIE

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! In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Hotel Maiyango

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

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Big Difference Company present

HOTEL D'COMEDIE: LOUGHBOROUGH 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. Limited tickets available. Part of the BIG Weekend. In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 www.holywellguesthouse.com MIXED BILL, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Holywell House

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10

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HOWARD READ: WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. www.howardread.com

ALTERNATIVE, MUSICAL

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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HURT & ANDERSON: COME WHAT MAY Hurt and Anderson are on the edge. Can they make it through their final performance without self-destructing? Will Laura ever stop sabotaging the show? Will Georgia finally admit the awful truth - she's never liked Laura's favourite film Moulin Rouge that much? Come what may, this will be a laugh-out-loud hour of sketch and musical comedy. "Quirky and brilliantly funny" **** FringeExplosion "This is perfect comedy" **** Mumblecomedy.net SKETCH, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

HURT & ANDERSON: WORK IN PROGRESS The "incredibly talented and funny" (Scotsgay) Hurt and Anderson are delighted to preview their brand new show ﬁlled with all new sketches and songs. From the satirical to the surreal, from everyday observational comedy to the utterly bizarre, this fantastic show is guaranteed to be "a pleasure to watch" **** (Broadway Baby). Work in Progress. "These girls could be the next Mitchell and Webb" **** (Three Weeks) SKETCH, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 15:30 (16:10) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

Big Difference Company & Equity present

I SAY - THE ANNUAL COMEDY CONVERSATION FT. SARA PASCOE Our special guest is comedian, writer & performer Sara Pascoe. Star of Live at The Apollo, Mock the Week, QI and Taskmaster, Sara is a multi award-winning comedian & has appeared on BBC TV shows W1A and 2012. Join her as she chats to Festival Director Geoff Rowe about her career and future plans. In association with Equity & De Montfort University. In aid of Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167). Part of the Beyond A Joke series EVENT, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Hugh Aston

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"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 17:45 (19:15) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Cookie Comedy Club present

IAIN STIRLING: U OK HUN? X 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"(The i) as he explores dinner party etiquette, feminism and the pressures on a generation brought up in a world of instant gratification. How has modern living affected our ability to find long term happiness? Can social media ever reflect real life? SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8

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Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

IAN LANE - BODILY...

Ever wondered how to get the most out of that capsized gazebo that is your body? Using paint, placards and xylophone sticks, Ian Lane takes you on an annotated, colour-coded and possibly misleading 60 minute tour of all the hidden features, cheat codes and Easter Eggs you never noticed within your body in this work-in-progress fusion of stand-up comedy and live body art. "inventive, cliche-phobic comedy that makes a strong impression" (Chortle) SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

IAN SMITH - SNOWFLAKE 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. Amused Moose Comedy Award People's Champion and Three Weeks Editors' Award Winner. "A riot of sprightly silliness" Chortle "Proper star quality" The Guardian ***** The Mirror ***** Three Weeks **** Chortle **** Metro SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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IAN SMITH - WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Ian Smith is a multi-award winning comedian. This is a work in progress of his ﬁ fth solo show. Amused Moose Comedy Award People's Champion and Three Weeks Editors' Award Winner 2017. "A riot of sprightly silliness" Chortle "Catch him now before his inevitable jump to the big time" The Telegraph ***** The Mirror ***** Three Weeks **** Chortle **** Metro SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

IMPROV PROVOCATEUR

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. Hosted by Alex Leam. IMPROV, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 23:00 (00:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 27

TripleCeePee present

WORLD PREMIERE

IMRAN YUSUF - WORK IN PROGRESS

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. www.imranyusuf.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Avalon present

IN THE VIC COMEDY CLUB 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! Featuring Matt Richardson, Lou Sanders and Glenn Moore, this is a night not to be missed. www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall

Time: 19:30 (21:25) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: TBC

Mark Vigil presents

WORLD PREMIERE

INSTED TALKS

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. CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

Big Difference Company present

"IS THAT FUNNY?": COMEDY AND POLITICS / POLITICS AND COMEDY Across the globe, comedians are becoming politicians and politicians are becoming comedians. Do politicians make successful comedians? Do comedians make good politicians? Why are so many politicians attempting comedy and vice-versa? These questions, and more, will be hotly debated by an expert panel. This will be lively! Come along and have your say! Part of the Beyond a Joke Series. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 14:30 (16:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 50

2Funny Comedy

ISHI KHAN-JACKSON: I'MMIGRANT! THE REMIX 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. www.2funny.org.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 17

IT'S ALL MY MOTHER'S... WORK IN PROGRESS Romina is coming back to Leicester Comedy Festival with a work in progress show. "It's all my mother's... " still trying to ﬁgure out what. The mental illness of her mother had an impact on Romina's life, positive and negative, but she ﬁnally can laugh about it.

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 17

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Map Ref: 5

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 18th 20:30 (21:30) | 19th 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £5

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

Tiger 1p pint ad 176mm x 112mm_Layout 1 09/10/2017 09:17 Page 1

1p per pint of

Tiger will be donated during the festival to Big Difference Company, registered charity 1135167

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supporting the annual Leicester Comedy Festival and its community programmeâ&#x20AC;?

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Heroes of the fringe and PBJ present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

IT'S ME KAT BOND COME HOME NOW, SO COLD. A WIP.

Award Winning comic Kat Bond and one of lifes ﬁghters brings a fantastic new WIP show to Leicester. After a sell out Ed Fringe 2017 with her critically acclaimed debut Loo Roll she is back this time with a more personal tale told with the help Kate Bush and a doormat . 'Offbeat brilliance' The Times **** As seen and heard on BBC1's Call the Midwife, Feed My Funny, Ch 4 Blaps, Sky Arts and Radio 4 Sketchorama. SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:00 (13:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

IVO GRAHAM: TAKE ME TO YOUR BUTLER (WORK IN PROGRESS) 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. Pre-watershed navel-gazing, as seen/heard on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Fighting Talk, and Live From The BBC. ivograham.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

JACK BARRY 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. "One to watch" - Chortle "Instantly likeable" - Three weeks. ***** Ed Fest Mag, **** Sunday Times, **** Shortcom, **** The List Tour support for James Acaster and Joe Lycett SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (21:50) Entry: £4

Map Ref: 49

Discerning Nights

WORLD PREMIERE

JACK CAMPBELL: SEX WITH GUESTS

English Comedian of the Year 2014, Jack Campbell hosts an array of guests for an hour long panel show all focused around 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. Think Radio 4 meets a house party versus sex education. www.jackcampbellcomedian.com GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

JACK TOPHER; THINGS I SHOULDN'T LIKE

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. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 15:30 (16:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

JACOB HATTON: OZYMANDIAS

WORLD PREMIERE

Epic Comedy for Kings. Stand up and sketches for Emperors and madfolk from up and coming surrealist and wild-man Jacob Hatton (BBC Radio 4, Soho Theatre Young Company). Come for sagas of great men, heroic deeds, love and er... Old Macdonald. Comedy for the brave, chivalrous and true. "The hour ﬂew past... I can't wait to see what he does next," Edinburgh Fringe Audience Review. "In touch with the human psyche" Broadway Baby. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Map Ref: 5

"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 14th 20:30 (21:30) | 21st 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Avalon Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

JACOB HAWLEY: WIP

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. "A mature, sharp wit, a relaxed manner and an undertow of political passion... Clever, and different." Bruce Dessau "Mocks blind patriotism in an enjoyably offbeat way. Nicely Wry" Steve Bennett, Chortle www.jacobhawley.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Off The Kerb Productions present

JAKE LAMBERT: WORK IN PROGRESS Jake Lambert returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with an all-new hour of stand up. Jake fell into a career as a stand up after gaining a following on Twitter under the pseudonym @LittleLostLad and deciding to put down his iPhone and pick up a microphone. "He's got gags to burn, and can weave them seamlessly into his routines... he's a talent." - Paul Fleckney, Chortle www.jakelambertcomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 49

IAM present

JAMALI MADDIX: WORK IN PROGRESS Rising star Jamali Maddix as seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2), The John Bishop Show (BBC1), 8 out of 10 Cats (More4), and Hate Thy Neighbour (Viceland) 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." ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine, "Something to offend everyone" **** Sunday Times www.jamalimaddix.com SOLO SHOW, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 47

The Cookie Comedy Club present

JAMES ACASTER: WIP After a run of sold-out shows last year, James Acaster returns to Leicester Comedy Festival to test out his new material.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

Glorious Management present

JAMES FARMER: JERK IN PROGRESS Join James (writer for Have I Got News for You, 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Last Leg) for a brand new hour of jokes, stories and inventive terms for genitals. Tour support for Jimmy Carr and Patrick Kielty. "Sharp and Witty" (BroadwayBaby.com) Independent's Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe 2016 SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 49

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

JAMES MEEHAN - GAZ

Who Am I? A brand new stand-up comedy show from multi-award winning comic James Meehan (Gein's Family Giftshop, Funz and Gamez). "A smart and honest comic, Meehan is fast becoming one of this city's favourite stand ups" - Manchester Wire "More than great comedy, it is a call to stand up for others and ourselves." - Ed Fest Mag ***** As seen on Inside No 9, Drunk Histories and heard on NewsJack. www.jamesmeehan.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 JAMIE AND THE OLIPHANT IN THE ROOM

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. Having recorded for the BBC's New Comedian on BBC Radio 4 and featured on ITV2 for TVOD with Matt Edmondson, gigging everywhere from London to New York - Jamie will now be taking his debut show 'The Oliphant In The Room' to comedy festivals across the UK. www.jamieoliphant.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:00 (18:40) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

JANE HILL - HAPPY NOW?

WORLD PREMIERE

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? "Highly relatable... an empowering experience." Broadway Baby "Charming, endearing, entertaining. It undoubtedly made the world a little bit of a better place." Notts Comedy Review "An extremely funny show from a woman who looks like Theresa May. " Audience member, Edinburgh Fringe SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

Avalon present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JARLATH REGAN: ORGAN FREEMAN

A selﬁsh man ("A very funny man at the peak of his powers" - Irish Post) 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. 'Side-splitting stuff' **** Metro www.jigser.com/wordpress/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 15

Blue Jeans Management present

JARRED CHRISMAS & HOBBIT: COMEDY BEATBOX PARTY BITCHES 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 ﬂ y 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. www.jarredchristmas.com ALTERNATIVE, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 15

Blue Jeans Management present

JARRED CHRISTMAS & HOBBIT: THE MIGHTY KIDS BEATBOX GAMESHOW Hey kids, grab your parents, parents grab your cash and come down to the best game show in town. Get involved and learn some beatboxing tips to impress your friends & your enemies. Be one of the chosen ones to compete with the beat. Win prizes & laugh through your pantaloons. Great family entertainment from 2 really great blokes who are just crazy enough to pull this kind of nonsense off. Nominated for 'Best Kids Show' Leicester Comedy Fest 2017 www.bluejeansmgmt.com CHILDREN'S, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 39

Blue Jeans Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

JARRED CHRISTMAS: REMARKABLY AVERAGE

Hey Team! So, I had a DNA test and the results were very disappointing. There is nothing remarkable about my genetics at all. This came as a shock to me. I'm dealing with my own Averageness and it's been a very difﬁcult journey but I'm not going to let my humdrum results stop me putting on a show. Thank you for your support in this painfully average time of my life."Utterly Hilarious. One of the funniest men to pick up a microphone" Time Out. www.bluejeansmgmt.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Map Ref: 15

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

JASON NEALE: HAPPY TO HELP

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. "A very likeable, easy manner & effortless delivery... he's very funny!" (Riproar Comedy) "Superb... got this Stand-Up Comedy thing nailed!" (Voodoo Stands Up) www.jasonneale.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

A Rush Of Laughter present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JAY HAMPSON - TERRIFIED

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. www.arushoﬂaughter.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 26

King Bert Productions and United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JAYDE ADAMS IS JAYDED

Lastminute.com Best Newcomer nominee 2016, Ridiculous in her pursuit of acceptance, Jayde has always found it hard ﬁ tting in and now ﬁ tting in is currency. Chortle Best Newcomer nominee 2017 & Funny Women winner 2014. "3rd funniest woman in the world. Fact" (Dawn French). "Fearless force of nature" (Independent). Part of the Kayal Sunday all dayer Music Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer the Opera) Directed by Matt Peover (Mr Swallow's Houdini) www.jaydeadams.com EVENT DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 19:20 (20:20) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

JEN BRISTER - WORK IN PROGRESS 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.) "Look out for Jen Brister, long-championed by the comedy cognoscenti as someone who richly deserves a mainstream breakthrough." The Guardian "Gorgeously talented" Time Out "A truly natural and gifted performer" The List "Outrageously Funny" Metro www.jenbrister.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Chuckle Busters present

JENNY COLLIER: JEN AT WORK Work in progress from multi award winning Welsh comedian. "Unlike any other comedian" ***** (Edfest Mag) "Infectious to watch and a joy to behold" **** (Arts Award Voice) Jenny has appeared on Welsh TV headlining a Welsh language stand up show. She has also written for BBC Radio 4 Newsquiz, Newsjack and The Now Show as well as appearing as a regular panellist on BBC Radio Wales' The Leak and Jack Dee's Helpdesk UK Tour. jennycolliercomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

JEW-O-RAMA

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. Performers include Aaron Levene and Philip Simon (Jewish Comedian of the Year) as well as a different special guest on each day. SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£4.50)

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 JIM CAMPBELL - WORK IN PROGRESS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Award-nominated comic Jim Campbell has been busy with a chart-topping podcast and acclaimed book. Now he returns with his ﬁrst show since 2014. Come and marvel as he charts his attempts to ﬁnd love... and destroy it (then put it back together in a way that actually works). Warning: quality of jokes may compromise structural integrity of roof. "Exquisitely written, punchline-driven material... A future star" - Chortle SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 26

JIM SMALLMAN: I'M SORRY, I LOVE YOU: A HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

WORLD PREMIERE

Jim Smallman loves wrestling. From being a fan from the age of four, watching World of Sport, to being a geeky teenager swapping tapes with other fans around the world, to somehow being one of the promoters of the most successful independent wrestling promotion in the world. Nobody has ever put together a complete history of professional wrestling. This is it. In an hour. "A storyteller of warmth and humanity" Fest Magazine SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING www.jimsmallman.com DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

In Association with Becky Williams at Hatch

WORLD PREMIERE

JOANNA NEARY

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. Photo by Jon Appleyard ****Times "A character actress par excellence" Guardian "So inspired, beautifully executed" Telegraph www.joneary.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Off The Kerb Productions in association with Lisa Richards present

JOANNE MCNALLY: WINE TAMER Joanne McNally, Irish stand-up comedian and writer, makes her hotly anticipated debut at Leicester Comedy Festival after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017. As seen on the Late Late Show and the Commute for RTÉ. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

Heroes / Jody Kamali

JODY KAMALI: HOTEL YES PLEASE 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. "Hugely inventive... echoes of Fawlty Towers and Alan Partridge" Total Theatre CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

Time: 21:30 (22:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

TALK TO US: Tell us what you think about the festival and shows you have seen; @LeicsComedyFest #onlyjoking or write to us (contact details are on page 151)

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Heroes / Jody Kamali

WORLD PREMIERE

JODY KAMALI: ONE MAN MURDER MYSTERY

An absurd take on a Murder Mystery event. You control the sound cues, the lights and the plot. Led by the rogue and unpredictable D.I Richard Wyatt. Part improvised, part character comedy/clowning. A Work-in-Progress from the Bristolian character comedian. "Hugely inventive... a delightfully ramshackle performance" Total Theatre www.jodykamali.com CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

JOE BAINS - CURRIED MUSTARD Growing up in the deepest darkest parts of India and then being thrown into the west with no language, looks, personality or a clue.

SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

SCB Management present

JOE BOR: A ROOM WITH A JEW 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. "Joe Bor is a must see" Alan Carr www.joebor.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 47

JOE JACOBS: RIPE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. **** (Broadway Baby) **** (Mumble Comedy) **** (The Wee Review) As seen and heard on Channel 4, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 1Xtra. SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Chuckle Busters present

JOE SUTHERLAND: MODEL/ACTRESS 2.0 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-meetriches. As seen (brieﬂ y) in the movie Pride and supporting Ellie Taylor, Joe has taken the comedy circuit by the balls, and the circuit liked it. 'Model/Actress 2.0' is the re-vamped, Blue-Ray edition of Joe's 2017 Edinburgh debut. Expect sharp stand-up, sketches and tantrums from this rising star. joesutherland.co.uk SOLO SHOW, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

A Lot of Hot Air present

JOHN AGGASILD: WELCOME WELCOME is a low-concept debut effort from newcomer John Aggasild. "I've accepted that I will never be a cool alternative comedian so I have resigned myself to being myself. Nothing fancy, barely themed, maybe coming-of-age-y (cringe). Just a Big WELCOME to me." John provides his unqualiﬁed, scorchinghot takes on attraction, faith, mental health and more in an attempt to articulate the human experience... MIND, BODY & SOUL. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Show And Tell in association with United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOHN KEARNS: DON'T WORRY THEY'RE HERE

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" (**** Guardian), that's enjoyed sell-out seasons in Edinburgh and London. Star of his own BBC Radio Four series and BBC3's Top Coppers. "Funny and intellectually ambitious" (***** Evening Standard). Directed by Jon Brittain (Olivier Award winner). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 19

JOHN PENDAL: FAMILY 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. "Fringe brilliance" (5 stars) - Broadway Baby ... "Engaging and hilarious" (4 stars) - EdFest Magazine www.johnpendal.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

JOHN ROBINS: THE DARKNESS OF ROBINS 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. Powerful, angst-ridden comedy at its ﬁnest, this is a must-see from one of the UK's brightest talents. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £14.50

Map Ref: 63

JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS: LOOK ON MY WORKS, YE MIGHTY, AND DESPAIR! (ALL IN CAPS.) The cult-favourite alternative comic humbly invites you to his absolutely brilliant hour of extraordinary-absurdist-character-comedy-nonsense-sort-of-standup and hubris. Another chance to see his 2017 Edinburgh Fringe show. "An hour of joyously daft character comedy" **** The Telegraph. **** Voice **** Fest CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jon & Nath present

JON & NATH LIKE TO PARTY 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! **** "Comic brilliance!" (Theatre Reviews) "Tightly written, suitably anarchic, and compulsive viewing" (Latest Brighton) www.jonandnath.com SKETCH, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Map Ref: 24

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Delphine Manley presents

JON PEARSON: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

JONATHAN ELSTON - FAT BOY SLIM PICKINGS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. In this show Jonathan tells an inspirational tale of a young man's aim to lose weight and gain a girlfriend. Jonathan has been described as a "comic with incredible talent" by the Guardian. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 4

Phil McIntyre Entertainment Proudly present

JONATHAN PIE: BACK TO THE STUDIO The frustrated news reporter is back and he's angrier than ever. Pie attempts to host a night of serious discussions on current affairs whilst simultaneously attempting to smash the system from within. Join him for a night of political comedy that soon descends into chaos. This is political satire at its ﬁnest and Pie is "the most exciting satirical creation since partridge" Rory Bremner. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £22.50 (£17.50)

Map Ref: 11

Phil McIntyre Entertainments Ltd present

JONATHAN PIE: WORK IN PROGRESS 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! www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk EVENT, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £16

Map Ref: TBC

jonnyandthebaptists.co.uk present

JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: THE BEST OF 2012-2017 (WITH A LIVE BAND!) **** 'Brilliant - the closest thing the Fringe has to rock gods' (Fest Mag). Leicester Comedy Festival Award-nominated musical comedy stars Jonny & the Baptists return with a riotous celebration of the last ﬁ ve years. A joyous night of silly songs and satirical anthems from the iTunes Comedy Chart-toppers and Radio 4 comedy regulars. Performed with a live band! **** "Broad, daft and punchy" (Guardian). **** "Wickedly amusing" (Times). MUSICAL, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: £9.50 (£8)

Map Ref: 47

Show And Tell present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JORDAN BROOKES

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. Previous: "Wildly entertaining stand-up that demolishes the conventions of comedy" (**** The Guardian). "Compelling, mercurial, unconventional and smart, Brookes has produced one of the must-see shows of the Fringe" (***** Chortle.co.uk) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 JORDAN BROOKES: BODY OF WORK

Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Nominee 2017. In August 2015 Jordan's Nanna, Gwendoline Martha Brookes, passed away. She was 95. This show is a genuine attempt to pay tribute to her. That can't be the whole thing can it? I thought Brookes did absurdist stuff? Surely not. "demolishes the conventions of comedy" **** Guardian. "A crazy, wonderful show" **** The Scotsman. "unconventional and smart" **** Chortle ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 2

JORDAN GRAY: CHANGE IS GOOD 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. Think "early Russell Brand... with a piano... and tits". Jim Norton - "Hilarious!" Scroobius Pip - "Open, honest, creative genius" Boy George - "She's amazing!" SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Glorious Management present

JOSH PUGH: THESE THINGS (WORK IN PROGRESS) Brand new show from the highly inventive English Comedian of the Year 2016. "Flashes of genius" - Ticketmaster. "Substantial talent" - The Scotsman. "Pugh proves that semi-surrealism is alive and well." - The List. Work in progress show. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Avalon present

JULIAN DEANE 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. Now the award-winning comedian (ITV's Stand Up Hero, Laughing Horse Winner), and writer (Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Mock the Week, Matt Forde's Unspun, Morgan Spurlock's New Britannia) www.juliandeane.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 24

Evil Bastard Corp present

WORLD PREMIERE

JULIET MEYERS - BIKES & DOGS & ROCK & ROLL

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. "Devilish... on the edge" **** (Scotsman). "Laugh-out-loud show that resonates" **** (Chortle.co.uk). "Smart and very funny!" (Independent) As part of the Kayal All-Dayer http://julietmeyersridesagain.blogspot.co.uk STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

Andrew Roach Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JULIETTE BURTON: BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Following total sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows 2015-17, award-winning comedian Juliette Burton, as seen on The One Show (BBC One) & This Morning (ITV), investigates the power of kindness in her new docu-comedy show. Join Juliette's one-woman revolution! Would you #DareToBeKind? "Huge talent" ***** Daily Mirror "Educational & hilarious" ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine "Intelligent, emotional, liberating" ***** Voice Mag www.julietteburton.co.uk SOLO SHOW, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 2

"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 JUST THE TONIC COMEDY CLUB - SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL Just the Tonic Comedy Club has returned to it's regular home in Leicester. Bringing you 4 of the circuits ﬁnest acts for a Saturday night full of top quality comedy! Check www.justthetonic.com for line ups. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 25

KAI HUMPHRIES: PUNCH-DRUNK

REGIONAL PREMIERE

In boxing, the only thing more powerful than sibling rivalry is brotherly love. "One of the most inspirational and emotional shows I have ever seen" ***** (Voice Magazine); **** (The Scotsman); **** (Chortle); Very real and uplifting... outrageously funny... Brilliant!' ***** (Broadway Baby); 'Awesome... Amazing... massive laughs... a festival highlight.' ***** (Australia Times); Winner Forth Fringe Award 2016 Winner Arts Award Pick to the Fringe 2017 kaihumphries.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 4

Tim FitzHigham presents

KARMA SUTRA-TACULAR: VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL 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. Join multi-award winning Tim FitzHigham as he returns with his sell-out hit stand-up show. Come, watch, laugh and most of all have the most fantastic Valentine's night ever. 'gut bustingly funny' The Scotsman ***** 'a national treasure' Chortle ***** www.ﬁ tzhigham.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 39

UTC Artist Management present

KATE LUCAS: WORK IN PROGRESS A work in progress show from the sharp and wildly inappropriate 2014 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year winner Kate Lucas. "Comedy perfection" TO DO LIST "A true musical genius" Edinburgh Festivals Magazine "Belly laughs and wide-eyed did-she-really-say-that horror" Fest Magazine SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

Live Nation United Agents present

KATHERINE RYAN: GLITTER ROOM 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. As seen on Conan O'Brien, Lip Sync Battle, and instagram, Katherine Ryan brings her brand new stand-up show, Glitter Room to the UK. Suitable for 14+ SATIRE DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £18.50

Map Ref: 11

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

KATIE MULGREW: VIRGINIA

Comedian Katie Mulgrew is a Catholic, who brieﬂ y 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. 'Virginia' is a show about faith and family. The brilliant and the bad. "... Laugh afﬁrming stuff." **** Fest "... turns out that intellectual comedy doesn't have to be belligerent or dry." **** The Skinny SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

KATIE PRITCHARD: TSUNAMIRAMIRAMI Like the most watery of weather conditions, Katie Pritchard is washing over the surf boards of comedy, crashing into the sandbanks of genre and dropping a sturdy wave onto the beach house of musicality. "Sometimes surreal, often unusually perceptive, and always original and entertaining" **** (Female Arts Magazine) Winner Hilarity Bites 2016 Finalist Musical Comedy Awards 2017 MUSICAL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 15:15 (16:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

A Rush Of Laughter present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

KEITH CARTER - BRING ME THE HEAD OF ANT & DEC

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. www.arushoﬂaughter.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Kelly Convey and Jacob Hawley present

KELLY CONVEY & JACOB HAWLEY: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. kellyconvey.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 15

KEVIN PRECIOUS UNHOLIER THAN THOU: THE NON-BELIEVING RE TEACHER (WORK IN PROGRESS) Kevin Precious is a former Religious Studies Teacher. He's also a non-believer who attends his local Humanist group. 'Unholier Than Thou' features jokes and stories about teaching Religious Studies as a non-believer, being a Humanist, the God-Shaped Hole and little bits - here and there - relating to the Philosophy of Religion. "Instantly recognisable stage presence and boundless wit." Leicester Mercury. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer.

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

The Mud Collective present

KIDS COMEDY HUB 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 activity is free with a few optional paid shows between the advertised times. Grays Café will be open throughout. Check www.comedy-festival.co.uk for more details. www.lcbdepot.co.uk/event/kidscomedyhub CHILDREN'S, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 11:30 (15:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 17

KIDS COURT An improvised comedy court room 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

CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 2

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 13:30 (14:30) Entry: £5

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT We are recruiting new trustees to join the board of Big Difference Company, the registered charity behind the annual Leicester Comedy Festival.

OUR VISION IS TO:

ENGAGE, EXCITE, EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN, CREATING POSITIVE WELLBEING AND MEMORIES... and we do this by producing and delivering ambitious festivals & projects which improve social, economic & cultural wellbeing. If you want to play a part in supporting the strategic leadership for the festival & organisation, get in touch. For an informal chat, get in touch with geoff@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

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WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 KIT SULLIVAN: VILLAIN

I'm a bad person, villainy is my ideal job role. Help me achieve my dreams by destroying yours. fun fun fun!! "With sketch groups it is often easy to see antecedents but this act came out of nowhere. Not surreal in a Vic and Bob way or a Monty Python way. I guess the nearest comparison is Noel Fielding, but even that isn't close." BeyondTheJoke.co.uk "I wish I could be him, just for a day. Wow! That would be amazing" BAFTAnominated Spencer Jones ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

TripleCeePee present

KNIGHTMARE LIVE 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. www.knightmarelive.com/ INTERACTIVE, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £15 (£13)

Map Ref: 45

CKP and ROAR Group present

KWAME ASANTE: WORK IN PROGRESS 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! As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. http://kwamedy.tumblr.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

Jokes On Us present

LATE NIGHT JOKES ON US 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. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 23:00 (00:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Big Difference Company present

LAUGH TERM COMEDY SCHOOL 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. Supported by #DMULocal CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Moat Community College

Time: 9:30-12:30 or 13:30-15:30 Entry: £25 for the week (mornings or afternoons)

Map Ref: 36

Big Difference Company present

LAUGH TERM COMEDY SCHOOL SHOWCASE Join us for the culmination of our inaugural Laugh Term Comedy School. A showcase of young talent as participants from the School take to the stage and perform comedy for the very ﬁrst time. They have been working all week with professional comedians to learn the tricks of the trade. Come and spot the stars of the future. Supported by #DMULocal CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Moat Community College

Map Ref: 36

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 LAUGHTER AT LOROS 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. www.loros.co.uk/laughter MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: LOROS Hospice

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £13

Map Ref: TBC

LAUGHTER LOFT

WORLD PREMIERE

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! http://blackhorse-aylestone.co.uk/ MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 4

LAUGHTER LOFT GONG SHOW 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 aren't impressed then they will be Gonged off! Who wins? You decide!

WORLD PREMIERE

ALTERNATIVE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 4

LAUGHTER LOFT'S LITTLE LAUGHS The award winning Laughter Loft presents it's ﬁrst ever Comedy for Kids show. Set up just like a normal comedy club with three comedians, this afternoon show will have the whole family laughing! http://blackhorse-aylestone.co.uk/

WORLD PREMIERE

CHILDREN'S, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: £7.50

Map Ref: 4

Andrew Roach Talent present

WORLD PREMIERE

LAURA LEXX - LIVE (WORK IN PROGRESS)

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. Work in Progress. Part of the Kayal All-Dayer. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (18:55) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

Jokes On Us present

LAURA MONMOTH - LGBTQZX 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. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 United Agents present

LAUREN PATTISON - LADY MUCK Following supporting Katherine Ryan on tour and a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe Lauren Pattison has arrived in Leicester with her hotly anticipated smash hit, sell out debut hour about embracing your flaws. One of the brightest young talents on the comedy scene, with a fresh and fierce female voice, this baby-faced comic has proved herself a force to be reckoned with. "Fast, forthright and filthy" The Guardian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

LEE KYLE AND NICK CRANSTON 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! "Side splittingly funny" ***** - Vegas Seven "Whip smart jokes" **** - One4review

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MIXED BILL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL'S 25TH BIRTHDAY PARTY 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. We'll have an incredible line-up of festival acts and even a special guest or two. In aid of registered charities Prostaid (1116935) and Big Difference Company (1135167). www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £16.50

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Leicester Fridge proudly present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: A QUESTION OF SNORT The pub quiz with a difference returns for a 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 (or at least having a good laugh). £1 per team member to take part. www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 19:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

Leicester Fridge proudly present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER 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. "Battle for Leicester showed the breadth of talent there is in Leicester's thriving comedy scene all year round" - Leicester Mercury www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Leicester Fridge 'proudly' present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: NAKED COMEDY 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. The line-up's a closely guarded secret, so you never know who you might end up seeing... Advance tickets only - no door sales. Not for the easily offended! www.leicesterfridge.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 33

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 23:45 (00:45) Entry: £8

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Leicester Comedy Festival present

LEICESTER MERCURY COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR Now in its 24rd year, the stellar list of past winners include Josh Widdicombe, Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford, Seann Walsh and Rhod Gilbert. Join us as we present this year's ﬁnest up and coming acts, nominated by top comedy promoters from across the UK. A serious comedy competition, hosted by the delightful Zoe Lyons (Mock the Week, The News Quiz, Live at the Apollo). In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 19:30 (22:15) Entry: £16 (£14)

Map Ref: 63

LEO KEARSE - THE HISTORY OF PETS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "A properly funny show" - Scotsman; "Very funny... one of the most enjoyable shows of the Fringe" THREE WEEKS **** "Overﬂowing with energy... a deserved winner" This Is Essex www.leokearse.com

SOLO SHOW, HISTORICAL

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 24

Leo Kearse/HD Management present

LEO KEARSE: I CAN MAKE YOU TORY 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. "Kearse is seriously good. Quick, funny, smart and to the point... hilarious" - The Scotsman; "Very funny, occasionally shocking but edgily likeable and happily endearing" - THE LIST **** Full version of a show premiered last year www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 24

GFY PRODCUTIONS PROUDLY PRESENT

WORLD PREMIERE

LET ME DAVIDTAIN YOU

HERE'S A WORK IN PROGRESS. ALMOST DEFINITELY ME SHOUTING AT A PROJECTOR. REALLY CHEAP. COME AS YOU ARE. I LIKE YOU. ALL WELCOME. NO BANS. www.davidtrent.co.uk ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Chuckle Busters present

LIAM PICKFORD: BUT WHY HAVEN'T MY MEMES STOPPED RACISM FOREVER? Having nothing to live for and remaining numb in the face of other people's suffering, what's that about?! Join Liam Pickford (runner-up Chortle Student Comedy Award 2015) for megalolz, lolz, rolﬂz, and other meaningless abbreviations for a whole hour of what is left of the husk of your existence. "He's got SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE funny bones and scattergun mind that doesn't quite work like anybody else's" (Chortle) "A talent for the bleak" (Gigglebeats) DATES: 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Time: 21:00 (22:00)

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

1989 present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LIAM WITHNAIL: THE IMMIGRATION GAME

ENGLISH COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2017 "Fantastic writing... an important story, told with humour, humility and style" (Scotsman) "Slick, fast-paced banter" (Skinny) "Comedy at its best, reﬂective and heartfelt without being in any way smug. With laughs at every turn, it is an awesome feel good show" (Wow247.co.uk) Withnail returns to the Festival after discovering the true cost of love in the United Kingdom. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 How's Your Hang? present

LIFE AS A HUNGOVER SCUMBAG 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. SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:15) Entry: £9

Map Ref: 17

United Agents present

WORLD PREMIERE

LLOYD GRIFFITH MUCKS ABOUT FOR ROUGHLY AN HOUR

Lloyd Griffi th comes back to his favourite Leicestershire city to muck about and try some new jokes in his favourite pub on Silver St. As seen on Taxi To Training (BBC3), Soccer AM (Sky), The Premier League Show (BBC), Strictly Come Dancing (one day). Jack Whitehall and Rob Beckett's tour support and Diane Griffi th's son. lloydgriffi th.com SOLO SHOW, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) & 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 49

LLOYD LANGFORD - SIX QUID'S WORTH OF JOKES

WORLD PREMIERE

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. As seen on Q.I (BBC2) and as heard on The Unbelievable Truth (R4), The News Quiz (R4) and regular co-host on the Rhod Gilbert Show (BBC Radio Wales). "A collection of absolutely top-class standalone jokes." The Guardian IT IS ONLY SIX POUNDS www.lloydlangford.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us present

LOST VOICE GUY - INSPIRATION PORN 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. The Guardian says "ﬁnding humour in strange places is one of his strengths", he has been described as "a very funny guy" by Ross Noble and "a wonderful comedian" by Matt Lucas. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

LOST VOICE GUY - WALK IN PROGRESS

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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

