Leicester Comedy Festival - 6-24 February 2019 by Leicester Comedy Festival

6-24 FEBRUARY 2019

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 2019

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

CONTENTS SPONSORS The great companies that sponsor the festival

WELCOME Welcome from Festival Director, Geoff Rowe

BUSINESS PARTNERS CLUB ROLL OF HONOUR Our local business supporters

FESTIVAL INFORMATION Useful bits of information

4 5

For all the latest news and gossip from the festival subscribe to our newsletter.

A-Z OF ACTS Performers names at a glance

9 18 – 20

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

OUR LISTINGS EXPLAINED How the listing section works

21 – 35

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

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.

COMMENTS

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

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

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

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

39 – 163 164 165 – 169 170 170

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 170 so please do get in touch!

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

SPONSORS

WANT TICKETS?

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

WELCOME TO LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2019!

Grab your tickets online (via www.comedy-festival.co.uk) or call the ticketing team on 0116 456 6812.

Welcome to Leicester Comedy Festival 2019! The annual festival has grown into an enormous (friendly) monster over the years and we’re delighted to be back with this, our 26th festival. This brochure is your passport to the Official UK Comedy Party which features an unrivalled programme of incredible shows, events and projects designed to raise a smile – and we reckon we could all do with a smile these days. This year’s “party” will feature hundreds of comedians who will appear at a growing number of venues across the City and County. This year there will be over 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 Arthur Smith, Johnny Vegas, Zoe Lyons, Jason Manford, Nish Kumar, Tom Allen, Dave Gorman, Jo Brand & Russell Howard) 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. Projects and shows including The UK Pun Championships, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition, Loving Laughing, Silver Stand Up, Laugh Term Comedy School, Beyond A Joke discussion series and Circuit Breakers have all become key features as part of the festival and we’re delighted to be bringing these back for 2019. In 2019 we’re launching The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival – a new sister festival which will entertain children, young people and their families throughout the main festival period. This brochure contains all the shows but also watch out for the dedicated brochure and website which will contain all the information you need on special events and performances aimed at kids under 12 years. Another key event for this year is our special show celebrating 25 years of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition.

T PASSPOR

DY TO COME

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

The competition started in 1995 and has been produced each February, and we are really grateful to our friends who have agreed to come back in February to celebrate one of the longest running comedy competitions in the UK. Check out the line-up and grab your tickets soon for what will be a great night! We increasingly rely on donations to support the festival and receive these from a number of businesses, comedians and members of the public who value what we do each February, and throughout the year. Leicester Comedy Festival is produced by registered charity Big Difference Company and our aims are to support new & emerging talent, celebrate British comedy and support comedians, promoters and venues to put on the best shows and events. We pass on 100% of the ticket sales to our promoters, venues and acts and we now receive around 8% of the money we need each year from donations so, if you value and support what we do, please consider making a donation when you buy your tickets. 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, buy tickets and get the latest information. We have a growing number of supporters and several new partners for 2019 so a massive thank you to them and everyone who works on the festival and supports what we do. We simply couldn’t do it without you. Thanks so much. Enjoy! Geoff Rowe BEM Director Leicester Comedy Festival @geoff_rowe

FEATURE

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

ROLL OF HONOUR PLATINUM MEMBERS

GOLD MEMBERS

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SILVER MEMBERS 24Sevensameday Ltd

Somerbys

Hair@1RD

The Belmont Hotel

PETER Pizzeria

The City Rooms

Ramada Encore Leicester

The Rowleys Partnership Ltd

CHARITY MEMBERS Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland

Moat Community College

King Richard III Visitor Centre

New Horizons in British Islam

Leicester Riders Foundation

Soft Touch Arts

TO JOIN US VISIT

www.comedy-festival.co.uk/businesspartnersclub SPONSORED BY

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

UK Kids’ The

THE FIRST AND ONLY UK KIDS’ COMEDY FESTIVAL KICKS OFF THIS YEAR

6-24 FEBRUARY 2019

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www.UKKidsComedyFestival.co.uk @KidsComedyFest

SHIRLEY GOES POP! Sponsored by

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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. During the main festival dates, the phone line will also be staffed Saturdays (10am – 6pm) and Sundays (midday – 4pm).

Tickets will be available to buy in person from the Festival Hub located in the city centre during the Festival. 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 and when these will be open. Outside of these times, tickets may be available to purchase direct from the venue. Details are listed on pages 165-169.

BOOKING FEES We pass 100% of ticket income on to our venues, acts and promoters have worked hard to keep booking fees as low as possible, working with our ticketing partner Red61. In 2019 there is an 80p booking fee charged on all tickets and a maximum booking charge of £4.80 per transaction. If you have any feedback on our centralised ticket office, do let us know by emailing info@comedy-festival.co.uk If you buy tickets from anywhere else, the booking fees and arrangements may be different so please check the terms and conditions when purchasing tickets. Leicester Comedy Festival is produced by Big Difference Company, a registered charity (1135167). If you want to contact the show promoter directly about tickets, contact details can be found on page 165-169. 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 through our newsletter. For up to date news about the festival 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. Discounts vary with different events, so check with the ticket office when booking. Start times indicate the time the performance will start; the venue may open before this, and you are advised to check opening times 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 but we hope the estimates are useful. DIRECTIONS

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 Festival hotels are The Belmont Hotel and Ramada Encore. You can find more information about deals and how to book on our website and page 12 of the brochure. UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION: Visit:

www.comedy-festival.co.uk or visit our Facebook page /LeicsComedyFest

Twitter: @LeicsComedyFest Watch:

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

Listen:

BBC Radio Leicester www.bbc.co.uk/leicester

Read:

Leicester Mercury for interviews, previews & reviews

GET THERE EARLY! Some of the venues have fixed seating and you’ll get issued with a seat number when you buy your ticket. 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. 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 wish to speak to an individual venue about access requirements, you will find their contact details on page 164. VOLUNTEERS Are you interested in going behind the scenes and experiencing the festival in a different way? Join our team and help make 2019 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 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 170 so please do get in touch!

We’ve included basic maps (page 165-169) 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.

WANT TICKETS?

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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 WEEKEND Back for a 4th year, we’re delighted to be taking the BIG Weekend to Market Harborough for the first time in 2019. The BIG Weekend is a great way to experience a taste of the main festival in the county. See page 112 for more details.

THE SECRET TOURS A complete sell out in past years, join us on The Secret Tour. See several festival shows in one night in multiple venues. The catch? We won’t tell you which shows you’ll be seeing. Take a chance, you won’t regret it. Taking place on every Saturday throughout the Festival; they are a unique way to start your festival weekend. 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! ROAR WITH LAUGHTER FRINGE The Roar with Laughter Fringe is back, taking over Everards pubs across Leicester & Leicestershire. 6 pubs are putting on great nights of comedy featuring top comedians. Check out the advert on page 13 for more information.

LEICESTER FRIDGE Back for another brilliant year, a selection of brilliant shows featuring locally sourced acts and their friends. Look out for the “fridge” icon next to shows. BEYOND A JOKE Following the success in recent years, 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 society and comedy. Topics this year include LGBT comedy, Brexit, Comedy for Kids and classic British comedy. THE UK KIDS’ COMEDY FESTIVAL New for 2019, we are delighted to present The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival. Packed with shows specially aimed at children under 12 years and their families, there will be a mix of big names in kids comedy as well as special events such as Loving Laughing where we will present the award for the Funniest School in Leicestershire. For more information about The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival see page 7 or visit our website www.ukkidscomedyfestival.co.uk

UK Kids’ The

LOOK OUT FOR THE GREEN TICK! This year we are working with ReFiesta and Octopus Energy to run the ‘Green Award’. During August and September, ReFiesta volunteers Aidan, Alan, Mark, Mel, Ursula and Vijay pounded the streets of Leicester to find out what steps venues had taken already to improve sustainability, for example, banning plastic straws to increasing local, organic and plant-based menu choices. These venues are marked with a Green Tick on the venue pages at the back of brochure and will be entered for a Leicester Comedy Festival Award. Please support us, these venues, and others, to help make the festival more sustainable. www.refiesta.org.uk @Re_FIESTA

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

East Midlands Trains are proud to support Leicester Comedy Festival

Ts&Cs apply.

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WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

SUMMER

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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 www.belmonthotel.co.uk

Ramada Encore

Leicester City Centre 84-90 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1GE 0116 366 0150 www.leicestercitycentrehotel.com 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 visit the hotel website for the best offers and prices. 5 trains/hour Monday to Saturday London to Leicester in just 1 hour 6 minutes

Travel to Leicester with

Check www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk for best fares

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

PRESENTS

R E T H G U A L H T I W ROAR Sunday 17th February

Anchor, Hathern Tickets £10 and include a FREE pint of Tiger

Friday 15th & Saturday 23rd February

Rose & Crown, Thurnby

Tickets £10 and include a FREE pint of Tiger and Buffet

Thursday 21st February Saturday 23rd February

White Lion, Whissendine

Black Dog, Oadby

Tickets £10 and include a FREE pint of Tiger

Friday 8th, 15th & 22nd February & Saturday 9th, 16th & 23rd February

Black Horse, Aylestone

Laughter Loft - Featuring 4 great comedians 6th - Lee Kyle 17th - Eddie Hoo & Dave Longley 7th - Paul Kerensa doing a live podcast 13th - Carl Donnelly ‘Arguing for the & Julian Deane sake of arguing’ 14th - Dan Evans 24th - Gong Show & Michael Fabbri For tickets visit: gigantic.com or pop in pub

Book tickets in the pub or visit comedy-festival.co.uk

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

Fifty Shades of Green Don’t tie yourself to somebody else’s version of green

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Proudly sponsoring Leicester Comedy Festival

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Download from: www.adt-taxis.co.uk

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

A–Z OF ACTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

Becky Mayo

122

Craig Byrne

Eddie Fortune

Aaron Simmonds

122

Ben Briggs

Craig Deeley

Eddie Hoo

Aaron Twitchen

Ben Ennis

80,148

Abi Roberts

Ben Fogg

Adam Beardsmore

Ben Shannon

Dai Davies

Adam Hess

Ben Target

Daliso Chaponda

Edy Hurst

Adam Kay

Ben Thurston

Damian Clark

El Baldinho

Adam Larter

Ben Van Der Velde

Damian Kingsley

Adam Rowe

Bentley Browning

Damon Conlan

Beth Vyse

Adam Rushton Adele Cliff

42,44

Bethany Black

Adham Fisher

Bexie Archer

Ahir Shah

Bilal Zafar

Aj Roberts

Bobba .

Bobby Mair

Akin Omobitan Alan Seaman Alasdair Beckett-King

57,65 159

Cropston Fairweather

68,160

Edward Spence

142

Elaine Pantling

118

Elliot Wengler

151

Emily Brady

132

Emzone 53

Eric Rushton

Dane Baptiste

Eshaan Akbar

65,77,91,152

Daniel Audritt

Esyllt Syers

Daniel Cook

Faye Treacy

64,66,70,86,91,105,117,118,142

Fern Brady

Brennan Reece

Daniel Muggleton

Brett Goldstein

Daniel Nicholas

Alex Black

Brian Damage

Daniel Nils Roberts

Brian Mitchell

156 59

47 47,90

Alex Love

77,89

Dan Webber

105

Alex Leam

113

Dan Lees

Brandon Craig

Alex Kealy

53,105

Dan Nightingale

57,65

Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin

64,74,150

Dan Evans

46,85,148

45,46,54,106,108

130

Edward Jones

Eleri Morgan

46,152,155,161

Alex Hylton

153

Edward Hedges

Alastair Clark Alex Edelman

64,67

77 78 78

Finlay Christie

160

Daniel Taylor

155

Fiona Pearce

Danny Clives

Fiona Ridgewell

79 80

Danny McLoughlin

Flora Anderson

Cally Beaton

Danny Posthill

Fran Jenking

Calum Stewart

Danny Sutcliffe

Frank Foucault

Alex Turner

155

Calum Walker

161

Danny Ward

Freddie Farrell

Alfie Brown

Carl Carzana

Daphna Baram

Freddy Quinne

81,130

Alfie Moore

Carl Donnelly

Darcie Silver

Furthest From The Sea

Ali Brice

Carla Pol

148,153

Darren Coles

151

Ali Woods

80 80,151

145

Caroline Mabey

Darren Harriott

Gabby Best

Alice Fennell

132

Caroline Ryan

108

Darren Walsh

130

Gareth Berliner

Alison Andrews

122

Carolos Dandolo

Dave Chawner

Garrett Millerick

Allan Smith

154

Cassie Atkinson

Dave Cohen

Catherine Bohart

Dave Gorman

Catherine Hodges

145

Dave Gotheridge

154

Dave Kinchington

Gary Tro

60,152

Dave Longley

Geoff Rowe

Alwin Solanky Amadeus Martin

48,144 72

Gary Delaney

Gary Lee McLaughlin

Gary Meikle

130

Amy Fleming

105

Celya Ab

Amy Gledhill

151

Charlie Baker

Andrew Bird

Charlie Gascoyne

154

David Benson

67,72

Geoff Whiting

Andrew Lawrence

Charlie Leslie

David McHardy

145

George Egg

Charmian Hughes

David McIver

George Lewis

David Mills

George Rigden

David Mounfield

Andrew Marsh

122

Andrew Maxwell

Chazz Redhead

Andrew O'Neill

Chella Quint

Andrew Ryan

Chiara Goldsmith

Andrew White

50 50,66

Andy Barr

156

George Williams

135

David Smith

Georgie Morrell

Chloe Green

Debra Deakin

130

Chris Cantrill

151

Giles Gear

152 49,72,89

83 83,152 115 83 48,153

Dillon Mapletoft

Glenn Moore

84,119,152

Andy Hollingworth

Chris Chopping

DMU Demon Theatre

Glenn Wade

151

Andy Quirk

Chris Kehoe

Dolly Slatemen

Glenn Wool

Angela Barnes

Chris Kent

Dom Mackie

Graham Whistler

Chris Leworthy

Dominic Harris Jr.

161

Anna J Anthony King

39,41

Chris Norton Walker

Grainne Maguire

42,49,133

Doug Deans

Grant Busé

Archie Henderson

Chris O'Neill

41,43

Doug Segal

Archie Maddocks

Chris Phillips

61,62

Douglas Deans

Ardal O'Hanlon

Chris Purchase

Drew Taylor

53,155

Chris Washington

Drew Tayor

149

Christian Reilly

Duncan Oakley

Christopher Badger

Dylan Jones

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd

Arthur Smith Ava Liversidge

54,145 65

B Barbara Nice

54,142

142

80 153

Hal Branson

108

Hal Cruttenden

Hannah Croft Hannah Silvester

67 86,156

Hardeep Singh Kohli

Hari Kanth

Bec Hill

Clare Snow

Ed Gamble

Harriet Kemsley

Becky Brunning

Col Howarth

Ed Patrick

Harry Househam

Becky Fury

Conor Drum

Edd Hedges

Harry Stachini

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

A–Z OF ACTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Harun Musho'D

Jeanette Bird-Bradley

Hassan Dervish

116

Jeannie Jones

Hayley Ellis Hayley Thornton Helen Bauer Helen Duff

Maddie Campion

114

74,106

Katie Schutte

105

Maggy Whitehouse

161

Jen Brister

Keith Farnan

104

Maisie Adam

91,114

Jen Ives

Kelly Convey

104

Mandy Tootill

159

Jenny Collier

Ken Cheng

104

Maria Shehata

115

64,87

Jenny Wilson

122

Ken Huggett

Marilyn Bird

132

155

132

Katie Pritchard

42,89,103,104,105

Henning Wehn

Jeremy Nicholas

Kev Sutherland

139

Marilyn Monroe

Henry Paker

Jess Robinson

Kevin Dewsbury

159

Mark Bittlestone

Jessica Fostekew

Kevin Hayes

Mark Cram

115

Jessie Johnson

Kevin Hudson

61,104

Mark Docker

Jessie Nixon

Kevin Moore

53,149

Mark Dolan

Jim Campbell

Kevin Precious

105

Mark Olver

Jo Brand

Ki Shah

154

Mark Simmons

Howard Walker

148

Huge Davies

Hugh Clark

145

I Ian Hall

63,105,108,150

Ian Lane

Joanna Neary

Ian Smith

Jody Kamali

Ingrid Dahle

162

Joe Bor

Isa Bonachera

73 63,115 65 115,130

98,99

Kieran Boyd

105

Mark Vigil

Kirsty Munro

144

Mark Watson

Krysstal 80

Marlon Davis

116

Kyle Evans

Martin Durchov

160

97,160

Joe Hadley

132

40,79,90

106

49,132,154 115

Joe Jacobs

Martin Findell

132

Joe Sutherland

Larry Dean

106

Mat Wills

151

Ivan Gonzalez

117

Johannes Dullin

Lateef Lovejoy

107

Matt Garside

130

Izzy Bromfield

161

John Belushi

Laura Davis

107

Matt Green

John Challis

123

Laura Lexx

64,108

Ishi Khan Iszi Lawrence

J Jack Barry

John Monkhouse

105

Laura Monmoth

65,79,109,158

Jack Britton

John Paul McQue

161

Lauren Pattison

91,108,161

100

Leanna Wigginton

Jack Campbell

92,108

John Pendal

64 82,116,160

Matt Hutchinson

Matt Kinson

116

Matt McGuinness

116

Lee Apsey

Matt Price

116

144

Lee Kyle

108

Matt Rees

117

John-Luke Roberts

100

Lee Sanderson

120

Matt Stellingwerf

117

Johnny Macaulay

153

Leslie Ewing-Burgesse

109

Matt Tiller

122

Jack Robertson

Johnny Vegas

141

Lewis Doherty

163

Jack Topher

Jon Pearson

122

Lewys Holt

Jacob Hawley

Jonah Faizel

151

Jake Donaldson

Jonathan Elston

107,153

Jake Lambert

Jonathan Hipkiss

James Alderson

James Bran

James Campbell

Josh Elton

Lisa Klevemark

109

Michael Odewale

James Cann

Josh Hards

Lloyd Griffiths

110

Mick Ferry

James Carey

144

Josh James

Lloyd Henning

Mickey Sharma

James Cary

Josh Jones

101

Lloyd Langford

110

Micky Overman

James Cook

58,81,105

Josh Pugh

101,105,142,148

Lloydie James Lloyd

132

Mike Horscroft

145 119

Jack Cross

132

John Robertson

100,150,151

Jack Evans

John Woodburn

Jack Gleadow Jack Lane

James Dunn James Dunnell-Smith James Farmer James Gault James Meehan Jamie Hutchinson Jamie Lee Jamie Oliphant

65,92,109,129

59 144

151

Matt Hoss

Matt Watts

66,91

Matthew Highton

117

Liam Pickford

Mawaan Rizwan

117

Liam Webber

132

Max Olesker

117

100

Liam Withnail

109

Michael Brunström

118

Jonny Awsum

100

Lily Phillips

110

Michael Clarke

69,118

Jonny Pelham

101

Lindsey Warnes Carroll

106,141

Michael Fabbri

118

Josh Widdicombe Joshua George Smith

Lord Rodney

Mike Newall

144

Lord Russell

Mitch Benn

Lorna Prichard

Morgan Rees

118 81,102 118,140

119

Joshua Robertson

Joz Norris

101

Lost Voice Guy

110

Mr Fruit Salad

101

Juliet Meyers

102

Lottie Field

Mr Timpkins

154

Juliette Burton

102

Louise Atkinson

110

Myra Dubois

120

132

Jurgen Strack

Lovdev Barpaga

130

Luca Cupani

113

Naane Swami

Luca Rutherford

113

Naomi Cooper

81,102

Justin Moorhouse

102

63,119

Jamie- Glyn Bale

130

Jane Hill

133

Kate Bruce

161

Lucy Ann Jones

130

Naomi Paul

Kate Lucas

103

Lucy Hopkins

113

Nathan Cassidy

120 120

Jarlath Regan Jarred Christmas Jason Byrne Jason Manford Jason Neale Javier Jarquin Jay Bennett Jay Neale

96,97

105,107

Lucy Mangan

Nathan Caton

Katharine Ferns

103

Lucy Pearman

113

Nathan Roberts

Kathryn Bond

103

Lukas Kirkby

105,107

Nathan Willcock

Kathryn Mather

116

Luke Rollason

114,146

Naz Osmanoglu

120

152

Katie Burchett

155

Lulu Popplewell

114,155

Neil Delamere

120

Katie Mitchell

140

Lynn-Ruth Miller

114,131,132

Niamh Hall

150

140

Katie Mulgrew

103

Nick Ahad

155 97 63,97,108,118,130

Kate McCabe

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

A–Z OF ACTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

Nick Dixon

121

Rahul Somia

160

Sarah Kempton

Tom Curzon

Nick Horseman

121

Ravi Holy

161

Sarah Keyworth

138

Tom Glover

Nick Revell

121

Ray Bradshaw

131

Sarah McInnes

Tom King

130

Raymond 154

Saskia Preston

138

Tom Little

148,157

Rebecca Shorrocks

141

Scott Bennett

65,138,139,148

Tom Lucy

157

132,136

Scott Capurro

139

Tom Mayhew

139

Tom Neenan

157 157

Nick Wright Nicola Dempsey

79,119

Nicola Lucey

Nigel Lovell

151

Rhodri Hales

130

Scott Gibson

Nikki Morgan

132

Rhys James

132

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

139

Tom Rosenthal

Rich Hall

132

Sean Keoghan

145

Tom Stade

157

Sean Morley

139

Tom Taylor

158 154,158

Ninja Bob

Rhiannon Shaw

146

Nish Kumar

121

Richard Baldwin

152

Nula Harvey

Richard Pulsford

47,91,133

Sezar Alkassab

140

Tom Young

Richard Soames

105

Shappi Khorsandi

140

Tommy Sandhu

158

Richard Wheatley

133

Shaun Hartman

155

Tony Carpenter

87,153

O Oddsocks Produtions Oh Standfast

135

Rick Harrop

129

Shazia Mirza

Tony Cowards

146

63,123

Rick Sanders

162

Shelley Draper

141

Tony Law

158

Olga Koch

123

Rik Carranza

66,133,152

Sheraz Yousaf

141

Tracey Gee

Oli Oakley

Riordan Dj

119

Simon Butler

142

Travis Jay

159

Oliver Taylor

Rob Auton

133

Simon Caine

142

Trev Tokabi

66,84

Omar Hamdi

122

Rob Gee

Sindhu Vee

144

Trish Dunn

84,159

Rob Gilroy

134

Siân Docksey

Rob Kemp

134

Sofie Hagen

144

Vicky Johnson

Rob Leeson

Sophie Duker

144

Vikki Stone

Olaf Falafel

Otiz Cannelloni

P Pat Cahill

123

58,113

122,150

V 40 160

Rob Mulholland

134

Spring Day

145

Rob Oldham

134

Steff Todd

145

Will Dalrymple

39,124

Rob Pybus

134

Steffan Evans

145,149

Paul Carroll

120

Rob Throup

155

Stella Graham

146

Will Hall

162

Paul Cookson

124

Robert Lane

152

Stephen Bailey

146

Will Penswick

162

Paul Currie

124

Robert White

134

Steve Bond

William Andrews

162

124,141

Robin Morgan

135

Steve Bugeja

146

William Seaward

151

Patrick Draper Patrick Healy Patrick Monahan

Paul F Taylor

123,148 160

Will Duggan

Paul Flannery

105

Roisin Omahony

135

Steve Day

William Stone

Paul Kerensa

125

Roland Saunders

135

Steve Lee

114

Paul McCaffrey

125

Romesh Ranganathan

Yazz Fetto

Paul McGarrity

124

Rosco McClelland

Paul Merryck

125

Rosie Dempsey

Steve McLean

136

Steve McNeil

147

Yuriko Kotani

79,119

Stevie Gray

147

39 81,102,162

82 53,149 163

Paul Savage

88,125

Rosie Jones

82,136

Stevie Martin

147

Zahra Barri

Paul Sinha

125,126

Rosie Revan

132

Struan Logan

147

Zenjiro 163

Paul Tonkinson

126

Ross Brierley

136

Stu Goldsmith

Paul Vickers

159

Ross Smith

Stuart Goldsmith

147 148

Pav Rao

Rufus McAlister

136

Stuart Laws

Pete Cliff

132

Russell Arathoon

136

Stuart Mitchell

148

Pete Firman

126

Russell Howard

137

Stuart Reid

155

Ryan Byrne

Sunil Patel

148

Ryan McDonnell

Sunjai Arif

Pete Latham

Peter Bazely

126

Peter Sutton

132

Sachin Kumarendran

Phil Cooper

126

Sadia Azmat

Phil Ellis

67 122

Suzi Ruffell

40,148

Sajeela Kershi

122,137,152

Tania Edwards

Sam Battersea

152

Tash Goldstone

Phil Jerrod

129

Sam Fletcher

137

Tez Ilyas

Phil Nichol

110,129

Sam Marshall

132

The Monks

Phil Pagett

101,129

Sam Nicoresti

137

Thom Bee

122

149

87,153

149 85,91,149

Sam Plummer

132

Thomas Green

57,156

Philip Simon

161

Samantha Pressdee

137

Tiernan Douieb

156

Pol Penter

140

Sameena Zehra

137

Tim Goodings

Tim Renkow

156

Tom Allen

Rachel Sambrooks Rachel Thorn Radu Isac Rahul Kohli

Sammy Nour 130

Sandra Pollock

40,89

Sara Barron

138

Tom Allsopp

79,131

Sara Mason

Tom Burgess

126

83,84,85,105,138,148

Tom Christian

129,148

131

Sarah Johnson

WANT TICKETS?

40 163

81,102,129

Zoe Lyons

148

Phil Jarvis

Philip Hutchinson

Zeropence Musick

Susan Murray

Phil Carruthers

163

150

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6TH 2019 11:00 12:00 12:00 12:20 12:30 14:00 15:30 16:30 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:15 19:30 21:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:45 20:30 21:30 20:30 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15

Make 'Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Loving Laughing Katie Pritchard: Hysterical Histories Flora Anderson: Romantic Chris Kent: Looking Up George Egg: DIY Chef Dark Side of Harun Simon and Friends 2: Music Boogaloo 1000 Years HOUR Show DAVID MILLS IS WORKING IN PROGRESS First Night Funnies 25 Comedy Club - Festival Special with Patrick Monahan Craig Deeley: Literally The Joke Radu Isac: Good Excuses for Sociopaths Lee Kyle - Kicking Potatoes Into The Sea and Hal Branson - Mbolo Jenny Collier: Jen at Work Who's the Daddy Pig? Proper Funny's Festival Launch Party Zoe Lyons - Entry Level Human FOXYCOMEDY CLUB NIGHT Brett Goldstein Nathan Caton: Work in Progress Paul Savage: The Mandela Effect The Barn Ultimatum Snog, Marry, Avoid.