In Association With Nobody... present

LOU CONRAN: I LOVE LOU C Imagine visiting your favourite friend/aunty/spinster/woman of independent means. She's a touch eccentric and always "alright". Until last year, when it wasn't alright and it all went a bit wrong. I Love Lou C received critical acclaim in Edinburgh 2017. "Frank, ﬁerce, unafraid, a masterclass in longform comedy" ***** Ed Guide, "Proving you can make a stand-up show about literally anything if the performer is skilled enough." ****The Scotsman www.louconran.com STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Map Ref: 26

"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 19:20 (20:15) Entry: £8

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 In Association With Nobody... . present

WORLD PREMIERE

LOU CONRAN: WHAT NOW? ( A WORK IN PROGRESS)

Well I mean come on, it's Oct'17 and you're reading this in say Jan, Feb 2018 and you want me to tell you what my show is about? Silly. BUT, after my critically acclaimed show in Edinburgh 2017, "Frank, ﬁerce and unafraid. A masterclass in long-form comedy" ***** Edinburgh Guide, "Laugh out loud hilarious" **** The Scotsman, "Hilarious" **** Chortle, then, well, you'd be silly not to spend your Valentine's eventide with me. Guaranteed joy. www.louconran.com STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Avalon present

WORLD PREMIERE

LOU SANDERS - SHAME PIG

Lou Sanders talks about her most shameful experiences & somehow manages to ﬁ t it into ﬁ fty minutes. Lou has been on RUSSELL BRAND'S STAND OFF for RED NOSE DAY, has appeared twice on ALAN DAVIES AS YET UNTITLED and is currently a reporter on THE RUSSELL HOWARD HOUR. Lou has written for 8 OUT OF 10 CATS, MOCK THE WEEK, STAND UP FOR THE WEEK and MIRANDA. "Destined for hugeness" Time Out "Something new is happening in comedy" The Independent SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 47

Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

LOUISE REAY: GASLIGHT

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. Winner - Adelaide Fringe Best Emerging Artist 2017, Winner - South Africa Arena Prize 2017, NomineeBest Comedy Brighton Fringe 2017. "Truly fantastic, utterly out there" - Al Murray ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:35) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

LOVELY. SIMPLY LOVELY. Colin, Dawn & Howard all started 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. Actually, it doesn't, it proves they have no idea what they're doing with their lives despite probably being well over half way through it. We can show you no matter how old you are, or how grown up you should be, you can still make a balls of things on a day to day basis. Lovely. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Big Difference Company present

LOVING LAUGHING 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". Supported by #DMULocal CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 12:30 (14:30) Entry: BY INVITE ONLY

Map Ref: 63

LUCA CUPANI: WORDS IN PROGRESS (W.I.P.) 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. Winner of So You Think You're Funny (2015), Luca appeared at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal (2016) and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival since 2014. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

106

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Vivienne Smith Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LUCY FREDERICK - EVEN MORE NAKED

Some years ago, Comedian Lucy Frederick ("A genuinely gifted performer" **** Kate Copstick, The Scotsman') 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. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 17:00 (17:50) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 24

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LUCY HOPKINS: POWERFUL WOMEN ARE ABOUT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

A vibrational revolution of being, channeled by a goddess. Part electro-ritual, part theremin-experiment, part light-fantastic. Ultra-conscious comedy by award-winning, internationally-touring, terribly present clown. Come as you are. Leave transformed. "Hopkins is fantastic" (Guardian) "A wonderful experience" (Scotsman) Lucy is also known as Aunty Val in Spencer Jones's Christmas short (Sky TV) and Charlie Chuck's assistant Mary. www.lucyhopkins.com

CLOWN, IMMERSIVE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

LUCY HOPKINS: SOMEWHERE ON THE SPECTRUM OF DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "Hopkins is fantastic" (Guardian). "The best clowns remind us that comedy and tragedy are inter-related. Hopkins embodies the duality perfectly" (The Age). "Hilarious" (The List) www.lucyhopkins.com CLOWN, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

UNITED AGENTS present

LUCY PEARMAN: GREAT GRAPES Completely harmless nonsense and some work in progress from Lucy Pearman. Some lovely grapes, some lovely shapes. Watch out for the worm. "First steps on the road to a household name." **** Sunday Times. "Breathtakingly inventive... Blooming marvelous." **** Fest "Almost impossible not to laugh." **** Scotsman "Pearman is excellent." Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke NOMINEE: LASTMINUTE.COM EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS - BEST NEWCOMER 2017 ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Bound & Gagged Comedy in association with Debi Allen present

LUCY PORTER: CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES 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. "Impeccably punch-lined anecdotes ... Genuinely delightful" (Telegraph) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 47

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £14 (£12)

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Heroes at The Criterion present

WORLD PREMIERE

LUCY THOMPSON & THOMAS RACKHAM AS THE TOADSHOW

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). "am I supposed to be turned on?" - audience member, Leicester Comedy Festival 2016 www.facebook.com/thetoadshow SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

LUCY THOMPSON: SHAKE IT OFF Lucy returns with last years best show nomination 'Shake It Off' - with a different ending as life is never that straight forward! "Like Billy Connolly inside Victoria Wood" - Commoners Comedy

STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

LUKE HONNORATY "DOING ALRIGHT"

WORLD PREMIERE

Emerging from the South west, 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 ﬁ t in. Winner of 'South West New Act of the Year' in 2010, Luke has supported the likes of Katherine Ryan & Joel Dommett on their South West tours and is now bringing his own debut show to the Festival http://www.lukehonnoraty.com/

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

LUKE ROLLASON'S PLANET EARTH (IS A WORK IN PROGRESS)

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. Armed with obsolete ofﬁce supplies and a surreal imagination, nature's weirdos are brought back to life by the "hugely entertaining" (Chortle) Luke Rollason. SOLO SHOW, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

MAISIE ADAM: LIVING ON THE EDGE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Winner of "So You Think You're Funny" 2017, Maisie is, in the words of Ditto Theatre, "one of the UK's most exciting upand-coming young comedians" . Her debut show is an eclectic mix of anecdotal and observational material along with self-deprecating charm. "Exudes an appealing, quirky energy and is clearly a natural wit" Steve Bennett, Chortle. "Incredibly watchable" The Skinny. maisieadam.wixsite.com/comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Spot On George presents

MAKE 'EM LAUGH 3 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. www.caricatures-uk.com EXHIBITION, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Y

108

Time: Throughout venue opening hours Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 63

WANT TICKETS?

. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Big Difference Company present

MAKE ME LAUGH WITH BRETT MILLS 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. This session will give you insights into the machinations of the industry, and how those who work in it survive. What do they have to go through in order to make you laugh? Part of the Beyond A Joke series. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:00 (13:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 39

MARC BURROWS - MIND YOUR HEAD 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. A bittersweet, life-afﬁrming show, part storytelling, part standup. ****(TheNewKid.co.uk). "A festival highlight... a conﬁdent and seasoned performer" *****(RemoteGoat.com) SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 2

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 24

A Singing Donkey present

MARGA VILLALONG & ROSS SPAINE: THE TRADITION 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. Expect clowning, slapstick silliness, props, voice overs, jawdropping costumes and storytelling performed by two idiots. "The funny clown is very much still alive and well" (TheWeeReview.com) CLOWN, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

MARK CRAM: NOT BENT. JUST BROKEN 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. Join this award winning stand-up in his brand new hour show as he discusses his ﬂuctuating sexuality, his frustrating family and just how he plans to put this whole broken mess back together again. "A masterclass in comedy design". Newbury Weekly News. Last Minute Comedian of Year Finalist 2013. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

PBJ Management present

MARK DOLAN LIVE 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. Don't miss! "**** Consistently funny" The Independent. www.markdolan.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 47

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

109

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 MARK SIMMONS: ONE-LINERER 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. "Master of one liners" ***** (One4review). "A talented comic with an artisan's grasp of joke-writing" **** (Chortle) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 47

MARK SIMMONS: WORK IN PRO-GAGS 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. Rob Brydon tour support. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (19:50) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 49

Off The Kerb Productions present

MARK STEEL - EVERY LITTLE THING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT 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. www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall

Time: 20:00 (21:55) Entry: £16

Map Ref: TBC

Off The Kerb Productions present

MARLON DAVIS: WORK IN PROGRESS Happy go lucky comedian Marlon Davis (Live At The Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Safeword (ITV2)) debuts at Leicester Comedy Festival following a life changing experience. Davis presents tales of his road to recovery. "A compelling storyteller whose anecdotes carry the elusive stamp of urban authenticity" Scotsman. **** ThreeWeeks. **** BroadwayBaby http://offthekerb.co.uk/marlon-davis/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 49

MARNY GODDEN PRESENTS FLAP 'EM ON THE GATE: THE RETURN...

WORLD PREMIERE

In this, her 4th solo show, Marny Godden returns to Flap 'em On The Gate mixing clowning and storytelling taking the audience on an uplifting fun-packed adventure where you'll meet Little Wula, Hoover Lady, Wilmot Brown the ﬁnest actor in London town and Mo Moses - a bearded, clog wearing prophet to name a few... Www.marnygodden.com CLOWN, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:10) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

MARSHAL B ANDERSON - THE TIME TRAVELER'S REMORSE Aging hippy Marshal B Anderson asks how Gilbert and Sullivan can help Donald Trump, why there are no children's TV shows about tuna, what's the deal with taps and how come dickheads run the world. He will answer less than all of these questions, occasionally in song. http://www.marshal.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

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Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £3.50

Map Ref: 27

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. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 MARTIN PILGRIM: SADULTHOOD

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? "Adept and funny" The Guardian martinpilgrim.wordpress.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

MARTIN SEMPLE: #STANDUPSOLDIER Ex soldier and now comedian Martin Semple turns terrifying situations from his time in the British Army into hilarious material marking Martin out to be a unique and talented member of the comedy circuit. Warning: This show even includes bagpipes! www.martinsemplecomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 21:00 (21:55) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 54

MATT ADLINGTON -WELCOME MATT What have buying a house, being stalked by a tiger and being embroiled in a constant battle of wits with your partner got in common? They are all things that have shaped Matt's life, and he does not know if he is coping with it all that well. Join the Essex boy with a fast growing reputation, Matt Adlington, at his debut stand-up hour, 'Welcome Matt', as he discusses all these things and more. www.mattadlington.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

NCF present

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT GREEN: WORK IN PROGRESS

Matt has been doing stand up for 15 years now. He's got pretty good at it. Come and hear his latest thoughts on the current state of the world. Spoiler alert: he's not keen. "Really funny" **** (Scotsman) "Why someone as funny as this isn't doing the Apollo, or having a Radio Four series of his own, is a bit of a mystery. Maybe one day. Let's hope so." **** (Theatre Bath). As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:20) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

MATT HUTSON: IMPRESSIVE

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Before impressing you, Matt impressed at the Musical Comedy Awards 2017 (third) and he's impressed the internet a few times with his comedy songs. "It's proper songwriting, not a cheap lyric swap" (Chortle). ALTERNATIVE, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Mistaken Whatnot present

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT KINSON: ENDORPHIN ALCHEMIST

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. SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

111

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

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LESS GREY MORE FLAVOUR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE LONGER LASTING BETTER LOOKING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. reachmarketing.co.uk // 0116 233 5565

112

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Avalon Promotions Ltd present

MATT RICHARDSON: SLASH 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. This is "an explosive show that left the audiences bellies aching with laughter" ***** (Voice Magazine) from the host of Virgin Radio Drive-Time, The Xtra Factor and Celebrity Haunted Mansion, Live! "High Wattage Charisma" The Guardian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£7)

Map Ref: 47

MATTHEW HIGHTON: PLEASE COME TO THE SHOW, THEY HAVE MY KIDS!

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Co-creator of Comedians Cinema Club. "Wonderful" The Guardian "Highton has the storytellers gift" **** Chortle "An absolute pleasure to behold" **** Broadway Baby www.matthewhighton.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

The Cookie Comedy Club present

MAWAAN RIZWAN: TWERK IN PROGRESS 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. "BBC3 favorite Mawaan Rizwan is a mischievous performer, with a no-holds-barred physicality & high-wattage charm" The Guardian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 47

MAXINE JONES: NEVER BEEN 61 BEFORE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "Smart and razor-sharp" visitdublin.com "Knocks it out of the park" Limerick Fringe "Outstandingly funny" entertainment.ie www.maxinejonescomedy.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Megazone/ Discerning Nights

MEGAZONE PRESENTS: COMEDY TAG - KIDS SHOW 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 Western event for kids . Featuring mini-games and arts and crafts! Limited tickets available. Book phone to avoid disappointment : 0116 253 1153 For ages 6-14 year olds. http://www.megazoneleicester.co.uk CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Megazone Leicester

Time: 13:00 (15:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 34

Megazone/ Discerning Nights

MEGAZONE PRESENTS: COMEDY TAG 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. Limited tickets available. Book via phone to avoid disappointment: 0116 253 1153 http://www.megazoneleicester.co.uk IMMERSIVE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Megazone Leicester

Map Ref: 34

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £15

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

113

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Samantha Sinyakena & Josh Rai present

MEMOIRS OF A DATER 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! SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

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Heroes of Fringe present

WORLD PREMIERE

MICHAEL BRUNSTRÖM: THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON

From the surreal mind that produced 'Parsley', 'The Hay Wain Reloaded', 'The Golden Age of Steam' and 'The Human Loire' comes an one-man re-enactment of the famous conﬂagration of 1666, featuring a prancing duck called Samuel Pepys. "Sense-bendingly entertaining... great, crazy, never-to-be-forgotten comedy." Scotsman. "An artistic genius." Skinny. "Hilariously silly." Chortle. Winner of the 2015 Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

PBJ Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MICHAEL LEGGE: JERK

An evening's light entertainment with Michael Legge on the harpsichord. 60 minutes of harpsichord classics including Bach's Minuet in G Major, Rachmaninoff's Suite No 5 and Shout Out To My Ex by Little Mix. That's if Michael's learned how to play it in time. If not, he'll just be screaming about how awful his life is and you are. The grumpy dude from Do The Right Thing is back to ask the question: Why aren't people more ashamed of themselves? michaelleggesblog.blogspot.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

Jokes On Us present

MICKEY SHARMA - CLUB COMIC 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!! www.mickeysharma.com SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:30 (22:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

MICKEY SHARMA - WORK IN PROGRESS Work in progress for Edinburgh fringe 2018. Mickey is 35, single, rents a room in his friend's mum's house and has a really nice motorcycle.

SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (14:40) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

IAM present

MICKY OVERMAN: WORK IN PROGRESS One of the most exciting female acts on the UK circuit, Micky Overman, proudly presents her ﬁrst solo hour all about celebrating your (but mainly her) mistakes. Besides surgically sharp writing, expect devastating honesty, a hint of silly, a pinch of darkness, and a ton of good advice. She was a ﬁnalist in Funny Women 2016 and Leicester Square New Comedian 2016 and was described by Chortle as "a keen comic mind". https://www.individualartistmanagement.com/micky-overman SOLO SHOW, EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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WANT TICKETS?

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 49

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Tetrad present

WORLD PREMIERE

MIGHTY

MIGHTY is a documentary declaration, a protest a rally that often rhymes with one simple goal in mind; to interrogate if we discriminate based on one simple physical trait, height. Bite-sized comedy musician Jack Britton (5ft 4") asks the big question, does size matter? jackagbritton.tumblr.com SPOKEN WORD, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

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MIKE GUNN HAPPY HOUR

WORLD PREMIERE

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. http://www.mikegunn.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 4

Fluid Thinking present

MIKE NEWALL: DESERT BOOT-LEG ISLAND DISCS 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" (ThreeWeeks). "There's something strangely elegiac about these modest little insights into his life that make them more than just average observational comedy... Impressive stuff" (Chortle.co.uk) www.mikenewall.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

MILO MCCABE: THE TALENTED MR HAWKE 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. "Undeniably funny" Chortle, "Mad comic genius" Scotsman, "Brilliantly sharp, lacing his wit with just a touch of the surreal" EdFest Magazine. www.milomccabe.co.uk CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 39

Graham Milton and Lindsey Warnes Carroll present

WORLD PREMIERE

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE IPSWICH: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT

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! ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

RBM Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MITCH BENN: I'M STILL HERE

Congratulations! It's 2018 and you're still here! So is Mitch, "the country's leading musical satirist" (Times), 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. www.mitchbenn.com/ MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Map Ref: 15

"Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 MO HAROON & ALEX BLACK: EAST MEETS WESTLIFE

WORLD PREMIERE

Catch two of Birmingham's most promising up-and-coming comics in their debut show. Stagedive Comedian of the Year 2017 ﬁnalist Mo Haroon sets an engaging, cerebral tone, mixing quick-ﬁre one liners with astute social references. Birmingham Breaking Talent 2017 nominee Alex Black is a multi-instrumental thirty something who writes songs and tells stories about his fading youth, set to the soundtrack of his teens. Part of the Kayal All-Dayer. MIXED BILL, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

MORE COFFEE COMEDY CLUB More Coffee Comedy Club returns! This year the much loved Melton venue plays host to a stellar line up of stand-up comics including the 2017 nominee for Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year & Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Ed Night (as seen on BBC2 and E4). The show is hosted by the multi-award winning Jim Smallman. A sell out show for the past two years! More acts announced on www.comedy-festival. co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: More Coffee Co.

Time: 19:30 (20:45) Entry: £5

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Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

MORGAN REES & FRIENDS

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. Acts include Jeremy Flynn ("Terrifyingly accomplished" Bristol Post) and Alex Mahoney (Leicester Mercury Finalist 2017) . MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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The Rat Pack Productions Ltd present

NATHAN CASSIDY: IF I CAUSED THE FINANCIAL CRASH OF 2008 (PREVIEW)

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Malcolm Hardee Award Nominee, Winner Best Show Buxton Fringe, Winner World's Best MC Edinburgh 2017. "The ambition is admirable... brave in his refusal to compromise" Chortle 2017 "Very clever and very good indeed" **** Fringe Guru 2017 "Rock-solid hilarity" **** Mumble 2017 iﬁdidit.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

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The Rat Pack Productions Ltd present

NATHAN CASSIDY: IF I CAUSED THE FINANCIAL CRASH OF 2008 (PREVIEW)

WORLD PREMIERE

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 24

Momentum Artist Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

NATHAN LANG: THE STUNTMAN

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! "His eyes gleam with an absorbing mischief" (Stage) "Electric, hilarious" (WhatsOnStage.com) "Wickedly funny" (ThePublicReviews.co.uk). "Contains the funniest moment I've seen all Fringe" ****(The Mumble) SOLO SHOW, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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Time: 17:00 (17:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

NATHAN WILLCOCK: HOLLAND, 1980

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. That's the premise for this show. Really. Nathan was Chortle Student Comedian of the Year runner up in 2013. He is also a member of Consignia, the chaps who were crowned Alternative Comedians of the Year 2016. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

Discerning Nights

NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE - KIDS SHOW! 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 IMPROV, CHARACTER something... .else. Expect crazy characters, unusual moves, and homoerotic behaviour. Who knows what will happen? They don't. DATES: 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Time: 15:30 (16:30)

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Discerning Nights

NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: FIREBUG! 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. IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 15

Discerning Nights

NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: GRAYS! 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. IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Discerning Nights

NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: JUST THE TONIC! Improv like you've never seen it before. Featuring local lads Lewys Holt (a dancer by trade, charming by profession) and Daniel Nicholas (a comedian, less handsome, got a thing for animal print shirts) 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. IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Discerning Nights

NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: THE CRITERION! 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. IMPROV, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes on Us/ Discerning Nights

NICHOLAS HOLT DOES IMPROV AT EVERY VENUE: THE EXCHANGE! 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. IMPROV DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 19:00 (19:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

NICK HALL: SPENCER 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. As seen on BBC Two, BBC Three, and BBC Radio 4. "Brilliant" (Times). "Side splittingly funny" ***** (ThreeWeeks). "Crackingly original"**** (List). "One not to miss" **** (Skinny). "Mad cap energy" **** (BritishComedyGuide.co.uk) SOLO SHOW, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 2

NICK REVELL - SYMPATHY FOR THE REVELL Nick Revell performs new monologues from his forthcoming series on BBC R4. "Comedy as genius. A True Master Class!" (Mumble 2016) Nick Revell's stories are a fantastic device to do some satire, some politics, some observational humour and a load of silliness... pretty much has the "surreal ﬁction for adults' genre to himself and he is its master. I left thinking I wish they would put it on telly." (Scotsman 2017) Part of the Kayal All-Dayer. nickrevell.com

STORYTELLING, SATIRE

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 19:20 (20:20) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

Off The Kerb Productions present

NIGEL NG: MALAYSIAN SENSATION (WORK IN PROGRESS) Nigel Ng is from Malaysia. Join him as he observes and adopts your Western ways (he just started recycling!) People describe him as "slick, has natural funnybones" (Chortle). Amused Moose National New Comic Award 2016 winner. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016 nominee. Nigel was selected to be part of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017. "Brilliant... Go see him" - One4Review. www.nigelngcomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Wise Owl Acting present

NO CLUEDO Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, none of them would come to see No Cluedo... because they're dead. But if you're still living, love comedy or a good murder mystery and want to come and test your little grey cells then this is not to be missed! No Cluedo will test you to your limits and tickle your funny bone all at the same time. If you want to come and see a show our mums called 'Ok, I guess' then this is the event for you! https://www.wiseowlacting.co.uk STORYTELLING, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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Time: 20:30 (22:10) Entry: £10 (£8)

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WANT TICKETS?

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 New Horizons in British Islam present

NO JOKES PLEASE, WE'RE MUSLIM! 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!). Featuring award winning stand-ups Sajeela Kershi & Bilal Zafar. www.nhorizons.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 17

Jokes On Us present

NORTHERN POWER BLOUSE Saunter down the promenade with Northern Power Blouse for a show full of sketches, songs and larger than life characters, all set by the glamorous northern seaside. Between them, Cassie Atkinson, Kat Butterﬁeld and Charlotte Pearson have written for BBC Radio 4, Russ Abbot, Comic Relief and were ﬁnalists for BAFTA Rocliffe and Funny Women writing awards. So why not join them by the seaside, beside the sea! SKETCH, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 15:45 (16:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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OH, YOU PEOPLE...

WORLD PREMIERE

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. http://adriangeorgenicolae.weebly.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

OLAF FALAFEL PRESENTS THE MARMOSETS OF MY MIND

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "A barrage of absurdist humour and sharp one-liners" (EdFringeReview.com). "Falafel has a talent for the tangential with the ruthlessness and timing of any talented stand-up" (Fest). ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

OLIVER COLEMAN: RIGHT THEN...

WORLD PREMIERE

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. A fully fact checked show. Hilarity Bites New Act Finalist. **** Funny Tonne. "an awesome powerhouse" squirrel comedy www.olivercoleman.net ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

ORWELL THAT ENDS WELL Lolly (Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe) explores our digital footprint in her sell out Edinburgh show. How does Amazon know what we need before we do? How does Facebook predict our future friends? Lolly became a fugitive on Channel 4's Hunted to experience the public scrutiny of her internet search history but what does the Snooper's Charter mean for the rest of us? Funny Women ﬁnalist 2016. "Raucously Funny" Fringebiscuit. SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Map Ref: 24

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 17:00 (17:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jenny May Morgan presents

PAMELA DEMENTHE PRESENTS: STICKY DIGITS 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. "Fifty Shades of Grey meets Alan Partridge" Exeunt magazine, "Does for the sexy novel what Garth Marenghi's Dark Place did for horror" ***** The Wee review, **** Edinburgh Culture review **** UK Theatre Net www.dementhe.co.uk CHARACTER, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Leicester University Theatre present

PANTOMIME 99 Pantomime 99: or How I Learned to Embrace Christmas and Forget that it's February, is a parody of the classic pantomime with elements of American police drama. At midnight on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus murders the Narrator and ﬂees to the North Pole, and it's up to Detective "Clue" Do to bring him to justice. Filled with a colourful cast of children and grownups, police constables and elves, the show is suitable for all audiences. www.facebook.com/LUTheatre THEATRE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:30 (20:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 39

Plosive Productions present

PAT CAHILL: THE FISHERMAN 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. ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. **** Fest. **** The Skinny. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

PATRICK DRAPER'S "DARK TRIP CAPERS"

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "The material is consistently funny and Draper's fairly dark take on the world is delivered with a deceptive lightness" - Fringe Review. Www.patdraper.me.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Vivienne Smith Management present

PATRICK MONAHAN: REWIND SELECTOR 90S 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!' "He really hits the mark... great depth" BroadwayBaby **** "Thought provoking, hilarious. A Fringe Legend!" **** Mirror patrickmonahan.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

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PAUL 'SILKY' WHITE: GREATEST HITS

WORLD PREMIERE

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. ***** "I urge you to go and see for yourself." Three Weeks **** "Like your funny best friend only funnier." The Herald **** Broadway Baby "cryingly funny" Bath Chronicle "Relatable, warm and, crucially, very funny" The List "Absolutely brilliant." BBC Radio Scotland https://silkythecomedian.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

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Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 4

WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 PAUL 'SILKY' WHITE: QUIZ UP YOURSELF

WORLD PREMIERE

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. ***** "I urge you to go and see for yourself." Three Weeks **** "Like your funny best friend only funnier." The Herald **** Broadway Baby "cryingly funny" Bath Chronicle "Relatable, warm and, crucially, very funny" The List "Absolutely brilliant." BBC Radio Scotland https://silkythecomedian.com/ GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

PAUL CHOWDHRY: LIVE INNIT Following phenomenal demand and instant sell-outs across the country, comedy powerhouse and star of Taskmaster, Live at The Apollo and Stand Up for the Week, Paul Chowdhry has announced extra dates in spring 2018. "It's a rare and joyous thing to see a stand up so vibrant and imperiously on top of his game" ***** The Mail on Sunday SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:10) Entry: £20

Map Ref: 11

TripleCeePee present

PAUL CURRIE: CATS IN MY MOUTH 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. "Currie is unique and utterly original. A new standard has been set for the Fringe" ***** (Skinny). "It was like watching the Monty Python version of stand up" ***** (FringeGuru.com). www.mrpaulcurrie.com/ ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 15

Glorious Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PAUL F TAYLOR'S BACK!

The award winning Paul F Taylor is BACK! with his usual high octane mish mash of one liners, ﬂights of fancy & unrelenting nonsense. "A welter of daft, Harry Hill-like ideas & diversions" The Independent "Beautifully odd one-liners & observations" The Skinny "Taylor is a comic maverick" Three Weeks "Reminiscent of Steve Martin in his funny years" Shortcom Nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 & 2014 www.paulftaylor.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

PAUL FOOT'S GAME OF DANGERS: BIGGER & MORE DANGEROUS It's back. It's bigger. And more dangerous than ever. Paul Foot (Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 out of 10 Cats) 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. The results? Surprising and true! The consequences for the losing team? Devastating. "the Darwin Awards meets Cards Against Humanity" (Leicester Mercury) www.paulfoot.tv

GAME SHOW, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £10 - £14

Map Ref: 10

Paul Savage for Jokes On Us presents

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL SAVAGE: PERFORMATIVE WOKENESS

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? Brand new stand up show about trying from Leicester Comedy Festival Best Debut Show nominee (09). Top 10 jokes of the fringe 2017- The Guardian, Mirror, The Week, Esquire, Shortlist. "Genuinely brilliant, an all round hoot" The Guardian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 33

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 19:45 (20:40) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

121

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 RED Comedy present

PAUL SINHA: SHOUT OUT TO MY EX 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? www.paulsinha.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 21:00 (22:30) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 45

The Comedy Store present

PAUL TONKINSON: THE RETURN OF THE TONK 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. "HILARIOUS; NOBODY MAKES ME LAUGH LIKE PAUL TONKINSON. SIMPLY ONE OF THE GREATEST COMICS AROUND. GO SEE HIM!" Michael McIntyre "EXCELLENT... EXTREMELY TALENTED... BRILLIANT" Time Out SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 15

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL WADE: MORTAL (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Do you struggle to ﬁ t 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. "One of the most promising new comedians around" - The Herts and Essex Observer SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 19:45 (20:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Jokes on Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

PETE K MALLY - FOR THOSE ABOUT TO LAUGH

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 SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

PETER BRUSH: WHAT TO DO WITH A DRUNK SPARROW

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Tour Support - Stephen K Amos ****1/2 - Chortle "An hour of killer gags, one after another with no let up in quality" Fest www.peterbrush.net SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Bristol Underground Comedy present

PETER DOBBING: 'PLEASED WITH YOURSELF' ISN'T THE SAME AS BEING HAPPY Funny, upbeat and surprisingly articulate, Peter Dobbing returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with his brand new show. As seen on BBC3 and heard on Radio 4 (technically). "brilliant" Three Weeks. "wonderful, energetic and entertaining" The Irish Examiner.

ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £4.50

Map Ref: 26

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

PETER FLEMING: HAVE YOU SEEN?

Join retired children's TV pioneer Peter Fleming on the hunt for his legendary lost BBC programmes. A warped trip through the archives, and a love letter to the TV of a bygone age, from award-winning character comic Tom Burgess. As heard on BBC Radio Wales. ***** "Wonderfully written, absolutely sidesplitting" Bunbury Magazine. "A delightfully unusual character" The Skinny. CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Momentum Artist Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PHIL CHAPMAN: THE MAN WITH THE SPATULA

Circuit favourite Phil Chapman is a true pioneer when it comes to comedy. 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. Come down (there's no cooking involved). "An instant hit" (Liverpool Echo) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

PHIL COOPER : OUTDOOR HEATED SWIMMING POOL 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. "Made comedy look simple, fantastic talent" (Fosters Comedy) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

Off the Kerb present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PHIL JERROD: SUBMERGED

Fresh from supporting Romesh Ranganathan on his nationwide tour, the "cynical, astute and impassioned" (Chortle.co.uk) comedian returns with his third debut show. 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. "Insightful, despairing wit" (Scotsman) "Razor sharp timing" (EdFestMag.com) philjerrod.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 15

Heroes of Fringe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PHIL KAY: EUPHORIC

"A comedian like no other. There's so much humour in the hour it's hard to breathe. This original comedy genius is like a Choose Your Adventure. The freeforming journey that is utterly unforgettable!" (Australian Times, 2017). "It's easy to get lost in Kay-world, it's the close proximity to such high energy levels, emotionally charged and visceral storytelling" (Herald, 2015). STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

PHIL PAGETT: BARE JOKES Quickﬁre one-liners from Phil Pagett, 'one of the country's best new gag writers' (Gary Delaney, Mock the Week), ranging from the absurd to the twisted. 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Map Ref: 61

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 15:15 (16:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Avalon present

PHIL WANG - KINABALU 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. "Certain belly laughs" (Sunday Times). "Brilliant... His technique is ﬂawless, his observations astute" (Chortle.co.uk). philwang.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 45

PICK OF THE FEST This sell-out show returns to Curve theatre for a third year with a handpicked selection of festival favourites. This year's stellar line-up includes the writer, comedian and TV presenter Mark Dolan, best known as the host of Channel 4's iconic comedy series Balls of Steel (**** 'Consistently funny' The Independent), and the award winning Andrew O'Neill (Never Mind The Buzzcocks). More acts to be announced. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (21:30) Entry: £10 - £18

Map Ref: 10

Platform One Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PLATFORM ONE COMEDY @ THE MIDLAND RAILWAY

Platform One's debut Leicester Comedy Festival shows and we have two bloody great shows for you! On February 10th we have Liam Pickford as your host and along side him, Stephen Carlin, named by Stewart Lee as one of the "Ten Best Comedians In The World Ever", and 'Joke of The Fringe 2015' Winner Darren Walsh! On February 24th we have Steff Todd hosting, and Rob Mulloholl and entertaining us with "Britains Got Talent Finalist 2015" Danny Posthill! MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Midland Railway

Time: 20:30 (22:50) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 56

Poetman presents

WORLD PREMIERE

POETMAN - RIGHTING WRONGS BY WRITING SONGS

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. Improvising with synthesizers, fusing music, poetry, comedy and rap to tackle the worlds problems as some sort of Hip Hop Hipster. www.poetman.co.uk SPOKEN WORD, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 2

Pretend Productions presents

POLICE COPS IN SPACE Following 3 SELLOUT runs at Soho Theatre with their first production, Police Cops, multi award-winning comedy trio THE PRETEND MEN are back once more with their critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe 2017 TOTAL SELL OUT theatrical blockbuster POLICE COPS IN SPACE; an 80's 'low-fi sci-fi' set in the most dangerous place on Earth... Space. **** "Farce at its most intelligent" - GQ MAGAZINE **** "Physically mesmerising" - THREE WEEKS thepretendmen.com THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £12 (£11)

Map Ref: 2

Great Stuff Production present

PRESIDENT OBONJO - THE RISE OF A COMEDY DICTATOR 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 at showing vulnerability. President Obonjo leads a Comedy Revolution. CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 39

"Second only to Edinburgh as a showcase for comedy talent" the guardian

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £6

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 PROFESSOR ELEMENTAL MAKES IT ALL BETTER Professor Elemental has been having a creative crisis. After 10 years of performing unique and ridiculous Hip Hop in a pith helmet, it's time to answer the bigger questions about the creative lifestyle. 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. www.professorelemental.com

MUSICAL

DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 15

Proper Funny Comedy present

PROPER FUNNY'S FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY 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. The whole thing's seamlessly held together by Jason Neale (MC). The show's sold out for the last 3 years running. so book your ticket early to avoid disappointment. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

PUNEL SHOW 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 ***** "This is a masterclass in fast paced puns" - Bunbury Magazine www.punelshow.co.uk

GAME SHOW, IMPROV

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 39

QUIRKY TOURS 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 off beat, lighthearted look at Leicester's comedy scene. "We liked the relaxed and humorous running of the walk and the length was just right". (Jason and Janet, Leicester) Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Tour ends outside Curve. EVENT, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Newarke Houses Museum

Time: 14:30 (16:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 38

RACHEL SAMBROOKS: LIFE IS A CABA-RACH

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Feel good stand up show on how to love life even when it's rubbish from Rachel Sambrooks, writer/performer finalist Sitcom Trials 2016, semi-finalist Old Comedian of the Year 2016/2017, finalist Birmingham New Act comp, finalist Laughing Horse Big Big New Act comp, comedy writer with credits on BBC's Newsjack and World Cup Tapes. "Warm, earthy and innovative" We Are Most Amused Northampton "Brilliant" BBC Radio 5 Live SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 69

RADU ISAC: ONE ROMANIAN ANSWERING QUESTIONS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Radu started comedy in 2006 in Bucharest and was known as Romania's comedian's comedian. In 2015, he moved to London to be known as an open mic comedian. After about 18 months, eight competition ﬁnals and a BBC appearance, Radu was proud to call himself the poorest professional comic on the UK circuit. "Certainly impressive" (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk) "Plenty of edge" (Chortle.co.uk) SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

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Time: 18th - 19:00 (20:00) | 19th - 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 RAHUL KOHLI: NEWCASTLE BROWN TALES PART II (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

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 including: Spekky Rizwan Goes To Jail, how Rahul communicated with the dead via , and how he unwittingly befriended a convicted paedophile (SPOILER ALERT: Its' not Rizwan) As seen on BBC Big Asian Comedy Night As heard on BBC Radio 4 & 3 www.rahulkohlicomedian.com

STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Future Cycles present

RED LIGHT COMEDY CLUB 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! Acts includes Paul Currie, Lynn-Ruth Miller, Kevin Hudson & other festival favourites. Bar proﬁ ts to Leicester Wheels For All. Free bike park. https://www.facebook.com/RedLightComedyClub CABARET DATES:

Venue: Future Cycles

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 16

REVAN AND FENNELL: WORK IN PROGRESS 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). "A double act that have the potential to succeed the comedy throne of French & Saunders" ***** Broadway Baby ***** Funny Women www.revanandfennell.co.uk

SKETCH, THEATRE

DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 55

Missimp present

RHYMES AGAINST HUMANITY: MUSICAL IMPROVISED COMEDY 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! IMPROV, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

RICH WILSON STILL RELEVANT 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! As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. richwilsoncomedy.com

WORLD PREMIERE

ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:10) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

RICHARD HANRAHAN IS DOING THIS.