The Y The Guildhall The Y Parks Primary School The Cosy Club The Cookie The Cookie The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Haymarket Theatre Manhattan 34 The Cosy Club Black Horse Laughter Loft The Cookie The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug Wygston's House The Cookie The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western The Exchange Bar

115 39 113 103 80 61 82 71 142 39 72 79 39 67 131 108 97 161 130 163 80 58 120 125 150 144

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7TH 2019 11:00 12:00 12:00 12:20 18:15 19:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 23:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:40 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00

Make 'Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Lulu Popplewell: Work in Progress Edd Hedges: Work In Progress A Bellyful of Laughs in aid of Charity Link, Award Winner 2018 Mark Cram: Horse Costume Jamie Hutchinson: Not My Proudest Moment The Pol Show CHRISTIAN REILLY: GIG ECONOMY White Collar Comedy Graham Whistler - Criplash Dead Leicester Badger of Destiny Ben Van der Velde - Fablemaker Mather and Dervish: Funny Side of the Moon The Village Hub Comedy Club Archie Maddocks: Big Dick Energy Comic Trans Sleeping Trees: World Tour Fern Brady: Work in Progress Danny Ward - The Firework Factory! Paul Kerensa: PK Maxx Matt McGuinness: We are what we overcome Danger Brigade: The Rats of Dargun The Geekatorium LIVE!! Jeremy Nicholas: After Dinner Stories From My Disastrous Broadcasting Career Roland Saunders TVTV Becoming Micky Overman (WIP) Hotel de Comedie Her & The Change in Me

The Y The Guildhall The Cosy Club The Cookie The Fish and The Chip Heroes @ The Criterion O'Neills The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Wygston's House PETER Pizzeria Knight & Garter Magazine Gateway Upstairs At The Western Manhattan 34 The Cosy Club The Village Hub The Exchange Bar Attenborough Arts Centre Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Black Horse Laughter Loft Knight & Garter Heroes @ The Criterion O'Neills PETER Pizzeria Wygston's House The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe St Martins Lodge Upstairs At The Western

115 39 114 74 41 115 96 153 62 161 85 72 54 56 116 155 53 65 144 78 70 125 116 69 152 98 135 55 89 88

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

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

Fiona Ridgewell: Even Disney needs a day off! Freddy Quinne: Peacock Glenn Moore: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Glenn Moore Susan Murray's Blunt Force Trauma Trish Dunn: Voices in My Head

Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House

79 81 84 148 159

Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Finding Happy Charmian Hughes: What-Not Dead Leicester Chuckle Busters Showcase In Stitches Comedy Club Comedy Art Gallery Tour Rob Oldham: Worm's Lament SAJEELA KERSHI - Karma Calmer Cultural Chameleon (WIP) Hayley Ellis: "Once, Twice, Three Times a Hayley" Kate Lucas: Work In Progress Flo & Joan: Work in Progue Travis Jay Alf and Rich: One Liners Graham Whistler - Criplash Michael Clarke: Tribute Rhymes Against Humanity: Musical Improvised Comedy BrightSparks Comedy Asylum Giggles at the Gate present Trish Dunn and Darcie Silver Archie Maddocks: Matchstick In The Vic Comedy Club Mountsorrel Comedy Night Tony Law: A Lost Show Jim Campbell - WIP Mawaan Rizwan: Juice Gay Comedy Night Jack Barry: Tango Dave Gorman: With Great Powerpoint Comes Great ResponsibilityPoint Ben Van der Velde - Fablemaker Dead Leicester The Laughter Loft at the Black Horse Alex Leam - The Joy of Decks (work in progress) Pat Cahill: Clagnut (WIP) #NotAllAble-BodiedPeople WIP Larry Dean - Bampot 7 Acts for £7 Alasdair Beckett-King: The Interdimensional ABK Leicester Fridge: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER Hotel de Comedie ABI ROBERTS - WORK IN PROGRESS 2019 And I feel fine John Pendal: Shame Monster Jason Neale's All Over The Place Rosco McClelland: Work In Progress Garrett Millerick: Sunflower Conversation Garden on Love Island (a choose your own adventure show) SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA...Comedian! Stealing The Show: The Improvised Heist Comedy Rob Kemp - Moonraker 2: Moonrakerer Leicester Fridge: NAKED COMEDY

The Y The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cosy Club Attenborough Arts Centre Just the Tonic at The Shed Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Firebug O'Neills Knight & Garter Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western Attenborough Arts Centre Dog House Manhattan 34 Loughborough Town Hall Mountsorrel Memorial centre The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Y The Cosy Club De Montfort Hall Grays@LCB Depot Magazine Gateway Black Horse Laughter Loft Knight & Garter Heroes @ The Criterion O'Neills Firebug Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 St Martins Lodge The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Upstairs At The Western Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog Firebug Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34

115 39 79 61 72 63 91 64 134 137 87 103 79 159 47 85 118 132 58 84 53 91 119 158 98 117 82 92 72 56 72 153 47 123 122 106 40 46 108 89 43 49 100 97 136 82 66 140 145 134 108

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8TH 2019 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 17:00 18:00 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:00 20:00 18:15 19:15 18:30 18:50 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:45 19:45 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:15 21:15 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 23:00 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 22:30 23:30 22:30 23:30 22:30 23:30 22:45 23:45 24:00 01:00

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9TH 2019 11:00 23:00 Make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em Laugh 4 12:00 16:00 Kids Comedy Hub 12:00 12:20 1000 Years DAILY Show 12:00 13:00 The Future of Gay Comedy Night - A discussion 12:30 13:30 Fran Jenking: 'Frangents' 13:00 14:00 Matt McGuinness: We are what we overcome 13:00 14:00 "Gathering Moss" - William Stone & "Oestrojen"- Jen Ives 14:00 16:00 Mole Ride - Sue Townsend's Leicester 14:00 15:00 Alex Edelman: Work In Progress 14:00 15:00 James Campbell: The Funny World Of... 14:15 15:05 Dan Webber - Genre Fluid (Work in progress) 14:20 15:20 Peter Bazely: Interpreted 14:30 15:30 Afternoon Jokes On Us 15:00 16:00 Larry Dean - Work In Progress 15:00 16:00 A Little Bit of R & R 15:15 16:05 Improv Provocateur 15:30 16:30 The Oxford Imps 15:30 16:30 Charmian Hughes: What-Not 15:30 16:30 Rob Coleman's Grumpy Hour 15:45 16:45 A Silly Hour Of Fun 2 16:30 17:30 I'mMigrant! 16:40 17:40 Joe Jacobs: Cracker 17:00 18:00 Daniel Nicholas: The Millennial Generation Game 17:00 18:00 Chris Kehoe: The Corridor of Uncertainty 17:00 18:00 Garrett Millerick: Sunflower 17:30 18:30 GCSE Revisited 17:30 22:30 The Secret Tour 17:50 18:50 Wingrid 18:00 19:00 Dead Leicester 18:00 19:00 Simon and Friends 2: Music Boogaloo 18:15 19:15 Lauren Pattison: Peachy 18:15 19:15 Darren Harriott: Work In Progress 18:30 19:30 ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO'S ON 18:30 19:30 Morgan Rees & Riordan DJ: Coming To Terms 18:30 19:30 Steve Bugeja: Almost 18:45 19:45 Ian Lane: Bodily 18:50 19:50 Alfie Moore: Fair Cop Work in Progress 19:00 20:00 Matt McGuinness: We are what we overcome 19:00 21:15 The Big Lebowski: Presented by Edy Hurst and Cinema Para-Discount 19:00 20:00 Harriet Kemsley: Slutty Joan 19:00 20:00 The Establishment: Le Bureau De Strange 19:00 20:00 Tommy Sandhu on Tour 19:00 20:30 Red Light Comedy Club 19:30 22:00 The Same Faces: Improvised Comedy 19:30 20:30 Mitch Benn - Doing It On Purpose 19:30 20:30 Twonkey Turns the Umbrella of History, Meets Leonardo Da Vinci & Explains Climate Change 19:30 20:30 An Unexpected Item in the Gagging Area 19:45 21:15 Flo & Joan: Alive on Stage 20:00 22:00 The Laughter Loft at the Black Horse 20:00 21:00 Dead Leicester 20:00 21:00 Tom Neenan: It's Always Infinity 20:00 21:30 Whatton Laughs 20:00 21:45 Stephen Bailey: Our Kid 20:00 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation 20:00 21:00 Tony Law: A Lost One 20:10 20:55 Georgie Morrell: Work in Progress 20:15 21:05 Dan Webber - Genre Fluid (Work in progress) 20:15 21:15 SAJEELA KERSHI - Karma Calmer Cultural Chameleon (WIP)

VENUE

The Y Grays@LCB Depot The Guildhall PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Knight & Garter Heroes @ The Criterion Town Hall Bike Park The Cookie Curve Knight & Garter Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Firebug The Guildhall Knight & Garter Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Manhattan 34 Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog Kayal Ssshhhh it's a secret!! Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway Firebug PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Kayal Knight & Garter Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Heroes @ The Criterion Peepul Centre Town Hall Bike Park Upstairs At The Western Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Curve Black Horse Laughter Loft Magazine Gateway Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Long Whatton Community Centre Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Y The Cookie Kayal Knight & Garter Grays@LCB Depot

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

PAGE

115 105 39 152 80 116 82 119 46 95 69 126 45 106 41 90 153 61 133 42 90 99 70 61 82 82 155 162 72 142 108 71 43 119 146 90 47 116 150 86 151 158 131 154 119 159 49 79 153 72 157 161 146 67 158 83 69 137

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

21:15 21:15 23:00 23:00 21:45 22:00 22:05 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:00 23:00 23:30 02:00 00:00 00:30

Scott Capurro: Scott Capurro Spouts Off Sarah Johnson - Mum's Going To Ibiza Just the Tonic's Saturday Night Comedy Club Platform One Comedy: Syston Brookside Special Jack Campbell Work In Progress Silent Comedy Improv Provocateur LGBTQZX - Special Edition Tom Rosenthal: Work in Progress Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA...Comedian! Stealing The Show: The Improvised Heist Comedy Comedian's Karaoke Shaggers Late Night Jokes On Us

PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Syston Brookside Club Manhattan 34 Firebug Knight & Garter Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Kayal PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Manhattan 34

139 138 102 130 92 142 90 109 157 53 152 140 145 63 140 106

The Y The Guildhall PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Attenborough Arts Centre Future Cycles Kayal PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Attenborough Arts Centre The Exchange Bar Kayal The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot The Exchange Bar Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Y The Cookie Firebug Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Tap & Barrel Kayal The Cosy Club Curve The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at BrewDog Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot Wygston's House Kayal The Exchange Bar The Little Theatre

115 39 91 141 133 114 160 64 146 42 131 163 138 124 82 101 103 116 48 46 69 135 85 88 56 146 64 137 45 49 58 68 55 110 96 163 72 91 53 160 155

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10TH 2019 11:00 23:00 Make ‘Em Laugh 4 12:00 12:20 1000 Years DAILY Show 12:00 13:30 Is Brexit a Laughing matter? 12:30 13:30 Short & Curly: Young At Start 13:00 14:00 Richard Wheatley is blindingly obvious 14:00 16:00 Lynn-Ruth Miller's Comedy Bootcamp 14:00 15:00 Viva Las Vegans 14:00 15:30 Comedy and Knowledge in Post-Truth Times 14:00 15:00 Stella Graham - Uncivilized 14:30 15:30 A PUNchline Hour! 14:30 15:30 Ray Bradshaw - Deaf Comedy Fam 15:00 15:50 Zahra Barri: Things I Shouldn't Say 15:20 16:20 Saskia Preston: Work In Progress 15:30 16:30 Paul F Taylor - Oddpaul 15:30 16:30 "Gathering Moss" - William Stone & "Oestrojen"- Jen Ives 16:00 17:00 Josh and Phil's Knowledge Club: Live 16:30 17:30 Katie Mulgrew: #Blessed 16:40 17:40 Matt Hoss: A Hoss With No Name 16:40 17:40 Ali Woods WORK IN PROGRESS 17:00 18:00 ALAN SEAMAN -GIG ECONOMY 17:00 18:00 Daniel Muggleton - Nothing Personal 17:00 18:00 Robin Hood and the Revolting Peasants 17:00 18:00 Gráinne Maguire: It's Problematic 17:30 18:30 Hook-A-Duck 17:30 18:30 BEN FOGG: Special 17:50 18:40 Stepdads 18:00 20:00 Comedy at The Tap and Barrel 18:00 19:00 Samantha Pressdee: Covered 18:00 19:00 Akin Omobitan's Ridiculous! 18:00 19:00 An Interview with Jo Brand 18:00 19:00 Brennan Reece: Evermore 18:30 19:30 Daliso Chaponda: Daliso's Brilliant Award Winning Show WIP 18:30 19:30 Bec Hill Treats You Like a Child (Work-in-Progress) 18:30 19:30 Lloyd Langford: Five Quid's Worth Of Jokes 18:45 19:45 Jarlath Regan: Greatest Hits & Giggles. 19:00 20:00 Yuriko Kotani: Overwork In Progress 19:00 20:00 David McIver: Teleport (WIP) 19:00 20:00 It Just So Happened - an alternative history show 19:20 20:20 Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents 19:30 20:30 UCL Stand Ups 19:30 21:20 The Tommy Cooper Show

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

20:30 20:45 21:00 21:00 22:00 21:50 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:40 22:00 22:30

Damon Conlan: Jocular Prestidigitator George Rigden: The Band Tiernan Douieb Takes Up An Hour Of Your Life That You'll Never Get Back Adam Hess SUNDAY NIGHT WITH SHIP OF FOOLS Gary Delaney - Gagster's Paradise The Death Hilarious: Pony Cum Transfer (Work In Progress) The Just Us League: IMPROVENGERS ASSEMBLE Jarlath Regan: If Not Now, When? Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents (No) Money in the Bank The All New Ten Commandments

Upstairs At The Western The Cosy Club Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Wygston's House Sue Townsend Theatre PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Firebug Kayal Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion

68 83 156 44 148 82 151 152 96 53 122 149

MONDAY FEBRUARY 11TH 2019 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 15:30 16:30 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 22:00 19:30 20:30 20:00 21:15 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30

Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show El Baldiniho : The Great Bald Magician Lateef Lovejoy - Life, Times, And Societies Crimes Phil Cooper: The Way You Make Me Phil (Work-in-Progress) PUNEL SHOW The Manics: A Comedy Show With Mental Health Issues Step Dad Jokes Sertraline Queen The UK Pun Championships Happy Monday Comedy Club No jokes please, we're Muslim! Mad Ron - Talk to Millenials Alex Kealy: Forge (Work-in-Progress) Alfie Brown: Lunatic Paul Merryck - Local Businessman Unrepentant Piller Killer The Improlectuals Trans Vision Scamp Shelley Draper is Camilla, Cat and Jules

The Y The Guildhall Granby Primary School The Cosy Club Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House Upstairs At The Western De Montfort Hall Cognito The Cosy Club The Exchange Bar Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House Upstairs At The Western The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion

115 39 77 107 126 130 153 146 140 155 86 122 114 47 47 125 129 152 158 141

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 12TH 2019 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 18:00 21:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 21:00 19:00 20:00 19:45 20:45 19:45 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30

Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show The Big Chill/i with Shazia Mirza William Andrews: Willy Becky Brunning: Action Anti-Hero (Work-in-Progress) Jade Goody is...was a Massive Weapon BBC Radio Leicester presents... Patrick Draper: The Truth - A work in progress show A PUNchline Hour! Adventures in Menstruating: Bloody Funny Period Comedy with Chella Quint Ian Lane: Paperweight Suzi Ruffell is a Work in Progress The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue: HAM Daniel Nicholas: Lessons in Nostalgia Mark Simmons: One-linerererer Demon Theatre Comedy Showcase A Glover not a fighter Richard Pulsford: Roll Up for the Smirking Break Leslie Ewing-Burgesse Exists! (WIP)

The Y The Guildhall Chutney Ivy The Cookie Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Just the Tonic at The Shed The Cosy Club Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Future Cycles The Exchange Bar Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Upstairs At The Western Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion

115 39 150 162 55 92 54 123 42 45 90 148 154 70 115 73 41 133 109

The Y Attenborough Arts Centre

115 59

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13TH 2019 11:00 23:00 Make ‘Em Laugh 4 12:00 13:15 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy

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

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

12:00 15:30 15:30 18:15 18:30 18:30 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 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 21:00 21:15 21:30

12:20 17:00 16:30 19:15 19:30 19:30 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:30 22:00 20:30 20:45 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:00 21:00 22:45 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30

1000 Years DAILY Show James Cary: Preaching Like a Stand Up Games With James Maria Shehata - Pretty Little (Work In Progress) Andrew Lawrence: Clean Calum Stewart & James Dunn: Sons of Devolution Thomas Green - BOOM (Work In Progress) George Lewis: They Say Leicester's The Best Tester (Work in Progress) Simon and Friends 2: Music Boogaloo CHRISTIAN REILLY: GIG ECONOMY James Cary: The Sacred Art of Joking The Same Faces: Uncle Armando 8 Dates a Week Alastair Clark: Dear Joananette Andrew Bird: Ha Ha Time Catherine Bohart: Immaculate Carl Donnelly and Julian Deane Giggles at the Gate Comedy Quiz with Sarah Johnson Fashion UK Comedy Show - Funny as F-UK Rhys James: Whistle-Lolly (Work-in-Progress) Danny McLoughlin: Bottom Rung Club Smashing Festival Special Justin Moorhouse - Northern Joker FOXYCOMEDY CLUB NIGHT A Glover not a fighter Charlie Baker: Cream Before Jam (Work in Progress) Steve Bugeja: Work In Progress John-Luke Roberts: All I Wanna Do Is [FX: GUNSHOTS] With a [FX: GUN RELOADING]...

The Guildhall Leicester Cathedral Queensmead Primary Academy The Cosy Club The Cookie Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Wygston's House Leicester Cathedral Upstairs At The Western International Arts Centre Manhattan 34 The Cookie The Exchange Bar Black Horse Laughter Loft The Black Horse PETER Pizzeria Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Just the Tonic at The Shed Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug Wygston's House Manhattan 34 The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar The Cookie

39 95 81 115 49 59 156 83 142 62 95 154 40 46 49 60 59 83 78 132 70 63 102 80 41 60 146 100

Make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Sitcom Geeks - Live Podcast Nathan Cassidy: my Shawshank Redemption (work in progress) Esyllt Sears & Eleri Morgan: E's Are Good Nick Dixon: Actually Funny 2Funny Comedy + Some-Antics = Love Laura Davis: Cake in the Rain Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Coolest Guy In Town (WIP) Gareth Berliner : I paid for another 50 minutes of your time. Joe Sutherland: Toxic Sezar Alkassab: Work in progress 8 Dates a Week Aaron Twitchen: Can't stop a rainbow... Michael Fabbri & Dan Evans A Beginners Guide To Bondage Jonny Pelham: Comfortably Numb (Work-in-Progress) Trish Dunn: Voices in My Head Chris Washington: You Beauty! Walter and Herbert by Joe Bor Harry Stachini: Sideways Thinking The Comedy Store Archie Henderson: Jazz Emu Rik Carranza presents: Star Trek vs Star Wars Fix My Brain How To Act Windy Fix My Brain Kieran Boyd Work In Progress Liam Withnail: Homeboy

The Y The Guildhall The Cosy Club The Cookie Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe O'Neills Attenborough Arts Centre Upstairs At The Western International Arts Centre Manhattan 34 Black Horse Laughter Loft The Cosy Club Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Just the Tonic at The Shed PETER Pizzeria The Cookie The Exchange Bar Melton Theatre PETER Pizzeria O'Neills Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western Manhattan 34 The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar

115 39 144 120 77 121 40 107 62 81 99 140 40 42 118 41 101 159 62 160 86 150 53 133 79 89 79 105 109

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14TH 2019 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 22:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15

WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

21:15 21:30 21:30

22:15 22:30 22:30

Eddie Fortune: The Waiter 500 Bens of Shannon Shaggers

Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie

74 40 140

Make ‘Em Laugh 4 A Political Breakfast 1000 Years DAILY Show The Man of a Thousand Farces 1000 Years HOUR Show Dead Leicester Chronicles In Stitches Comedy Club Scott Gibson: Anywhere But Here Lily Phillips is a Work In Progress Will Hall: Netflix and Will Tom Taylor: Abridged (Work in Progress) Comedy Art Gallery Tour Chris Phillips & Kevin Hudson present" Career Opportunities " & " No rhyme or reason " Scottish Falsetto Socks: Roll Up! Stand Up Mi Duck Bethany Black: Unwinnable Hardeep Singh Kohli: YouTopia Doug Segal - How To Read Minds & Influence People Paul Currie - Hot Donkey Luca Cupani: Work In Progress (W.I.P.) Circuit Breakers 8 Dates a Week ROBERT WHITE: THE TANK TOP TOUR Only Fools and Boycie Those Magnificent Men Hal Cruttenden: Chubster LassTer Festival Comedy Giggles at the Gate present Jamesy Juliette Burton: Working Stuff Out Pete Firman: Marvels Cul-de-Sac Rufus and Rhiannon: Reckless Topiary Enthusiast and Empty Nest Everards Tiger presents Roar with Laughter at the Rose & Crown Thurnby Dead Leicester Chronicles The Laughter Loft at the Black Horse Paul Savage: The Mandela Effect Olga Koch: Fight Mike Newall: Re:newall Sindhu Vee: Sandhog Mark Watson - The Infinite Show Henning Wehn: Get on With It Dirty White Boys: Manners Nick Dixon: Actually Funny The Delightful Sausage: Regeneration Game Dan Webber - Genre Fluid (Work in progress) Gareth Berliner : I paid for another 50 minutes of your time. Larry Dean - Bampot 7 Acts for £7 Maisie Adam: VAGUE Phil Pagett: Live in Concert (Work in Progress) Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin - Don't Bother Jason Neale's All Over The Place Max & Ivan: Work in Progress Olga Koch: Button, A Work in Progress

The Y Grays@LCB Depot The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot King Richard III Visitor Centre The Guildhall The Cosy Club The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Attenborough Arts Centre Grays@LCB Depot Kayal Knight & Garter The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall O'Neills Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria International Arts Centre Haymarket Theatre Melton Theatre Upstairs At The Western Sue Townsend Theatre King Richard III Visitor Centre Dog House Attenborough Arts Centre Haymarket Theatre Manhattan 34 The Cosy Club The Rose and Crown The Guildhall Black Horse Laughter Loft Grays@LCB Depot Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Y The Little Theatre De Montfort Hall Just the Tonic at The Shed Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Knight & Garter O'Neills Firebug Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 Knight & Garter Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot

115 41 39 153 39 72 91 139 110 162 158 64 61 139 145 57 86 73 124 113 63 40 134 123 156 85 106 84 102 126 67 136 78 72 153 125 123 119 144 115 88 73 121 151 69 81 106 40 114 129 59 97 117 123

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15TH 2019 11:00 23:00 11:00 11:50 12:00 12:20 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 18:00 19:00 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 18:50 18:30 19:30 18:50 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:30 19:30 21:45 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:40 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:10 21:10 20:15 21:15 20:15 21:05 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 23:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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EVENT TITLE

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21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:30 22:45 23:59

22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:00 23:30 23:45 00:59

She Festers Rob Gilroy Is In Bits Jasper Cromwell Jones' Alternative Book Festival Damian Clark: Extra Show Tom Young's Musical Musical Hell To Play: The New Show Rob Kemp - Moonraker 2: Moonrakerer Consignia Present: Welcome to Dungeness

Kayal Just the Tonic at The Shed The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Just the Tonic at BrewDog Upstairs At The Western Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34

140 134 97 68 158 88 134 66

A Political Breakfast Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Kids Comedy Hub All White on the Night Short & Curly: Young At Start Noels Arms All Dayer Rob Pybus: Daze of Slime Comedy Club 4 Kids An Audience with Yasmine Day Chris Phillips presents " Career Opportunities..." Mole Ride - Sue Townsend's Leicester Funz and Gamez: Oh No They Didn't Afternoon Jokes On Us Paul Currie - TRUFFICLE MUSK Work In Progress AComedyTapas Paul Sinha's Rapid Fire Quiz Will Penswick: Nørdic(k) Maddie Campion: Truly Maddie Deeply (WIP) Paul F Taylor - Oddpaul Chloe Green & Matt Hutchinson: Leftovers Robin Morgan: Work In Progress Stuart Laws: Making A Choice Joanna Neary - Celia's Guide To Being a Wife Barbara Nice: Raffle Charlie Leslie Sunil Patel Robin Morgan: Honeymoon The Secret Tour I, Tom Mayhew (WIP) Phil Ellis is Dead Funny Comedy in the Dark for Kids JARRED CHRISTMAS: COMEDY Giggles at the Gate Present Nathan Roberts: Saboteur Huge Davies: Work In Progress Rachel Sambrooks: Lyrical Hamster Knightmare Live Eric Rushton: Convict Daniel Cook: Best Bits and New Stuff Myra DuBois Bobby Mair: Work In Progress Adam Rowe: Undeniable a Fish? Battered. Scottish Falsetto Socks: Roll Up! Comedy on the Wolds Circuit Breakers Sameena Zehra - Existerhood Ian Smith - Work in Progress Red Light Comedy Club

Grays@LCB Depot The Y The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot PETER Pizzeria The Cookie The Noels Arms Heroes @ The Criterion De Montfort Hall Just the Tonic at The Shed The Cookie Town Hall Bike Park Just the Tonic at BrewDog Manhattan 34 Firebug Knight & Garter Firebug Just the Tonic at BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Manhattan 34 Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog Ssshhhh it's a secret!! Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Phoenix Firebug 96 Degrees Coffee Shop Just the Tonic at The Shed King Richard III Visitor Centre Sue Townsend Theatre Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Grays@LCB Depot Kayal Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall PETER Pizzeria King Richard III Visitor Centre Heroes @ The Criterion Ebike Centres

41 115 39 105 48 141 122 134 64 48 62 119 81 45 124 43 126 162 114 124 61 135 148 98 54 60 148 135 155 90 129 65 97 84 89 130 105 77 69 120 58 44 41 139 65 63 137 90 132

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16TH 2019 10:00 10:50 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 16:00 12:00 13:30 12:30 13:30 13:00 20:00 13:00 13:40 13:30 14:30 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 16:00 14:00 15:00 14:30 15:30 14:30 15:30 15:00 15:50 15:00 16:00 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:20 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:45 16:45 16:30 17:30 16:40 17:35 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:30 22:30 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:10 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:45 19:45 18:50 19:50 19:00 21:00 19:00 20:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:30

WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

20:30 20:30 22:00 21:55 21:15 21:30 20:30 20:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 22:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:15 23:00 21:30 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:00 23:00 23:00 23:00 02:00 00:00 00:30

Thomas Green: Doubting Thomas 8 Dates a Week Jason Manford: Muddle Class Music Hall Tavern 1000 Years Show Those Magnificent Men Joe Sutherland: You Better Work (in Progress) Luke Rollason's Planet Earth III Will Duggan- ReUnion? WiP Ed Gamble - 'Blizzard' Dead Leicester Chronicles The Laughter Loft at the Black Horse Paul Sinha - The Two Ages Of Man Comedy in the Dark Tania Edwards: Not My Dog Naz Osmanoglu: Work In Progress Alfie Moore: Fair Cop Work in Progress Jonathan Hipkiss - At Least We're Out The House Olaf Falafel presents There's no i in idiot Just the Tonic's Saturday Night Comedy Club - Funz and Games Special Daphna Baram: Sugarcoating Matt Price: Broken Hooters and Geezers With Shooters Helen Duff: How Deep is Your Duff? Sophie Duker: Venus Amadeus Martin: A History of Pet Hates The Man of a Thousand Farces Dane Baptiste: Chocolate Chip Grant Busé - Touché Busé Sara Barron: For Worse Adham Fisher: Unemployment In Retrogress Dead Leicester Chronicles THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Hell To Play: The New Show Comedian's Karaoke Shaggers Late Night Jokes On Us

The Midland Railway International Arts Centre De Montfort Hall The Little Theatre Barkby Village Hall Upstairs At The Western Manhattan 34 Attenborough Arts Centre Just the Tonic at The Shed The Y The Guildhall Black Horse Laughter Loft Sue Townsend Theatre Phoenix Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Kayal Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall King Richard III Visitor Centre Manhattan 34 Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Kayal Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at BrewDog King Richard III Visitor Centre The Guildhall PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Manhattan 34

156 40 97 120 39 156 99 114 162 74 72 153 125 65 149 120 47 100 123 102 71 116 87 144 48 153 69 85 138 44 72 152 88 63 140 106

Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Jack Evans: Work Dr Jones Funny Bones Lynn-Ruth Miller's Comedy Bootcamp Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents An Interview with Andy Hollingworth - Little Museum of Comedy John Pendal: Shame Monster Joanna Neary Presents The Crab Prince Action Figure Archive With Steve McLean AComedyTapas Laura Lexx: Trying Nick Horseman: The Rhyme Scheme Jarred Christmas & The Hobbit: The Mighty Kids Beatbox Game Show The Dark Room for Kids Board Game Smackdown Frank Foucault: Shoes Joanna Neary - Celia's Guide To Being a Wife Juliet Meyers: Hey, Ol' greeny, hazel, hayfevery eyes (the tree pollen kind) is back in town! James Farmer - Work In Progress ALAN SEAMAN -GIG ECONOMY

The Y The Guildhall Attenborough Arts Centre The Guildhall Future Cycles Kayal The Cosy Club The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot Knight & Garter Kayal The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Firebug Grays@LCB Depot The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Cookie Wygston's House

115 39 92 74 114 53 49 100 99 43 43 108 121 96 151 58 80 98 102 96 46

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17TH 2019 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 14:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 16:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:30 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:05 14:30 15:30 15:00 15:50 15:20 16:20 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:00 17:00 16:00 17:00 16:30 17:30 16:40 17:35 16:40 17:40 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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EVENT TITLE

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17:30 17:30 17:50 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:30 18:30 18:30 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:20 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:30 20:30 20:30 20:40 21:00 21:30 21:30

18:30 18:30 18:50 19:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:20 20:30 21:30 21:00 20:30 20:45 22:00 21:00 22:00 22:00 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:40 22:00 22:30 22:30

BEN FOGG: Special Steve McNeil: Video Games (work in progress) Spring Day: I Am Not A Fag Hag! Call Me Ms. Fruit Fly Laura Lexx: Bits of a New Show in a Random Order Stuart Mitchell - Morals Comedy at The Tap and Barrel Elliot Wengler: Jokemon (WIP) Phil Nichol: Your Wrong SCOTT BENNETT: LEAP YEAR Andrew White: Retirement Tour The Dark Room Tim Renkow: Super Heroes and Porn Cally Beaton: Adult-ery Rahul Kohli: All My Heroes Are Dead, In Jail or Touched Up Your Nan I Say - The annual comedy conversation featuring Tom Allen Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents How To Win A Pub Quiz Adventures in Dementia Dom Mackie's Poor Life Choices Alex Hylton: Get Rich or Die Cryin' Tom Little: Look, It's Tom Little, Alright? Arguing For The Sake Of Arguing LIVE Podcast/Eddie Hoo Stand Up - comedydeathworks Mark Dolan: You're Welcome Everards Tiger presents Roar with Laughter at The Anchor SUNDAY NIGHT WITH SHIP OF FOOLS Bilal Zafar: NEW STUFF Damian Clark: Work In Progress John Robertson's Sweaty Sexy Party Party Keith Farnan: Things fall apart; Struan Logan: Hufflepuff When Dreams Were Horses Just Made From White Satin Grant Busé - Touché Busé

Grays@LCB Depot Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion The Cosy Club Kayal The Tap & Barrel The Exchange Bar The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Wygston's House Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Curve Kayal Upstairs At The Western The Y Sue Townsend Theatre The Exchange Bar The Cosy Club Black Horse Laughter Loft The Cookie Anchor Inn Wygston's House PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Firebug Kayal Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ The Criterion

56 147 145 108 148 64 77 129 139 50 150 156 59 131 89 53 89 45 73 46 157 54 115 77 148 57 68 100 104 147 161 85

MONDAY FEBRUARY 18TH 2019 9:30 12:00 11:00 23:00 11:00 11:50 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 14:30 15:30 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 20:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30

Laugh Term Comedy School Make ‘Em Laugh 4 A Political Breakfast 1000 Years DAILY Show Laugh Term Comedy School The Greatest Goat Of All Time Dan Nightingale Live in Leicester Kyle D Evans - POP SONG'S FOR PEDANT'S Matt Kinson: The Simpleton Complex Vikki Stone - Song Bird Dom Mackie's Poor Life Choices Struan Logan: Hufflepuff Kirkby, Craig, and McCabe in...FUNDAY Rahul Kohli: All My Heroes Are Dead, In Jail or Touched Up Your Nan Despite Everything, Price Still Includes Biscuits Alex Black's Record Collection Sofie Hagen: Work in Progress Isa Bonachera: The Great Emptiness The Desk by Frank Foucault (WIP) Lemons

Moat Community College The Y Grays@LCB Depot The Guildhall Moat Community College The Y The Cosy Club Just the Tonic at The Shed Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Sue Townsend Theatre Upstairs At The Western Just the Tonic at The Shed The Exchange Bar The Cosy Club Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Upstairs At The Western The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion

107 115 41 39 107 152 68 106 116 160 73 147 105 131 73 46 144 91 151 109

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 2019 9:30 12:00 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20

Laugh Term Comedy School Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show

Moat Community College The Y The Guildhall

107 115 39

WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

13:00 13:00 18:30 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:30 19:30 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:15 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30

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

Laugh Term Comedy School Megazone Presents: Comedy Tag - Kids Show Matt Rees: Work In Progress Step Dad Jokes Jacob Hawley: Work In Progress BBC Radio Leicester presents... Sarah Johnson - Mum's Going To Ibiza Lemons 25th Anniversary Show - Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition A PUNchline Hour! Lloyd Griffith: All-rounder Knob Rot Linguine Edy Hurst: Hurst Schmurst Twin Peaks Kevin Hudson: Poetry and Lies Ross Brierley - Think Fast (Work In Progress) Stevie Gray: Arctic Monkeys' Midlife Crisis Andrew O'Neill: I Am a Rich Man and I Have Many Sons

Moat Community College Megazone Leicester The Cookie Wygston's House The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Cosy Club Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western De Montfort Hall Manhattan 34 The Cookie The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie

107 117 117 146 92 54 138 109 40 42 110 106 74 159 104 136 147 50

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20TH 2019 9:30 12:00 11:00 12:00 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 14:00 13:00 15:30 15:00 16:00 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:15 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 22:00 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30

Laugh Term Comedy School The Book of Daft 2: This Time It's Dafter (Kids Show) Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Shirley Goes Pop! Laugh Term Comedy School Kids Court Michael Odewale: #BLACKBEARSMATTER Andrew O'Neill: WIP We Are Not In The Least Afraid Of Ruins; We Carry A New World... Tuesday night at the social club Jody Kamali: Nutcracker ZENJIRO : Kamikaze Stand up comedy No Headliner: Matt Tiller and MJ Hibbett Simon and Friends 2: Music Boogaloo Variety Week with LUTheatre Nish Kumar - It's In Your Nature To Destroy Yourselves An Improvised Funeral Shappi Khorsandi: Skittish Warrior...Confessions of a Club Comic Daniel Audritt: Trying to Be Good (Work in Progress) Chris Washington: Work in Progress. Lloyd Griffith: All-rounder Catherine Bohart: Work in Progress Sean Morley - I Apologise For My Recent Behaviour FOXYCOMEDY CLUB NIGHT Paul Tonkinson: The Return of The Tonk Jen Brister - Meaningless Adele Cliff : Work in progress Sarah Keyworth: WIP Chris Phillips presents " Career Opportunities..." Jess Robinson: No Filter

Moat Community College Attenborough Arts Centre The Y The Guildhall Attenborough Arts Centre Moat Community College Attenborough Arts Centre The Cosy Club The Cookie Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Belvoir Park Lounge De Montfort Hall Leicester Cathedral Sue Townsend Theatre Manhattan 34 The Cosy Club The Cookie The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House Firebug PETER Pizzeria Manhattan 34 The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie

107 150 115 39 141 107 105 118 50 159 99 163 122 142 160 121 48 140 69 62 110 60 139 80 126 97 44 138 62 98

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21ST 2019 9:30 12:00 10:30 11:00 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:30

Laugh Term Comedy School Silly Wriggly Readers Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Laugh Term Comedy School The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Silver Stand Up Final hosted by Mrs Barbara Nice

Moat Community College Market Harborough Library & Museum The Y The Guildhall Moat Community College Attenborough Arts Centre PETER Pizzeria

107 142 115 39 107 151 142

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

START TIME

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EVENT TITLE

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18:15 18:30 18:35 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:45 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:15 20:15 20:30 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:00

19:15 19:30 19:20 20:30 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:30 22:00 21:00 21:30 21:30 20:45 20:45 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 23:00 21:00 21:15 21:15 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:20 22:30 23:00

Helen Bauer: Work in Progress Rosie Jones: Fifteen Minutes Louise Atkinson: WIP Odd Encounter Johannes Dullin: Come along and bring a friend! Marlon Davis: Emotional Black Male (Work in Progress) CHRISTIAN REILLY: GIG ECONOMY Rik Carranza: Still a Fan Pretty Evil Spooky Sips with Arthur Smith Variety Week with LUTheatre Willis The Poet's Comedy Extravaganza Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Hannah Silvester: Unique Child of the Universe Luca Rutherford's Political Party Megazone Presents: Comedy Tag Angela Barnes: Rose-Tinted Bilal Zafar: LOVEBOTS Jack Gleadow: Mr Saturday Night Everards Tiger presents Roar with Laughter at the White Lion, Whissendine Dave Chawner: On The A-Gender Comedy Open Mic Night Caroline Mabey Leaves the Room Slowly Sean Morley - Soon I Will Be Dead And My Bones Will Be Free To Wreak Havoc... (WIP) Tez Ilyas: Work in Progress Do the Smurf and Strack and Put the Freshness Back 99 (First World) Problems Ft. Andy Quirk and Anna J Ben Thurston & Tim Goodings: Works in Progress Hotel de Comedie Bring Back The 80s Rosie Jones: Box Ticker (Work in Progress) Steff Todd: Reality Check (Work in Progress) Tash Goldstone: Super Soaker Daniel Nils Roberts: The History of the World in 1 Hour Neil Delamere: Controlled Substance The Same Faces: Fresh Faces

The Cosy Club The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Attenborough Arts Centre Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Wygston's House O'Neills Upstairs At The Western The Angel Hotel Belvoir Park Lounge Knight & Garter Curve Manhattan 34 Curve Megazone Leicester The Cookie The Cosy Club The Y White Lion The Exchange Bar Beerhouse Just the Tonic at The Shed Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Wygston's House O'Neills Upstairs At The Western Hotel Maiyango Manhattan 34 The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at The Shed The Cookie Wygston's House

87 136 110 122 99 116 62 133 130 145 160 162 141 86 113 118 53 57 92 78 71 65 60 139 149 73 40 56 88 59 136 145 149 70 120 154

Laugh Term Comedy School Make â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Laugh Term Comedy School The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Comedy Film Show Tickled Pink All Star Female Comedy Night Improv with Nicholas Holt Darren Harriott: Work in Progress Pick of the Fest In Stitches Comedy Club JAMES BRAN: HACK ABI ROBERTS - WORK IN PROGRESS 2019 Comedy Art Gallery Tour Russell Howard: Work in Progress Katie Pritchard: Tsunamiramirami Hari and Lottie Try To Be Better Jamie And The Oliphant In The Room Simon Caine - Sex, Drugs and other things I never do Laugh Term Comedy School Showcase Phil Jerrod: Ghost (Work in Progress)

Moat Community College The Y The Guildhall Moat Community College Attenborough Arts Centre Harborough Theatre The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot PETER Pizzeria Curve The Cosy Club Just the Tonic at The Shed The Cookie Attenborough Arts Centre Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Just the Tonic at BrewDog O'Neills Grays@LCB Depot Knight & Garter Moat Community College The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

107 115 39 107 151 64 156 91 71 129 91 95 43 64 137 104 86 96 142 107 129

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 2019 9:30 12:00 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 13:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 17:30 19:25 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:45 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:25 18:30 19:30 18:30 18:50 18:30 19:30 18:45 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

20:00 20:30 20:30 21:00 20:30 20:20 20:30 21:30 20:35 22:00 22:25 21:00 21:00 20:55 22:00 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:15 21:15 23:00 23:00 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:30 23:30 00:05

Lucy Pearman: Fruit Loop Andrew Maxwell - Showtime Pretty Evil Variety Week with LUTheatre Dave Chawner: Mental Stevie Martin Vol. 1 Arthur Smith: The BeAst and Me Hats Off To Laurel and Hardy Damian Kingsley: It isn't what it isn't Rich Hall's Hoedown Comedy Film Show Andrew Ryan: Is Everything Alright At Home? (Work in Progress) Jessica Fostekew: Power Bungalow (work-in-progress) Becky Fury Political The Laughter Loft at the Black Horse The Turville Militant Pacifists Helen Bauer: Work in Progress Simon Caine rolls the dice on new jokes for 2019 Pun-Jabi Foxdog Studios: Robot Chef 7 Acts for £7 Craicing Jokes Sarah Keyworth: Dark Horse George Rigden: George-ous Paul Duncan McGarrity - A Practical Guide to Attacking Castles Josh Jones: Puppet Master! (Work in Progress) A Rush Of Laughter Showcase Tom Lucy: Reluctant Millennial Josh Pugh: The Changingman Helen Duff: Daft Russell Arathoon: The Curious Incidents of the Gay in the Night-Time Ultimate Comedy Championship Her & The Change in Me Lucy Hopkins: Secrt Circl

Heroes @ The Criterion Sue Townsend Theatre Upstairs At The Western Belvoir Park Lounge Grays@LCB Depot Attenborough Arts Centre PETER Pizzeria The Guildhall Manhattan 34 Haymarket Theatre Harborough Theatre The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed The Cosy Club Black Horse Laughter Loft The Y Just the Tonic at BrewDog Knight & Garter Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall O'Neills Grays@LCB Depot PETER Pizzeria Upstairs At The Western The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Manhattan 34 The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at BrewDog Manhattan 34 Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion

113 50 130 160 71 147 54 87 68 132 64 50 98 55 153 155 87 142 130 80 40 66 138 83 124 101 42 157 101 87 136 160 88 113

Paul Cookson - Joke Shop Poetry Make ‘Em Laugh 4 1000 Years DAILY Show Kids Comedy Hub What Makes Kids Laugh? Stella Graham - Uncivilized Ban*na C*nts Mike Newall: Desert Bootleg Island Discs Jonny Awsum - The Kid's Show Mickey Sharma - work in progress Mole Ride - Sue Townsend's Leicester Roisin and Chiara: Back to Back Afternoon Jokes On Us The Laurel & Hardy Cabaret BEN BRIGGS - ATTITUDE PROBLEM Matthew Highton - The Horror Sam Fletcher: Muckabout Shooting the Breeze with Johnny Vegas Stuart Goldsmith: Not even the word "untitled", just literally no title [WIP] Katie Pritchard: Storm Stud The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures Of Baron Munchausen Revan and Fennell: Work in Progress Ali Brice: Me Looking at Myself Looking at You Looking at Me (Larks in a Water Closet)

Market Harborough Library & Museum The Y The Guildhall Grays@LCB Depot PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Town Hall Bike Park Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 The Guildhall The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Attenborough Arts Centre Haymarket Theatre Heroes @ The Criterion

124 115 39 105 161 146 54 119 100 118 119 135 45 153 55 117 137 141 147 103 151 132 47

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23RD 2019 10:30 12:00 11:00 23:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 16:00 12:00 13:30 12:30 13:30 13:00 14:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 16:00 14:20 15:20 14:30 15:30 15:00 16:00 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 17:30 15:45 16:45 16:00 16:45 16:00 17:00 16:30 17:30 16:40 17:40

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

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DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

17:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 17:15 17:30 17:30 17:50 18:00 18:00 18:15 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:45 18:50 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 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 20:15 20:30 20:30 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 22:00 22:00

17:50 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:15 22:30 18:30 18:50 19:00 18:45 19:15 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:45 19:50 20:00 20:30 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:30 20:40 22:15 22:30 20:30 20:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 21:00 22:00 22:00 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:15 21:30 23:00 21:30 23:00 22:30 21:30 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 23:00 23:00 23:00

Freddie Farrell: I Wasn't Born With Enough Middle Fingers Henry Paker: Man Alive 2 Gay 2 Function Matt Stellingwerf: Sisyphus Faye Treacy Work in Progress The Secret Tour Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents Beth Vyse as Olive Hands in The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Comedy in the Dark for Kids Steffan Evans 'If I Die Right Now' work in progress Rob Mulholland: Allegations Jessica Fostekew: Power Bungalow (work-in-progress) George Lewis: A Man, A Plan, A Girl With Fake Tan I Am Ross Smith Russell Howard: Work in Progress Stuart Goldsmith: End Of Alfie Moore: Fair Cop Work in Progress Col Howarth: Gubbins Red Light Comedy Club Croft & Pearce - Double Take Kelly Convey: People Like Us (Work in Progress) Ahir Shah: Duffer Lucy Pearman: Work in Progress Sheraz Yousaf: The Pursuit of Manly-ness Adam Kay: This is Going to Hurt Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Lost Voice Guy Katharine Ferns: Pillock Rob Auton: The Talk Show Glenn Wool: Wool's Gold II (The Iron Pirate) Everards Tiger presents Roar with Laughter at the Rose & Crown Thurnby Bitch You Don't Even Naomi Wolf Dads Army Radio Hour The Laughter Loft at the Black Horse Everards Tiger presents Roar with Laughter at the Black Dog Comedy in the Dark Warwick Comedy Stand-up Special Joz Norris Is Dead. Long Live Mr Fruit Salad. Laura Davis: Work In Progress Peter Fleming: Have You Seen? Birstall Sports and Social Club Special Tales from Wales Just the Tonic's Saturday Night Comedy Club - Special Guest Compere HAHA HARBOROUGH Patrick Monahan - #Goals! Josh Pugh: The Hit Charade Jake Lambert: Never Mak The Same Mistak Twice (WIP) Daniel Nicholas: Eugene Jake Donaldson: Help! I'm Trapped In The Body Of An Adequate Comedian! Ken Cheng: Best Dad Ever Conor Drum: ...IF Adam Larter: Good Morning Croissant Amadeus Martin: A History of Pet Hates Adam Beardsmore and Jack Topher In No Particular Order Paul McCaffrey: I Thought I'd Have Grown Out Of This By Now Blags to Riches: A Comedy Hour Gareth Berliner : I paid for another 50 minutes of your time. THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB

Manhattan 34 The Cookie Just the Tonic at BrewDog Just the Tonic at The Shed Grays@LCB Depot Ssshhhh it's a secret!! Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Phoenix King Richard III Visitor Centre Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at BrewDog The Cookie Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Grays@LCB Depot Kayal King Richard III Visitor Centre Future Cycles Haymarket Theatre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Upstairs At The Western Curve The Y Sue Townsend Theatre Manhattan 34 Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie The Rose and Crown Just the Tonic at The Shed Just the Tonic at BrewDog Harborough Market Black Horse Laughter Loft Black Dog Phoenix Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot PETER Pizzeria Co-Op Sports Club King Richard III Visitor Centre Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Harborough Theatre Haymarket Theatre Manhattan 34 The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Attenborough Arts Centre Upstairs At The Western Just the Tonic at BrewDog Just the Tonic at The Shed Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie King Richard III Visitor Centre Manhattan 34 PETER Pizzeria

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80 88 39 117 78 155 53 56 65 145 134 98 83 89 137 147 47 63 131 67 104 45 113 141 44 109 110 103 133 84 78 57 163 67 153 78 65 161 101 107 126 57 149 102 85 124 101 95 70 95 104 66 44 48 43 125 57 81 152

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

22:30 22:45 23:00 23:30 23:30

23:30 23:45 02:00 00:30 01:00

Her & The Change in Me Andy Barr: The Ruby Comedian's Karaoke Late Night Jokes On Us After Hours Mirth House

Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Beerhouse

88 50 63 106 45

Make ‘Em Laugh 4 Alwin Solanky - That which doesn't exist - WIP Chris Chopping's Lonely Hearts Club Band Crop's Circle Lynn-Ruth Miller's Comedy Bootcamp Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents Gabby Best - 10,432 Sheep Zahra Barri: 'Zahra: Warrior, Not Princess' David Benson Q&A: My Life With Kenneth Williams The Laurel & Hardy Cabaret Kevin Precious 'Unholier Than Thou: The Non-Believing Religious Studies Teacher' Sam Nicoresti: U.F.O. Cool Story Bro (WIP) Kat Bond:Emotion in Progress The Taming of the Drew Cassie Atkinson - Swan Songs Comedy at The Tap and Barrel Blags to Riches: A Comedy Hour Anita Elizabeth Holmes presents Eshaan Akbar: Prophet Like It's Hot Russell Howard: Work in Progress ZENJIRO : Kamikaze Stand up comedy The Same Faces: Improv Smackdown 2019 Michael Brunström: World of Sports Nick Revell - BrokenDreamCatcher Tales from Wales Live at The Market Hall Giggles at the Gate Present Trev Tokabi Comedy Heaven Rhiannon Shaw: Empty Nest Ardal O'Hanlon: The Showing Off Must Go On (Warm Up) Laughter Loft's Gong Show Tom Stade: I Swear To... Ben Target: Work-In-Progress Ed Patrick: Work in Progress Col Howarth: Gubbins SCOTT BENNETT: KICKS SOME IDEAS AROUND FOR AN HOUR (WIP) SUNDAY NIGHT WITH SHIP OF FOOLS

The Y Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre The Tap & Barrel Future Cycles Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre The Angel Hotel The Guildhall Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Wygston's House Heroes @ The Criterion The Tap & Barrel Wygston's House Kayal The Cosy Club Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall PETER Pizzeria Upstairs At The Western Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal Wygston's House Harborough Market Dog House Curve The Cosy Club The Y Black Horse Laughter Loft Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Wygston's House Kayal Wygston's House

115 48 61 67 114 53 81 163 72 153 105 137 66 103 155 60 64 57 53 77 137 163 154 118 121 149 110 84 65 132 53 107 157 56 74 63 138 148

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24TH 2019 11:00 23:00 13:00 14:00 13:00 14:00 13:00 15:00 14:00 16:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:20 14:30 15:15 14:30 16:00 15:00 16:00 15:20 16:20 15:30 16:30 16:40 17:30 16:40 17:40 17:00 18:00 17:50 18:40 18:00 20:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 18:45 19:45 19:00 21:30 19:00 20:00 19:20 20:20 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:15 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:40 21:40 22:00 23:30

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year

ANNIVERSARY

1995

STEVE KNUCKLES

1999

PATRICK KITTERICK

1996

JO ENRIGHT

2000

JASON MANFORD

1997

JOHNNY VEGAS

2001

MILES JUPP

1998

MITCH BENN

2002

MATT BLAIZE

TWO SHOWS 25th Anniversary Show Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition Featuring: Romesh Ranganathan Josh Widdicombe & Special Guests

De Montfort Hall, Tuesday 19th February 2019

Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2019 The Y, Saturday 23rd February 2019

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

2003

2007

TOM LITTLE

MATT REES

2016

TOM LUCY

2013

ROMESH RANGANATHAN

2017

ALAISTAR BECKETT-KING

2014

KATE LUCAS

2018

JACK GLEASDOW

2011

2004 MATT HOLLINS

2008 HENRY PARKER

2012

2005 DEBRA JANE APPLEBY

2009 SEANN WALSH

2006 JAMES BRANCH

2010

JOSH WIDDICOMBE

BEN TARGET & TOM ROSENTHAL

2015

CARL DONNELLY

RHOD GILBERT

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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 2019 Anthony King presents

1000 YEARS DAILY SHOW An all new 1000 Years Show. Five 20 minute performances per day, on the hour from midday, throughout the festival (NOT Sun 24th). Featuring various topics from history and maybe some present and future too. (1066 and 2066). PLEASE NOTE: SHOWS LAST 20 MINS. The show is clean and free of profanity and such but may contain traces of silly. www.1000years.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm (20min) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 60

Anthony King presents

1000 YEARS HOUR SHOW The 1000 Years HOUR Show returns with a bunch of historical stuff once more. Edward VIII, George IV and David Icke to name but a few of the themes. It's hystorical but may contain traces of the present and the future. The 1000 years covers 1066 to 2066 . This show is 'clean' so if you're tired of constant swearing and crudity this is for you. It's okay for children too, although it might not be their kind of thing. www.1000years.co.uk CABARET DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 31

Anthony King presents

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 72

1000 Years present

1000 YEARS SHOW A full 90 minute version of the 1000 Years Show. History - Songs - Comedy! Themes such as, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, George IV and David Icke along with the favourites Richard III and Lady Jane Grey. Expect some new material too. And then there's questions: Was the most bombed village in WW2 really in Leicestershire? Is the Moon hollow? Admission price includes a light supper! www.1000years.co.uk MUSICAL, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: Barkby Village Hall

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 4

StraightUp Productions

WORLD PREMIERE

2 GAY 2 FUNCTION

Why did the gay guy cross the road? For attention, obviously. Will and Mark are cripplingly gay. They eat glitter for breakfast, Beyoncé for lunch and selfloathing for dinner. Help them, for god's sake. Sketch. Song. Stand-up. Stupidity. ***** Broadway Baby **** Wee Review **** EdFringeReview straightupproductions.com SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

Big Difference Company present

25 COMEDY CLUB - FESTIVAL SPECIAL WITH PATRICK MONAHAN Join us at the recently re-opened Leicester Haymarket Theatre for this bumper 25 Comedy Club Festival Special. Join some of the best comedians around, with host Patrick Monahan. The 25 Comedy Club is Leicester's exclusive, members only business orientated comedy club, based at some of Leicester's top venues. Expect an unrivalled night of entertainment for you and your clients and colleagues. In aid of Big Difference Company. www.25comedyclub.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

Map Ref: 23

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

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £20

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW - LEICESTER MERCURY COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR COMPETITION A celebration of one of the UK's longest running comedy competitions! Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition has helped launch the careers of numerous comedians. Featuring Romesh Ranganathan, Josh Widdicombe & very special guests. In aid of Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167)

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £25

Map Ref: 14

2Funny Comedy & Some-Antics present

WORLD PREMIERE

2FUNNY COMEDY + SOME-ANTICS = LOVE

On this most delightful of nights, Some-Antics Spoken word collective & 2 Funny Comedy team up to bring you a magical mix of artists. Expect poetic words, vibrant hair & dilly dallying. Bring your shinny eyes, your open ears & most of all bring your dazzling hearts to this sensual feast of mirth & merriment. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_OssHz5JvJwupAf8DaOY8w?view_as=subscriber SPOKEN WORD, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 19:00 (22:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 27

500 BENS OF SHANNON Join Ben on the eve of his 26th birthday to ﬁnd out about the 500 or so shows he's performed at so far in what some would call 'A career' and others would call 'A ﬂing'. Cats will be mentioned, there will be noises with multiple meanings and maybe the odd poem. "Consistently amusing, plenty of laughs." - Broadway Baby SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

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 lineups 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 MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:30 (23:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 28

Crooked Hand Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

8 DATES A WEEK

A One-Act Comedy by Paul Gosling (Massive No 2, 5 Reasons Why I Quit Teaching). When matchmaker Zoey sets up a bespoke high-class dating agency to solve her money problems, it's a great success. Just one problem: only men sign up. There's only one solution - to become the woman of their nightmares... But in spite of her best efforts, somebody still falls for her. A romantic comedy set in the 1990s with original music. Directed by Carolos Dandolo. www.crookedhandproductions.com THEATRE, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: International Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 26

99 (FIRST WORLD) PROBLEMS FT. ANDY QUIRK AND ANNA J The UK's Premier rapper of First World Problems and his lead backup dancer invite you to join their crew for a musical comedy show dealing with the inconsequential irks of modern living. Part concert/part tongue in cheek therapy session. With a genre-busting soundtrack paying homage to everything from modern hip hop to alternative eighties electro there's room in the crew for everyone! ***** - Bunbury Magazine. **** Mumble Comedy. www.andyquirk.co.uk

MUSICAL, INTERACTIVE

DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

Map Ref: 44

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BONDAGE

A funny, naughty romp through the world of BDSM. Have you seen 50 Shades of Grey? Are you fetish curious? Do you ever feel like a change from vanilla sex? Mistress Venita (Sara Mason) answers phone calls and books kinky dom sessions for her wonderfully weird clients in her dungeon. Dressed in latex, ﬁshnets & thigh boots, she cracks her whip and tells amazing stories, all true. It's cracking good fun and includes audience participation. 18+ ABGTB.com

STORYTELLING, THEATRE

DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Charity Link present

A BELLYFUL OF LAUGHS IN AID OF CHARITY LINK, AWARD WINNER 2018 Our Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 award winning show is back! 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 you will ensure local people & children are warm, fed and safe, no matter what crisis, illness, disability or difﬁculty they are facing. Ticket price includes a delicious two-course meal and comedy night. www.charity-link.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Fish and The Chip

Time: 18:30 (23:30) Entry: £25

Map Ref: 59

Jokes On Us present

A FISH? BATTERED. After successful shows in London and at Leicester Comedy Festival 2018, Oh Standfast returns with 'a Fish?' and this time he's Battered. Scientific studies show that when trapped under ice some fish resort to alcohol... Oh Standfast is not a fish but he does adopt similar methods when trapped in his own head. ? ? ? ? 'I have no idea what I watched but I loved it' - LondonPubTheatres 'A genuinely surreal routine' - Chortle #ohstandfast http://ohstandfast.wordpress.com ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

A GLOVER NOT A FIGHTER

Lactose intolerance. Bike rides. Urinals. Tom Glover is a comedian not afraid to tackle the big issues. In this debut hour, award winning comedian, 'What did he win? It doesn't matter. I've never heard of him? He's not from round here'. Award winning comedian Tom Glover will attempt to ﬁnd the humour in his life as a man desperate to do the right thing in a world where everything is wrong to someone. www.tomglovercomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Rodney and Russell present

WORLD PREMIERE

A LITTLE BIT OF R & R

These gregarious Georgian brothers present their comical musings from the period, through historical, hysterical humour and by engaging the audience in original word and song. This is a show for all the family to enjoy. .............."One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name" - Sir Walter Scott ......"Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion" - Jane Austen CHARACTER, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 60

JOU and Jesters Dublin

A POLITICAL BREAKFAST Performers chat in an early morning political chat show with breakfast available in the venue. Fresh coffee & fresh ideas. Come to the show that is on!

MIXED BILL, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 20

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 15th 18th 11:00 | 16th 10:00 (50min) Entry: FREE

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 A PUNCHLINE HOUR! One liner comedians from all over the UK come and perform their funniest short jokes! Last year's SELL OUT show included Tony Cowards, Adele Cliff and Rob Coleman. Who will turn up this year? Anyone from TV comedians, UK Pun Finalists and more! Hosted by Chris Norton Walker (Leicester Comedy Festival Best Joke nominee 2018). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 14:30 (15:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

A PUNCHLINE HOUR! One liner comedians from all over the UK come and perform their funniest short jokes! Last year's SELL OUT show included Tony Cowards, Adele Cliff and Rob Coleman. Who will turn up this year? Anyone from TV comedians, UK Pun Finalists and more! Hosted by Chris Norton Walker (Leicester Comedy Festival Best Joke nominee 2018). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

KEEP IN TOUCH #votecomedy

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A Rush Of Laughter present

A RUSH OF LAUGHTER SHOWCASE A Rush Of Laughter returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival with another showcase of its incredible talent. Featuring three acts from the AROL roster each performing 20 minute sets. www.arushoﬂaughter.co.uk MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

A SILLY HOUR OF FUN 2

WORLD PREMIERE

The Whirlwind of fun, magician of mirth & Tsunami of songs are BACK! Puns, gags and musical fun from: Adele Cliff - Dave's Funniest Joke of Edinburgh Fringe list (16, 17, 18) Katie Pritchard - Musical Comedy Awards 2017 ﬁnalist Chris Norton Walker - Leicester Comedy Festival Best Joke Nominee 2018 MIXED BILL, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 15:45 (16:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Aaron Twitchen presents

AARON TWITCHEN: CAN'T STOP A RAINBOW... Never let anyone stop you. They can't stop a rainbow if they can't catch the end of it. A comedy show about friendship, love and wine from the Luisa Omielan tour support. Latest solo show from Aaron Twitchen (not up the curtains). "Positive, fun, feel-good... Probably the best free fringe show I've seen" - Scotsgay www.iloveaaron.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Terence Gibbons - Balls Out Comedy

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ABI ROBERTS - WORK IN PROGRESS 2019

A regular in the UKs major comedy clubs and as heard on BBC Radio 4, Abi returns to LCF with a rip-roaring hour of stand-up, guaranteed to leave you happy. ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine; *****Edinburgh Fringe Review; ***** Scotsman; *****Swindon Evening News; *****Western Mail; ***** Bath Chronicle; ***** Broadway Baby; *****The List; ***** Mumble Comedy; *****Three Weeks; ***** The Wee Review. WWW.ABIROBERTS.COM SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 55

Terence Gibbons - Balls Out Comedy

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ABI ROBERTS - WORK IN PROGRESS 2019

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 56

Just the Tonic present

ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO'S ON 4 hours before the registration deadline, a major act cancelled on us. Thanks big agents! So, we've booked the slot and are putting tickets on sale at £12. Once we know who is on the tickets will probably go up, and it will sell out. Or we might not even announce it. If we don't get anyone decent you get your money back. Worth a gamble? https://www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 28

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC and Jesters Dublin present

ACOMEDYTAPAS In AComedyTapas Chris O'Neill introduces up to 12 acts doing up to 4 minute samples of their shows. Fast & funny. Presented by Jesters Dublin.

MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 15:00 (15:50) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 32

Jokes On Us present

ACTION FIGURE ARCHIVE WITH STEVE MCLEAN Steve opens his old toy box and rediscovers your faves from He-Man, Transformers, Star Wars and many more (about three more). Remember when toys were better? Your memory might be playing tricks on you. Action Figure Archive is a hit with audiences and the critics alike - ''A hilarious walk down memory lane'' The Scotland Herald, ''A fun examination of nostalgia and nerdiness'' Wired Magazine. "Geeks and nerds unite in this fun show" Geek-List. www.facebook.com/ActionFigureArchiveWithSteveMcLean SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 14:30 (15:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 20

Jokes On Us present

ADAM BEARDSMORE AND JACK TOPHER IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER Rising stars of the stand-up comedy circuit, Adam Beardsmore and Jack Topher discuss their different lives in very different styles. Hailing from the West Midlands, Adam was recently nominated for the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award and performed on BBC Radio 4 Extra for BBC New Act 2018. Jack, a Leicester local, reached the semi ﬁnals of both the Bath New Act and English Comedian of the Year 2018. Two new acts not to be missed. SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 20

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ADAM HESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Star of Tonight at the Palladium (ITV), Live at the Comedy Store (comedy central) and loads of other tv shows, Hess' brings a new show to Leicester for the 5th year running, having recently performed at festivals around the world including Melbourne and New Zealand. 'I've seen few shows that are funnier' - Times SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

ADAM KAY: THIS IS GOING TO HURT Award-winning comedian Adam Kay shares entries from his diaries as a junior doctor in this 'electrifying' (Guardian) evening of stand-up and music. Absolute sell-out Edinburgh Fringe 2016, 2017 & 2018, Soho Theatre 2017, UK tour and West End 2018. The accompanying book, 'This is Going to Hurt' is a Sunday Times bestseller, and is being turned into a major BBC series. Copies will be available to purchase and for signatures after the performance. curveonline.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:30 (20:40) Entry: £24

Map Ref: 13

Weirdos Comedy

WORLD PREMIERE

ADAM LARTER: GOOD MORNING CROISSANT

Croissant (99p), 6 Free Range Eggs (89p), Smell Jazz Fabric Conditioner 1.26L (£2.00), Stufﬁng Mix - Sage & Onion & Onion & Onion 400G (£1.89), 12 Black Bin Bags - Extra Damp (£2.36), Wendle's Quamp Filling - Cheese 300G (£4.55), McCain Potato Keyboard - Electronic (75p), Bertie's Robotic Scampi - 4 pieces (£2.99), Ever-expanding Garlic Bread (12p), Sliced Food Mix - assorted - grey (£7.11) Croissant (99p), Croissant (99p), Croissant (99p), adamlarter.com SOLO SHOW, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £4.99 (£2.99)

Map Ref: 24

Live Nation in association with CKP and InterTalent Group present

ADAM ROWE: UNDENIABLE What does it take to become undeniably good at what you do? Fresh from a sell-out UK tour; Liverpool Comedian of the Year winner and English Comedian of the Year nominee Adam Rowe, presents his hilarious new stand-up show about his working-class roots and the determination, arrogance, selﬁshness and sacriﬁces it takes to become undeniable. 'True comic brilliance' (Liverpool Echo). 'Extremely strong routines' (Fest). 'Nothing short of prodigious www.adam-rowe.co.uk STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£7)

Map Ref: 28

ADELE CLIFF : WORK IN PROGRESS Three time Dave's Joke of the Fringe nominee, UK Pun Championship Finalist and tour support for Milton Jones; Adele Cliff returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival with a brand new hour of stand-up comedy. "There's no doubt she's a nifty writer." - Chortle "Consistently intelligent, witty and, most importantly, very funny." - Lynne Parker, Founder, Funny Women. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

ADHAM FISHER: UNEMPLOYMENT IN RETROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Is Adham Fisher intelligent enough to talk about anything other than public transport? He's been riding it for several years, become internationally infamous, and been accused of having no job, no proper job, and being an attention-seeker, a child, an idiot and a sad bastard. He has set his social media biographies to read just "Failure", and addresses some of this fuel and other observations in this magazine-esque disjointed patchwork of rants. ALTERNATIVE, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

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

Map Ref: 31

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ADVENTURES IN DEMENTIA

Steve'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 gone through all the music of his youth. It reminds him of his Dad. There's nothing else for it but to defy Dementia, with music, songs and laughter. 'Some shows move you, some shows make you laugh, rare shows manage both.' www.ytheatre.co.uk THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 67

#periodpositive with support from the University of Leicester

ADVENTURES IN MENSTRUATING: BLOODY FUNNY PERIOD COMEDY WITH CHELLA QUINT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Help charmingly clever comedian and sex education researcher Chella Quint to break taboos and end period poverty with ad-busting, craftivism and a bleeding ridiculous conga line. As heard on BBC Radio 4's 'A Bleeding Shame' and 'Woman's Hour'. #periodpositive www.periodpositive.com SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE www.chellaquint.com DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 19:45 (21:00)

Venue: Future Cycles

Entry: £6 (£3)

Map Ref: 18

AFTER HOURS MIRTH HOUSE Late Night mirth at Beerhouse. Poetry and comedy combine with great beer at this after hours session. You will need a ticket to stay for this session, but its free!!

SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Beerhouse

Time: 23:30 (01:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 5

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

AFTERNOON JOKES ON US

Not sure who to see? Jokes On Us are proud to present an afternoon showcase of some of our favourite acts appearing at this year's festival to help you make up your mind! Join compere Alex Hylton as he hosts this daytime delight where you'll see a range of acts peforming short snippets of thier shows to help you decide who to see. And it gets better... It''s Pay What You Want! The Joke's On Us! STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 14:30 (15:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Avalon present

AHIR SHAH: DUFFER Ahir Shah returns with a new stand-up show about life and what comes after, death and what comes before, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Duffer comes to the Leicester Comedy Festival having had a critically acclaimed sell-out run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it earned Shah his second nomination in a row for Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. 'Intricately crafted, profoundly moving, howlingly funny.' ***** Telegraph ***** List ****½ Chortle www.ahirshah.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 47

Akin Omobitan

WORLD PREMIERE

AKIN OMOBITAN'S RIDICULOUS!

Is he completely ridiculous or are you? Join Akin Omobitan, Max Turner Prize winner and ﬁnalist in Leicester Square Theatre's New Comedian of the Year, as he opens up the sack of cats that is his ridiculous mind. But be warned, you might leave realising he's not the only ridiculous one! "An expert example of compelling storytelling." - Steve Bennett, Chortle. "Smooth, stylish, original. Akin is the real deal." - Mike O'Brien, Laughing Stock. www.akinomobitan.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Map Ref: 57

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

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ALAN SEAMAN -GIG ECONOMY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Alan's new show asks all the big questions, like if we're going to hell in a handcart, where do we buy the handcart ? And if we can't afford to get on the property ladder, should we put ourselves in storage? Money's too tight to mention and it might get tighter. A delivery of comic musings before we all go to our other jobs. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £4

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HD Management present

ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING: THE INTERDIMENSIONAL ABK Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year 2017 Alasdair Beckett-King returns to this timeline with a dimension-hopping stand-up comedy show. "A singular and truly distinct act, Alasdair Beckett-King creates his own multi-faceted world" **** (The Scotsman). ***** (EdFestMag) **** (Fest) **** (One4Review) **** (Voice) **** (Three Weeks) www.abeckettking.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us present

ALASTAIR CLARK: DEAR JOANANETTE Alastair felt increasingly disillusioned with his own life... until he found some postcards addressed to a potentially dead French woman in a Parisian skip. A stand-up show about legacy and what we leave behind from comedy's daft nihilist. 'Massively funny' ***** (TheSphinx.co.uk). 'Exceeded all expectations' ****(TheTab.com). 'Intelligent and ambitious' ****(LiverpoolSoundandVision.co.uk) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

ALEX BLACK'S RECORD COLLECTION

WORLD PREMIERE

Can music give you hope? Breaking Talent 2017 nominee Alex Black puts his teenage heroes to the test as he navigates heartbreak, existential crisis and the tribulations of Aldi checkouts by squeezing new meaning out of his record collection. Catch one of Birmingham's most promising up-and-coming comedians in his debut show, an hour packed full of songs, stories and references to The Smiths, NWA & Black Sabbath. Will nature make a man of him yet? SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

The Cookie present

ALEX EDELMAN: WORK IN PROGRESS A Work in Progress show entitled "Always Have Always Will" from Edinburgh Fringe Award winner Alex Edelman.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALEX HYLTON: GET RICH OR DIE CRYIN'

A brand new hour of material from one of the fastest-rising acts in the UK. Not sure whether he's destined, or just desperate for the big time, Alex Hylton tries his absolute hardest with this ambitious new show to make a million quid and all his problems go away. Leicester Comedy Festival Liberty Award Winner 2017. 'An Undoubted Talent' - Chortle STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ALEX KEALY: FORGE (WORK-IN-PROGRESS)

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Political comedian and "rising star of the British stand-up scene" (The List) Alex Kealy performs a work-in-progress, plus the best material from last year's "storming show" (The Sunday Times). "This is clever comedy...you've done yourself some internal damage from laughing so much" **** - Shortcom, "A great hour of cerebral stand-up" **** - FringeGuru, "This is intelligent, informative, funny stuff from an important voice" - Three Weeks alexkealy.com

SATIRE, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

ALEX LEAM - THE JOY OF DECKS (WORK IN PROGRESS) Before he got into stand-up, Alex Leam's ﬁrst career was as the country's only mobile DJ that couldn't drive. A stand-up show about life on the other side of the decks. An honest account of ofﬁce parties, club nights, weddings, and being honey trapped for quiz answers. (Work In Progress) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 20:15 (21:05) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 32

Mirth of Forth productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALF AND RICH: ONE LINERS

Two of the UK's ﬁnest and most productive one liner comedians prop comic Alf (Britain's Got Talent 2018, "Utter Chaos" - Jethro) and Richard Pulsford (UK Pun Championship runner-up 2016, "Richard's joke rate is phenomenal" (Buxton Fringe 2018)) get together to present a show full of their best short form jokes. Be prepared for some audience interaction. Even if they aren't. #AlfAndRich www.richardpulsford.com MIXED BILL, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

Map Ref: 44

IAM present

ALFIE BROWN: LUNATIC After a complete sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival, Alﬁe Brown is returning to Leicester and he remains charming and disgusting. His new show is about identity politics, trying to be a good father in a horrible world and being responsibly horny in the wake of wide-spread male sex crimes. He provides no answers, only questions. "You come out a show simply thinking "Wow! F**k! Wow!'***** The Scotsman, ****Times ****Evening Standard www.alﬁebrown.com SOLO SHOW, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 55

Blue Light Comedy present

ALFIE MOORE: FAIR COP WORK IN PROGRESS Join Humberside police sergeant-turned- comedian Alfie Moore for a hilarious, interactive work in progress for his critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 comedy Series 'IT'S A FAIR COP'. Whilst the tone is funny, the subjects tackled represent the real dilemmas faced by police officers. It'd be a crime to miss it! "... offbeat, revealing and very funny" Daily Mail "Brilliantly funny... . genuinely hilarious" David Mitchell www.alfiemoore.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 9th 23rd 18:50 | 16th 20:10 (60 mins) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 30

Madame Tussauds and Peter Kay present

ALI BRICE: ME LOOKING AT MYSELF LOOKING AT YOU LOOKING AT ME (LARKS IN A WATER CLOSET)

WORLD PREMIERE

Show number 6 from ol' Bricey Boy. This show was written in my bathroom. One hour at a time for a total of 24 hours. This is the ﬁrst presentation of that show. I can't promise it won't just be the ingredients of TREsemmé. 4 stars from: Chortle, The List, The Skinny, Three Weeks CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE www.alibrice.com DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 16:40 (17:40)

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

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

Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ALI WOODS WORK IN PROGRESS BBC New Comedy Award 2018 Nominee and Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2017 Runner-up Ali Woods is on a crusade for people to complain less and help more, he's arrogant but with a heart of gold... he thinks. "His vigor wins over the crowd... a club-ready comic" Chortle. "Ali is a new and original voice in comedy, and a much needed one given the current climate; check him out!" Dane Baptiste. This show is a work in progress. www.aliwoodsgigs.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Writers' Guild of Great Britain present

ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT Why is so much TV comedy written by middle-class white men? Dave Cohen (Not Going Out, Horrible Histories) explains what the Writers' Guild are doing to promote more working-class and ethnic minority voices - and what you can do to help with A VERY SPECIAL GUEST (or two). Check website for updates. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:00 (13:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

Heroes of the Fringe present

ALWIN SOLANKY - THAT WHICH DOESN'T EXIST - WIP Goths... you see them after dark, in libraries and miserable. It's highly unlikely you've seen an Indian goth, do they exist? Last year Alwin brought Spain to Leicester, now in his follow up show, he examines what its like to wear black, against the technicolour backdrop of South Asian style. "Who's the Gimp?" - Sam Simmons, "I have no idea who you are" - Nish Kumar, "Oh it's you" - Tony Law ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

A Boy From Clapham present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

AMADEUS MARTIN: A HISTORY OF PET HATES

Amadeus Martin has arrived home to ﬁnd his dog, Pluto on the table, with the memory stick containing the material for his new Festival show in its mouth, chewed up. Pluto is staring at Amadeus. Amadeus has two choices; get the dog or write another show. Amadeus could not reach Pluto, now under the sofa, so had to write this show, a list of his 'Pet Hates' - starting with Pluto. Time Out Critic's Choice & Comedy Pick Evening Standard SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 30

AN AUDIENCE WITH YASMINE DAY Noted pub-singer Yasmine Day boldly attempts to revive her ﬂagging career with an extravaganza concert of 80's power ballads, only slightly hampered by cheap karaoke tracks, over-ambitious costume-changes and her own grandiose sense of self. Debut character comedy from Jay Bennett. Finalist- London Cabaret Awards 2018. Nominated 'Best Comedy Event'- Buxton Fringe 2018 CABARET, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 29

Oxford Imps present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

AN IMPROVISED FUNERAL

Join us at Leicester Cathedral for a completely improvised funeral! Taking your suggestions we will show the life and times of a ﬁctitious individual. With vibrant vicars, horrendous hymns, and ﬂashbacks to the life of the deceased. You'll die laughing as we urn your applause putting the fun into funeral. "refreshingly interactive" Opening Night "Devilishly funny" Daily Info "Dead Funny" Oxford Mail "Devastatingly funny" ***** Ed Fringe Review www.oxfordimps.com IMPROV, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Leicester Cathedral

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10 (£7)

Map Ref: 33

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Big Difference Company present

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDY HOLLINGWORTH - LITTLE MUSEUM OF COMEDY Since 2014 photographer Andy Hollingworth has captured over 1700 pieces of iconic comedy memorabilia, including items donated by people who worked with the likes of Laurel & Hardy, Tommy Cooper, Charlie Chaplin, and Monty Python. His archive captures the history of British comedy since 1840 to the present day. Join Andy and Festival Director Geoff Rowe as they present some of the photographs and stories behind them. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 14:00 (15:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 57

Big Difference Company present

AN INTERVIEW WITH JO BRAND Jo Brand has become one of the best known comedians in the UK and we are delighted to welcome her to the festival for a Q&A with Festival Director, Geoff Rowe. Come and hear about Jo's career, which has ranged from appearances on 'Let's Dance for Comic Relief', 'Splash', 'Have I Got News For You' & most recently 'The Great British Bake Off - An Extra Slice'. In aid of Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167). curveonline.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £12.50

Map Ref: 13

AN UNEXPECTED ITEM IN THE GAGGING AREA Super-Marketable Chris Norton Walker presents another fun packed one liner show. There's loads of puns, jokes and fun in Store! Come along and bring your gags for life! (2018 Leicester Comedy Festival Best Joke nominee) https://www.nortonwalker.com/

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Mark Vigil

WORLD PREMIERE

AND I FEEL FINE

Following his award-nominated debut show in 2018, Mark Vigil returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival with his brand new show. It's the end of the world as we know it; but how did it all go so wrong? And how did Eileen's cracked phone screen lead to an alien invasion? All will be revealed in this one man sketch show set in an post-apocalyptic near future. "Highly talented comedian" - Paul Towers CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

ANDREW BIRD: HA HA TIME Andrew Bird is the funniest comedian you've never heard of. He's been tour support for Rhod Gilbert, Rob Brydon and Michael McIntyre including Wembley and the O2. Join Andrew for a show jam-packed with observations and stories about the petty grievances of modern life. What time is it? It's Ha Ha Time! "Superb" TimeOut "Comedy gold" The Scotsman www.andrewbirdcomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 55

RBM present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ANDREW LAWRENCE: CLEAN

Star of Live at The Apollo & Michael McIntyre's Roadshow & UK comedy's foremost contrarian takes a break from all the controversy in this new show. No politics. No religion. No smut. No swearing. Just great jokes and good clean fun. "Master of dark humour & a political provocateur in recent years, Clean sees Lawrence remind audiences of his ability to write & deliver clean, non-partisan humour just as well any other comic." British Comedy Guide www.andrewlawrencecomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 55

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

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Impatient Productions present

ANDREW MAXWELL - SHOWTIME With "SHOWTIME" Andrew continued his long run of domination of the Edinburgh Fringe. A memorable cocktail of personal stories, astute political observations and the odd surprise foray into character cameos, it won yet another barrage of ﬁ ve-star reviews for one of the festival's most universally acclaimed acts. Now, it's 'showtime' for the rest of the country. DOUBLE EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARD NOMINEE WINNER: Time Out Live Award: Best Stand-up www.andrewmaxwellcomedian.com STORYTELLING, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:10) Entry: £14

Map Ref: 51

The Cookie present

ANDREW O'NEILL: I AM A RICH MAN AND I HAVE MANY SONS There's a better universe next door. Let's go! Award-winning Fringe veteran brings all the feels. 'An incantatory state of near-constant laughter' **** (List) andrewoneill.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 55

ANDREW O'NEILL: WIP WE ARE NOT IN THE LEAST AFRAID OF RUINS; WE CARRY A NEW WORLD IN OUR HEARTS An hour of new material from Comedian / anarcho-wizard Andrew O'Neill. andrewoneill.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

ANDREW RYAN: IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT AT HOME? (WORK IN PROGRESS) Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 winner of Best New Show at returns with the same show but much improved. Irishman Andrew Ryan rails against himself and everything around him. 'Rapturously Funny' **** - The List 'An hour of hilarious comedy' **** - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine www.andrewryancomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 55

Comedy Kerufﬂe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ANDREW WHITE: RETIREMENT TOUR

At 19 years old, Andrew White is giving it all up. His twenties beckon, and all he sees is a creative wasteland. Maybe a practical university degree is the best option. Should he keep slogging it out on the comedy circuit? Or is this really his Retirement Tour? A stand-up comedy show about making decisions, identity, and the conﬂict of creative & academic. // "Insightful...hilarious" - The List // "Andrew White's not to be missed" - Daily Record www.standupandrew.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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

Map Ref: 72

ANDY BARR: THE RUBY

WORLD PREMIERE

With his father recently deceased, minor aristocrat, Andy Barr, stands to inherit his fortune, his estate, his magniﬁcent ruby and its curse. Andy Barr is an 'innovative rising star' (Time Out) and an 'off-key delight' (The Skinny) whose 'comic timing and gestures are impeccable' (**** - The List), and earned a recommendation as Tim Key's Pick of the Fringe (iNews 2017). CHARACTER, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 22:45 (23:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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

ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

A flower is just a weed with a marketing budget

Helping brands bloom since 1995 reachmarketing.co.uk // 0116 233 5565

WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

ANGELA BARNES: ROSE-TINTED Angela Barnes (as seen on Live at the Apollo and Mock The Week) brings her show Rose-Tinted to Leicester. Stand-up and stories that look on the bright side of life. 'Feels like a sure-ﬁre bet the instant she utters her opening lines.' - The Scotsman. 'She's just a gloriously down-to-earth, straight talking and extremely funny comic' - The Guardian. 'The pace is fast, the material strong and the delivery perfect' - Chortle. www.angelabarnescomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

Anita Elizabeth Holmes present

ANITA ELIZABETH HOLMES PRESENTS The boutique agency Anita Elizabeth Holmes brings an eclectic mix of hand-picked talent to Leicester this year showcasing well-established favourites on the alternative comedy circuit as well as some of the most promising newcomers to the industry. Delivering lineups drawn from their international roster, the mixed bills of Anita Elizabeth Holmes acts deliver ﬁrst class quality comedy, guaranteed not to disappoint! pls note; shows sell out early www.anitaelizabethholmes.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: Check website for details. Entry: Sat: £5/PWYW Sun: £8 Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

ARCHIE HENDERSON: JAZZ EMU

WORLD PREMIERE

Remember that incredible song that blew the roof off at Jen's House Party 2k12? Neither does Archie, really, but he'll be damned if we can't piece it back together... The winner of the IYAF Best of the Brighton Fringe Comedy Award brings a new hour of sharp and original musical comedy to Leicester. Because nostalgia used to be cool. "Immense talent and fantastic energy" ***** (EdFestMag), "Original and clever" ***** (BroadwayBaby) www.jazzemu.com

MUSICAL, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ARCHIE MADDOCKS: BIG DICK ENERGY

People are going around now, moaning that "You can't say anything anymore". Is that true? Or do we live in a world of free speech where people get lambasted when they're being a dick on social media? Award-winning Archie Maddocks presents an hour of provocative and hilarious comedy where he sees how far he can push things. Plus some stuff about Big Dick Energy... The show ain't written yet... www.archiemaddocks.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

Jokes On Us present

ARCHIE MADDOCKS: MATCHSTICK An hour of provocative, unﬂinchingly funny comedy where the award-winning Archie Maddocks hilariously explores life, love, loss and his personal connection to Grenfell Tower with a candid authenticity, marking him out as a "real highlight" (BBC Introducing). www.archiemaddocks.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Mick Perrin Worldwide present

ARDAL O'HANLON: THE SHOWING OFF MUST GO ON (WARM UP) Where Ardal comes from (small-town Ireland) there's nothing worse than showing off. Yet he is a professional (if very shy) 'show-off' who continues to do stand-up comedy (being a disgrace to his family). Well. Just when he was about to quit airing his dirty linen in public the world shifted. Dramatically. Now he is forced to saddle his high horse again and ride fearlessly into the culture wars. Star of Death in Paradise, Father Ted and My Hero. www.ytheatre.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Map Ref: 67

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £15

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Your Mum present...

ARGUING FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUING LIVE PODCAST/EDDIE HOO STAND UP COMEDYDEATHWORKS Arguing For The Sake Of Arguing LIVE podcast recording. Come and join in! Argue! Debate! None of it means anything. Straight after the podcast, stay and be enthralled as Eddie Hoo presents his stand-up comedy masterpiece "comedydeathworks" ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW davidlongley.squarespace.com DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 20:00 (22:00)

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 8

ARTHUR SMITH: THE BEAST AND ME Arthur Smith teaches an unruly hominoid about civilisation, poetry and emojis in this sublime work which does not yet exist as I write these words at 3am in late September 2018. Good luck to me - and to you if you come, best wishes, Arthur. P.S. I do know that the actor Shane Atwooll will be in it. He is a ludicrous man. "There are fringe legends and then there is Arthur Smith" Bruce Dessau SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 47

Christopher Badger

WORLD PREMIERE

BADGER OF DESTINY

Touching on Star Wars, school days and the emotional impact of supporting England during a major tournament, performance poet Christopher Badger brings the world premiere of 'Badger of Destiny' to his home city of Leicester. With amusing musings on mid-life, masculinity and the mysteries of the universe, Christopher reflects candidly on his search for meaning and mentors and the perils of navigating that first difficult 43 years. www.christopherbadger.co.uk SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Siân & Zoë present

BAN*NA C*NTS A banana-split bill of high-concept, absurdist, unrelatable comedy for nihilist witches. Child-turned-retired-child Siân Docksey presents a Freudian shitcircus of all the things she's had to explain to her parents. Zoë Tomalin has decided kooky is the most complementary misogynistic slur, and she will no longer stay quiet and quirky about it. **** 'a great piece of alternative comedy' - The Skinny ALTERNATIVE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 24

The Cookie Comedy Club present

BARBARA NICE: RAFFLE Join the Edinburgh Fringe's favourite housewife Barbara Nice for an evening of proper good fun. Entrance price includes a complimentary rafﬂe ticket! With her enviable track record of garnering ﬁ ve star reviews and sell-out shows, Barbara will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step with this new show about chance and luck. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

BBC RADIO LEICESTER PRESENTS... A top line-up of stand-up comedy featuring a selection of Festival favourites, followed by a chat show with comedians, promoters and people involved in Leicester Comedy Festival. Your chance to see some great comedians and get the latest gossip and information about the overall festival. Broadcast live on BBC Radio Leicester. Hosted by Alex Hylton MIXED BILL, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Chuckle Busters presents

WORLD PREMIERE

BEC HILL TREATS YOU LIKE A CHILD (WORK-IN-PROGRESS)

Bec has been performing stand-up comedy to children for years, but you may not have seen it due to it either being on too early, or you feel weird going to a kids' show without kids. But this show is here to remedy that! Leave your maturity at the door, as you prepare for an hour of pure, innocent fun - kids not compulsory! It's child-friendly comedy in a grown-up friendly timeslot. (Actual kids can come too if they must.) bechillcomedian.com SOLO SHOW, CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

BECKY BRUNNING: ACTION ANTI-HERO (WORK-IN-PROGRESS)

Becky Brunning: Actor, comedian, daredevil, helmet owner, stunt-doer, brings her new nigh-octane show to boldly tackle the big issues: should she have children? Is equality the real way ahead or is it time for "The Matriarchy" and is it OK to let Christine the psychic decide? Funny Women Finalist and Broadchurch actor Becky brings a brand new show after her debut hour Beaming stormed* Edinburgh in 2017. *at least caused a bit of weather. beckybrunning.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

Big Difference Company present

BECKY FURY POLITICAL Is the political personal or are we taking the political way too personally. How do we navigate the current political territory from the moral highground to peak idiot? Award winning comic performer Becky Fury has a political compass and a map to help us navigate this brave new post truth, post post, post fax, postscript to humanity we call now. And ﬁgure out how to make the best of it. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (20:55) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

IAM Present

BECOMING MICKY OVERMAN (WIP) A brand spanking new hour from 2018 Chortle Best Newcomer Nominee, Micky Overman. After years of packing up her life and moving all over the place, Micky's got a flat, a career, and a boyfriend she likes - she finally feels at home. Of course, she's not at home. She's a foreigner and the UK is a silly old place. Micky explores identity, friendship, euphemisms, and finding your place. Finalist: Leicester Square New Comedian 2016, Funny Women 2016. www.mickyoverman.com SOLO SHOW, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 (£5)

Map Ref: 56

HOW TO BOOK TICKETS: You can book tickets for all of our Festival shows from our Festival box office. Visit our website www.comedy-festival.co.uk or give our friendly team a call on 0116 456 6812. Tickets will also be available during the Festival from the Festival Hub in Leicester City Centre.