WORLD PREMIERE

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 (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Nominee 2012, Chortle Student Comedy Finalist 2011) pieces together highly literate material with the obtuse and the obscene, to a produce a multi-media show that is as much in process as it is up itself. "Sublimely surreal brilliance" Threeweeks SOLO SHOW, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Map Ref: 4

"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Cookie Comedy Club present

RICHARD HERRING: OH FRIG I'M 50 I only regret the people I didn't have sex with... .. And 60% of the people I did have sex with.Podfather (the Guardian) and star of Radio 4's Relativity, Richard Herring gets to the half century (against all odds) and looks at how his life has changed in the last decade. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £17.50

Map Ref: 48

Jokes on Us present

RICHARD PULSFORD: UNS-PUN Master of wordplay Richard Pulsford brings his fourth solo show to Leicester Comedy Festival. "Like a well-oiled machine of mirth... a likeable stand-up comedian with great material" (Buxton Fringe 2017) "A congenial showman... the audience loved him... you will not be disappointed" (Prague Fringe 2017) "Richard's experience shone through as he delivered a series of solid top quality puns" (Gigglebeats) "Ruthlessly economic nuggets" (The Guardian) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 17:15 (18:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

RICHARD VS ALF - INTERNATIONAL JOKE-OFF

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. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 15:15 (16:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, THE FACT IS THIS IS TOM LITTLE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "Gut wrenchingly funny" Fringe Review. "Hilarious" The Mirror ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING https://thisistomlittle.wordpress.com/ DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

The Cookie Comedy Club present

ROB AUTON A show for anyone who has, or has had, hair and hairs. Award winning stand-up comedian and poet Rob Auton (Dave's Funniest Joke Of The Fringe award winner, Glastonbury's 'Poet In Residence') returns with another heart-felt and offbeat comedy/theatre/spoken word show that explores hair and hairs. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ROB KEMP'S: WHEEL OF SHOWS

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, Beatlesjuice? 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. THEATRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 ROB KEMP: THE ELVIS DEAD

This hit show returns to where it all started, Leicester Comedy Festival. Cult classic horror movie Evil Dead 2 reinterpreted through the songs of Elvis*. 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. "See it before it gets huge" www.chortle.co.uk (*Presley) SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £9.50

Map Ref: 63

Intentionally Blank present

ROB THOMAS: CALLBACK 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. "Best performer on the night, superior physical presence" Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke. "Relentless physicality" Yorkshire Times. Evening Standard's Critic's Choice "Engaging oddball". www.robbyt.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 26

The Cookie present

ROBIN INCE: PRAGMATIC INSANITY 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 fi zzing 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (23:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ROBIN MORGAN: YAAAS QUEEN

The second hour show from Robin Morgan, writer for Have I Got News For You, The News Quiz and The Now Show, warm-up for The Graham Norton Show and tour support for Ellie Taylor. "A phenomenal comic." (Broadway Baby) "Intelligent and hilarious. I highly recommend." (Joe Lycett) **** Sunday Times **** Broadway Baby SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

ROBYN'S BAD DECISION TIME

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Everyone has a crazy family. Some are bad at relationships. But few justify their emotional decisions with stats and neuroscience. Join Robyn on this "informative" journey of unbelievable, yet relatable, stories, seeing ﬁrst hand what happens when you don't think before you act. "A golden performer whose charisma alone on stage is refreshing." **** Voice Magazine "Sharp, insightful, touching and above all, really, really funny" **** ThreeWeeks www.robynperkins.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

ROSS BRIERLEY - ACCUMULATOR

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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 and the revelations that come with such an absurd and endless pursuit. A multimedia comedy show about the highs and lows of watching horses ridden by men in pyjamas "Potential brilliance" - The Skinny "Predominantly straight" - Chortle www.rossandjosh.co.uk STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Map Ref: 65

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Everards Tiger present

ROYAL OAK ROARS WITH LAUGHTER A top night of stand-up comedy from Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2016 Bilal Zafar (Channel 4, BBC Three), "quick witted" Scottish comic Fern Brady (Russel Howard's Stand up Central, Stewart Lee's Alternative Comedy Experience) and the award winning ex-banker Nathan Cassidy ("Rock-solid hilarity" **** Mumble 2017). All under the watchful eye of hilarious one-liner comedian Chris Norton Walker. Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Royal Oak

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 60

Everards Tiger present

ROYAL OAK ROARS WITH LAUGHTER, AGAIN! 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 ('Both illuminating & funny' **** One4Review.co.uk). Keep an eye on the festival website for more exciting acts as they're announced. Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Royal Oak

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 60

RUSSELL ARATHOON - THE CURIOUS INCIDENTS OF THE GAY IN THE NIGHTTIME Manchester born comedian, Russell Arathoon brings his debut sell out show to 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. "Exceptional talent from a newcomer you should really make the effort to see" Live at the Palace- Hastings

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Queen of Bradgate

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 41

Delphine Manley presents

WORLD PREMIERE

RUSSELL HICKS: PSYCHOBABBLE Russell Hicks talks about whatever he wants, as fast he can, for an hour.

IMPROV, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Tim Payne presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RUTH COCKBURN - LOVE LETTERS FROM BLACKPOOL

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. 'Plain and simple she's just funny' Terry Alderton 'Adept and in control on stage... it's hard not to laugh along' Islington Now Critics Choice The Stage Winner Best Show Buxton Fringe www.ruthecockburn.co.uk STORYTELLING, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Comic Angels present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SAJEELA KERSHI - FIGHTS LIKE A GIRL!

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. Written for and featured on a variety of BBC Radio. 2Smart, funny with a mischievous glint" (Times). "Strong show that deserves a watch" (The f Word) "Both illuminating & funny as this born raconteur holds her audience enthralled throughout" **** (One4Review.co.uk) http://sajeelakershi.wixsite.com/comedy SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

130

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

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. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD: COMEDIENNE

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. "Exceptionally Funny" The Independent "Warm and very funny" Sarah Millican. Part of Kayal All-Dayer. @sallyannhayward www.sallyannehayward.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD: COMEDIENNE 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. "Exceptionally Funny" The Independent "Warm and very funny" Sarah Millican @sallyannhayward www.sallyannehayward.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

God presents

WORLD PREMIERE

SAM & TOM: INTERVIEW

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. SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Hannah Layton Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

SAMANTHA BAINES: WORK IN PROGRESS FUN

Brand new comedy from award-winning comedian Samantha Baines (Call the Midwife, UK Pun Championship Finalist 2017, BBC Radio 4). This year she's exploring science of sound in this work in progress showing. "One of the ones to watch" (Evening Standard). "Very funny" (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). "One of the punniest comedians in the land" (Metro) "infectiously funny" (Culturised) "Samantha Baines will make you laugh until you cry" (The Brighton Journal) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Love Mufﬁn Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SAMANTHA PRESSDEE: BACK 2 BASICS

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. **** "Excellent storytelling and very funny" One4Review http://www.lovemufﬁn.org.uk STORYTELLING, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

On The Cusp present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SAMEENA ZEHRA: HOW NOT TO STEAL A LLAMA

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. No llamas (Dalai or otherwise) were harmed during the making of this show... "Fluency, intensity and vivacity... " * * * * The Age,Melbourne www.sameenazehra.com STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Map Ref: 69

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 17:00 (17:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

131

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 SARA PASCOE: LADSLADSLADS 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. A brand new and BEST EVER show from a comic you've seen on Live at The Apollo, Mock the Week, QI (BBC) and Taskmaster (DAVE). www.sarapascoe.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £16

Map Ref: 10

Alex Hall for Get Comedy presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SARAH CALLAGHAN: WORK IN PROGRESS

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. As seen on @elevenish (ITV2) and Virtually Famous (E4). "Fiercely impressive" **** Scotsman "A powerhouse - an utter natural" **** Chortle "Armed with bags of attitude, she's a refreshing working-class comedy voice... reminiscent of a young Kathy Burke" **** - The Herald SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

SARAH JOHNSON & LINDSEY SANTORO - BEYOND HELP

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Sarah Johnson and Lindsey Santoro are 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. Sarah Johnson - *Winner Best Midlands Comedy Breakthrough Act - What's On Readers' Awards 2017* "Lindsey is one of the most naturally hysterical and gifted comedians in recent memory" - Joe Lycett MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

SARAH JOHNSON - MUM'S GOING TO IBIZA

WORLD PREMIERE

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? Well to help you make your mind up, Sarah takes you on her journey and it's one you'll never forget. Best Midlands Comedy Breakthrough Act - What's on Readers' Award 2017 - Winner SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 19

United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SARAH KEYWORTH: DARK HORSE (WIP)

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. "The funniest of bones" - Shappi Khorsandi "Charming" - The Independent "I liked that joke about her fanny" - Sarah Millican. "Excellently deadpan" - Hufﬁngton Post SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

SASHA ELLEN: NO MAN'S LAND

WORLD PREMIERE

In 2010 the island of Herm declared a state of emergency. Helicopters went up. Divers went down. It was all Sasha's fault. 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. "Genuinely fresh" The Scotsman **** "Honest, hilarious and horrifying... the comedy future looks good for Ellen"- CanalSt SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

132

Time: 18:30 (19:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

SCARLET SOHANDSOME'S VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE

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. "Devilishly dark" Hufﬁngton Post "I'd pay good money to see her" Kerry Katona "A f*cking pro... A top-class on-point example of a Drag Comedian" ScotsGay ALTERNATIVE, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Fluid Thinking present

WORLD PREMIERE

SCOTT BENNETT: SCOTT VS SCOTT

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. In the follow up to his acclaimed debut "About a Roy" he looks at what it means to take a risk later in life, the various roles he has to take on each day and the conﬂicts with his own self-destructive personality. www.scottbennettcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

SCOTT CAPURRO

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "Comic equation: Larry Grayson x (Lenny Bruce + Chris Rock) = Scott Capurro." - The Guardian ***** www.scottcapurro.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 39

SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE - THE NEW SHOW

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "Had every single audience member... laughing until they cried." ***** Edinburgh Evening News SKETCH, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:50 (19:50) Entry: £9 (£8)

Map Ref: 26

Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

SEAN MORLEY - I APOLOGISE FOR MY RECENT BEHAVIOUR

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. "Setting the bar for alternative comedy" (Broadway Baby) "Giddily hilarious. And he told not one joke" (Vibrations Magazine) Nominated Best Show - Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes on Us in Association with Discerning Nights present

SEAN MORLEY: EARNED HELPLESSNESS Hi(!) & Wow! It's me! Top lad Sean Morley. Here I am with some of the biggest best jokes, really ready to smash the gig, raise the roof, raze the venue and salt the Earth. I am Sean Morley and none may travel in my wake. As heard on BBC Radio 2, 4 & 4 Extra. "Giddily hilarious. And he told not one joke" (Vibrations Magazine) "Setting the bar for alternative comedy" (Our Favourite Places) "Brilliant" (Broadway Baby) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Two Queens

Map Ref: 64

Time: 19:15 (20:05) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

133

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 SELF INDULGED GENT Richard Massara, winner of two, regional comedy awards in 2012, is going to talk about himself for roughly ﬁ fty ﬁ ve 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. "Very Funny" - BSH Magazine "Control of... comic material." - Chortle "Excellent" - Notts Comedy Review SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

CKP present

SELLOTAPE CLIVE, 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. richardtoddcomedy.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Nik Coppin Productions present

SHAGGERS 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! "A tour de force of laughter-ﬁlled mischievous comedy" ***** - Arts In Leicestershire. "Utterly hilarious" **** 1/2 - Perth Fringe World. "Excellent" ***** - edfringe.com www.shaggerscomedy.com MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 23:00 (00:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Nik Coppin Productions present

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 49

Shakespeare Martineau present

SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU (COMEDY) CURRY CLUB Join Shakespeare Martineau for hilarious comedy, amazing food and serious networking for the region's professionals. Featuring a very special guest! For further information please contact Rumena Rahman - rumena.rahman@shma.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Chutney Ivy

Time: 12:00 (14:15) Entry: By invitation only

Map Ref: 9

Off The Kerb present

SHAPPI KHORSANDI: MISTRESS AND MISFIT 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? www.shappi.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

134

Time: 19:30 (21:20) Entry: £15 (£13)

Map Ref: 55

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Club Smashing for Kids present

WORLD PREMIERE

SHIRLEY AND KEN'S LUCKY DIP

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. Of course this includes a rousing game or two of 'Chuck the Lobster'. "It's difﬁcult not to get caught up in the infectious, participatory bubble" Leicester Mercury CHILDREN'S, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

Glorious Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SHORT & CURLY: YOUNG AT START

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. "It's completely hilarious and amazing." Broadway Baby **** "An exhilarating experience." ShortCom **** www.shortandcurlycomedy.co.uk SKETCH, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 12:30 (13:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL 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! ***** "So polished, it deﬁes belief." Daily Telegraph www.theshowstoppers.org

MUSICAL, IMPROV

DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:00 (21:00) Entry: £20

Map Ref: 10

Lakin McCarthy present

SHUNTED AGAIN! STEVE GRIBBIN'S REAL STORY OF THE RAILWAYS 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. It's the antidote to Michael Portillo. SOLO SHOW, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 63

SI DEAVES - SI'S MATTERS 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. (Work-in-Progress) www.sideaves.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

SI DEAVES: LEAVES WITH A D

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Leaves With a D is Si's debut show, in which you can watch him recount bizarre scenarios from his life, whilst questioning everything he thinks about, from people's misunderstanding of primary school level grammar, to why Goldilocks is probably not somebody that you want to be friends with. All the while bemused and amused by his own fears and neuroses. www.sideaves.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 17

"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

135

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Discerning Nights/ PLUG present

SILENT COMEDY We take the concept of a silent disco and apply it to stand up. Two comedians perform on stage, the audience put on headphones and choose who they want to listen to while the performers compete for your attention and laughs. EVENT, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 15

Jokes On Us present

SILLY SAUSAGE 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. "The 21st Century Asian Ken Goodwin" - (Steve Bennett) He is deﬁnitely "A feel good comedian in the ﬁnest tradition" (Chortle) "One of the most brilliant daft comics you'll ever see" - Joe Lycett SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Big Difference Company present

SILVER STAND UP FINAL HOSTED BY MRS BARBARA NICE This unique evening showcases the selected ﬁnalists aged 55+ vying for the Silver Stand Up of the Year award. "Anything that provides an antidote to all the young upstarts taking over the comedy scene has to be a good thing" Alexei Sayle. In aid of Big Difference Company registered charity 1135167. If you would like to enter the competition please call us on 0116 261 6812 MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 39

SIMON AND FRIENDS PUT THE WORLD TO RIGHTS

WORLD PREMIERE

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 in to problems they have no business solving! Join a cast of questionable comedic talent for an evening of sketch comedy as you'll never want to see it again. SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 55

Simon Caine

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SIMON CAINE: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST PLACEBO

My life is a constant search for emotional and electrical outlets. If you can relate, this is the show for you. If you'd like to sample my sense of humour check out my twitter @ThisMadeMeCool SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Edge Street Live present

SIMON DAY IN CHARACTER 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. As seen on BBC2 & BBC4; Life of Rock; The Fast Show; Grass and more. www.meltontheatre.co.uk CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre

136

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £19.50

Map Ref: 35

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. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Him Off the Viz present

SIMON DONALD - BARRY TWYFORD'S CHATTY CHITHOUSE 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. "Former Viz man, as funny with a microphone in his hand as he was with a pencil" Guardian CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

SOOZ KEMPNER - SUPER SONIC 90S KID

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "fantastically funny" **** Chortle "an absolute joy" **** Fest "delightfully shambolic" **** Funny Women "very snazzy trainers" **** Reviews Hub SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

SPONTANEOUS SHERLOCK

REGIONAL PREMIERE

'Spontaneous Sherlock' is an award-winning and entirely improvised Sherlock Holmes comedy play based on an audience suggestion of a title. Performed by three of the UK's most critically-acclaimed comedy improvisers, with live Victorian musical accompaniment. "Unbeatably clever" - Edinburgh Guide (*****) "Side-splitting laughter across the entirety of the performance" - Three Weeks (*****) Derek Award Winners, Best Free Show Edinburgh Fringe 2017 IMPROV, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 25

SPRING DAY: HELP! I'VE FALLEN IN LOVE AND I CAN'T GET UP!