The Cookie present

WORLD PREMIERE

BEN BRIGGS - ATTITUDE PROBLEM

After sell out shows at the Leicester Comedy Festival for the last ﬁ ve years, Ben Briggs brings a brand new hour of stand up comedy in 2019. Brash, confrontational, honest and at times 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, 2015 and 2017. Finalist English Comedian of the Year 2015. www.benbriggs.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 55

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 BEN FOGG: SPECIAL

WORLD PREMIERE

Like a hilltop wizard battling a sadness dragon, Fogg delights and inspires us all. This year he's interested in getting old, losing touch, reaching 40 and how none of that will ever happen to him... ever. Like comedy? Treat yourself to a nice thick slice of hot buttered Fogg. www.shavenape.tv

SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

Heroes @ The Criterion

WORLD PREMIERE

BEN TARGET: WORK-IN-PROGRESS

Exquisite new ideas from 'maverick physical comedian (and Edinburgh Best Newcomer nominee) Ben Target' (Guardian). Winner, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, 2011. 'Bewildering fun' (Scotsman). 'A joy to be part of' **** (Skinny). 'Unruly daftness' (List). 'Imagine there was no Ben Target. The world would unquestionably be a darker, less interesting place' **** Chortle. 'A true original and a legend in the making' (Guardian). www.bentarget.com STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

BEN THURSTON & TIM GOODINGS: WORKS IN PROGRESS Two half hours of new perspectives, storytelling and solid gold guffaws where Ben and Tim discover that sometimes it's harder to give up than to keep doing the bare minimum. "Ben delivers sleep deprived good humour." - Brighton Evening Argos "Tim Goodings is funny. Very funny. Nuff said." - Cheltenham Comedy Festival SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 (£4) advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 69

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

BEN VAN DER VELDE - FABLEMAKER

Join Ben on a comedy adventure as he creates thrillers, self-help books, fairy tales and more out of thin air, with a supporting cast of thousands that live in his head. "A master of audience interaction." The Hufﬁngton Post "On ﬂights of fancy, he pushes ideas to extremes and displays a crackling, spontaneous energy in which we're swept up." Fest www.benvandervelde.com IMPROV, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

BEN VAN DER VELDE - FABLEMAKER

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

Heroes

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BETH VYSE AS OLIVE HANDS IN THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE

The sell out show comes to Leicester: a mother and baby show, like you've never seen before! She's tried everything to get back on daytime TV, but she's never gone this far before... Britain's number two in the morning, leopard-clad daytime presenter Olive Hands returns to the Fringe, and this time she thinks she's cracked it! 'Funniest thing I've seen at the Fringe' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (Chortle), 'a gigantic idiot' **** (Scotsman) ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BETHANY BLACK: UNWINNABLE

Bethany Black is back. And this time it's personal. Okay, it's always personal, she's always banging on about herself ('self indulgent' (List)). In 2018 Bethany was diagnosed with autism and agoraphobia. This is a show about accepting the outcome of what she always knew deep down. 'Bethany Black should prepare for world domination' (Bruce Dessau). 'Hilariously funny' (Russell T Davies). Best Debut Leicester Comedy Festival nominee 2008. www.bethanyblack.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Avalon present

BILAL ZAFAR: LOVEBOTS Best Newcomer nominee 2016 and Hackney Empire (NATYS) winner is back with a brand-new show! Social media has been taken over by bots spreading hate, fear and inﬂuencing how we vote. In Lovebots, Bilal has made his own bots to ﬁght back, except these bots only want to spread love and compassion. As seen/ heard on BBC Three, Channel 4, MTV and BBC Radio 4. 'Witty and absorbing... highly entertaining' (Times). 'Delivers big laughs' (Guardian) BilalZafarComedy.com SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 57

BILAL ZAFAR: NEW STUFF

WORLD PREMIERE

Bilal Zafar won the Hackney Empire new act of the year award in 2016, was nominated for best newcomer at the Edinburgh fringe and is now on his THIRD nationwide tour! This is his brand new show with some totally new stuff he's written. He's conﬁdent it will be a fun evening xo Bilal has appeared on Channel 4, MTV, Channel 5, and done lots on BBC Radio 4 BilalZafarcomedy.com ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

Platform One Comedy present

BIRSTALL SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB SPECIAL Our debut show for the Leicester Comedy Festival and we have an absolute belter! MC'ing the night we have Thomas Green and alongside him we have 'Britain's got Talent Finalist' Danny Posthill and headlining the show we have the amazing Stu Goldsmith. Two more acts will be on this billing as well meaning you will get 5 acts for just £10. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Co

Time: 20:30 (23:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 11

Glorious Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

BITCH YOU DON'T EVEN NAOMI

A self-styled hot mess with the medication, debt and bed-hair to prove it, Naomi unashamedly dodges the responsibilities of adult life in pursuit of a good drink and a nap. "A comedy badass. Naomi Cooper is funny, know that." - Jeff Garlin, Curb Your Enthusiasm "Accomplished, well honed storytelling. This comedian is deﬁnitely one to keep an eye out for." - Remotegoat "A hugely talented rising star." - Jokes On Us www.naomicooper.net STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

BLAGS TO RICHES: A COMEDY HOUR Meet Josh Elton, a former busker who worked his way up to being a stand-up comedian. And Lorna Prichard, a former TV journalist who worked her way down to being a stand-up comedian. A hilarious comedy hour with two award winning comedians. Watch them now while you can afford their tickets. ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Map Ref: 31

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

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 BLAGS TO RICHES: A COMEDY HOUR Meet Josh Elton, a former busker who worked his way up to being a stand-up comedian. And Lorna Prichard, a former TV journalist who worked her way down to being a stand-up comedian. A hilarious comedy hour with two award winning comedians. Watch them now while you can afford their tickets. ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 72

Jokes On Us present

BOARD GAME SMACKDOWN The cult panel show is back! Hosted by award-winning comedian and UK board game champion James Cook, the funniest Leicester Comedy Festival performers play classic and new board games live on stage. For line-up, games and podcast, go to boardgamesmackdown.com. boardgamesmackdown.com GAME SHOW, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 20

United Agents present

WORLD PREMIERE

BOBBY MAIR: WORK IN PROGRESS

A new hour of stand up from Canadian comedian Bobby Mair. Star of Comedy Central at The Comedy Store, Roast Battle, and Bobby and Harriet: Get Married a reality sitcom co-created with his wife. As seen opening for Bill Burr and Doug Stanhope. You may have seen Bobby on KSI: Demolished, reading the Internet to Julian Assange when his WiFi got cut off or appearing on Katie Hopkin's TV show just so he could give the fee to people she hated. www.bobbymair.net SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 55

United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BRENNAN REECE: EVERMORE

English Comedian of the Year winner, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and voice of ITV's Survival of the Fittest is back with a lovely story from a loveable boy about loving things. Lovely. ***** (VoiceMag.uk, Deﬁne Arts, Glitterati, TheWeeReview.com). **** (Independent, Scotsman, Sunday Times, Herald, Chortle.co.uk, Evening Standard). Recently starring in Live at the Apollo and Comedy Central's Roast Battle. brennanreece.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 58

BRETT GOLDSTEIN An hour of new material from 'Derek' star Brett Goldstein.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

BRIGHTSPARKS COMEDY ASYLUM

WORLD PREMIERE

Join us for BrightSparks Comedy Asylum's eleventh Comedy Festival 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

SATIRE, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 3

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes On Us present

BRING BACK THE 80S Come and join award winning comedian James Alderson as he takes a hilarious trip down memory lane, in one double cassette, double A-sided show that he can't wait to share before he gets much older and forgets what actually happened in the 80's! Whether you get to the show on roller blades, in your Sinclair C5 or your Cortina, just get there! Bring your leg warmers, your shoulder pads and back comb that hair - it's a show not to be missed! www.jamesalderson.net SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY The lunchtime comedy club for parents and their babies is coming back to Leicester! Enjoy the funniest comedians at the festival without needing to book a sitter! 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. www.byobcomedy.com/leicester

EVENT, CHILDREN'S

DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 12:00 (13:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 3

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

BRÓCCÁN TYZACK-CARLIN - DON'T BOTHER A stand-up poetry show about dead dogs, chocolate and nostalgia. In his debut solo outing, Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin presents a semi-coherent exploration of nothing in particular, using some words that rhyme and some more that don't. You're allowed to search for Higher Meaning in this hour of comedy and spoken word, but it's probably easier if you don't bother. SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 32

Hannah Layton Management presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CALLY BEATON: ADULT-ERY

Cally Beaton's brand-new show, Adult-ery, is a hilarious, unﬂinching look at the business of being an adult. This is the story of the time Cally nearly died, in Iceland - the country, not the shop - and follows her journey into snow-capped desolation. Find out if Cally has the stomach for radical reinvention as she mines the funny where you least expect it. She won't go gentle into the good night. She might go mental. But she'll never go gentle. www.callybeaton.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

CALUM STEWART & JAMES DUNN: SONS OF DEVOLUTION

Sons of Devolution is a split show comprising of two of South Wales' most confused up and coming comics. Calum has appeared on The Rhod Gilbert Radio Show, whereas James is at least his mother's second favourite son. "Calum is an exciting new comic with an armoury of killer jokes. His is a name to remember" (Joe Lycett) "Dunn sucks you into a world he barely understands which is quite possibly why it's so funny" (Cardiff Comedy Festival) MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

CARL DONNELLY AND JULIAN DEANE Two of the UK's ﬁnest comedians have joined up to venture out on a UK tour together. Carl Donnelly has won a number of awards and appeared on television shows (Mock The Week, Russell Howard's Good News etc). Julian Deane has supported the biggest names in comedy and you may have recently seen him on Sky's The Russell Howard Hour. Come and see them as they stop off at the Leicester Comedy Festival. ALTERNATIVE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Map Ref: 8

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Aboutacomb present

CAROLINE MABEY LEAVES THE ROOM SLOWLY A new hour of stand-up from one of the most inventive comic voices in Britain. Caroline Mabey ("Oddball genius" -Chortle) unexpectedly becomes the main breadwinner when her husband/ boyfriend/ whatever! quits his job as an accountant to train as a dog groomer. Time for a life audit. 'The slightly deranged offspring of a ménage-a-trois between Vic Reeves, Harry Hill and Floella Benjamin' Evening Standard 'Funny and touching and brilliant' Guardian www.carolinemabey.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

CASSIE ATKINSON - SWAN SONGS Join Cassie for a few ditties, a little bit of death and a whole lot of fun in this dark comedy. Words on BBC Radio 4, Comedy Central and popped up on BBC3, ITV and E4. Musical Comedy Awards 2018 2nd place. "Hilariously dark... incredibly funny... a true writing talent" - British Comedy Guide, 'Most vivacious presence on stage'- Financial Times. www.cassieatkinson.com CHARACTER, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Chambers Touring proudly present

CATHERINE BOHART: IMMACULATE Catherine Bohart is the bisexual, OCD daughter of an Irish Catholic Deacon and she's got a hell of a lot to say about it. The debut show from a rising comedy star. 'Marvellous' **** (The Times) BBC New Talent Hotlist 2017 Finalist: BBC New Comedy Award 2016 Nominee: Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2018 Guardian: The Best Shows at The Edinburgh Fringe 2018 British Comedy Guide Recommended Show at The Edinburgh Fringe 2018 www.catherinebohart.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

Chambers Touring proudly present

CATHERINE BOHART: WORK IN PROGRESS Fresh from "the sort of perfectly structured Edinburgh debut you always hope for and rarely get to see" (The Times, ****), Catherine Bohart has some new jokes she'd like to try. As seen on Comedy Central's Roast Battle. Writer for BBC's The News Quiz, The Now Show & Frankie Boyle's New World Order. www.catherinebohart.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

Off The Kerb productions Ltd present

CHARLIE BAKER: CREAM BEFORE JAM (WORK IN PROGRESS) Dear city dwellers of Leicester. Alright? This is the countryside calling. Our Devonshire representative Charlie Baker is coming to tell you all about us and what we think of you. Should be a proper laugh. Cheers. www.charliebakercomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Wearing My Big Girl Pants present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHARLIE LESLIE

Have you ever let your brain take over and speak on your behalf? Well I have and it has got me in many tricky situations which I would like to share with you, much to my therapist's chagrin. From the catastrophic mess who brought you "Saying Innaproprate Things to my Boss " and "Help I've Lost All My Dignity" brings you the latest episode of how one woman navigates through life trying to say the right thing and getting it completely wrong! SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 29

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHARMIAN HUGHES: WHAT-NOT

What-not: (Oxford Dictionary) 'a small set of shelves.' What-not: (Dictionary of Charmian's Mum) 'gay, foreigner, vagina,' Furniture shopping with mother didn't always go well. 'A class above other stand ups- great entertainer not to be missed' Dominion Post (New Zealand) 'captivating storyteller, irresistible performer' The Scotsman. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 8th 17:50 | 9th 15:30 (60min) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Hannah Layton Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHLOE GREEN & MATT HUTCHINSON: LEFTOVERS

Left-leaning stand-up comedy from two BBC New Comedy Award semi-ﬁnalists, "Leftovers" is a smart, candid and optimistic look at life in 2018 as a minority. Chloe Green is a writer and comedian from south London, who jokes about life as a Labour Party staffer, being queer, and the patriarchy (major lolz), while Matt is a doctor - this has made his Jamaican family very proud. He's also a comedian and DJ - this has made them very confused. Dissectingthejoke.com MIXED BILL, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

Daniel Nicholas

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CHRIS CHOPPING'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

Last year, Chris was ﬁnally feeling happy and well-adjusted. This year, he's a mess, which should be more fun to watch! Join Chris for the follow-up to his debut hour Premature Emasculation (*****, Bunbury Magazine). Another pithy, witty hour of comedy full of petty insecurities, impotent rage and a certain amount of erudite smut. 'A really good comic, tremendously clever' (Metro). 'Hilarious' (Paul Sinha). This show will be BSL interpreted. www.chrischopping.net SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: £5

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Jokes on Us and Andromeda Talent present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHRIS KEHOE: THE CORRIDOR OF UNCERTAINTY

Fake news! Conspiracy theories! Operation Fear! Snake oil salesmen abound for people who want simple answers to complicated questions. What is real? How do we make sense of it all? Fear not! Chris Kehoe will explain everything in simple terms in just under an hour of stand-up comedy. chriskehoe.co.uk SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

CHRIS KENT: LOOKING UP

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Cork comedian Chris Kent returns with his 6th solo show Looking Up. Chris has spent the past year balancing comedy with being a stay at home dad and trying to grow a beard. He has also removed the word "mate" from his vocabulary as it takes too much effort to say in an Irish accent. "Among the best acts I've seen" ***** The Mirror "Carefree comedic bulls-eye" www.chriskentcomedy.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 55

CHRIS PHILLIPS & KEVIN HUDSON PRESENT" CAREER OPPORTUNITIES " & " NO RHYME OR REASON "

WORLD PREMIERE

Chris is back with a new show , he's experiencing a riot of his own, so strap yourself in for this bumpy ride of a Welsh man's understanding of well .... everything ! I am not doing any poems. Kevin Hudson has no idea why he's putting himself through this again, although it must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Join him for half an hour as he endeavours to avoid doing too many poems .

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 20

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 CHRIS PHILLIPS PRESENTS " CAREER OPPORTUNITIES..." Chris is back with a new hour show, he's experiencing a riot of his own, so strap yourself in for this bumpy ride of a Welsh man's understanding of, well...everything !

WORLD PREMIERE

STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

CHRIS PHILLIPS PRESENTS " CAREER OPPORTUNITIES..." Chris is back with a new hour show, he's experiencing a riot of his own, so strap yourself in for this bumpy ride of a Welsh man's understanding of, well...everything !

WORLD PREMIERE

STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

CHRIS WASHINGTON: WORK IN PROGRESS.

WORLD PREMIERE

Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer Nominee and star of Live from the BBC, Chris Washington is back at Leicester Comedy Festival with an hour(ish) of brand new stories, ideas and thoughts. Feel good storytelling comedy brought to you by a bloke from Wigan trying his best to give you a better night than you would have if you stayed in watching Coronation Street. Jason Manford Tour Support "Gaining big laughs from the really small stuff" - The List www.chriswashington.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 57

CHRIS WASHINGTON: YOU BEAUTY! Join Edinburgh Best Newcomer nominee, Chris Washington as he talks about the best year of his life! A feel-good underdog story about a Wigan postman who used all his annual leave to take a show to the world's biggest arts festival and got ﬁ ve numbers and the bonus ball on the comedy lottery. Tour Support for Jason Manford & Tom Stade. "a revelation" - Chortle. As seen on Live from the BBC (BBC1) www.chriswashington.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 47

FoxyComedy present

CHRISTIAN REILLY: GIG ECONOMY Perrier Award-winning musical stand-up takes an axe to austerity and ﬁ xes your laughter deﬁcit. "Blisteringly funny" (Stage). "If you're a fan of Bill Bailey or Rich Hall, you're a Christian Reilly fan already" (Guardian). "Funniest songs I've heard in a long time" (Scotsman). "Seriously funny" (Richard Herring). "Like watching Jack Dee and Bill Bailey simultaneously... I don't think I've ever come so close to hyperventilating with laughter" ** www.wygstonshouse.co.uk MUSICAL, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 72

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

CHRISTOPHER MACARTHUR-BOYD: COOLEST GUY IN TOWN (WIP) An early version of what hopefully won't be 'the difﬁcult second album' from Glaswegian comedian and pasta enthusiast Christopher Macarthur-Boyd. Join him as he attempts the follow-up to the best-reviewed Scottish stand-up show of the Edinburgh Fringe 2018. Live support for Kevin Bridges. "No spare moment lacks a laugh." - Shortcom ***** https://offthekerb.com/artist/christopher-macarthur-boyd/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 56

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Chuckle Busters present

CHUCKLE BUSTERS SHOWCASE Bristol's ﬁnest comedy night ("classier and less raucous than average" Bristol 24/7) comes to Leicester to present a selection of the best comedians from the South West circuit joined by special guests from across the festival and the rest of the UK. Previous acts have included Ivo Graham, Sarah Bennetto, Scott Gibson and Chris Betts - you never know who might turn up! Check our website for listings, though there may be a few surprise guests! www.chucklebusters.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 9

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 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... Hosted by the brilliant Mark Dolan. Check the full line up on www.comedy-festival.co.uk www.comedy-festival.co.uk/circuit-breakers MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £7.50

Map Ref: 47

Club Smashing (obvs!) present

CLUB SMASHING FESTIVAL SPECIAL Leicester's most different regular comedy night presents a fest spesh of alternative funs featuring our favourite off-kilter comedians. With headliner Olaf Falafel (LCF Best Show nominee/Top 3 Jokes EdFringe). "Absurdity so well-crafted silly doesn't do it justice" (Evening Standard). See Club Smashing Facebook page for full lineup. Nominated Best Small Club at Midlands Comedy Awards. Hosted by Ian Hall ("brilliantly daft" - Leicester Mercury). MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (22:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

COL HOWARTH: GUBBINS Live every day as if it were your last! Col is trying to be positive. He has even gone back to college 'to better himself'. But it's hard to be positive when your motto in life is 'as one door closes another door shuts' and how do you ﬁnd time to make your mark when there's so much crap going on? Join the WUSA Finalist for GUBBINS: an energetic show about trying your best from 'one of those comedians who truly lights up the room' (Comedy Den). www.standupforcomedy.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 31

ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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

Map Ref: 72

Proper Funny Comedy present

COMEDIAN'S KARAOKE When all the cows are slee-ping, and the moon has gone to bed...the ﬁnest comedians gathered in the city head to The Criterion Free House! Comedians will sing, audience members will sing, bar-staff will sing... everybody's welcome to do a turn or just have a dance! Featuring special performances from Character Comedians and LOTS of other surprises. Trust us, you don't want to miss the best "Unofﬁcial after-party" in town! www.properfunnycomedy.co.uk MUSICAL, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

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

Time: 23:00 (02:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Big Difference Company and The Centre for Comedy Studies Research present

COMEDY AND KNOWLEDGE IN POST-TRUTH TIMES Featuring special guests, this discussion will examine the relationship between comedy and truth in contemporary times. What is the potential for comedy to aid critical thought? What are the limits of comedy for critical thinking? These questions, and more, will be hotly debated by a panel of comedians and public ﬁgures. It promises to be a lively debate not to be missed! Come along and have your say! DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 16:00 (17:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

Discerning Nights/ Attenborough Art Centre Present

COMEDY ART GALLERY TOUR Fancy being led round an art gallery with Award winning comedians Helen Duff, Daniel Nicholas and Edy Hurst as your tour guide. Well you are in luck! This Comedy festival experience a fresh way of Mel Brimﬁeld's Exhibition at the Attenborough Arts Centre. Whether your an avid art viewer, or never stood foot in an art gallery in your life, this will be an experience you don't want to miss out on. EXHIBITION, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 18:30 (18:50) Entry: FREE

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Illwell Town present

COMEDY AT THE TAP AND BARREL Comedy comes to WIGSTON with a variety of acts gracing the stage of this wonderful independent micro pub in the gloriousness of Wigston Magna and hosted by the troubadour that is Cropston Fairweather. Come and enjoy the early evening fun and taste the ﬁne selection of beers on offer in the friendly atmosphere of The Tap and Barrel. A barrel of laughs on tap! www.illwelltown.com CABARET DATES:

Venue: The Tap & Barrel

Time: 18:00 (20:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 65

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!?" With Laura Lexx (MC), Matt Green and trickster Cannelloni. www.demontforthall.co.uk

CHILDREN'S

DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 13:30 (14:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 14

Peter Mitchell

COMEDY FILM SHOW Some Like It Hot (12) After witnessing a Mafia murder, slick saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his buddy, Jerry (Jack Lemmon), improvise a quick plan to escape from Chicago with their lives. Disguising themselves as women, they join an all-female jazz band and hop a train bound for sunny Florida. Joe pretends to be a millionaire to win the band's sexy singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), while Jerry finds himself pursued by a real millionaire. octagonfilms.org.uk EXHIBITION, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Harborough Theatre

Time: 17:30 (19:25) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 22

Peter Mitchell

COMEDY FILM SHOW The Blues Brothers (15) After the release of Jake Blues (John Belushi) from prison, he and brother Elwood (Dan Aykroyed) learn the Archdiocese will stop supporting their former school and will sell the place to the Education Authority. The only way to keep the place open is if the $5000 tax on the property is paid. The Blues Brothers want to help, and decide to put their blues band back together and raise the money by staging a big gig. 142mins octagonﬁlms.org.uk EXHIBITION, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Harborough Theatre

Time: 20:00 (22:25) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: TBC

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Big Difference Company present

COMEDY HEAVEN The spectacular ﬁnale show for Leicester Comedy Festival 2019, returns to its spiritual home of Curve, in aid of local charities. Some of the best acts of the festival gather to raise money for good causes and see the festival out in style. Hosted by regular MC Mark Olver, Eshaan Akbar ("clearly going places" Bruce Dessau) & award winning Jack Gleadow. For full line up see www.comedy-festival.co.uk. In aid of Big Difference Company & Prostaid. curveonline.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:30 (21:15) Entry: £18

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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: 48

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! Past acts include Samantha Baines, Will Duggan, Stuart Goldsmith, El Baldiniho. 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

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COMEDY ON THE WOLDS A top line up of stand-up comedy featuring a selection of festival favourites. Featuring Bilal Zafar (seen/heard on BBC Three, Channel 4, MTV and BBC Radio 4) 'Delivers big laughs' (Guardian) and Scott Bennett (Rob Brydon Tour Support, Chortle One to Watch 2018, Amused Moose Award nominee). More exciting acts to be announced on 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: 70

COMEDY OPEN MIC NIGHT All welcome at this hilarious open mic night. Expect the unexpected in Market Harborough!!

EVENT DATES:

Venue: Beerhouse

Time: 20:00 (23:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 5

COMIC TRANS The comedy festival is about hearing different peoples stories, told through the unique art form of live comedy. Attenborough Arts Centre is proud to present the chance to hear stories that you may not usually hear with the leading transgender comedians on the circuit. Featuring the award nominated Laura Monmoth (Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee) and headlined by circuit favourite Bethany Black (As Seen on Cucumber, Dr Who). MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

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

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Just The Tonic

CONOR DRUM: ...IF ...If is a comedy about a band that never happened. Conor rediscovers his teenage years after ﬁnding his band's 18-year-old demo and decides if giving up the pipe dream was the right thing to do - what if they didn't? What if they kept going? What if they had what it takes? What ...if? www.conordrum.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

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DONATE: Less than 5% of our income comes from public funding. You can support the festival by making a donation via our website www.comedy-festival.co.uk or when booking your tickets.

Consignia/Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

CONSIGNIA PRESENT: WELCOME TO DUNGENESS

Consignia are making a tourist campaign for Dungeness in Kent by making a virtual reality game based on the post nuclear apocalypse ﬁlm "Threads". This becomes more alienating after an actual nuclear apocalypse. "At least it's not boring" -(audience member Donny) This cost £70 to go in the brochure. Looking forward to Brexit? Most of the cast have not seen "Threads". I have though and it's very good and makes you think "blimey". IMMERSIVE, HORROR DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 23:59 (00:59) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

CONVERSATION GARDEN ON LOVE ISLAND (A CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE SHOW)

WORLD PREMIERE

Last year Conversation Garden were detectives in a sold-out bakery based whodunnit which won Best Improv Show, this year they've ditched the aprons for swimwear. Dan, Lewys & Jack are marooned on Love Island, looking for love, money, and maybe survival. Matt Watts returns as host, with an improvised score from music man Doug Deans. In this show, it's your turn to decide what happens next. Prepare for an evening of unpredictable hilarity & mayhem.

IMPROV, GAME SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 22:30 (23:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 17

Trev Tokabi present

COOL STORY BRO (WIP) Have you ever witnessed a couple's divorce? When these people are your parents, your life turns upside down, especially if you're 8yo. Trev takes you through the emotional rollercoaster of his coming of age, on what he believed to be a school trip to Ivory Coast. Spending his adolescence in an army boarding school whilst coming to terms with his dual identity, this show will resonate with you even if your "rents" are still happily married. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

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O'Neills present

CRAICING JOKES Finish off Leicester Comedy Festival in style with O'Neills regular monthly night, Craicing Jokes. Featuring a top headliner and brilliant support acts, it's always a great night, with big laughs guaranteed! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

Time: 20:30 (23:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 44

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

CRAIG DEELEY: LITERALLY THE JOKE

As a boy, Craig was constantly told, "It's all a joke to you." Ever since then, he has taken this literally, and made it his strategy for dealing with the idiocies and joys of daily life, while at the same time dealing with those who seem convinced he doesn't get his own punchlines. A new hour of jokes from "a charming Brummie with a nice take on life" (Gay Times). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Vivienne Smith Management present

CROFT & PEARCE - DOUBLE TAKE Stars of BBC Radio 4's 'The Croft & Pearce Show' and 'Sketchorama'. Ofﬁcial Edinburgh Fringe 'Total Sell-Out Show' laurel recipients. Winners of Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Award. WhatsOnLondon Comedy Award nominees. 'Laugh-out-loud' (Daily Express). 'Masters of pinpoint observation and characterisation' (Telegraph). 'Edinburgh Fringe Favourites' (Independent). **** (The List). **** "tomorrow's television stars" (The Herald) www.croftandpearce.com SKETCH, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

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Illwell Town present

WORLD PREMIERE

CROP'S CIRCLE

Songster, Cropston Fairweather introduces acts from various disciplines in this podcast recording complete with interviews, discussion and performance. Bring along your questions and put them to the panel in the cozy surroundings of The Tap and Barrel. Acts will all be on the stage together throughout the show and will be tasked with creating material from audience suggestions in the interval. www.illwelltown.com DISCUSSION, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: The Tap & Barrel

Time: 13:00 (15:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 65

The Chandeliers present

CSI: CRIME SCENE IMPROVISATION No one knows who the killer is, not even the cast! The improvised comedy murder mystery is back! CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation solve an outlandish murder invented by the audience. Someone's kicked the bucket. But who, what and how? The choice is yours, the problem is theirs. "Innovation and top-tier entertainment" ***** The Wee Review. "A spectacular must-see" ***** Bunbury Magazine. "Spontaneous mastery" **** Fringebiscuit. www.crimesceneimpro.com THEATRE, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 67

Jokes On Us present

CUL-DE-SAC "Cul-de-Sac", is bringing three of the brightest emerging talents from across the UK. A triple-header showcasing Sachin Kumarendran ("The man to be watched" Backyard Comedy Club, "**** Obvious Talent" The Student) , Jessie Nixon ("One to watch" Funny Women, SYTYF semi-ﬁnalist 2018), and Celya AB ("sharp and observant gags. A promising and exciting writer" Joe Lycett, "Very, very, funny" Tony Slattery). For one night only. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

DADS ARMY RADIO HOUR Two actors play 25 characters in this brilliant staging of classic radio scripts based on favourite episodes from the original TV series. Based on the classic BBC sitcom by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, and the radio adaptations by Harold Snoad and Michael Knowles. Performed by David Benson and Jack Lane with direction by Owen Lewis and sound design by Tom Lishman. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Harborough Market

Map Ref: 21

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10 - £12

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 DALISO CHAPONDA: DALISO'S BRILLIANT AWARD WINNING SHOW WIP Britain's Got Talent and BBC Radio 4 star Daliso Chaponda is back testing out new material for his next show. Fresh off the back of his sell out 2018 UK tour and his appearances on The News Quiz and The Now Show. www.dalisochaponda.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 27

Get Comedy present

DAMIAN CLARK: EXTRA SHOW Strap in for the Edinburgh Fringe Amused Moose People's Champion's (extra) show. Book now! "Heart-warming and ridiculous" Edinburgh Festivals Magazine ***** "The Aussie ﬁrebrand tells rapid-ﬁre jokes, barely even coming up for air let alone a sip of water" The List **** The Scotsman **** The Wee Review **** www.damianclark.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 27

Get Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAMIAN CLARK: WORK IN PROGRESS

A brand new hour of jokes & stories from bloody legend Damian Clark. ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine ***** Three Weeks **** The List **** "Hilarious... well-wrought set delivered with brio and huge charm, amazing" The Scotsman damianclark.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

The Royal Association of Chartered Certiﬁed Comedians

WORLD PREMIERE

DAMIAN KINGSLEY: IT ISN'T WHAT IT ISN'T

The award-winning, dry and irascible stand-up talks about life as a reluctant and, hopefully, temporary step dad and his inability to steer clear of arguments: in his domestic life, in Tesco, alone in the bath, or with the PTA, his prick best mate, Paul McCartney and especially Akela at St. Andrew's Cub Scouts. Can he ever break the cycle of being both irritating and irritated? "Well-evoked anecdotal material, powered by punchlines" - Chortle. www.damiankingsley.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 37

DAMON CONLAN: JOCULAR PRESTIDIGITATOR

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Mortals! Come seek refuge from the political fallout of the modern age and witness miracles* of a scientiﬁc nature. In this post-apocalyptic sanctuary observe a new world of mutant showbiz raccoons, cocoa-based gluttony, and spectacular telepathy†. *Miracles aren't real, fools. †Telepathy isn't real, fools. www.damonconlan.co.uk MAGIC, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

DAN NIGHTINGALE LIVE IN LEICESTER

WORLD PREMIERE

One of the funniest comedians you've probably never heard of. Dan returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival with another fantastic hour of award-winning stand-up comedy. He's widely regarded as one of the best performers working on the comedy circuit today. Mixing ﬁendishly accurate observation with energetic characterisations and killer punchlines, his comedy is original, playful, intelligent, poignant and exciting. www.dannightingale.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 57

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

DAN WEBBER - GENRE FLUID (WORK IN PROGRESS) Being constantly told you're a comic at poetry nights and a poet at comedy nights can be very confusing, as is the pressure to deﬁne yourself and your work. Genre Fluid is a study into labels in everyday life, in the arts and in the lgbt+ community. "Sentimental musings on self, mental health, masculinity, appearance, and place, all delivered with a playful and occasionally giddy appeal." LeftLion Magazine, August 2018 SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 9th 14:15 & 20:15 | 15th 20:15 (50 mins) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 32

UTC Artist Management present

DANE BAPTISTE: CHOCOLATE CHIP Original, provocative and exceptionally proliﬁc - Baptiste is hailed as one of the most exciting acts to break in years. The London born stand-up made comedy history in 2014 as the ﬁrst black British act to be nominated for a Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He had incredible success with his debut stand up show Citizen Dane, completing two sold out runs at London's Soho Theatre and has made numerous TV and radio appearances. www.danebaptiste.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Crybabies present

DANGER BRIGADE: THE RATS OF DARGUN Germany. 1943. War? The fate of a nation lies in the hands of a bouquet of losers. As a terrifying danger spreads through Europe, they must set aside their differences to save mankind. Will Captain McCoy bury his past? Will Chester Daggerboot unearth the truth? Will Private Porky soil himself? One thing's for certain, someone smells a rat. A breakneck cocktail of comedy, action and adventure. ***** "Nothing short of genius" Three Weeks SKETCH, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us present

DANIEL AUDRITT: TRYING TO BE GOOD (WORK IN PROGRESS) Award-winning comedian, writer and co-creator of Comedy Central's Modern Horror Stories, Daniel Audritt brings his Work-In-Progress show. Having previously had jokes on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Mock the Week, Comic Relief, The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, NewsJack and many more, the show will be punchline-heavy stand-up comedy show that questions love, masculinity and what makes us good people... www.danielaudritt.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