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Two little cripples sitting in a tree k-i-s-s--Wait! How did two cripples get up a tree? Come and see Spring Day (her real name!), voted Brooklyn's Best Comedian 2016 and Smart Comedy Award winner, tell true tales of a spastic Sid and Nancy. It's a night of sharp, dark, brutal and relentlessly bubbly comedy that is straight from the heart and hits below the belt. You'll laugh, be inspired and feel better about your lot in life. STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

STAND UP MI DUCK 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. www.furthestfromthesea.co.uk MIXED BILL, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

STEFF TODD: FIRST IMPRESSIONS (WORK IN PROGRESS)

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 presents a gag-packed hour! "Clever, sharp celebrity impressions mixed with witty and inventive one-liners" Stagefright Comedy. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 52

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 19:45 (20:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

137

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Chuckle Busters present

STEFFAN ALUN: ROMANTIC COMEDY A love story from one of Wales' ﬁnest comedians; Steffan weaves a marvellous tale full of jokes guaranteed to tickle your bones and tug on your heart strings. Romantic Comedy is uplifting and powerfully funny - without going for the easy laughs of shock humour. Well ... he does say the word bellend. Once. "Touching, accomplished and heartfelt storytelling. Watch out for him on tour." (FringeHire) "A natural comic." (Wales Online) SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

Stellar Production present

WORLD PREMIERE

STELLA GRAHAM: KICK OFF

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. "If you're a TV executive, drop what you're doing and go see her now" The Skinny www.stellagraham.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 47

Phil Mcintyre present

STEPHEN BAILEY: CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT 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). "Bailey is an absolute crowdpleaser, getting the room howling with laughter." - Chortle ***** - One4Review https://www.stephenbaileycomedy.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 24

The Cookie Comedy Club present

STEVE BUGEJA: SUMMER CAMP 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

STEVE BUGEJA: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. His previous three solo shows have gained a combined twenty ﬁ ve 4/5 star reviews. Come along and help him create the next one. "Big laughs and gentle pathos" - Guardian "Hilarious" Fest www.stevebugeja.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Hazy Cosmic Jive present

WORLD PREMIERE

STEVE DAY - DRIFT AWAY

Steve Day's dad has Alzheimers. 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 bittersweet comedy about deafness and dementia then this is the show for you. Previous Shows were rated ***** by Chortle **** The Scotsman STORYTELLING, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

138

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 STEVE VERTIGO - AS FAR AS I CAN SEE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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 to, 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. www.stevevertigo.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

FOCUS Charity's Leicestival present

STRAIGHT OUTTA COB-TON Following last year's Community Award winning show, FOCUS returns! Think you know reality TV? You 'aint seen nothing till you've seen 'Straight Outta Cobton!' Explore the lives of some unlikely characters who are proper Lestahhh! Through a series of daft misadventures, you'll learn how to 'gorrem and chizzit' with the best of them. So don't be mardy-grab your cardie- this is an event not to be missed! www.focus-charity.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Leicester Town Hall

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: TBC

Chambers Touring Proudly present

STUART GOLDSMITH: LIKE I MEAN IT Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017. International tour, seven million downloads, completed therapy. Now 'expert stand-up' (Times) and Comedian's Comedian host commits to the bit. Come see how "a master of the form" (Independent) "makes it look easy" (Chortle.co.uk). British Comedy Guide Top 20 Best Reviewed Edinburgh Fringe Shows 2017. Via As Yet Untitled and Russell Howard's Stand Up Central. www.comedianscomedian.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Chambers Touring present

WORLD PREMIERE

STUART GOLDSMITH: ONE NIGHT ONLY WIP

WINNER: Best Show 2017 Leicester Comedy Festival "A master of the form" Independent Haven't written it! At 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. http://www.comedianscomedian.com/ SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

STUART MITCHELL: MORALS

WORLD PREMIERE

Following the runaway success of his 2016 Fringe debut BBC Radio Scotland's 'Breaking the News' panelist Stuart Mitchell premiers his new show. With sharp one-liners, brilliant turn of phrase and clever wordplay! "A work of genius" Daily Record ***** , The Herald **** The Sun **** . The Skinny **** Arts Award **** One4review ****. "Please go and see Stuart Mitchell!" WILL FERRELL . "A comedian worth catching before he becomes mega" SUNDAY MAIL www.stuartmitchellcomedy.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 26

SUGGS: WHAT A KING CNUT 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. Vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Palace. Nearly blowing the closing ceremony of the Olympics. Watching his underpants fall to earth on Bowie's driveway. www.demontforthall.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Map Ref: 11

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 19:30 (21:15) Entry: £28.50

139

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes On Us present

SUNIL PATEL 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 xx. www.sunilpatelcomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Off The Kerb Productions present

SUZI RUFFELL: WORK IN PROGRESS Suzi Ruffell returns with a brand new hour of stand-up comedy following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As seen on Channel 4, E4, BBC3, Comedy Central, Dave and heard on BBC Radio4. "Ruffell has nabbed the working class comedy crown for her generation. Sparky, energising, fun, an accomplished act who knows how to engage an audience" - Chortle "Classy stand-up from an emerging star" **** - The Scotsman www.suziruffell.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

TALES FROM WALES "Two of the fastest rising stars of the Welsh comedy scene" (standupforcomedy.co.uk) bring their "very funny" (The Sprout) debut hour to Leicester Comedy Festival. Sharp observational comedy at its best, 'Tales from Wales' touches on all the hard hitting and important topics such as; Welsh identity, the origins of the Welsh ﬂag, the importance of bilingualism and the beneﬁ ts of playing hours of Subutteo as a child... Not to be missed! ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 18:30 (19:20) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 69

Avalon present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TANIA EDWARDS: NOT MY DOG

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. Selected as James Acaster's top Edinburgh picks for The Guardian, Glamour Magazine's top female comics and The Mirror's top jokes of the Fringe. www.taniaedwardscomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 55

SOMEBRIGHTSPARK and Proper Funny Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE "BRAND NEW" COMEDY SHOWCASE

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! Come along and be entertained by Leicester's Finest Comedians (both established and emerging!) https://www.somespark.co.uk/ MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: SomeBrightSpark

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 44

HD Management present

THE ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING MYSTERIES 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. "Alasdair Beckett-King is a nice man" ***** (EdFestMag) "A singular and truly distinct act" **** (The Scotsman) - "This is a comedy show" **** (One4Review) www.abeckettking.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

140

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 AEH Entertainment present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE ALL NEW TEN COMMANDMENTS

2017 NATYS Finalists and 2016 London Sketchfest 'Featured Act' The Monks present comedy sketches based around those famous rules as set out in the bible. Thou shalt laugh! Or shall thee? "That rarest of things in comedy, a Christian sketch group" Time Out; "... darker than I was expecting, and good fun" NottsComedyReview, "Sharp, expertly delivered and hilarious" The Londonist SKETCH, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 2

CULTURE ON THE OFFENSIVE present

"THE ART OF THINKING" ABOUT COMEDY Why does what makes us laugh make us laugh? Can it change the way we think? In 2018 are comedians becoming more timid 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. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 13:30 (15:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 39

THE BASTARD GHOST OF BERNARD MANNING: CLASS STEREOTYPES AND NORTHERN COMEDIANS WITH KATE FOX Following Kate's PhD research she found that stereotypes haunt Northern comics and are a way for some to reinforce damaging prejudices. The men are all Bernard Manning, the women are all Victoria Wood. Some acts suffer from this whilst some resist it and some reinforce them. At a time when the Northern Powerhouse is being constructed could grinning up North help resist persistent ideas that it's Grim Up North? Part of the Beyond A Joke series.

DISCUSSION

DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 12:30 (14:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 50

Kids Club Smashing present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE BOOK OF DAFT

Award-winning local comedian (and daft apeth) Ian Hall plus daft-as-a-brush daughter Niamh return with a jam-packed joiny-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. "It's difﬁcult not to get caught up in the infectious, participatory bubble. Brilliantly daft" Leicester Mercury (it's ofﬁcial, even the Mercury says they're daft) CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 11:00 (12:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 2

Missimp present

THE CLONES: AN IMPROVISED SHOW 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. Plots and sub-plots galore, and a whole cast of characters effortlessly juggled by the two improvisers. You will laugh, you may cry... Who knows what'll happen? They sure don't. IMPROV, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

Everards Tiger present

THE CRICKETERS ROARS WITH LAUGHTER 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 ("Wonderful and Unique" Joe Lycett) and star of Mock the Week and Absolute Radio Glenn Moore ("Tipped of great things" GQ). More acts to be announce. Ticket price include a free pint of Tiger. Valentine's Day packages available. See website for details. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cricketers

Map Ref: 51

"One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar" the guardian

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 CatFace Talent present

THE DARK ROOM 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! After 4 million YouTube hits, 10 crowd-surfs, four death threats and sell-out shows worldwide. Cult hit The Dark Room returns to Firebug - look out for the Kids version as well! GAME SHOW, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 15

CatFace Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE DARK ROOM FOR KIDS

You and your family are stuck inside a live-action video game! How will you escape?! Pick options off the screen in this fun, fear-ﬁlled interactive adventure. Will you: A) Find light switch? B) Scream? C) Kick a Pokemon? If you win, there are terrible prizes! But if you lose, The Dark Room keeps whichever of your parents you like less. With over 4M YouTube hits and sell-out shows worldwide, can you escape the Dark Room? GAME SHOW, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 16:30 (17:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 15

THE DAYTIME SECRET TOUR 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?! www.comedy-festival.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Ssshhhh it's a secret!!

Time: 12:15 (16:15) Entry: £30

Dead Leicester present

THE DEAD LEICESTER CHRONICLES 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. The Dead Leicester Chronicles is packed full of live music, eerie sounds, extraordinary hats and preposterous facial hair! Prepare yourselves for some high fat, low carb excitement. www.deadleicester.co.uk HISTORICAL, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 9th/17th 18:00 (18:50) & 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £10 (£7)

Map Ref: 54

THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: COLD HARD CACHE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "One of the best adverts for modern alternative comedy you could ever wish to see." Ed Fest Mag, ****. "Inventive and increasingly hysterical" The Skinny, 'Best Shows of the Fringe 2017' ****. "Raw funny talent" Short Com, **** SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: WORK-IN-PROGRESS

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. Expect surreal sketches, warped illustrations and there may even be a rap. "One of the best adverts for modern alternative comedy you could ever wish to see." Ed Fest Mag, ****. www.thedelightfulsausage.com SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

142

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Jokes on Us and Oh So Funny Comedy present

THE EXTRAORDINARY TIME-TRAVELLING ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN 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.

STORYTELLING, CHILDREN'S

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

THE FALL OF BYRON MONTROSE POET GENTLEMAN LOVER 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. "Like a Spike Milligan book... Delightfully different" Notts comedy review CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

Surely Shirley present

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SHIRLEY Back by popular demand- the ﬁrst, original and bestest part of Shirley's trilogy! The Further Adventures of Shirley invites you to be part of something spectacular. Make things, dress up, dance and help to make Shirley's dreams come true in this inter-active, participatory performance workshop. Suitable for all ages. INTERACTIVE, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 14:00 (15:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

Jokes On Us present

THE INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Malta are the countries represented in the ﬁrst international stand-up comedy show where learning isn't a purpose. It's just a lot of jokes with an accent. Radu Isaac "simultaneously sweet and dark" - Chortle, Dimitri Bakanov ""Dark, charming and never far from a quality punchline" Mike Manera, Picadilly Comedy Club, Steve Hili "Perfect" - Arts Awards Voice. Part of the Kayal all-dayer MIXED BILL, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 17:15 (18:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

PETER Pizzeria present

THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB 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. Guests include Mark Dolan (Balls of Steel), Flo & Joan (Now Magazine Audience Choice Award 2017 - Toronto Sketch Fest) and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2017 nominees Ed Night and George Rigden. More acts to be announced. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £6.50

Map Ref: 39

Lucky Dog Theatre Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE LAUREL & HARDY CABARET

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. Including all their Music Hall scripts from their UK Tours between 1947-1954 and a lot of other rare material, it's the closest you will get to seeing the original pair in action. CABARET, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Map Ref: 54

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

143

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The MakeyUppers' present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE MAKEYUPPERS' BEDTIME STORIES

Once upon a time, two fair maidens dragged fairy tales kicking and screaming into the 21st century in this sharp and original review of all things "happily ever after". 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. STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE MAN OF A 1000 FARCES

"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. "A proper scream- reminds me of Beetlejuice and a bit of Rick Mayal smashed together in an endearingly slapstick weird way.Impressive entertainment from a one man show"5***** He hasn't studied with Gaullier www.johnnymacaulay.co.uk MAGIC, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE MAN OF A 1000 FARCES

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE MAN OF A 1000 FARCES

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 5

TripleCeePee present

THE MMORPG SHOW 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 table top gaming in an epic, sprawling, open world, entirely made up fantasy quest of the audiences own devising. Every show is different. Every choice has a consequence, every success decided by a large D20... (20 sided die) Victory or betrayal? Choose www.mmorpgshow.com IMPROV, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 15

Attenborough Arts Centre/ Discerning Nights present

THE MYSTERY SHOW 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. THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

144

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 2

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 THE NOT SO GAME SHOW WITH ROSS & JOSH

WORLD PREMIERE

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! Comedians take on audience members, audience members take on inflatable dinosaurs and chaos invariably ensues "Heavily influenced by Vic & Bob, Ross and Josh could be a similar cult-in-waiting" - Chortle www.rossandjosh.co.uk GAME SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

THE NOT SO LATE SHOW WITH ROSS & JOSH 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. "Channeling Vic & Bob for the video game, grime generation, their Big Night Out-style chatshow is a lot of fun" - The Scotsman www.rossandjosh.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 2

FoxyComedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE OAKLEYS

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! www.duncanoakley.com ALTERNATIVE, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 69

THE ONE LINER SHOW Why are one-liners better than anecdotes? Well, long story short... Puns, gags, jokes, word play 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: silly, rude, weird- all fantastically funny. Hosted by Chris Norton Walker - "Hilarious One Liners" - Barbican Theatre (Plymouth) MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 52

Patrick Monahan & Lily Lovett present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE PATRICK MONAHAN GAME SHOW

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. Lily & Pat are a real life couple and they will share their knowledge on dating old skool & new ways of dating. Also the show will involve them grilling couples in the audience in a game show round of "he says, she says". Come as strangers, leave as friends! www.patrickmonahan.co.uk GAME SHOW, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Everards Tiger present

THE ROSE AND CROWN ROARS WITH LAUGHTER Two great nights of stand-up comedy from The Rose & Crown. Guests include Mickey Overman; one of the most exciting female acts on the UK circuit and Leicester Square New Comedian 2016, the 'gently satirical and quietly insightful' (The Skinny) Garrett Millerick, and the award-winning stand-up comedian Andrew O'Neill (Never Mind The Buzzcocks). See website for more info and additional acts as they're announced. Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Rose and Crown

Map Ref: 59

"The festival offers big names... and innovative curios" the times

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

145

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 THE SAME FACES: IMPROV SMACKDOWN 2018 The Same Faces are proud to present Improv Smackdown 2018, returning to Leicester for a third year. Refereed by The Same Faces' own, Tom Young, 8 of the country's best improvisers go head-to-head, in order to be declared the Smackdown Champion of 2018. But here's the twist: it's an improv show, so they have to work together! Reigning champion Will Naameh will be back to defend his crown, but can he be the ﬁrst person to retain it? IMPROV, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

THE SAME FACES: IMPROVISED COMEDY Leicester's own improv group, The Same Faces return for their ﬁ fth year at Leicester Comedy Festival, with another round of improvised silliness. This short-form show will feature scenes, games, songs, and one liners, all completely made up on the spot. Regulars Tom Young, Allan Smith, and Dave Gotheridge will be joined by some of their talented friends, in order to bring you some of the best improvisation in the midlands, if not the country! IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (23:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 65

THE SAME FACES: UNCLE ARMANDO Uncle Armando's monthly visit to The Western continues into the festival. 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. Previous month's headliners include Naz Osmanoglu, Mrs Barbara Nice, Jim Smallman, Diane Spencer, Jack Campbell, and last festival's double award winner, Rob Kemp. IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 65

Big Difference Company present

THE SECRET TOUR Fancy a comedy adventure? See a selection of festival shows in 1 night, with just one catch - we won't tell you which shows you'll be seeing in advance! A complete sell out in past years, meet at a secret location and trust your guide to lead you through the streets of Leicester. Take a chance, you won't regret it. Tickets are only available in advance. Exciting huh?! EVENT DATES:

Venue: Ssshhhh it's a secret!!

Time: 18:00 (22:00) Entry: £30

Leicester Comedy Festival present

THE UK PUN CHAMPIONSHIPS A total sell out for the past 4 years, The UK Pun Championships returns to De Montfort Hall as the culmination of #UKPunDay. Celebrating the great British pun with contestants from across the UK. Hosted by Jason Byrne. "A pantomime atmosphere" www.chortle.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £20

Map Ref: 11

THE VILLAGE HUB COMEDY CLUB 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. Previous acts have included Carly Smallman, Chris Norton Walker, Darren Walsh & Lloyd Grifﬁ th. Line up to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Village Hub

146

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: Tickets from University of Leicester

Map Ref: 62

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Heroes of Fringe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THEA-SKOT THROUGH THE HEART AND YOU'RE TO BLAME

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. As heard on BBC Radio 4. "Brave, silly, a little bit unhinged and very, very funny" ***** (Funny Women) "Devious and gleefully naughty characters" **** (The Skinny) www.alisontheaskot.com CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

THIRD WHEEL 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. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:10) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 26

THIS IS NOT A MAGIC SHOW

WORLD PREMIERE

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. Ben Earl (star of Ch4's Trick Artist), Danny Buckler (A Hancockian treasure) and Kieron Lefever (What the 'F' just happened?!) will entertain, amuse and bafﬂe in equal measure. Change the way you think about a magic show forever, which it isn't! MAGIC, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 4

THUNDERBULB 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. www.pybism.com IMMERSIVE, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:20) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

PBJ Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TIFF STEVENSON: BOMBSHELL

Critically acclaimed stand-up Tiff Stevenson, who you may know from Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats and the BAFTA nominated People Just Do Nothing, or your dreams, she's deﬁnitely been there. 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. tiffstevenson.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 20:45 (21:45) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 45

TIM ANDREWS: PUNSUNG HERO

WORLD PREMIERE

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! STORYTELLING, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Map Ref: 5

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

147

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 TIM RENKOW HAS ACCEPTED SATAN AS LORD AND SAVIOUR Tim Renkow, star of, 'A Brief History of Tim' -BBC 3, was on a night bus when a well-meaning stranger tried to exercise the demons out of him, which is just rude. Come and ﬁnd out how counterproductive it was.

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Cute Cat Productions present

TINDER REHAB 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. The comic and author of 50 Ways To Find a Husband or Wife delivers attraction techniques, alter egos, music and stupid jokes about relationships. Plus, the secret to staying annoyingly happy... all the time. Rehab can be fun. 5 stars-Open Door Theatre. "Great" Broadway Baby www.bentleybrowning.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 17

TOM ALLEN: ABSOLUTELY 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! www.tomindeed.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £16

Map Ref: 10

Cheerful Earful Productions Ltd present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM BINNS IS IAN D MONTFORT WHO IS ACTUALLY PSYCHIC

"A master class in comedy character, improvisation and mind reading" Telegraph. "simultaneously makes your jaw ache from laughing and dropping" Metro. "Intelligent magical fantastically original and funny enough to kill you from asphyxiation" Time Out. "The style of the act is genius - if it works, it's impressive, if it doesn't work, well it's all part of the joke" Chortle. "Spookily skilful wonderfully observed and hysterically funny" Guardian CHARACTER, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:10) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 19

Cheerful Earful Productions present

TOM BINNS: THE CLUB SETS Hospital DJ Ivan Brackenbury, Psychic Ian D Montfort and Tom's Ventriloquist Puppet family all feature in this critically acclaimed show. The Scotsman awarded it ﬁ ve stars; "a surfeit of comedy riches" (it means a good thing) Tom is the star of BBC1's Hospital People, Channel 4's 8/10 Cats Do Countdown. These are the club sets that show Tom is arguably three of the best club comics in the country. "Comedy Genius" The Scotsman, "Genius" Chortle. CHARACTER, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:10) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 19

TOM HOUGHTON - CLASS HALF EMPTY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. As seen in The Noise Next Door and on Channel 4's First Dates. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year ﬁnalist 2017. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

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Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 4

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Off The Kerb Productions present

TOM LUCY: NEEDS TO STOP SHOWING OFF IN FRONT OF HIS FRIENDS Fresh from supporting Jack Whitehall, Tom presents his debut show. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016. "Watch him live and you'll understand the excitement" The Guardian. "Tom Lucy has obvious star quality... Self-awareness beyond his years" Chortle "There's been a lot of buzz about Tom Lucy and it's easy to see why" The Sunday Post www.tomlucy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 47

Off The Kerb Productions present

TOM LUCY: WORK IN PROGRESS 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. "Watch him live and you'll quickly understand the excitement' The Guardian "The best new comedian I've seen in ages." Jack Whitehall www.tomlucy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 49

TOM TAYLOR IS THE INDIE FEEL-GOOD HIT OF THE SUMMER (WIP) 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. "Gloriously silly" (The Stage) "Astoundingly funny" (Fringe Guru) tomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

TOM TAYLOR PRESENTS THE FLANNEL SHOW 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. Expect ﬁnely tuned nonsense, other assorted sounds and a brief presentation on the Life and Times of Linda Barker. Please check tomedy.co.uk for line-up. tomedy.co.uk

GAME SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 41

TOM TOAL IN MASK YOUR LUNACY

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "Tom Toal captivates his audience with a unique brand of narrative comedy, that is as delightful to listen to as it is superbly funny." Punchline Recommends "Sincere schoolboy nostalgia & great audience interaction." Fringe Biscuit. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8

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The Same Faces present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM YOUNG'S DAFT CONVERSATION

The Same Faces' director, Tom Young, will be joined by last year's double award winner, Rob Kemp, for a daft conversation about whatever comes up. 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. IMPROV, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Map Ref: 65

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

149

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Same Faces present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM YOUNG'S SOMETHING NEW

"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." SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 65

The Same Faces present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TOM YOUNG'S SOMETHING OLD

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. "Lively, and very funny." Alan Seaman, Ship of Fools Comedy Club SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 65

Jokes On Us present

TONY BASNETT OWES IT TO HIMSELF 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. "Undoubtedly funny" Gigglebeats "He makes naturally funny look effortless"-Patrick Monahan As seen as part of the Illustrious AAA showcase in Edinburgh. www.tonybasnett.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 61

Momentum Artist Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TONY COWARDS: PUNDERDOG

"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 ****"(BroadwayBaby.com) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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TONY JAMESON - IDEALIST

WORLD PREMIERE

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. "Wonderful, terriﬁc, life afﬁrming stuff... " The Skinny "Painfully funny... " The List www.tonyjameson.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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The Cookie Comedy Club present

TONY LAW: ABSURDITY FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE 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. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

150

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £10

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 The Cookie Comedy Club present

TONY LAW: CHAT SHOW You've dreamt of it and now it's coming true - The Tony Law: Chat Show...

EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 47

The Miller Partnership and Glynis Wright & Co present

TOO HOT TO HANDLE! Soft Touch Arts in association with The Miller Partnership and Glynis Wright & Co are delighted to present Too Hot To Handle! We'll be cooking up comedy in an exotic epicurean extravaganza with the Leicester Curry Awards Restaurant of the Year 2017 - Chutney Ivy. Come and join us at the home of Soft Touch for a mouth watering 3 course celebration of comedy and curry. Tickets £39 each or book a table of 10 £350. Contact chris@soft-touch.org.uk www.soft-touch.org.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Soft Touch Arts

Time: 18:00 (22:00) Entry: By invitation only

Map Ref: 43

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TOO MANY JAMESES

"a top class comic" - Birmingham Mail "the most enjoyable hour" - BBC News 650,000 Facebook video views A new show from an award-winning comedian, featuring jokes, stories, sarcasm and generally smart-arsery What is the plural of 'James' anyway? Jameses? James'? James's? Jamii? SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Jokes on Us in association with Discerning Nights present

TOP JOE: LEAVING THE HOUSE TOP JOE, is venturing out of the house. The hi-vis sporting welshman is hoping it will be worth it as he shares his hopes, fears, 80s cassette collection and vitamin supplements with all who are equally as brave. Gaining cult status from performances at Edinburgh Fringe, Latitude, Contact Theatre, and Laughterhouse Live; and winner of Liverpool Echo Comedian of the Year 2016, this alternative comedy performance is not to be missed. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Two Queens

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Travis Jay Entertainment present

TRAVIS JAY - SERIOUSLY JOKING 2016 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the year nominee, Travis Jay returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with his solo show 'Seriously Joking' This show promises a larger than life performance, Travis doesn't hold back on relationships, fatherhood, race and even Anthony Joshua. As heard on BBC Radio 4, BBC 1 Xtra SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£4)

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TREV TOKABI - MAYDAY! MAYDAY! Trev Tokabi brings his work in progress titled "Mayday!Mayday!", the international radio distress sign to explore societys failures to tackle our biggest threat: ourselves!

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Broood @ Vin Quatre

Map Ref: 5

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 RiotBox Productions present

TREVOR LOCK'S COMMUNITY CIRCLE 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. "Utterly improbable, absolutely entertaining" (Independent). "An absolute masterclass in comedy performance" (The Scotsman) www.trevorlock.co SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Paul Vickers and Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

TWONKEY'S NIGHT TRAIN TO LIECHTENSTEIN

What happens when you take suggestions from your fans to help make a new show? You get a cross between Murder on the Orient Express and Jack the Beanstalk directed by David Lynch. The purest of storytelling for adults with a mad-minded inner child. "A crazy, wonderful performer" The Scotsman **** "The barmiest, most original show on the fringe" Broadway Baby **** The winner of the 2016 Malcolm Hardee Award Comic Originality. SOLO SHOW, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Jokes On Us present

ULTIMATE COMEDY CHAMPIONSHIP 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! Come and help us on our quest to ﬁnd the roughest, toughest, meanest comedian on the planet. Hosted and refereed by Damian Kingsley, Jay Neale and Alex Hylton. MIXED BILL, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 23:30 (00:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Unhinged Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

UNHINGED

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. Www.facebook.com/unhingedsketches MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Upstairs At The Western present

UPSTAIRS AT THE WESTERN PRESENTS GRADUATION NIGHT 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. ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 65

VALDEMAR PUSTELNIK: 53 MINUTES ABOUT 52 SHEEP (60 MINUTES LONG) 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". "Spirited and quirky", "Garners the laughs" Chortle ALTERNATIVE, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

152

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Ratae Cooperative Players present Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire, a Romantic Comedy Horror by Peter Brammer

VALENTINE: THE QUINTESSENTIAL VAMPIRE 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. THEATRE DATES:

Venue: International Arts Centre

Time: 14th-16th - 19:30 | 17th - 14:30 (2hr perf.) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 23

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

WARWICK COMEDY: BEST-OF SKETCH

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, our sketch show was named 'the best student sketch show' by EdFringe Review in 2015, and we were named 'one of the highlights' by JokesOnUs for our 2016 Leicester show. Don't miss our best show yet! SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 16:45 (17:45) Entry: FREE

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Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

WARWICK COMEDY: STAND-UP SPECIAL

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 - catch them here! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

WAX COMICAL SHOWCASE Wax Comical - Comedy Chip Shop Showcase A showcase of talent performing as part of Melton Mowbrays BIG Weekend. As always, hosted by Melton's very own Jon Pearson.

MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Noels Arms

Time: 20:00 (23:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Paul O'Donnell presents

WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER 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. Devised and performed by Paul O'Donnell, Associate Artist at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and with Theatre Absolute. THEATRE, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£9)

Map Ref: 2

Jokes On Us present

WEIRD ARSEHOLES 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. ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Map Ref: 61

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

"Leicester's mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom" the i

153

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 (WELSH MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS Chris Phillips brings his all new , debut one man show , ( Welsh man ) in Hammersmith Palais to Leicester Comedy Festival. It's a post punk stand up tale of this wild looking son of the principality.

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 65

Chris Phillips and Kevin Hudson present

WORLD PREMIERE

(WELSH MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS/THE FULL ENGLISH

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. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Chris Phillips and Kevin Hudson present

WORLD PREMIERE

(WELSH MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH PALAIS/THE FULL ENGLISH

Venue: Soft Touch Arts

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 43

WHAT THE FRICK?!

REGIONAL PREMIERE

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. "exuberant... . perfectly pitched", Three Weeks "witty and refreshingly spontaneous", Austrian News Funny Women Finalist 2012 Winner of "Hopp oder Tropp" - Austria, 2010 www.alicefrick.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 50

Everards Tiger present

WHITE LION ROARS WITH LAUGHTER The White Lion hosts a stellar line-up of stand-up comedians including the writer, comedian and TV presenter Mark Dolan, best known as the host of Channel 4's iconic comedy series Balls of Steel (**** 'Consistently funny' The Independent), Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2017 nominee George Rigden, and the charming, silly, and sometime livid Alﬁe Brown ('Like a British Doug Stanhope' ****The Guardian). Ticket includes a free pint of Tiger www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: White Lion

Time: 19:30 (20:45) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 68

WHY STAND-UP MATTERS: HOW COMEDIANS MANIPULATE AND INFLUENCE WITH DR SOPHIE QUIRK 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 beneﬁ ts - that may arise from 'just' being funny. Part of the Beyond A Joke series.

DISCUSSION

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

154

Time: 14:30 (16:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 39

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Oddsocks Productions present

WIZARD OF OZ 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. ytheatre.co.uk CHILDREN'S, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 17:00 (19:00) Entry: £12.50

Map Ref: 63

Red Imp Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

YA COR SAY THAT

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. "Cynicism that could fell a rhino at 1000 paces" Al Murray. "Anyone who loves the work of Sarah Millican and Kerry Godliman will ﬁnd plenty to enjoy here" The Guardian www.susan-murray.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:10) Entry: £8 (£5)

Map Ref: 26

YURIKO KOTANI: GREEN IN ENGLISH, BLUE IN JAPANESE (WORK IN PROGRESS) Winner of the BBC New Comedy Award 2015 and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016 nominee, Yuriko Kotani (as seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central) brings you "wonderfully offbeat stories" "with her rug-pulling punchlines and bizarre observations". "Leftﬁeld rising star" (Time Out) www.yurikokotani.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ZAHRA BARRI: 'ZAHRA: WARRIOR, NOT PRINCESS'

Zahra has never stood in front of a mirror & taken a Selﬁe. She's more likely to stand in front of the mirror and ask herself to make a change. From Kim Kardashian's Career to Kim Jung Un's Korea, the world is a constant mix of War and Priss and Zahra really wants to be a Warrior, not a Princess. After all,Mohammed Ali arguably the greatest warrior in the world said 'My way of joking is to tell the truth, that's the funniest joke in the world.' SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

United Agents and zazU Comedy present

ZAZUTINANY Award winning comedy troupe zazU presents 'ZAZUTINANY', an absurdly silly comedy gameshow incorporating sketches, games, a quiz and even some cheeky prizes. Expect men with fringes, exquisite choreography and answers to questions such as "So it's basically shooting stars, right?" - Anon ***** "Sixty minutes of pure comedy gold. Surreal? Yes. Hilarious? Insanely." - The Londonist. ***** "a playful delight... stylish and bizarre" - Edfringe Review GAME SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

CKP present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ZOE LYONS: WORK IN PROGRESS

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. TV and radio credits include Live at the Apollo (BBC2), Room 101 (BBC 1), Dara O'Briain's Go 8-Bit (Dave),The News Quiz, Just a Minute, and The Now Show. (BBC Radio 4). "Lyons has what it takes to delight any crowd" The Guardian. www.zoelyons.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 39

"One of the highlights of the comedy calendar" the independent on sunday

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

155

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

A pretty broad grin Comedy comes in many forms and Leicester Comedy Festival has always tried to reflect that in the events programmed and the people who are involved in creating each festival. This philosophy has existed since the event began in 1994 and has resulted in numerous projects and partnerships with organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We’re proud of the work we do with others, as we try and ensure that Leicester Comedy Festival remains “a pretty broad grin” (The Guardian) for as many people as possible.

ACCESS GUIDE Once again this year we have produced an access guide to festival venues. This is available to download from www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call the main festival office on 0116 261 6812. The guide gives some information about physical access to the majority of our venues. If you have specific queries or questions, please contact the venue direct. Contact details can be found on pages 157-161.

If you have any comments, or questions, about the festival and how it could become more accessible please get in touch info@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

156

To make your visit to the festival as easy as possible you may also want to check out www.disabledgo.com which contains access details about Leicester City Centre and some venues. Further details and information can also be found in the Accessible Leicester Guide Available online at http://publications.leicester.gov.uk/accessibleleicester or copies are available to pick up from Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate.