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Berk's Nest in association with PBJ Management present

DANIEL COOK: BEST BITS AND NEW STUFF Manic man-child & stand up Daniel Cook will be performing his best bits, along with some of his new stuff of that one day he hopes will make it in to the best bits section. As seen on Toast of London (C4), Poldark (BBC1) and Absolutely Fabulous the Movie. ***** One4Review. ***** BroadwayBaby. 'This is excellent stand up' **** EdFestMag. 'Frenetic and hilarious... Superb' **** List. 'Had the crowd roaring with laughter' **** Three Weeks. berksnest.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

DANIEL MUGGLETON - NOTHING PERSONAL Australian Daniel Muggleton is at Leicester Comedy Festival for the very ﬁrst time with a brand new hour of blunt stand-up comedy. He's had sold-out shows at festivals around the world, released a stand-up comedy album 'Let Me Finish' and now he's got another hour of opinions that shouldn't be taken personally. 'Very, very funny' - Sydney Arts Guide www.danielmuggleton.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Map Ref: 27

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

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Discerning Nights present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANIEL NICHOLAS: EUGENE

New Theatre show. In the not too distant future, millionaire and inventor (Think Elon Musk with a further attitude problem) 'Hugh' (Hubris too his friends) is launching the ﬁrst superhuman artiﬁcial intelligence at a press conference. And you're invited. A show about what happens when we give technology the power over us, and a anthropomorphic power point. Think the Greek myth Icarus meets the Terminator. www.danielnicholas.co.uk THEATRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 3

Discerning Nights present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANIEL NICHOLAS: LESSONS IN NOSTALGIA

Newish show. If you long for the days of MSN and video game sound tracks from the 90's, then this is for you. With the country, more than ever feeling nostalgic for 'the good old days' Daniel Nicholas the 'Prince of Peculiar' (Great Central) takes you on a journey to work out whether nostalgia is actually a good thing. Featuring a game where everyone has to pretend to be sick and gets fed Jaffa cakes. www.danielnicholas.co.uk GAME SHOW, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Discerning Nights present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANIEL NICHOLAS: THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION GAME

Really new show. Have you heard that saying? You're never more than 6ft away from a Millennial. They are the worst right? Often getting confused with Generation Z, unable to live up to the punk reputation of Generation X, and not having the prosperity of the Baby Boomers. They are the worst. This is a game show by a Millennial poking fun at other Millennials and everyone else. Suspect to change. www.danielnicholas.co.uk GAME SHOW, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

DANIEL NILS ROBERTS: THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 1 HOUR

REGIONAL PREMIERE

An absurd multimedia pelt through the history of everything. Fresh from taking London's West End by storm in smash-hit Austentatious, character-peddler Daniel attempts to cram the entirety of recorded time into just one show. Will he cover it all? No. But it's gonna be one hell of a ride. Perth Fringeworld 'Best Comedy' nominee 2016 & 2017. As heard on BBC Radio 4 & 6. 'Devastatingly funny' **** FEST, 'Sheer genius' **** THE SCOTSMAN www.danielnilsroberts.com

SOLO SHOW, SKETCH

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 29

Fluid Thinking present

DANNY MCLOUGHLIN: BOTTOM RUNG Some well trodden routines and some not so well thought out ideas make up Bottom Rung. Join Danny on the ﬁrst step of the climb as he presents a new hour of comedy. "His innate comic timing, insightful digressions and ability to think on his feet puts him alongside the most talented and genuinely funny comedians" Three Weeks www.dannymcloughlin.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

DANNY WARD - THE FIREWORK FACTORY! Light the fuse and stand well back! To celebrate a decade in stand-up comedy, for one night only, Danny Ward presents The Firework Factory! An hour of upbeat, crowd pleasing, well honed zingers. A veritable explosion of award winning routines, rants and razzle dazzle. You gotta come. Oh, and his bit about camping just can't be missed. (Amused Moose Peoples Champion 2013, **** Fest) www.dannyward.org SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 FoxyComedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAPHNA BARAM: SUGARCOATING

How many calories you burn in an hour of laughing? Tons, if your heart's in it; and if you shed a tear it really builds your core. Daphna makes peace with her body, her perfect mum and her near-lethal mistakes. While dusting pink sprinkle over Brexit, and tries to bring justice to Palestine. * * * * * raw passion... biting satirical humour and fantastic observational comedy. (Bunbury Magazine); "supremely talented..stinging and funny". Oxford Daily www.kriii.com SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

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

Map Ref: 31

Harun Musho'd

DARK SIDE OF HARUN Harun Musho'd's second solo stand-up show compares life and events in the 70s and today. Includes terrorism, conspiracy theories, referendums, US presidents and the dark side of management. "Musho'd has the makings of a great comedian" **** (Views from the Gods) "When so many newer comics are Stewart Lee wannabes, at least this bears comparison to the original" (Chortle) "A likeable and funny comic" (Reviews Hub). **** (Creek FM) SATIRE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 56

CKP & InterTalent Proudly present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DARREN HARRIOTT: WORK IN PROGRESS

Darren Harriott is one of the most exciting comedians on the circuit. Over the last couple of years, he has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Stand-Up Central. Nominee: Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer 2017 **** Evening Standard - "Passionate, articulate, witty." **** The Sunday Times **** The Times - "Properly funny." **** Scotsman - "Expect to see much more of him soon." **** Short Com **** Edfest Mag darrenharriott.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

CKP & InterTalent Proudly present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DARREN HARRIOTT: WORK IN PROGRESS

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

DAVE CHAWNER: MENTAL

WORLD PREMIERE

Award-winning comedian Dave Chawner brings back his critically acclaimed 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 'hilariously entertaining' - Mail On Sunday 'quirky, moving & hilarious' - Indy 100 * * * * - The List * * * * - Edinburgh Festival Magazine * * * * - Three Weeks * * * * - Broadway Baby * * * * - Wee Review www.DaveChawner.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

Dave Chawner

WORLD PREMIERE

DAVE CHAWNER: ON THE A-GENDER

Dave has male guilt. After all, even 'improvement' has a 'man' in it. This is a silly show about serious topics - feminism, masculinity & self improvement. As seen on BBC, ITV & Channel 4. 'hilariously entertaining' Mail On Sunday 'quirky, moving & hilarious' Indy 100 'This is one comic you have to make the effort to see' The Scottish Herald. **** The List **** Edinburgh Festival Magazines **** Three Weeks www.DaveChawner.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 58

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 DAVE GORMAN: WITH GREAT POWERPOINT COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITYPOINT Dave Gorman, the man behind Dave TV's hit show Modern Life Is Goodish as well as Are You Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack Adventure, is back on the road with a brand new live show, With Great PowerPoint Comes Great ResponsibilityPoint. As the title suggests, he's bringing his laptop and projector screen with him so expect more detailed analysis of those parts of life you've never stopped to think about before. Hey, not all heroes wear capes.

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £29

Map Ref: 14

Big Difference Company present

DAVID BENSON Q&A: MY LIFE WITH KENNETH WILLIAMS Join actor/comedian David Benson and Festival Director Geoff Rowe, as they chat about David's admiration of comedy legend Kenneth Williams. David's semiautobiographical, award-winning show "Think No Evil Of Us" has become a regular ﬁ xture on the UK theatre circuit, and London's West End, and this talk will help reveal how David's unusual childhood led to an extraordinary connection with the Carry On star. Price includes afternoon tea. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Angel Hotel

Time: 14:30 (16:00) Entry: £20

Map Ref: 53

Jokes On Us present

DAVID MCIVER: TELEPORT (WIP) It's the second show from stupid character comedian David McIver, all about escapism, role-playing games and loneliness. But funny! Hopefully. It's a work in progress, leave him alone. 'Had his audience in ﬁ ts of laughter... ' ***** LondonTheatre1. 'Uniquely inventive in its approach to comedy' ****½ Short Com. 'A refreshing breath of air in every sense' **** Broadway Baby. Heard and seen on BBC Radio 1, Radio 4 Extra, BBC Three and iPlayer. www.davidmciver.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

Ebdon Management

DAVID MILLS IS WORKING IN PROGRESS The best-dressed man in comedy is back with more comedy rants, witty repartee and cocktail swagger. Known for his razor-sharp suits and cutting humour, Mills is a class act. A unique mix of bold American and reﬁned British. A superior act. Mills is an archduke of comedy with the emphasis on 'arch'. CHORTLE David Mills is a class act. His jokes are beautifully crafted, sparkling little missiles loaded with wit. SCOTSMAN Darkly funny, bristling. www.itsdavidmills.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 24

Dead Leicester

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: 7th 19:30 | 8th 9th 18:00 & 20:00 (60min) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 36

Dead Leicester

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. Set amongst the stunning splendour of the Guildhall, 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! www.deadleicester.co.uk HISTORICAL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 15th 18:00 & 20:00 | 16th 20:00 & 22:00 Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 60

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 DMU Demon Theatre present

DEMON THEATRE COMEDY SHOWCASE A DMU society that is mad about theatre. With ventures into musicals, monologues and a variety of genres, Demon Theatre is a brilliant group of students who love performing arts alongside their degrees. Their variety showcases are legendary and this year they are putting their funny people into the Leicester Comedy Festival. Stand-by for a fast night of fabulous comedy. www.demontfortsu.com/soc/DemonTheatre CABARET DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 69

Naomi Paul

DESPITE EVERYTHING, PRICE STILL INCLUDES BISCUITS Satirical 4-star solo show with original songs, topical stories and Jewish humour. Poignant, funny and ultimately uplifting. With biscuits. Of course. 'A ﬁne comic celebration of modern Britain' (British Theatre Guide) 'Outstanding' ( Edinburgh49.com) 'Terriﬁc deadpan delivery of material that is topical and relevant. Audiences loved it! ( Pulse Ensemble Theatre) **** British Theatre Guide 2015 ****Edinburgh 49 2016 ****Ludlow Fringe 2017 www.naomipaulperformer.com THEATRE, CABARET DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Medium Rare Productions

DIRTY WHITE BOYS: MANNERS Outrageous, outstanding and out of their depth! Join award-winning sketch double act Dirty White Boys for a hour of high concept silliness - 'the 21st century's Two Ronnies' (Mumble comedy) Expect an awkward pub quiz, relentless cold calls and a not so subtle spy. "Spectacularly and compellingly funny" (The List) But please, remember your Manners! "This is macabre grim sketch comedy done right" (Shortcom) SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

FoxyComedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

DO THE SMURF AND STRACK AND PUT THE FRESHNESS BACK

Enjoy an evening of alternative observations and character comedy from Mark 'Smurf' Docker & Jürgen Strack. Smurf is one of the UK's rising comedians. Jürgen (his friends call him..Jürgen) delivers brilliantly funny anecdotes, observations and also a one-liner or two. Jürgen is the UK's longest performing German born stand-up comedian. "very funny"Lynn Ruth Miller "a great sport" Scott Capurro "he'll do anything" Narin Oz ("21st century Kaufman") www.wygstonshouse.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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

Map Ref: 72

Dom Mackie

DOM MACKIE'S POOR LIFE CHOICES Dom Mackie may only be 21 but he has already made many stupid decisions in his life. From how he treated his childhood toys to his very 'supportive' family, Dom can prove to us that (like his comedy career), we all make POOR LIFE CHOICES. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 51

Andrew Roach Talent present

DOUG SEGAL - HOW TO READ MINDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE 'Imagine if Derren Brown was funny' (Evening Standard). Mind reading Comedian Doug teaches you how to predict the lottery, read minds, detect lies & more. Seen on BBC1 and BBC3 . Winner of Three Awards: ThreeWeek's Editor's Award - Edinburgh Fringe, Best Cabaret - Brighton Fringe, Best Comedy Shaftesbury Fringe. Simply Brilliant ***** (Sunday Express ), A Canny Comedian" **** (Sunday Mail). Edinburgh Evening News ****, ThreeWeeks ***** www.dougsegal.co.uk CABARET DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

Map Ref: 44

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

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Over The Lyne Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DR JONES FUNNY BONES

Dr Jones Funny Bones is coming to Leicester for the ﬁrst time! Come along and learn fascinating facts about the body with Dr Jones, a real life doctor and comedian. Join in with songs, competitions, stories and of course jokes! Ideal for children age 3 to 11 but there is something for everyone (especially grandparents!). A great way to entertain and educate the kids on a winter's afternoon. All children must be accompanied by an adult. overthelyne.com CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 60

Avalon Entertainment present

ED GAMBLE - 'BLIZZARD' After a sell-out national tour in 2017, Ed Gamble is back with another bracing ﬂurry of idiocy. Off of BBC Two's 'Mock the Week', Sky's 'The Russell Howard Hour', Comedy Central's 'At the Comedy Store' and 'Drunk History', BBC Two's 'The Apprentice - You're Fired', Channel 4's 'Man Down', TBS's 'Conan'and a short ﬁlm he can't remember the name of where he killed a man from ITV's 'The Bill' with a spade. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 67

ED PATRICK: WORK IN PROGRESS Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee 2016 and host of the Guardian and BBC Radio 5 Live recommended podcast Comedians' Surgery, Ed Patrick is both comedian and NHS junior doctor. Join him as he returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival with a new show in the crafting. "Sidesplitting and uplifting, this is the A&E of laughter" TheatreBath "Packed with funny anecdotes" The Guardian "Refreshingly good" Threeweeks edpatrickcomedy.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

RBM present

WORLD PREMIERE

EDD HEDGES: WORK IN PROGRESS

WINNER of So You Think You're Funny award and star of BBC's Edinburgh Presents, Edd Hedges, has an incredibly likeable stage presence. He's a fantastic story teller, "the controlled yarn spinning of Sarah Kendall." (Skinny) he's performed across Europe as well as at Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival and the Adelaide Fringe. He now makes his Leicester Comedy Festival debut with his brand-new show. STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

Eddie Fortune

REGIONAL PREMIERE

EDDIE FORTUNE: THE WAITER

EDDIE FUCKING HATES BEING A WAITER AND HE HAS TO WORK VALENTINES DAY. DESPISES IT. KAREN FROM HEAD OFFICE COMES IN, SHE HAS A NEW BOB AND KITTEN HEELS. HE HAS TO PARMESAN HER GLUTEN FREE PASTA. WILL HE SERVE HIS VEGAN EX WHO HAS HORRIBLE FEET? HIS MANAGER SEXY HOMOPHOBIC ROB WITH A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT IS CONSTANTLY ON HIS BACK. EDDIE RECOMMENDS THE WRONG DISHES. GOT A NUT ALLERGY? HE WON'T BE ASSED. YOU'RE DEAD. SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

EDY HURST: HURST SCHMURST

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Award Winning Comedian Edy Hurst brings his musical comedy, loop pedal nonsense and stand up to answer the age old question: 'What's the deal with Edy Hurst? Who even is he? Where am I? What?' As heard on BBC Radio 4, BBC New Act Nominee, Finalist in Great Yorkshire Fringe New Act 2017, Finalist Bury Comedian of the year 2016. Seen on MTV and in your dreams, ya weirdo. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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

www.sturgessgroup.com "Three weeks of laughs in Leicester" the mail on sunday

ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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) and www.beyondthejoke.co.uk

THE FUTURE OF GAY COMEDY NIGHT

FREE

IS BREXIT A LAUGHING MATTER?

12.00pm

Sunday 10th February PETER Pizzeria

FREE

AN INTERVIEW WITH JO BRAND

12.00pm

Sunday 10th February Curve

£12.50

- A discussion

Saturday 9th February PETER Pizzeria

SITCOM GEEKS

See page 153

FREE

- Live Podcast

ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT

See page 91

FREE

2.00pm See page 49

AN INTERVIEW WITH £20.00 ANDY HOLLINGWORTH - Little Museum of Comedy

Thursday 14th February The Cosy Club

WHAT MAKES KIDS LAUGH? Saturday 23rd February PETER Pizzeria

4.15pm See page 144

FREE

12.00pm See page 161

Saturday 16th February PETER Pizzeria

DAVID BENSON Q&A: MY LIFE WITH KENNETH WILLIAMS Sunday 24th February

The Angel Hotel

12.00pm See page 48

£20.00

Sunday 17th February The Cosy Club

2.00pm See page 49

COMEDY AND KNOWLEDGE IN POST-TRUTH TIMES Sunday 10th February PETER Pizzeria

I SAY

FREE

4.00pm See page 64

£10.00

- The annual comedy conversation featuring Tom Allen

Wednesday 17th February Curve

7.00pm See page 89

Tickets and further information available from

www.comedy-festival.co.uk 2.30pm See page 72

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 EL BALDINIHO : THE GREAT BALD MAGICIAN

Daft Magician El Baldiniho is appearing (and disappearing) in some of the UK's most prestigious comedy clubs. The Bald Magician performs for Comedy Club 4 Kids in theatres around the UK and had done hundreds of comedy magic shows for children. "Mind-bogglingly daft Magic, brilliant " - John Marshall, Promoter. "A smart, slightly surreal, very daft amazing act"Mark Makin (UK Theatre and Festival Booker). CHILDREN'S, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: Granby Primary School

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: By invitation only

Map Ref: 19

Jokes on Us present

ELLIOT WENGLER: JOKEMON (WIP) Having grown up in the 90s and 00s, all Elliot Wengler, 'a likeable performer with nice ideas' (Broadway Baby) talks about is Pokémon, how he became the 16th-best-Pokemon-player-in-the-UK-in-2004. Full of 'truly funny stories; a real treat' (Concrete), Wengler recounts tales of growing up in the digital age with speedy storytelling, hyperactive observations, and a quest to if not catch 'em all... then to joke about all 150 of them instead! elliotwengler.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 58

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ERIC RUSHTON: CONVICT

Ever since birth Eric Rushton has been in prison. That prison is his mind. Also, he spent a few years inside for GBH. Now, he ﬁnally tells his epic jailbreak story in a stand-up show about mental health, body-conﬁdence and Nick Knowles. 'Intriguing and Amusing' Chortle. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

CKP and InterTalent Rights Group present

ESHAAN AKBAR: PROPHET LIKE IT'S HOT "A ﬁne comic entertainer, an intelligent maker of points and a wealth of fascinating facts" (The Scotsman), Eshaan Akbar brings his critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe 2018 show, "Prophet Like It's Hot" to Leicester, following a successful run at the prestigious Soho Theatre in London. Armed with a copy of the Qur'An on stage, Akbar ﬁnds the funnies in faith - without the Fatwa! ***** Fresh Fringe **** Voice Magazine www.eshaanakbar.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 57

Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

ESYLLT SEARS & ELERI MORGAN: E'S ARE GOOD

Esyllt and Eleri are two good Es from Aberystwyth. Esyllt wants to be the great next social commentator, shattering life's big myths about societal expectations placed on women etc. Eleri is just doing this for attention and will take what she can get. Spend an hour in the company of these hilarious woman as they tell stories, make terrible puns and try to forget that they have real lives with real responsibilities. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

EVERARDS TIGER PRESENTS ROAR WITH LAUGHTER AT THE ANCHOR Four top comedians from the UK comedy circuit will be at the Anchor in Hathern to entertain you. Some you'll of seen on TV, some you won't but all are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! Ticket price includes a FREE pint of Everards Tiger. theanchorhathern.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Anchor Inn

Map Ref: 2

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

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 EVERARDS TIGER PRESENTS ROAR WITH LAUGHTER AT THE BLACK DOG Four top comedians from the UK comedy circuit will be at the Black Dog, Oadby to entertain you. Some you'll of seen on TV, some you won't but all are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! Ticket price includes a FREE pint of Everards Tiger.

MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Dog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 7

EVERARDS TIGER PRESENTS ROAR WITH LAUGHTER AT THE ROSE & CROWN THURNBY Four top comedians from the UK comedy circuit will be at the Rose and Crown, Thurnby to entertain you. Some you'll of seen on TV, some you won't but all are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! Ticket price includes a FREE pint of Everards Tiger and a buffet. www.roseandcrownthurnby.co.uk

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: The Rose and Crown

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 64

EVERARDS TIGER PRESENTS ROAR WITH LAUGHTER AT THE WHITE LION, WHISSENDINE Four top comedians from the UK comedy circuit will be at the White Lion in Whissendine to entertain you. Some you'll of seen on TV, some you won't but all are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud! Ticket price includes a FREE pint of Everards Tiger. whitelioninn.com

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: White Lion

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 71

Fashion UK present

FASHION UK COMEDY SHOW - FUNNY AS F-UK Join some of the best comedians around for a unique comedy show hosted by Festival supporters, Fashion UK. The company are award winning leaders in licensed apparel, footwear and accessories and are based here in Leicester. Joining them tonight will be Chris Washington - Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee - and special guests. www.fashions-uk.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: By invitation only.

Map Ref: 47

Jokes on Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

FAYE TREACY WORK IN PROGRESS

As seen on BBC3 and heard on Radio4, Faye Treacy is back with a new work in progress show. "One of the most unique performances you'll see at the Fringe this year... simultaneously childish, genius and inescapably memorable." (ShortCom) **************** (and a half) "Bucket full of comedic talent... Original, engaging and clearly comfortable in front of a large audience, Faye is one to watch for the future." - Lynn Parker CEO Funny Women **************** www.fayetreacy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17:15 (18:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

IAM present

FERN BRADY: WORK IN PROGRESS As seen on Live from the Apollo (BBC1), Live from the BBC (BBC2), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky One), Roast Battle (Comedy Central), Live from the Comedy Store (Comedy Central) and many more, Fern Brady is working up a new hour to tour for 2019. She'll tackle a range of topics with her signature whip-sharp writing and ruthless delivery. www.fernbrady.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 55

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

FINDING HAPPY

In a world where being happy is punished, everyone learns to survive without happiness. Over time happiness is forgotten and everyone knows happiness doesn't exist! You can't see it! Where is the evidence? There's no scientific proof! No such thing! Then you find your aunt's hidden stash in a box labelled "I am happy." What would you do? Join Ishi in finding happy. Expect a sparkly bindi, dancing & vegetation! www.2funny.org.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

Jokes On Us

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FIONA RIDGEWELL: EVEN DISNEY NEEDS A DAY OFF!

Fiona Ridgewell is the epitome of positivity...but she's struggling to keep a PMA as she stumbles through life trying to achieve the ultimate fairytale. A 45 minute WIP from Piccadilly Finalist 2017/2018 including gags and stories! 'I could easily imagine seeing Fiona as a panellist on 'Eight out of 10 Cats does Countdown' or 'Would I lie to you?' in the near future. She has the conﬁdence, charisma and humour to take her far' Edfringe.com www.ﬁonaridgewell.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:00 (21:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Big Difference Productions present

FIRST NIGHT FUNNIES Celebrate the ﬁrst night of the festival with a few of our funny friends! Featuring Radu Isac (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2018 Nominee) and Laura Monmoth (Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee). More exciting acts to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FIX MY BRAIN

Co-dependent comedy duo Fix My Brain (as seen on BBC 3 / heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra) present their double-act debut which is a sketch show about depression. Despite this, it is good. Shortlisted for Brighton Fringe Best Newcomer. 1.75 million YouTube hits. Directed by Goose. ***** Voice ***** Varsity ***** Reaction ***** Broadway Baby "Rucksacks full of insecurities" GScene SKETCH, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

Avalon present

FLO & JOAN: ALIVE ON STAGE Following a sell-out run of their acclaimed 2017 show The Kindness of Stranglers, musical comedy duo and sisters Flo & Joan return with a new hour of their dark and witty songs. "These intricately crafted, ﬂawlessly performed numbers will have you howling with laughter one minute, wiping away a tear the next" **** (Telegraph) Winner - Best Musical Act (Leicester Comedy Festival 2018) Winner - Best Music and Variety Act (Chortle Awards 2018) curveonline.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (21:15) Entry: £14

Map Ref: 13

FLO & JOAN: WORK IN PROGUE

WORLD PREMIERE

Having won Leicester Comedy Festival's Best Musical Act 2018, and Chortle's Best Music and Variety Act 2018, musical comedy duo Flo & Joan are back trying some brand-spankers (new songs and chats) to riddle your ears and brain. "these intricately crafted, ﬂawlessly performed numbers will have you howling with laughter one minute, wiping away a tear the next" **** (Rupert Hawksley, The Telegraph). ﬂoandjoan.com

MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 47

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

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: £7 (£5)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 FLORA ANDERSON: ROMANTIC Up there with Byron, Shelley, and Wordsworth, Flora might be one of the greatest romantic adventurers of all time. Or is she just another struggling university graduate who can't even get a text back? Watch her do stand up as she desperately tries to swerve her mundane reality. This is comedy for anyone who's ever felt terrible and/or excited about being lost in 2019. "Very funny" Illegitimate Theatre, "One to Watch" Funny Women SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

FOXDOG STUDIOS: ROBOT CHEF

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Following their sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run, tech comedy duo Foxdog Studios bring their critically-acclaimed Robot Chef to Leicester Comedy Fest. Join rock 'n' roll IT consultants Pete & Lloyd to celebrate the end of their IT contract in Stoke. Expect more bafﬂing tech, music, and, of course, an augmented reality, audience-controlled robot chef. As heard on BBC Radio 4xtra. Nominated for Chortle Innovation Award. 4 stars Timeout 4 stars iPaper www.foxdogstudios.com

ALTERNATIVE, INTERACTIVE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 24

FoxyComedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

FOXYCOMEDY CLUB NIGHT

Join us each Wednesday of the festival, & let's all have a laugh with top club comedians. Featuring great headliners: Weds 6th KEVIN HAYES 'Here is a great Irish comic. His dry, smooth wit is wondrous'THE IRISH TIMES Weds 13th BRIAN DAMAGE+KRYSSTAL"Always enjoyable. incredibly funny. His 'Buddy Holly plays Oasis' is a gem"CHORTLE. Weds 20th DUNCAN OAKLEY'musical skills that would easily ﬁ t into many rock bands. MC Ben Ennis, plus special guests! www.wygstonshouse.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 20:30 (22:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 72

KM Comedy Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

FRAN JENKING: 'FRANGENTS'

Funnyman and general daft lad, Fran Jenking returns with his latest work in progress show - 'Frangents'. Expect all new material and plenty of fun with the audience! Support TBC. "Fabulous ﬂights of fancy from an amenable onstage presence" - BBC.co.uk "Fran is one to watch. His likability and audience skills are an asset to any club" - The Comedy Hut "He added a lot of fun to the night and generated a great atmosphere" - Notts Comedy Review @franjenking SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

Jokes On Us present

FRANK FOUCAULT: SHOES Frank was told it was a good idea to do a themed show, so he's doing it about shoes. I imagine that by now he's beginning to regret this decision. Is he trying something new? Or is he just avoiding the subject? Is this blurb intriguing? Or is it just annoyingly vague? "Bafﬂing and daring" **** Broadway Baby. "Stupidly funny" - Chortle. "A tiny work of comic genius." - The Scotsman. ALTERNATIVE, CABARET DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 16:30 (17:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 58

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

FREDDIE FARRELL: I WASN'T BORN WITH ENOUGH MIDDLE FINGERS

Freddie released his debut show 'Excuse Me While I Burst Into Flames' with American record label Comedy Dynamics in 2017, it sold and streamed more copies than he could ever have imagined. Now he's back with bits and pieces to put together his second show. Come and enjoy Freddie's brand of raw comedy with no reservations. 'Charming funny man, one to watch for sure!' Joe Lycett (Live at the Apollo) www.freddiefarrell.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 17:00 (17:50) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FREDDY QUINNE: PEACOCK

Award-winning stand-up comedian Freddy Quinne has been a professional act for almost a decade, regularly performing at many of the biggest clubs in the country alongside the big-hitters of the comedy circuit. He has two comedy albums available on Spotify and iTunes and a special on Amazon Prime. Despite this, he is not happy. And he's here to tell you why. A visceral, tour-de-force performance from a razor-sharp comic mind. www.freddyquinne.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

FUNZ AND GAMEZ: OH NO THEY DIDN'T Funz and Gamez are back and this time they're taking on the sacred genre of Panto. New characterz, new songz, new desperationz. Follow Pip (phil) on his journey from a small northern town, riddled with cholera to the bright London City lights where the streets are paved with Gold. Helped along the way by Bonzo the cat, Jim the Elf and uncle Herod. 'The antihero of kids' shows which is one of the funniest, buzziest hours.' **** Times www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy

CHILDREN'S

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 27

GABBY BEST - 10,432 SHEEP Gabby's still not sleeping. She still feels like a ghost and looks like a shoe. She'd like to talk about this some more... if she has the energy. Stand up and storytelling from Funny Women Award Winner - as seen on Morgana Robinson's Summer, Top Coppers, Glitchy / heard on Radio 4.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

GAMES WITH JAMES James Cook has played in front of audiences of tens of thousands. He also has an obsession. He loves board games. New games and old games. This show will involve live action versions of the games Buckaroo and Hungry Hippos. Every show is different. "His quick tongue and dry sense of humour kept me laughing" (BBC Tees). "The future Frank Skinner" (Birmingham Metro). CHILDREN'S, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Queensmead Primary Academy

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: By invitation only

Map Ref: 49

Jokes On Us present

GARETH BERLINER : I PAID FOR ANOTHER 50 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.