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

VENUE INFORMATION PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR VENUE INFORMATION (PARKING, FOOD, BAR DETAILS). FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO BUY TICKETS, PLEASE CALL THE FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE ON 0116 456 6812. 1 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

ANCHOR INN

MAP 2

15 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

FIREBUG

MAP 1- B2

2 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE

MAP 1- D3

16 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

FUTURE CYCLES

MAP 1- B2

3 Title: Address: Info: Web:

BLACK DOG

MAP 2

GRAYS@LCB DEPOT

MAP 1- A3

4 Title: Address: Info: E-mail:

BLACK HORSE LAUGHTER LOFT

MAP 2

17 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

HARBOROUGH THEATRE LOUNGE

5 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

BROOOD @ VIN QUATRE

18 Title: Address: E-mail: Web: 19 Title: Address: Info: Web:

HEROES @ THE CRITERION

74 Loughborough Road, Hathern LE12 5JB 01509 646688 info@anchorinnhathern.co.uk www.anchorinnhathern.co.uk Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA 0116 252 2455 arts-centre@le.ac.uk www.attenborougharts.com

23 London Road, Oadby LE2 5DL 0116 2102 479 www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/black-dog-oadby 65 Narrow Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NA 0116 283 7225 www.blackhorseaylestone@yahoo.co.uk 24 King Street, Leicester LE1 6RL 0116 254 4228 info@broood.co.uk www.broood.co.uk

MAP 1- B2

1 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN 0116 255 1228 info@firebugbar.co.uk www.firebugbar.co.uk 21 Market Street, Leicester LE1 6DN 0116 242 5959 tim@futurecycles.org.uk www.futurecycles.org.uk 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE 0116 261 6827 grays@lcbdepot.co.uk www.facebook.com/grayslcb Church Square, Market Harborough LE16 7NB shipoffoolscomedy@yahoo.co.uk www.harboroughtheatre.com 44 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN 0116 262 5418 www.criterionvenue.co.uk

7 Title: COGNITO Address: Loughborough Student Union, Ashby Rd, Loughborough LE11 3TT

MAP 4

20 Title: HOLYWELL HOUSE Address: 68a Leicester Road, Loughborough LE11 2AG Web: www.holywellguesthouse.com

8 Title: CONGREGATIONAL JUBILEE HALL Address: High Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AQ Web: www.mhcongregational.church/wp

MAP 2

21 Title: Address: Info: Web:

9 Title: Address: Info: Web:

CHUTNEY IVY

MAP 1- A3

10 Title: Address: Info: Web:

CURVE

MAP 1- A3

11 Title: Address: Info: Web:

DE MONTFORT HALL

MAP 1- D3

41 Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1TR 0116 251 1889 www.chutneyivy.com Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB 0116 242 3595 www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU 0116 233 3111 www.demontforthall.co.uk

12 Title: DMU HERITAGE CENTRE Address: Hawthorne Building, De Montfort University LE2 7GZ 13 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

DRYDEN STREET SOCIAL

14 Title: Address: Info: Web:

ELEPHANT AND CASTLE, THURLASTON

24 Dryden Street, Leicester LE1 3QE info@drydenstreetsocial.com www.drydenstreetsocial.com 26 Main Street, Thurlaston LE9 7TP 01455 888213 www.elephantandcastlethurlaston.business.site

MAP 1- B1

MAP 1- A3

MAP 2

HOTEL MAIYANGO

13-21 St Nicholas Place, Leicester LE1 4LD 0116 251 8898 www.maiyango.com

22 Title: HUGH ASTON BUILDING Address: The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY

MAP 2

MAP 1- B2

MAP 4

MAP 1- A1

MAP 1- C2

23 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

INTERNATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

MAP 1- A2

24 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

JUST THE TONIC AT BREWDOG

MAP 1- B2

25 Title: Address: Info: Web:

JUST THE TONIC AT HANSOM HALL

MAP 1- B2

26 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

KAYAL

MAP 1- B3

“The festival offers big names… and innovative curios” the times

Garden Street, Leicester LE1 3UA info@internationalartscentre.co.uk www.internationalartscentre.co.uk 8 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA 0116 262 3566 leicester.bookings@brewdog.com www.facebook.com/topdogleics

Belvior Street, Leicester LE1 6QL 0330 220 1212 www.justthetonic.com

153 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6FE 0116 255 4667 info@kayalrestaurant.com www.kayalrestaurant.com

157

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

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D & GARTER yk 27 Title: KNIGHT es Address: Knight & Garter, Hotel Street, R Leicester LE1d 5AW Info: 0116 303 3310 E-mail: sam@beautifulpubs.co.uk Web: www.knightandgarter.co.uk/gallery-venue

MAP 1- A2

28 Title: LEICESTER CATHEDRAL Address: St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5PZ Web: www.leicestercathedral.org

MAP 1- A2

29 Title: LEICESTER TOWN HALL Address: Town Hall Square, Leicester LE1 6AG

MAP 1- B2

30 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

158

LOROS HOSPICE

Groby Road, Leicester LE3 6DW 0116 231 8432 davenicklin@loros.co.uk www.loros.co.uk/laughter

MAP 2

31 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL

32 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

MAGAZINE GATEWAY

Market Place, Loughborough LE11 3EB 01509 231 914 box.office@charnwood.gov.uk www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk The Magazine, Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 5XZ alan@deadleicester.co.uk www.deadleicester.co.uk

33 Title: MANHATTAN 34 Address: 34 Rutland Street, The Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1RD Info: 0116 262 8855 Web: www.manhattan34.com 34 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

WANT TICKETS?

MEGAZONE LEICESTER

3 Gower Street, Leicester LE1 3LH 0116 253 1153 reshma.p@megazoneleicester.co.uk www.megazoneleicester.co.uk

MAP 4

MAP 1- B2

MAP 1- A3

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 ld ie kf ar

ANSTEY

MAP 2 LEICESTER/LEICESTERSHIRE A46

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MELTON THEATRE

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GLEN PARVA

Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HJ 01664 851 111 boxoffice@brooksbymelton.ac.uk www.meltontheatre.com

MORE COFFEE CO.

16 Market Place, Melton Mowbray LE13 1XD 01664 560 310 www.morecoffeeco.com

38 Title: NEWARKE HOUSES MUSEUM Address: Newarke Houses, The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY

63 3

OADBY 8

WIGSTON

3 MAP 3

43 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

MAP 1- B4

44 Title: SOMEBRIGHTSPARK Address: 33 Yeoman Street, The Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1UT Info: 0116 262 2863 E-mail: hello@somespark.co.uk Web: www.somespark.co.uk

MAP 1- A3

45 Title: SUE TOWNSEND THEATRE Address: Sue Townsend Theatre, 16 Upper Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5TE Info: 0116 224 4080 E-mail: jlawrence@leicestercollege.ac.uk Web: www.leicestercollege.ac.uk/suetownsendtheatre

MAP 1- B2

A56

36 Title: MOAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Address: Maidstone Road, Leicester LE2 0TU 37 Title: Address: Info: Web:

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Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

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A56 3

63 A5

MAP 2 35 Title:

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A563

LEICESTER FOREST EAST

A47

MAP 3

MAP 1- B1

50 New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TE 0116 255 2592 chris@soft-touch.org.uk www.soft-touch.org.uk

MAP 1- C3

39 Title: Address: Info: Web:

PETER PIZZERIA

40 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

PHOENIX

MAP 1- A3

46 Title: THE BANQUETING SUITE Address: Melton Mowbray Market, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 1JY Info: 01664 562 971 E-mail: enquiries@meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk Web: www.meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk

MAP 1- A2

QUEEN OF BRADGATE

MAP 1- A2

47 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

THE COOKIE

41 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

48 Title:

RUSHEY MEAD ACADEMY

THE COOKIE COMEDY CLUB @ O2 ACADEMY

MAP 1- D3

42 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

9 Welford Place, Leicester LE1 6ZH 0116 254 5333 www.peterpizzeria.co.uk 4 Midlands Street, Leicester LE1 1TG 0116 242 2800 hello@phoenix.org.uk www.phoenix.org.uk 93-97 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB 0116 262 3990 Info@queenofbradgate.co.uk www.queenofbradgate.co.uk Melton Road, Leicester LE4 7AN GSanders@rushey-rmet.org.uk www.rushey-rmet.org.uk

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

MAP 1- B2

SOFT TOUCH ARTS

MAP 2

68 High Street, Leicester LE1 5YP 0116 253 1212 comedy@thecookieleicester.co.uk www.thecookieleicester.co.uk

MAP 3

Address: Percy Gee Building, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH Info: 0116 223 1111

159

INFORMATION

A6 07

MAP 1- D3

MAP 1- A1

MAP 2

52 Title: THE EXCHANGE BAR Address: The Exchange Bar, Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RD Info: 0116 251 3434 Web: www.exchangeleicester.com

MAP 1- A3

THE FISH AND THE CHIP

54 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

THE GUILDHALL

55 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

THE LITTLE THEATRE

160

19-21 St Nicholas Place, Leicester LE1 4LD 0116 222 2212 www.thefishandthechip.com Guildhall Lane, Leicester LE1 5FQ 0116 253 2569 anita.harrison@leicester.gov.uk www.visitleicester.info/museums Dover Street, Leicester LE1 6PW 0116 255 1302 admin@lds-mail.net www.thelittletheatre.net

56 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

MAP 4

51 Title: THE CRICKETERS Address: 1 Grace Road, Aylestone LE2 8AD

53 Title: Address: Info: Web:

MAP 1- A1

MAP 1- A2

r Fo

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY

1081 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2JS 07714 627924 adam.platformonecomedy@gmail.com themidlandrailwayhotelsyston.co.uk

57 Title: THE NEEDLE & PIN Address: 15 The Rushes, Loughborough LE11 5BG Info: 07973 754236

MAP 4

58 Title: THE NOELS ARMS Address: 31 Burton St, Melton Mowbray LE13 1AE Web: www.thenoelsarmsmeltonmowbray.co.uk

MAP 3

59 Title: THE ROSE AND CROWN Address: 45 Main Street, Thurnby LE7 9PJ

MAP 2

Title: 60 Address: Info: Web:

THE ROYAL OAK

61 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

THE SOUNDHOUSE

35 Main Street, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE9 2AN 0116 239 3166 www.royaloakkirbymuxloe.co.uk 28 Southampton Street, Leicester LE1 1SJ Soundhouse_leicester@hotmail.co.uk www.soundhouseleicester.co.uk

MAP 2

MAP 1- A3

MAP 2

63 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE Y

MAP 1-B3

64 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

TWO QUEENS

MAP 1-A3

WANT TICKETS?

7 East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY 0116 255 7066 www.leicesterymca.co.uk 2 Queen Street, Leicester LE1 1QW 07718 642373 info@2queens.com www.2queens.com

MAP 2

MAP 4

62 Title: THE VILLAGE HUB Address: 33 Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, LE2 2RJ

MAP 1- B3

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Wh a rncliffe Rd

68 Highcross Street, Leicester LE1 4NN 0116 408 0008 www.cosyclub.co.uk

43 Silver Street, Leicester LE1 5EU 0116 253 9492

THE COSY CLUB

Wh a rncliffe Rd

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06 A6

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A6006 Norman Way

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MAP 3 MELTON MOWBRAY

006

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 65 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

UPSTAIRS AT THE WESTERN

70 Western Road, Leicester LE3 0GA programming@upstairsatthewestern.com www.upstairsatthewestern.com

66 Title: VIJAY PATEL BUILDING Address: 4th Floor, Design Wing, De Montfort University, Leicester LE2 7BJ Info: 0116 261 6812 E-mail: katherine@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk Web: www.dmu.ac.uk

MAP 1-C1

MAP 1-B3

67 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

WALTHAM ON THE WOLDS VILLAGE HALL

MAP 3

68 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

WHITE LION

MAP 2

69 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

WYGSTON'S HOUSE

Goadby Road, Waltham on the Wolds LE14 4AG wvh.bookingclerk@gmail.com www.walthamvillagehall.co.uk 38 Main Street, Whissendine LE15 7ET 01664 474233 info@whitelioninn.com www.whitelioninn.com Applegate, Leicester LE1 5LD 0116 296 4301 foxycomedy@gmail.com www.wygstonshouse.co.uk

MAP 1-A2

If you buy tickets direct from the venue, booking fees and arrangements may apply. Ask before you make a purchase

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING BEHIND THE SCENES AND EXPERIENCING THE FESTIVAL IN A DIFFERENT WAY? JOIN OUR TEAM AND HELP MAKE 2018 TRULY MARVELLOUS!

WE WANT YOU!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN US AS: ARTIST LIAISON | STAGE MANAGERS EVENT ASSISTANTS FESTIVAL DRIVER & MORE! For more information contact us on volunteers@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

“Leicester’s mammoth annual bash lands like an avenging angel amid the late-winter gloom” i

161

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

CONTACT Big Difference Company, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE Registered charity 1135167

Tel: 0116 261 6812 info@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

PEOPLE FESTIVAL PATRONS:

TONY SLATTERY, THE LATE SEAN HUGHES, SUE TOWNSEND, SIR NORMAN WISDOM OBE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Martyn Allison (Chair), Asgoo Pirbhai, Max Schurer, David Boydon, Andrew Brown, Steph Osborn, Emma Anderson.

STAFF:

Director Festival Producer Partnership Manager Finance Manager Office Manager Special Event Assistant Volunteer Manager PR Manager Print design and production Social media & video content creators Print Distribution Lawyers Ticket Office Managers

CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

Geoff Rowe Sam Javid Katherine West John Symonds Jennifer Pethick Charlotte Laidet Julian Haywood Anna Arthur PR Reach Marketing Crosscut Media SLB Distribution Shakespeares Martineau Fee Todd & Martin Duffield-Fernandez

anna@annaarthurpr.com www.reachmarketing.co.uk crosscut-media.co.uk www.slb-leaflet-distribution.co.uk www.shma.co.uk

BIG thanks to JULIAN HAYWOOD, SHAF ISLAM, MAHMOOD REZA Thanks to Graham Newcombe, Lee Ridley, Dave Deverick, Louisette Durham, Louise Ross, Lesley Davis, Deborah Gale, Anne Vinestock, Chris Cameron, Ash Brown, Mark Ricketts, Sarah Thi

THANKS TO Dominic Shellard, Sarah Thomson, Esther Dudley, Jit Pandya, Tony Graves, Mark Charlton, Josh Hargreaves & everyone at De Montfort University, Sir Peter Soulsby, Piara Singh Clair, Andy Keeling, Mike Dalzell, Sarah Levitt, Maggie Shutt, Sarah Harrison, Helen Donnellan and everyone at Leicester City Council, Julie Smith, Peter Leone, Adnan Ahmed, Antony Flint, Pete Mitchell & everyone at De Montfort Hall, Chris, Nikolai, Chris, Maddie, Claire & everyone at Curve, Martin Jinks, Anna Arthur & Joanna Hawkins, Refiesta, James, Paul, Sue, David, Chris & everyone at LCB Depot, Lucy Phillips, Jon Restell, Colin Bowles & everyone at The Little Theatre, Ben Edmundson & all at East Midlands Trains, Nicola Ward, Adam, Naomh, Joanna & everyone at The Y, George Oliver and everyone at Leicester Mercury, Eloic Montagnier, Liz Wood and everyone at The Belmont Hotel, David Monteith, Rob Coltman & everyone at Ramada Encore Hotel, Peter Ablett and Reena Mistry, Louise Grainger, Pete & Tracey Miller, Asgoo, Gary, Lucy, Owain, Chris, Tara and everyone at Reach, Aatin Anadkat & everyone at Maiyango, Michaela Butter & Attenborough Arts, Liz & Ken, Leicester Fridge, Daniel Nicholas, David Bell, everyone at BBC Leicester, Nik & everyone at The Cookie, Chris Perkin, Glenda, Benji, Andre and everyone at Cosy Club, Sharon Lockyer, Alex Hylton, NCF Comedy, Darrell Martin, Alice Robinson & everyone at Just The Tonic, Chris Sturgess, Nichola Moore & everyone at Sturgess, Raffaele, Pasq & PETER Pizzeria, Jane Colton, Fee Todd, Andrew Girvan and everyone at Red61, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Nita Beeson & Loughborough BID, Robbie Kerr & Loughborough Town Hall, Michael Harris & Melton Theatre, Shelagh Core, Claire Cannell, Erika Hardy & Everards, Harry Hill, Dave Johns, Flo Howard, Paul Howland, Carrie Matthews, Corrie McGuire, Russell Garnett, Jo Williams, Anthony Butler, Andy Leitch, Christian Sarginson, Steve Dowell and Moat Community College and all promoters, volunteers, venue staff and performers!

162

WANT TICKETS?

visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2018

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY in partnership with

DMU IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL, 25 YEARS AFTER IT FIRST BEGAN AS ONE OF OUR STUDENT PROJECTS. Find out more about us at dmu.ac.uk

Sunburst design with microphone (Leicester comedy festival advert).indd 1

“Three weeks of laughs in Leicester” the mail on sunday

14/10/2016 15:29

LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL

JONATHAN PIE BACK TO THE STUDIO

THE GALA PREVIEW SHOW

Saturday 24 February

Friday 12 January

BILL BAILEY

JASON MANFORD

LARKS IN TRANSIT

MUDDLE CLASS

Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 February

Thursday 15 March & Thursday 22 November

GRUMPY OLD WOMEN

MILTON JONES

Tuesday 17 April

Wednesday 25 April

JOEL DOMMETT

DARA O BRIAIN

IS OUT THERE

Thursday 3 May

Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 May

DAVID BADDIEL

SARAH MILLICAN

MY FAMILY: NOT THE SITCOM

CONTROL ENTHUSIAST

Friday 11 May

Thursday 6 & Friday 7 September

0116 233 3111

demontforthall.co.uk

@demontforthall

demontforthall