REGIONAL PREMIERE

After great success with his Edinburgh 2018 show, Gareth Berliner : I paid for 50 minutes of your time, Comic Gareth Berliner is back with another 50 minute show. "More soul than a hundred other comedians" Helen Razer, The Age, Melbourne. "Gareth Berliner saved the night" Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard. TV Credits for Coronation Street as Macca, Dr Who, Eastenders and more. TV Credits don't make him funnier but they look good on a poster ; ) www.garethberliner.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

Jokes On Us present

GARETH BERLINER : I PAID FOR ANOTHER 50 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Venue: O'Neills

Map Ref: 44

Time: 14th 19:00 | 15th 20:30 (60min) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Rabbit Rabbit in association with PBJ Management

GARRETT MILLERICK: SUNFLOWER Following a critically acclaimed sell out Edinburgh run in 2018, Garrett Millerick brings 'Sunﬂower' to Leicester Comedy Festival for 2 nights. 'This brave and winning hour certainly pulls no punches' **** The Times 'wickedly funny' **** The Scotsman 'stand-up with an insolent twist' ****The Sunday Times 'nitpicking misery raised to high levels of artistry' **** The List 'a virtuoso display of unforgivingly grumpy stand-up' **** ½ Chortle www.garrettmillerick.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 8th 21:30 | 9th 17:00 (60min) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

Impatient Productions present

GARY DELANEY - GAGSTER'S PARADISE One of Britain's leading one-liner comics returns to the road with another onslaught of lean, expertly crafted gaggery. A Mock The Week regular and recent star of the new Live At The Apollo series, Gary's shows are renowned in the business for a near unrivalled volume of high-class gags. You should expect no different from this, his brand new tour for 2018. Please note Coolio will not be appearing. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 20:00 (21:50) Entry: £17 (£15)

Map Ref: 51

"GATHERING MOSS" - WILLIAM STONE & "OESTROJEN"- JEN IVES

REGIONAL PREMIERE

William Stone (BBC New Comedy Award Finalist 2018) previews material from "Gathering Moss", a nostalgic filled tale in the form of whimsical one liners. "excellent writer of quirky one liners" - Steve Bennet, Chortle. Jen Ives (FunnyWomen regional finalist) brings you "OestroJen" a work in progress of her debut hour. Jen is transsexual and she's flipping well sick of talking about it. Join Jen as she attempts to not talk about it for 30 minutes. www.williamstonecomedy.com & www.jenives.net

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 9th 13:00 | 10th 15:30 (60min) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 24

GAY COMEDY NIGHT This festival favourite returns to The Y with a fantastic line-up of fresh faces and fabulous comedy, featuring rising star Rosie Jones. With her infectious laugh and high energy, Rosie has quickly become a must-see having already starred on 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Last Leg: The Correspondents. Nominated for Leicester Mercury New Comedian Of The Year 2018, her comedy is "fresh, mischievous" and "downright wicked". Support acts announced soon. www.ytheatre.co.uk

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 67

GCSE REVISITED

WORLD PREMIERE

GCSE Revisited is a show about ﬁnding Matt & Josh's genuine GCSE/A-Level drama shows and awkwardly restaging them, warts and all. See the pretentiousness and illogical decisions of youth theatre. Join Matt Hoss & Josh Hards on an endearing journey of looking at all of their cringey, relatable materials; making you remember every failed Drama teacher and the kids who did it for a doss. Matt & Josh ﬁnd the most hilarious parts of their old shows. www.matthosscomedy.com

STORYTELLING, INTERACTIVE

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 30

The Cookie Comedy Club present

GEORGE EGG: DIY CHEF In 'GEORGE EGG: DIY CHEF' a health scare sees George banned him from the family kitchen, but relocated to the garden shed his imagination and resourcefulness lead him to build an improvised kitchen there instead. During an inspiring and inventive evening of stand-up, live cooking and comedy lecture, George prepares a breakfast, a lunch and a dinner using the most unconventional of methods. www.anarchistcook.info SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £9

Map Ref: 55

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Off The Kerb Productions Ltd

GEORGE LEWIS: A MAN, A PLAN, A GIRL WITH FAKE TAN When George was 12 he fell for the most beautiful, most orange girl in Stockport. To win her heart, he decided he needed to act less like a boy and more like a man. Speciﬁcally, Liam Gallagher. "An expert craftsman" Chortle. BBC New Comedy Award ﬁnalist and winner of Comedy Knights Comedian of the Year and Amused Moose awards. Host of Top Gear-Extra Gear and as heard on BBC R4. www.georgelewiscomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

GEORGE LEWIS: THEY SAY LEICESTER'S THE BEST TESTER (WORK IN PROGRESS) George is debuting his new show to the connoisseurs of Leicester. Afterwards, he'll either be carried out on your shoulders wearing a crown as he phones his loved ones to tell them he doesn't need them anymore. Or he'll walk directly to Blackpool and slowly, solemnly into the sea. www.georgelewiscomedian.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Ebdon Management & George Rigden present

GEORGE RIGDEN: GEORGE-OUS Adjective: someone called George who is irresistibly beautiful to any gender. Clever, funny and devastatingly sexy with the voice of an angel. Often found serenading and sweeping people off their feet with incredible ease, eg 'George Rigden is George-ous'. NOMINEE: Leicester Mercury Comedian of the year (2017) 'Very Funny Stuff' - Steve Bennett, Chortle 'Deliciously Dark' - Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke MUSICAL, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Ebdon Management & George Rigden present

WORLD PREMIERE

GEORGE RIGDEN: THE BAND

At the age of 16, George Rigden founded one of the most exciting & innovative emo cover bands in music history. By 17, unlike his virginity, they were no more. Now in this turbulent political and socio-economic climate and in the wake of his 2nd relationship breakdown in as many years, the time is perfect for their return. NOMINEE - Best Musical Show, Leicester Comedy Festial (2018) NOMINEE - Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year (2017) MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Andrew Roach Talent present

GEORGIE MORRELL: WORK IN PROGRESS Georgie Morrell is a comedian, writer and award nominated actor. Join her for a WIP of her new show. As seen and heard on BBC Radio 4, BBC iPlayer, BBC 5 Live and Channel 5. Her debut show, A Poke in the Eye, has played to sold out performances, garnered 4 star reviews and transferred to Soho Theatre in London. 'Inspirational' ****1/2 The Reviews Hub 'Great comic timing' **** Please Mind The Blog 'Burns with ﬁre and light' What's On Stage www.georgiemorrell.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (20:55) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 30

Braunstone Gate and Bede Street Places for People

GIGGLES AT THE GATE COMEDY QUIZ WITH SARAH JOHNSON Award winning, local comedy star Sarah Johnson takes over the regular Black Horse Quiz.

EVENT, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Black Horse

Map Ref: 54

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Braunstone Gate and Bede Street Places for People

GIGGLES AT THE GATE PRESENT JAMESY 'JAMESY' is a work-in-progress show from one of the UK comedy circuits most promising up and coming Comedians. Josh James unapologetically calls it like he sees it as he reﬂects on his upbringing in Essex amongst a reality TV loving generation who are hell bent on money & power, whilst covering deeper topics such as masculinity, youth culture and what it means to be successful during this hilarious & uncensored 50 minutes of Stand Up Comedy. joshjamescomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Dog House

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

Map Ref: 15

Braunstone Gate and Bede Street Places for People

GIGGLES AT THE GATE PRESENT NATHAN ROBERTS: SABOTEUR Nathan Roberts (BBC New Radio Comedy Award nominee) is obsessed with movies and has always used them to make sense of a nonsensical world. With his much anticipated debut hour Nathan tells a hilarious love story gone wrong in the style of a rom-com that reveals the dangers that come with buying into the lies the movies sell us. STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: 96 Degrees Coffee Shop

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

Map Ref: 1

Braunstone Gate and Bede Street Places for People

GIGGLES AT THE GATE PRESENT TREV TOKABI Trev Tokabi is a solid act, with a laid back delivery which will not fail to illicit laughter from audiences. Trev's humour draws in all sort of life experiences, from silly to quirky, smart to clever, and outright stupid. Trev is great at story telling, and also possess some off-beat dark humour content for the more adventurous. ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Dog House

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

Map Ref: 15

Braunstone Gate and Bede Street Places for People

GIGGLES AT THE GATE PRESENT TRISH DUNN AND DARCIE SILVER Trish Dunn is a comic ventriloquist who performs as a professional entertainer in a wide variety of venues.She adds just that extra special twist to each event to let everyone know the show is special for them, including audience participation. Darcie Silver is one of the most exciting new comedians on the circuit bringing a hilarious mix of one liners, stories and jokes that will leave you in stitches. ALTERNATIVE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Dog House

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

Map Ref: 15

Avalon present

WORLD PREMIERE

GLENN MOORE: SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, GLENN MOORE

Glenn Moore from Mock the Week, Absolute Radio and Stand Up Central, presents a work-in-progress new show full of the distinctive jokes and offbeat gags we've come to accept. "The best showcase of pure joke-writing skill on the Fringe" - The Guardian "A proliﬁc writer of clever, distinctive gags. Brilliantly original punchlines" - Chortle "This is a comedian putting others to shame. A stunningly well-crafted show" - The List www.glennmoorecomedy.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

GLENN WOOL: WOOL'S GOLD II (THE IRON PIRATE) Award-winning comedian & new dad Glenn Wool delves into the archives to see how far he's come in 25 years. Does he still agree with himself, or has he ﬁnally grown up? "Lethally funny" Metro "Absolutely hilarious" Independent "Effortlessly funny... You have to go and see Glenn Wool." Guardian "Why aren't you in a queue somewhere buying a ticket?" Scotsman glennwool.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £14

Map Ref: 55

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

GRAHAM WHISTLER - CRIPLASH After a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018, internationally acclaimed comedian Graham Whistler brings the stand up show 'Criplash' to the Leicester Comedy festival for the ﬁrst time! Taking the audience on an unapologetic journey of a life of sex, drugs and cerebral palsy. "Here's someone with genuine talent and a remarkable story to tell" **** the skinny SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 32

Mane Event Presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GRANT BUSÉ - TOUCHÉ BUSÉ

Awarding winning Australian comic Grant Busé debuts at Leicester with his "ingenious comedy music" ***** (Tulpa). There will be no parrying of Buse's disarming charm, sharp wit and hit tunes. So raise your guard as Grant goes on the offensive in this boisterous bout against banality. ***** "Must see" (The Scotsman). **** "Smart as anything coming from Tim Minchin" (Broadway Baby). WINNER Best Cabaret - Adelaide Fringe. www.grantbuse.com MUSICAL, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

TALK TO US: We’d love to hear what you think about the Festival, and the shows that you have seen. Tweet, email or write to us to share your thoughts (contact details are on page 170)

Gráinne Maguire

WORLD PREMIERE

GRÁINNE MAGUIRE: IT'S PROBLEMATIC

Gráinne Maguire returns with another hour of brand new stand up. As seen on Dave's UnSpun with Matt Forde and heard on Radio 4's The Now Show. "blisteringly funny" Arts Fringes "a self-assured performance from a woman who has mastered her craft" The Skinny "With insight as intriguing as it is funny, it's Maguire's unique perspective that makes her such a must-see" Edinburgh Festivals www.grainnemaguire.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 55

SHIP OF FOOLS present

HAHA HARBOROUGH Headliner TEZ ILYAS - 'Radiantly entertaining.' The Times, "a slickness more reminiscent of US comics, and the gags to back it up" - The Guardian, plus one of the brightest and funniest new acts in the MIdlands SARAH JOHNSON . More support tbc plus compere ALAN SEAMAN www.harboroughtheatre.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Harborough Theatre

Time: 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £10 (£9)

Map Ref: 22

CKP and InterTalent Group present

HAL CRUTTENDEN: CHUBSTER Hal's literally ﬁlled our screens recently on Have I Got News For You, The Apprentice: You're Fired, Bake Off: Extra Slice, and Live at the Apollo. His daughters chose the title of his new stand-up show. He's now on a diet. 'Funnier than he's ever been' **** - The Times 'His ﬁnest hour to date' **** - Daily Telegraph www.halcruttenden.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Map Ref: 51

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

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £15

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HANNAH SILVESTER: UNIQUE CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE

Hannah Silvester is an award-winning stand-up comedian and a unique child of the universe. She's back at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2019 with a new solo show and she's feeling very zen about it. Join her. Only if you wish to though, it's not a cult. 'She's a woman with a lot of attitude, and a way of expressing it that is often viciously, hilariously blunt' Chortle 'consistent big laughs all the way through' Notts Comedy Review www.hannahsilvester.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Loughborough Student Union present

HAPPY MONDAY COMEDY CLUB Cognito hosts a very special Leicester Comedy Festival event. This one hour show features 3 fantastic stand-ups handpicked just for you! Kicking the night off will be the 'Prince of Peculiar' (Great Central) Daniel Nicholas and headlining this event will be Lloyd Langford (Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Award 2018). Keep an eye on the www.comedy-festival.co.uk to see the full line up. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Cognito

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

Map Ref: 12

So Comedy & Broken Robot Productions

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI: YOUTOPIA

The BBC Radio 4 Sketchtopia host, Celebrity Big Brother star and Question Time & This Week regular, takes the follow up to his acclaimed 2017 hit on the road mixing his trademark 'worldly wit and fabulous punchlines' **** (Fest). 'Immensely funny' (Daily Express) 'Consistently thought-provoking' **** (Arts Award Voice) 'Something quite special... inbetween the laughter are stories of genuine power' ***** (Broadway Baby) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£9)

Map Ref: 28

HARI AND LOTTIE TRY TO BE BETTER A work-in-progress stand-up show from 2014 BBC New Comedy Award ﬁnalist Hari Kanth (Sriskantha) and Lottie Field. Lottie tries to unravel the mysteries of the universe, while Hari tries to be more interesting after a reviewer described him as 'too content and well-balanced'. "Plenty of laughs to be had" - British Comedy Guide. "Refreshingly intelligent stand-up" - Young Perspective. "Too content and well-balanced" - Chortle. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

Map Ref: 44

United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HARRIET KEMSLEY: SLUTTY JOAN

Multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley pulls her skirt out of her pants and shames slut shaming. Star of Bobby and Harriet Get Married, Comedy Central's Roast Battle and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 'A quirky, refreshingly charming comedian at the dawn of her TV career' (Radio Times). 'Joyful' **** (Scotsman). 'Effervescent' **** (EdFestMag.com). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

HARRY STACHINI: SIDEWAYS THINKING The show is based around the question of 'why?'. Why do you do that job? Why do you love that person? Why do you believe what you believe? How many of us actually know why we make these choices compared to 'what' we make them for is what fascinates me. This show isn't a TED talk, an invite to join a pyramid scheme or even a cult, it's just one man's rambling journey questioning why the hell we do what we do. www.harrystachini.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

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. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Lucky Dog Theatre Productions

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 DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 60

Avalon present

HAYLEY ELLIS: "ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A HAYLEY" As featured in the top Fringe jokes of all time in The Scotsman,The Independent and The Mirror. Hayley Ellis is back with a show, about patience, perseverance, but mainly pigeons. One of Sarah Millican's tour supports for 2018. **** "Sharp, clever, and very funny, this show has plenty to coo about." - The Sunday Post **** "I highly recommend this warm and engaging show from an original and very funny lady." - Funny Women www.hayleyellis.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

CKP present

HELEN BAUER: WORK IN PROGRESS Ultimate Babe and hotly-tipped new stand up comedian Helen Bauer presents a work in progress show of her new thoughts, feelings and emotions on pretty much everything then has alcohol thrown on it. As heard and seen on BBC Radio 4, BBC3 and Comedy Central UK. Leicester Mercury New Comedian of The Year and BBC New Comedy Award Finalist 2018. https://intertalentgroup.com/proﬁles/helen-bauer SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 27

CKP present

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 57

Phil McIntyre and Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

HELEN DUFF: DAFT

Daring, audacious, unﬂinchingly domestic, stay at home spy Helen Duff is about to crack the most explosive case of her career. Will West Berwick survive the blast? WIP. "Bold, subversive and very funny" (**** SCOTSMAN) "Master of shamelessly silly yet socially conscious clowning" (**** BROADWAY BABY) "Duff is incredibly funny and deserves any and all praise that comes her way"( **** THE SKINNY). helenduff.com ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Phil McIntyre present

HELEN DUFF: HOW DEEP IS YOUR DUFF? 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. "Her energy is endless and boundless, and it's a joy to behold" (**** EdFestMag). helenduff.com STORYTELLING, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 3

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

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

HELL TO PLAY: THE NEW SHOW

A gameshow, set in Hell, hosted by the Devil. He's been very busy lately. Join Satan (Alexander Bennett) and a cast of history's greatest monsters (Paul Savage and Rob Mulholland) as they set the audience against each other in anarchic competition. Returning for its 4th year, with all new guests. 'Hugely fun: a very silly, very funny show' **** (Stage) "Great fun - Excellent performers, doing high quality dicking about" STUART GOLDSMITH. SOLO SHOW, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 15th 22:30 | 16th 22:00 (60min) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 37

HENNING WEHN: GET ON WITH IT You couldn't make it up, surely the German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn hasn't bosched out yet another new show? And what's he still doing here anyway? Well, his lack of transferable skills is what keeps him here and his belief that practice makes perfect is what keeps him going. This show is a much needed call to arms. Listen, everyone, stop pondering and hand-wringing. Instead get on your bike and put your face to the grindstone! SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £20

Map Ref: 14

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

HENRY PAKER: MAN ALIVE Henry found himself in a Travelodge, lunching on a can of John West Mediterranean Style Tuna Salad. A can of salad. His hopes were not high and yet, as he peeled back the lid, the unspeakable smell that hit his face, made him question two things, 1: the wisdom of buying lunch from a vending machine and 2: whether life was all it was cracked up to be. A show about expectation meeting reality, and it making you want to gag. 'Scales impressive comed offthekerb.com/artist/henry-paker SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

Ruffan Reddy present

HER & THE CHANGE IN ME A show not just about the menopause. It's a theatrical comedy where the audience join Debbie and her alter ego Dolly Slatemen - Essex pub landlady where no subject is taboo! Both discuss comically this stage of life and invite the audience to share the phenomenon that affects half the planet. If you or you know someone who is peri menopause, in the menopause or post menopause come along - you may even discover you're very own alter ego. www.dollyslatemen.co.uk THEATRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 7th 21:00 | 22nd 23rd 22:30 (60 mins) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

HOOK-A-DUCK So this year a lot of things changed for Danny. He turned 28, he learnt how to iron and took a girl to the funfair. This show is about the funfair part. Danny was part of the 2018 Just The Tonic's Big Value Showcase, handpicked for the 2017 Pleasance Comedy Reserve, a ﬁnalist of the 2016 Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian Of The Year and shortlisted for the 2014 BBC Comedy Award. Tour support for Joe Lycett. 'Hilarious' - Lenny Henry. www.dannyclives.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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

Map Ref: 17

HOTEL DE COMEDIE Check in at Hôtel De Comédie 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 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

Map Ref: 21

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. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Big Difference Company present

HOTEL DE COMEDIE Check in at Hôtel De Comédie and experience a series of unique comedy moments in Leicester's newest boutique hotel! 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 St Martins Lodge, this is an interactive show where four comedians perform outside their comfort zones. Not to be missed! In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: St Martins Lodge

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 50

Upstairs at The Western CIC

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HOW TO ACT WINDY

Where's the glitz? Where's the glamour? Based on real events, two best pals take you on a comic re-telling of the worst show they've ever performed in. 5 actors, 1 script translated through 3 languages via google, sleeping in a spider's nest, and a van looking like it's fresh off the set of Breaking Bad. From the writer of hit blog "Dino Tour". By Katie Pritchard and Eleri Morgan. www.katiepritchard.co.uk STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Alex Love

HOW TO WIN A PUB QUIZ This highly interactive show is part stand-up, part actual pub quiz. Expand your trivia, compete against other teams, win prizes. This year's theme is the 90s. Edinburgh Fringe ofﬁcial sold-out show for 2016, 2017 and 2018. "Whether winners or losers, everyone left happy." **** (BroadwayBaby.com). "A brilliantly fun show packed full of running gags and ad-libs." (DenofGeek.com) "It is fun for all." **** One4Review.co.uk www.alexlove.co.uk GAME SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

CKP and Intertalent Group present

HUGE DAVIES: WORK IN PROGRESS Fresh from his appearance on 'Comedy Central at the Comedy Store', Huge Davies is preparing for his ﬁrst hour. Combining his dark humour, surreal material and one-of-a-kind customised keyboard, Huge has quickly risen to become one the most exciting, unique new acts in the UK. 'Priceless' (Chortle) 'Dark' (Independent) 'Scene-stealing' (Telegraph) 'Perfect' (The Stand) 'Appalling' (celebrityradio.biz). As seen on Comedy Central's 'Ones To Watch'. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

Glorious management

I AM ROSS SMITH April 20th, 7.13pm. Ross Smith receives a message from a stranger, with an even stranger invitation. I am Ross Smith is the incredible story of an ordinary name inspiring an extraordinary adventure. 'hilariously original'- Nish Kumar Sell out Show Edinburgh fringe 2018 **** An assured debut, a fantastic coming of age tale - The List STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

Big Difference Company and Equity present

I SAY - THE ANNUAL COMEDY CONVERSATION FEATURING TOM ALLEN Tom Allen started stand-up at the age of 22 and went on to win both 'So You Think You're Funny' and the BBC New Comedy Awards in the same year. Since then he has honed his unique style of sharp, acerbic wit and camp, riotous storytelling by performing to audiences all over the UK. Join him in conversation with Festival Director, Geoff Rowe. Part of Beyond A Joke. In aid of Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167). DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Curve

Map Ref: 13

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

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 TripleCeePee present

I'MMIGRANT! I'mMigrant! A fun comedy show about migration, identity & belonging from Award-nominated comedienne. Migration crisis, Brexit leave boards & Windrush stories leave Ishi wondering if being a British Comedienne, born in Zambia with Indian ancestry, makes her BriZamdian? This show is suitable for migrants, non-migrants & strawberries. Expect silliness, fun, & Bollywood dancing! www.2funny.org.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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

Map Ref: 17

I, TOM MAYHEW (WIP)

WORLD PREMIERE

Tom Mayhew (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Nominee 2017, BBC Semi-Finalist 2018) was unemployed for 3 years from the age of 18. This is a story of rejections, the JobCentre, being working-class, and ﬁghting for your place in the world. With lots of jokes. Also, during the Leicester Mercury Final in 2017, he said "I want to be the Claudio Ranieri of Comedy". Dilly Ding, Dilly Dong! "A fascinating brain; obvious writing talent" Chortle www.tommayhew.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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

Map Ref: 30

Jokes On Us present

IAN LANE: BODILY Ever wondered how to get the most out of that capsized gazebo that is your body? Using pens, placards and xylophone sticks, Ian Lane takes you on an annotated, colour-coded and possibly misleading tour of all the hidden features, cheat codes and Easter Eggs you never noticed within your body in this fusion of stand-up comedy and live body art. **** 'His visual aids are exquisite works of comedic gold' - One4Review. ALTERNATIVE, EXHIBITION DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

IAN LANE: PAPERWEIGHT

Paperweight. Spatula. Cushioned tea tray. Chicken lattice. Which weapon would you protect your house with? Ian Lane teaches you how to defend your family home in this deathly surreal, work-in-progress stand-up comedy tale involving space travel, the SAS, and a body count larger than an episode of Watership Down. **** 'His visual aids are exquisite works of comedic gold' - One4Review. 'Inventive, cliche-phobic comedy' - Chortle. ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

IAN SMITH - WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Multi-award winning comedian Ian Smith (BBC3's Sweat the Small Stuff) returns to Leicester with a work in progress of his sixth solo show. Amused Moose Comedy Award and ThreeWeeks Editors' Award Winner 2017. "Fantastically funny" - The Times "Catch him now before his inevitable jump to the big time" - Telegraph "A riot of sprightly silliness" - Chortle www.iansmithcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

IMPROV PROVOCATEUR The illegitimate child of improv and stand-up, we hand select the bravest performers from across the festival and put them through their paces in a range of near the knuckle improvised games. The much sought after 'Handsome certiﬁcate' for the winner. Humiliation for the loser. Hosted by Alex Leam. 'This was such good fun, See it, Play it, Love it! - Tony Slattery' (Ed Fringe sell out show 2018) IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 15:15 (16:05) & 21:15 (22:05) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 32

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Discerning Nights present

IMPROV WITH NICHOLAS HOLT Improv like you've never seen it before. Featuring these guys 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, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

The Cosy Club present

IN STITCHES COMEDY CLUB Join us every Friday night for a line up of handpicked festival favourites at the Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Best New Venue! Guests include Lauren Pattison, Maisie Adam, Eshaan Akbar, Tez Ilyas and many more to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 57

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 Leicester Comedy Festival mixed-bill evening! www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 35

Big Difference Company present

IS BREXIT A LAUGHING MATTER? We are writing this copy in October so by the time February arrives, who knows what state the UK will be in, and what the likely impact of Brexit will be. Join our panel (including MEP's, comedians and performers) to discuss whether Brexit is a valid subject matter for comedy & humour. Will the biggest peacetime decision in a generation raise a smile or is it not a laughing matter? DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:00 (13:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

ISA BONACHERA: THE GREAT EMPTINESS Ever since she was a toddler, Isa's been obsessed with outer space. She decided from a very early age that she wanted to do one thing and one thing only, become an astronaut. For twenty years she did everything she could to stay on track. And one day she just gave up on her dream. Using a planetarium projector Isa will take you on a guided tour of the cosmos and her broken dreams. A stand-up show by BBC New Comedy Award ﬁnalist Isa Bonachera. isabonachera.com

SOLO SHOW, CABARET

DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Mirth of Forth productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

IT JUST SO HAPPENED - AN ALTERNATIVE HISTORY SHOW

How come only people called Victor get to write history? Even a venue as old as the 15th century Wygston's House won't have witnessed a history lesson quite like this before, as comedians bring alternative perspectives to real life events which happened 'on this day' in the dim and sometimes not so distant past. Anything they say which you think surely didn't happen, well that's just fake news, isn't it? And you can blame Victor for that. www.richardpulsford.com MIXED BILL, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Map Ref: 72

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Berks Nest and Avalon

JACK BARRY: TANGO In the last year, acclaimed stand-up Jack Barry has been appointed by his parents as their couples therapist. He's been reading up on sex, love and relationships, but deﬁnitely isn't an expert. Come and watch him try to save everyone with his hastily learned therapy techniques. ***** (EdFestMag.com). **** (Sunday Times). **** (List). **** (The Skinny) As seen/heard on BBC Radio 4, Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV2. Tour support for James Acaster www.jackbarry.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

JACK CAMPBELL WORK IN PROGRESS

An all new hour from English Comedian of the Year 2014, Jack Campbell. He's settled down nicely in Leicester, he's reading the Harry Potter books for the ﬁrst time at 28 years old and he's got some things to say, mainly about how gross our bodies are. As heard regularly on BBC Radio Leicester. As seen in Highcross holding his partners bags. As felt as close to you as ever. www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/jack-campbell SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

JACK EVANS: WORK Workers of the world: please stop! Jack Evans' new hour about work: its history, its present, and a future without it. 'An alternative tour de force' **** (EdFestMag) 'As a comedian, his skills are undeniable' **** (TheWeeReview) 'Absolutely the best Noam Chomsky material ever' (Scotsman) This show will be BSL interpreted. www.jacklewisevans.com SATIRE, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

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

Map Ref: 3

JACK GLEADOW: MR SATURDAY NIGHT Fresh from performing at the Edinburgh Festival as part of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, the multi-award winning Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2018 returns to The Y for the premiere of his debut show. Jack is one of the most exciting new stand-ups on the comedy circuit so come and enjoy his debut show featuring, stories, props, videos, music and more in this unique one man variety show. ''An absolute natural'' (Chortle) www.ytheatre.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 67

Avalon present

WORLD PREMIERE

JACOB HAWLEY: WORK IN PROGRESS

Heavy-hearted Hertfordshire boi Jacob Hawley returns with a work in progress of what will be his second show. At present (September) he is planning ruminations on love, youth and running away. **** The Sunday Post 'Intelligent and important, his self-aware set sees him explore themes of class and identity in the modern world expertly.' **** The List. 'A down-to-earth talent who's got it in spades, it's an impressive, strong debut show.' www.jacobhawley.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 56

JADE GOODY IS...WAS A MASSIVE WEAPON

WORLD PREMIERE

This show was supposed to happen a decade ago. When Jade Goody was relevant. But Nick Ahad got distracted. As in started writing scripts for Emmerdale, became a radio presenter, wrote several plays and went to Hollywood to meet the dudes who made Breaking Bad, distracted. Then he got round to stand-up and promptly alienated the comedy community with a controversial Guardian article. Now he's ﬁnished the show it's no longer relevant. Right? www.nickahad.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 29

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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

ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 JAKE DONALDSON: HELP! I'M TRAPPED IN THE BODY OF AN ADEQUATE COMEDIAN!

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Jake Donaldson presents his debut hour long solo show! Jake mixes stand-up and storytelling in this show, which explores what really goes on inside his head. A hilarious hour of comedy from this up-and-coming comic who is fresh from his debut year at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and was one of the Hufﬁngton Post's "Ten Must See New Acts at The Edinburgh Fringe." "... a comedian not to be missed. Incredibly funny and down to earth."

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

JAKE LAMBERT: NEVER MAK THE SAME MISTAK TWICE (WIP) Jake Lambert, (As seen on Comedy Central) (Leicester Comedy Festival 2018 Best Show Nominee) is going to stop showing off now and let you know that he's back with a brand new show. If you're still not sure, just search my name in YouTube and then maybe I'll see you there. www.jakelambertcomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Momentum Artist Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

JAMES BRAN: HACK

Technology is making life easier, but at what cost? A sidesplitting look at the value of personal data & a hilarious take on the destruction of democracy in the face of Big Tech. Most importantly, can any of these new technologies make stand-up comedy funnier? Is it possible to hack comedy? "Edgy entertainment you'd be silly to miss" **** ThreeWeeks "Guaranteed to have you in stitches"**** BroadwayBaby "Proper well funny" **** MumbleComedy www.jamesbran.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 18:30 (19:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 29

JAMES CAMPBELL: THE FUNNY WORLD OF... A stand-up comedy show for children 6+, their parents and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words. Hold onto your socks, take the banana out of your ears and enjoy the best comedy for kids from the man who invented it. James Campbell's show will ﬁnd The Funny Things about everything including pets, couscous, spaniels, making your own yoghurt, bees, why we have hair and answer questions such as: "do sausage dogs eat sausages?" curveonline.co.uk

CHILDREN'S

DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8 | Family tickets £28

Map Ref: 13

JAMES CARY: PREACHING LIKE A STAND UP What can preachers learn from stand-up comedians? Quite a lot, but it might not be what you think. It's not all about starting your sermon with a really good joke. In fact that might be the worst thing you could do. In this session for preachers, Bible teachers and communicators of all kinds, BBC Comedy writer James Cary gives plenty of insights and practical advice based on his work with Miranda Hart, Milton Jones and Adil Ray. jamescary.co.uk

DISCUSSION

DATES:

Venue: Leicester Cathedral

Time: 15:30 (17:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 33

JAMES CARY: THE SACRED ART OF JOKING

REGIONAL PREMIERE

The devil may have all the best times. But does he have all the best jokes? Was Jesus funny? Why does religion have to be so serious? BBC Comedy writer and church-goer James Cary (Miranda, Bluestone 42) explains why Christians should be able to take a joke and how the Bible is way funnier than it ﬁrst appears. Seriously. www.jamescary.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Leicester Cathedral

Map Ref: 33

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

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10 (£7)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 JAMES FARMER - WORK IN PROGRESS Join James (Writer for 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Last Leg, Roast Battle) for an hour of brand new jokes, anecdotes and unique ways of saying the word penis. 'Sharp and witty' Broadway Baby

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

JAMIE AND THE OLIPHANT IN THE ROOM "Very funny"(Stephen K. Amos), 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 work in progress show 'The Oliphant In The Room' to comedy festivals across the UK. www.jamieoliphant.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

JAMIE HUTCHINSON: NOT MY PROUDEST MOMENT XS Manchester Comedian of the year brings his debut show to Leicester Comedy Festival.

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

Map Ref: 44

IRISHMAN ABROAD PRESENTS:

JARLATH REGAN: GREATEST HITS & GIGGLES. Join award-winning Irish standup comic Jarlath Regan for an hour of his funniest jokes and stories. Best known for his global hit podcast An Irishman Abroad, Jarlath is a Leicester Comedy Festival favourite and was nominated for best show in 2018. Critics and audiences agree, Jarlath's shows have "more laughs in the ﬁrst 15 minutes than most comics can muster in an hour" (Edinburgh Festival). As seen on Live At The Palladium, Good News and more. www.jigser.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Avalon & Irishman Abroad Podcasts Present

WORLD PREMIERE

JARLATH REGAN: IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

A new hour of standup about taking your chances, mortifying yourself in public, shouting out windows at strangers, eejits, gobshites and being a better man today rather than tomorrow. As seen on Live At The Palladium, The Apprentice You're Fired, Russell Howard's Good News (BBC) and Gogglebox. As heard on The Guilty Feminist, BBC Radio 4, Hawksbee & Jacobs and Irishman Abroad. 2018 LCF Best Show Nominee. Tatler Magazine Comedy Man Of The Year. www.jigser.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 17

Blue Jeans Management proudly present

JARRED CHRISTMAS & THE HOBBIT: THE MIGHTY KIDS BEATBOX GAME SHOW 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 CHILDREN'S, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 47

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Blue Jeans Management proudly present

JARRED CHRISTMAS: COMEDY Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. Comedy. "UTTERLY HILARIOUS" Time Out. "LIKEABLE, INTELLIGENT AND FULL OF UNPREDICTABLE ENERGY" Scotsman. "DYNAMITE. A MASTER OF COMEDY" Edfest. "SPREADS JOY IN MICROSECONDS. IF DICKING AROUND WERE A MARTIAL ART, CHRISTMAS WOULD BE BRUCE LEE" Chortle. jarredchristmas.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 17

Phil McIntyre Entertainments present

JASON MANFORD: MUDDLE CLASS He's back by popular demand as part of Leicester Comedy Festival! It's been a busy few years for Jason Manford since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn't changed a bit. Muddle Class promises to feature a wealth of new material about Jason growing up 'working class' then ﬁnding, over the years, that part of him has become 'middle class' - causing much confusion! www.demontforthall.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £29

Map Ref: 14

Proper Funny Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

JASON NEALE'S ALL OVER THE PLACE

Leicester's own Jason Neale brings his BRAND NEW 1-Hour show to Leicester Comedy Festival. It will, as the title suggests, be all over the place, delivered in his usual no-nonsense style with plenty of laughs throughout! "A very likeable, easy manner and 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, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Joe Bor

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JASPER CROMWELL JONES' ALTERNATIVE BOOK FESTIVAL

Famous adventurer and posh idiot Jasper Cromwell Jones (played by award winning comedian Joe Bor) presents an Alternative Book Festival with other weird and wonderful authors. In 2016, Jasper reached the ﬁnal of English Comedian of The Year, as well as winning the title of Old Comedian of The Year at Leicester Square. Joe himself supported Jack Whitehall on tour, appeared in over 10 BuzzFeed viral videos and worked on a variety of TV shows. www.swatboy.com CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 56

Ebdon Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JEN BRISTER - MEANINGLESS

Ever wanted to know the meaning of life? No, neither has Jen, she's too busy trying to stop her twins from using her shoes as a toilet. Still, we're only on this planet for a ﬁnite time, wouldn't it be good to ﬁnd a bit of meaning in your otherwise pointless existence? Join Jen as she clutches at all the straws trying to make sense of it all. A Powerhouse performance ****1/2 Chortle "A big dose of double up funny" ***** Deadline News www.jenbrister.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

JENNY COLLIER: JEN AT WORK Multi award winning Welsh comedian is back with more comedy. 'Brilliant... Infectious to watch and a joy to behold ****' - VoiceMag.uk 'Filth!' - Rhod Gilbert 'Joyously liberating' - The List "Very funny" - Time Out '***** Hilarious... An excellent comedic work' 'Unlike any other comedian' (Edfest Mag) '**** Brilliant...Everyone leaves wishing they were her friend' (Arts Award Voice), www.jennycolliercomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 55

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 JEREMY NICHOLAS: AFTER DINNER STORIES FROM MY DISASTROUS BROADCASTING CAREER A Sony Award-Winning broadcaster with his hilarious show about being the 11th most famous BBC Jeremy, behind Clarkson, Paxman, Vine etc.. Based on true-life stories from 27 years of trying not to get fired on TV and radio with the BBC. Locals will know Jeremy as a face on East Midlands Today where he spent 11 years as a reporter. It's like stand-up but without any 'effing and jeffing' and all told in a lovely BBC voice. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING www.JeremyNicholas.co.uk DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

The Cookie Comedy Club present

JESS ROBINSON: NO FILTER Multi-award-winning Jess Robinson is back with a new show! With more spot-on celebrity impressions, musical comedy and stunning vocal gymnastics. Jess takes you on a dizzying journey through hilarious improvised musical impressions, serving up a feast of styles and genres from classical to rock to hip hop showcasing the voices of all your favourite celebs. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 55

Rabbit Rabbit present

JESSICA FOSTEKEW: POWER BUNGALOW (WORK-IN-PROGRESS) Jessica Fostekew starred in Motherland BBC, Cuckoo BBC/ Netflix and coming soon feature film from Gavin Hood: 'Official Secrets'. She is the regular co-host of the mighty 'Guilty Feminist' podcast and host & creator of the 'Hoovering' podcast. She regularly writes on R4's News Quiz, BBC's 'Mock The Week' and C4's Cats Does Countdown'. Here she previews a brand new show about strength. "Wears her smarts on her sleeve, great stuff" The Guardian www.jessicafostekew.com STORYTELLING, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 27

Rabbit Rabbit present

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

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Keepers Comedy

JIM CAMPBELL - WIP The award-nominated Jim Campbell returns with a new show about all kinds of different things. Things may include; descending from a psychopathic Scottish clan, having plastic surgery as a child, the Myers-Briggs personality test, Morrissey, THE RAGING FURY DEEP WITHIN and probably dogs. "Packed full of gags... punchlines are laugh out loud thanks to the clarity and originality of his thinking" - Chortle. The List **** Fest **** ShortCom **** www.mrjimcampbell.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

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In Association with Noel Gay

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOANNA NEARY - CELIA'S GUIDE TO BEING A WIFE

When Celia (a repressed housewife with a tempestuously-romantic inner life), and husband Fred reached their 30th Wedding Anniversary and found they'd bought each other the same shower cap, Celia re-evaluated her life. Is there more to life than making a scale model of the Trans-Siberian Express? + special guests and an interpretive dance about socks. In 2016 Celia's debut show received a Best Show Nomination for Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival. www.joneary.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jo's Portable Art Department in Association with Noel Gay present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOANNA NEARY PRESENTS THE CRAB PRINCE

Scuttle the crab rescues a beach ball from his rock pool and it ruins his life. Comedy with puppets, songs and a chance to save the day. Joanna starred in CBBC series "So Awkward" as Mrs Jones. "Jo's sense of humour is infectious and she's got the knack of being able to make the show fun for young and old! Our kids loved getting involved with drawing and storytelling, it was entertaining for the whole audience. Highly recommended" Guide age 4 -8. www.jopad.co.uk CHILDREN'S, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:05) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

JODY KAMALI: NUTCRACKER

WORLD PREMIERE

Nuts, nuts, lots of nuts! A work-in-progress show from the Bristolian character comedian. 'Brilliant, original visual comedy' Harry Hill. 'a delightfully ramshackle performance' Total Theatre. 'The audience went quite doolally for this silliness' Chortle. Allergy Warning: Nuts will be used in this show. www.jodykamali.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

JOE JACOBS: CRACKER

WORLD PREMIERE

Join the saltiest cracker in town for a brand new, heady mixture of stand up and rap interludes. Expect relaxing grime and compelling comedy from a man breaking it down and breaking down, quicker than a thin, crisp wafer. 'Rising star combines sharp gags with a conﬁdent swagger' - Time Out. 'Always funny' - Bruce Dessau. 'Jew' - The Jewish Chronicle. 'Mike Skinner with jokes' **** The Wee Review. 'Comedy Gold' **** Broadway Baby. www.joejacobs.website

SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

United Agents present

JOE SUTHERLAND: TOXIC Fresh from UK tour support for Ellie Taylor and stars of Rupaul's Drag Race. Joe returns to Leicester with his second hour of razor-sharp comedy. TOXIC is a show about gender, masculinity, veganism and bogies, with refreshing candour and caustic wit. "Drooling cynicism, punchy jokes and shrewd sarcasm" ***** (Voice) "An absolute delight... as hilarious as it is incisive." **** (EdFest) Top 10 best reviewed shows of the Edinburgh Fringe 2018. www.joesutherland.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 3

Jokes On Us present

JOE SUTHERLAND: YOU BETTER WORK (IN PROGRESS) Look, we're all confused and angry right now. So trying to write an hour of comedy might be pointless. Or it might be LOLs. Join Joe Sutherland, writer for Comedy Central's Roast Battle and tour support for Ellie Taylor and stars of Rupaul's Drag Race, for an hour of new jokes about the state of the world. "An important comic voice" (Entertainment Focus)" Gifted with a saucy conﬁdence that tints every sentence a shade of blue" (Broadway Baby) www.joesutherland.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

JOHANNES DULLIN: COME ALONG AND BRING A FRIEND!

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Johannes Dullin's comedy is absurd, silly, postmodern and completely unpredictable. The audience laughs - and often doesn't know why. With his insistent pranks, he inﬁnitely potentiates the absurd, and even the biggest inanities exude existential power in his piece. 'Bloody brilliant!' (Five stars by Broadway Baby). 'A magical moment of dadaism and a true discovery' (Der Tagesspiegel). www.johannesdullin.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 JOHN PENDAL: SHAME MONSTER

WORLD PREMIERE

Popular stand-up John Pendal returns to Leicester to preview his fourth solo show. It will probably be something about shame and deﬁnitely include the word "kink". John started comedy in 2010 and since then he has performed over 1,000 gigs across the UK as well as solo shows in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne and Rome. "AN ABSOLUTE CRACKER... FRINGE BRILLIANCE" (5 stars) Broadway Baby www.johnpendal.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

JOHN PENDAL: SHAME MONSTER

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

Austin Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOHN ROBERTSON'S SWEATY SEXY PARTY PARTY

John Robertson (creator of the Dark Room) used to plan his shows. But now, it's party time. MANIC AUSTRALIAN COMEDIAN IN NICE SUIT SEEKS AUDIENCE FOR CROWD SURFS, LATE NIGHT BULLSHIT, IMPROVISED ANARCHY AND POINTLESS SONGS. It's a concert, it's a party, it's a stand-up show, it's a riot. It's whatever we want to make it tonight. BEST COMEDY Nominee - Perth FringeWorld 2018 WINNER ThreeWeeks Editors Choice Awards www.thejohnrobertson.com SOLO SHOW, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 17

The Cookie Comedy Club present

JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS: ALL I WANNA DO IS [FX: GUNSHOTS] WITH A [FX: GUN RELOADING] AND A [FX: CASH REGISTER] AND PERFORM SOME COMEDY! One of the Edinburgh Fringe's most celebrated talents of recent times sets out on his ﬁrst full national tour. John-Luke Roberts' show this year was one of the most talked-about shows of the festival: a dizzying avant-garde ride through the mind of a gifted comic-philosopher. One with a blue moustache. Who thinks SOLO SHOW far more about the Spice Girls than anyone should. A masterclass in prop, clown, costume and Mel C-themed comedy. DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 21:30 (22:30)

Venue: The Cookie

Entry: £12

Map Ref: 55

Jokes On Us present

JONATHAN HIPKISS - AT LEAST WE'RE OUT THE HOUSE There's no agenda here. No social or political message. Just a class clown still trying to ﬁgure it all out and reclaim the wildness and joyfulness in the innocence of laughter. From his travels to middle America to a Netﬂix deal gone AWOL, Jonathan commits to the characters he's lived with no more intent than a great live show. Alumni of Chicago's The Second City. "Great Work" - Jack Whitehall & "Laugh out loud funny" - Jon Richardson www.comedycv.co.uk/jonathanhipkiss SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE

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Lee Martin for Gag Reﬂex present

JONNY AWSUM - THE KID'S SHOW Come to a show for kids of all ages from 5 to 105! Featuring 'This is a Musical' and 'The Triangle Song' as seen on Britain's Got Talent plus 'Air Guitar Girl', 'Live Pop Video' and the very best of Jonny's live shows. "An engaging feel-good songsmith... charming cheer" - The Sunday Times "Brilliantly funny...we couldn't want for anything more!" - David Walliams "This is everything!" - Amanda Holden "I like you a lot!" - Simon Cowell www.jonnyawsum.com CHILDREN'S, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

100

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

JONNY PELHAM: COMFORTABLY NUMB (WORK-IN-PROGRESS)

"Brilliant stand-up" (Chortle) Jonny Pelham returns with a fresh hour of stand-up comedy. As seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central and Live from the BBC. "The laughs are explosive" **** (Chortle) "His presence and storytelling have them all entranced for an hour" **** (The Skinny) "There are echoes of Daniel Kitson in his writing" **** (The Guardian) **** (The Sunday Times) **** (The Scotsman) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOSH AND PHIL'S KNOWLEDGE CLUB: LIVE

Ever wish you'd studied harder at school? Stars of the Knowledge Club podcast, Josh Pugh and Phil Pagett, present a lecture that proves it's never too late to get yourself an education. By the end, you'll ﬁnd that there's a student inside you. www.knowledgeclubcast.podbean.com SATIRE, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

JOSH JONES: PUPPET MASTER! (WORK IN PROGRESS) After years of failing to ﬁ t in, Josh Jones has spent the last ﬁ ve years trying to take control of his life, cutting the strings from everybody else's expectations." He has a very engaging personality, and a back story that should keep him in routines for years to come" - Chortle (Steve Bennett) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Glorious Management

JOSH PUGH: THE CHANGINGMAN Following a successful 2018 Edinbrugh Fringe run, The Changingman comes to LCF. What are the things that deﬁne us? The clothes we wear? The jobs we do? The people we hate? Hilarious newcomer and English Comedian of the Year 2016, Josh explores all through his unique brand of stand-up. A show about what Josh reckons identity means. Told through the time he got stuck in a puffer jacket as a child. "semi-surrealism is alive and well." The List SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 29

Glorious Management

WORLD PREMIERE

JOSH PUGH: THE HIT CHARADE

New show from Josh Pugh (English Comedian of the Year Winner, Chorlte's one to watch 2017.) Josh presents an hour of brand new, red hot, lit, ﬁre bangers for your enjoyment. "Excellent writing from a peculiar offbeat mind." Chortle. " "Wonderfully off-kilter" The List. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

Heroes of Fringe present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOZ NORRIS IS DEAD. LONG LIVE MR FRUIT SALAD.

Joz Norris has retired, or possibly died, who knows/cares? All that matters is that Mr Fruit Salad, a ﬁctional chimaera he created as a form of self-care, has developed autonomy and decided to put on a solo show. A sort of absurdist meditation on anxiety and grief performed by an idiot from Pontefract who doesn't exist. A sell-out at EdFringe 2018. "An absolute idiot...Simple, silly and screamingly funny." - Fest "A comedy legend." - To Do List. www.joznorris.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

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

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

101

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 JULIET MEYERS: HEY, OL' GREENY, HAZEL, HAYFEVERY EYES (THE TREE POLLEN KIND) IS BACK IN TOWN! Juliet Meyers (writer on The Sarah Millican Television Programme and 8 Out of 10 Cats) presents her work-in-progress show about about travel, online health forums, faux spirituality, swearing, people's unsolicited opinions and revenge. "Devilish..on the edge" **** (Scotsman) "Smart and v funny" (independent) "Laugh-out-loud show that resonates" (Chortle) "Insightful and brilliant, hilarious when she's angry." GQ (Part of Kayal all-dayer) SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD www.julietmeyersridesagain.blogspot.com DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

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Andrew Roach Talent present

JULIETTE BURTON: WORKING STUFF OUT Join award-winning comedian, writer and mental health campaigner Juliette Burton in a work in progress performance of her brand new show for 2019 following sold out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015-2018 and a UK tour of her critically acclaimed show Butterﬂ y Effect. As seen on The One Show (BBC One) & This Morning (ITV) 'Huge talent' ***** Daily Mirror 'A force to be reckoned with... educational and hilarious' ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine www.julietteburton.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£5)

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Just the Tonic present

JUST THE TONIC'S SATURDAY NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Just the Tonic Comedy Club presents another one of our ﬁne mixed bill line ups. At time of going to print we are keeping this one a surprise. Please check www.justthetonic.com for details nearer the time. 'Consistently boasting the most interesting line ups in the country' (The Times). www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:30 (23:00) Entry: £13

Map Ref: 28

Just the Tonic Presents

JUST THE TONIC'S SATURDAY NIGHT COMEDY CLUB - FUNZ AND GAMES SPECIAL All the stars of award winning 'Funz N Games' come together to bring you their individual standup sets. Phil Ellis hosts in a style that could be described as 'chaotic', Mick Ferry is the headline act, which he does at every major club in the country. Will Duggan is a hilarious little nutter. Very funny James Meehan has MIXED BILL been nominated for Edinburgh's Best Newcomer, is part of award winning Gein's Family Giftshop. DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 20:30 (23:00)

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Entry: £13

Map Ref: 28

Just the Tonic present

JUST THE TONIC'S SATURDAY NIGHT COMEDY CLUB - SPECIAL GUEST COMPERE Hosted by a very special guest. At the time of registering this show we are 99% sure that we have a very special guest as compere. Please check www. justthetonic.com for details of who it is. Not willing to say anymore at this point. We will also have a solid Just the Tonic line-up for you. 'Consistently boasting MIXED BILL the most interesting line-ups in the country' (The Times) DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 20:30 (23:00)

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Entry: £15

Map Ref: 28

Impatient Productions present

JUSTIN MOORHOUSE - NORTHERN JOKER These days Justin's not certain about anything apart from his uncertainty - Brexit looms, it appears the Cold War is being rebooted and that's before we begin to worry about what's happening in America... ..closer to home he's starting to feel redundant as a parent. One kid is leaving home, the dog is getting older and doesn't need much walking, and the youngest kid hits thirteen and cancels the family subscription to The Beano. justinmoorhouse.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

102

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 17

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 PBJ Management

WORLD PREMIERE

KAT BOND:EMOTION IN PROGRESS

A call out to anyone with feelings? Award winning comedy idiot and one of life's ﬁghters Kat Bond becomes your therapist for the evening. A bad one, but she's trying. Critically acclaimed writer of hit show Loo Roll and Stage Award Winning actress is back with a brilliant new Work In Progress show. Expect Kate Bush, support animals and 'Offbeat brilliance' The Times **** As seen and heard on BBC1's Call the Midwife, SKY Arts, Ch 4 and Radio 4. www.kathrynbond.com CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

UTC Artist Management present

KATE LUCAS: WORK IN PROGRESS The whole world is on edge. Everybody's had enough and we've never been so quick to judge and easy to offend. Multi award-winning musical comedian Kate Lucas ponders why we're all just a wee bit tetchy. In a generation that only seems to see black and white, no grey, Kate offers her take on how extreme and how intolerant we've become in this new show, and if you don't like it, she never wants to speak to you again. www.katelucascomedy.com MUSICAL, CABARET DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

KATHARINE FERNS: PILLOCK

Canadian comedian Katharine Ferns is trying to accept her past while navigating her future in England. She ﬁnds dark humour in adapting to UK life, language, customs and the insanity of Brits not putting eggs in the fridge. May contain feminism and the c-word. "Perky, charismatic performer" Chortle "Impeccable comedic talent." Vancouver Arts Review "Observant and witty" **** The Wee Review "Makes comedy out of tragedy" **** North West End www.katharineferns.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

KATIE MULGREW: #BLESSED

WORLD PREMIERE

Award-winning writer and comedian Katie Mulgrew used to be a card carrying God botherer. She has been brieﬂ y Mormon but then raised a catholic. She is now married to an atheist and her brother is a priest. She's also a mother and deciding whether to raise her kid a Catholic or not is giving her quite the crisis of faith. As heard on BBC Radio 4, Radio 2 and Seen on ITV2. **** The Skinny ****Festmag www.katiemulgrew.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

KATIE PRITCHARD: HYSTERICAL HISTORIES Join freelance historical tour guide, Katie Pritchard, on this high-octane tour of her favourite people in history. Katie will bring history to life LIVE before your very eyes with some super catchy music, her VERY high budget hand-made costumes, and some death-defying feats of actory. Fun for ages 5-105. "Inventive and Hilarious" (Broadway Baby) CHILDREN'S, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: Parks Primary School

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: By invitation only

Map Ref: 45

Jokes on Us present

KATIE PRITCHARD: STORM STUD Brand new work-in-progress musical comedy show from carnage-wielding super-snazzy-storm-stud - Katie Pritchard. "Mind blowing" (Herts Advertiser) "Inventive and hilarious" (Broadway Baby) "Sometimes surreal, often unusually perceptive, and always original and entertaining" **** (Female Arts Magazine) www.katiepritchard.co.uk MUSICAL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 20

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

Time: 16:00 (16:45) Entry: FREE

103

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Just The Tonic

KATIE PRITCHARD: TSUNAMIRAMIRAMI Like the most watery of weather conditions, Katie Pritchard is washing over the surfboards 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 www.katiepritchard.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:45 (19:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

Sukie Productions present

KEITH FARNAN: THINGS FALL APART; "Things fall apart;" is the seventh solo show from Irish Comedian Keith Farnan, the title of which is taken from a W.B. Yeat's poem Keith studied when he was much younger. It's been years since he's even thought about it (or any poetry at all let's be honest) but now the subsequent lines, "the centre cannot hold;" hold a new resonance in this world."Brilliant, though-provoking and laugh out loud funny" - Time Out: As part of the Kayal All-Dayer keithfarnan.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:40) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

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Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

KELLY CONVEY: PEOPLE LIKE US (WORK IN PROGRESS) Ever wondered how the other half live? Kelly Convey's life is the answer to this question. Half her family are posh and privately educated, the other half are, well... just like her. Turns out, living on both sides of the fence is more familiar than you may think. People like us are very much like you. Leicester Comedy Festival Mercury Comedian of the Year 2017 Nominee. So You Think You're Funny?! 2016 Finalist. www.kellyconvey.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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VOLUNTEER FOR US: Are you interested in going behind the scenes and experiencing the Festival in a different way? Join our team and help make 2019 truly marvellous. For more information contact us on volunteers@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

CKP & InterTalent Group present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

KEN CHENG: BEST DAD EVER

Born to Chinese immigrants in the UK, Ken never had the most normal upbringing. Best Dad Ever is a tale of his unusual childhood, exploring his obsession with toy lambs and his complicated relationship with his parents. Dave Best Joke of the Fringe Winner 2017 and The Guardian's Best Shows of the Fringe 2018. Star of his own BBC Radio 4 series, Chinese Comedian. As seen on Comedy Central, BBC Two and BBC Three. Host of E4's The Hangover Games. www.intertalentgroup.com/proﬁles/ken-cheng SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £10 (£7)

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Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

KEVIN HUDSON: POETRY AND LIES

Leicester's favourite poet-comedian-accountant returns to his home-town festival to bring you his debut one-hour show. Expect to hear anything from poetry to lies and back again. But mainly lies. Tales of apple-peeling devices, log stores and dogs that poo on walls. Even that may not be true. 'I always wanted to be an accountant.' Linton Kwesi Johnson. 'He's only saying that so you don't feel bad about being an accountant.' Dorothy Francis MBE. SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Barnstormers Comedy present

KEVIN PRECIOUS 'UNHOLIER THAN THOU: THE NON-BELIEVING RELIGIOUS STUDIES TEACHER' Kevin Precious is a former religious studies teacher and non-believer who attends his local humanist group. Featuring jokes and stories about teaching religious studies as a non-believer, being a humanist, the God-shaped hole, as well as the philosophy of religion. 'Kevin's stage charisma and poise set him head and shoulders above the previous acts' (Times). 'Instantly recognisable stage presence and boundless wit' (Leicester Mercury). SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 15:20 (16:20)

Venue: Kayal

Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

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KIDS COMEDY HUB Kids Comedy Hub is back, taking over LCB Depot's regular creative family day with kid friendly pay as you feel comedy, courtesy of Jokes on Us on Feb 9th (Katie Pritchard: Hysterical Histories, El Baldinho Games With James), as well as free creative workshops, stuff, and most probably nonsense. Grays will be on hand to ﬁll your bellies. Best for toddlers to 10 year olds (and their grown ups). Find us on facebook for the latest updates! lcbdepot.co.uk CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 12:00 (16:00) Entry: FREE

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KIDS COURT The award nominated Kids Court is back! Parents sit in the dock, in the court where the kids are in charge! With a Judge, Prosecution and Defence played by local comedians, children get the chance to put their parents or older siblings on trial and decide a suitable penalty for their misdemeanours, with you helping to decide whether they are guilty or not. CHILDREN'S, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £5

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KIERAN BOYD WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Kieran presents a brand new work-in-progress show. At the time of writing, it's about spending a decade gigging as part of the hardest-drinking sketch team in the UK, WitTank - but it might be about something different. Either way you should come; it'll be very funny. 'Brilliant, fresh and funny... absolutely glorious stuff... exquisite' (Kate Copstick) 'Wryly funny... engaging and well-executed' (Fest) With WitTank: 'Masterful' (Sunday Times) STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6

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KIRKBY, CRAIG, AND MCCABE IN...FUNDAY

WORLD PREMIERE

Cheap thrills on a Monday night! Three great comics. One great hour of comedy. Lukas Kirkby: Half of the Harry Potter parody Pottervision "Like giving a monkey a gun, but more fun." (Paul Silky White) Brandon Craig: A Canadian comic who was a featured act at Sled Island. 'A compelling act to watch' (From the Margins) Kate McCabe : An American comic now living in The UK. She's 'A goddam delight' (Manchester Wire) MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

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TripleCeePee present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

KNIGHTMARE LIVE

Enter, stranger! Knightmare Live is back with more puzzles and perils for a new quest for adventure. The critically acclaimed comedy stage adaption of the cult TV classic offers you the chance to wear the iconic Helmet of Justice and brave Lord Fear's evil lair. There will be magic, mayhem, monsters and... erm, anagrams. Bring quest items for us to use in the show, the weirder the better. Fancy being a dungeoneer? Email newtreguard@gmail.com www.knightmarelive.com IMPROV, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

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

Time: 18:00 (19:10) Entry: £16 (£14)

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 LWC present

WORLD PREMIERE

KNOB ROT LINGUINE

Step inside a gig like no other and choose from a menu of suitably weird and wonderful themes, sketches and songs for a truly unique show every time. Select main courses of Theatre of the Exes or Unmighty Meaty, via the palate cleansers of the brand new Bond theme and lap dances for Nick Clegg; award-winning performer and comedian Lindsey Warnes Carroll will treat you to an interactive show you won't forget. ALTERNATIVE, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

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KYLE D EVANS - POP SONG'S FOR PEDANT'S Award-winning comedian, singing mathematician and mega-pedant KYLE D EVANS brings one of the ﬁrst performances of his new hour of highly nerdy nonsense POP SONG'S FOR PEDANT'S. As heard on BBC Radio 4's 'More or Less'. If the devil is in the detail, he is Lucifer. A oneman Venn diagram intersection of pop song, mathematics and comedy. Best Stand-up (Swindon Fringe 2018) Famelab (Winner 2017) www.kyledevans.com MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

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Chambers Touring present

LARRY DEAN - BAMPOT Fresh from a sell-out international tour and smash-hit Live at the Apollo debut, Larry Dean has a new hour of 'unexpected and excellent' **** (Times) thoughts on Scottishness, sodomites and self-esteem. As seen on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store and Roast Battle. 'One of the most honest, moving and incredibly funny sets I've seen in a very long time.'***** (The Herald). Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee 2018. www.larrydeancomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10

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Chambers Management present

LARRY DEAN - WORK IN PROGRESS Fresh from an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination, "unexpected and excellent" (Sunday Times) Larry Dean tries out some new jokes for the very ﬁrst time. As seen on BBC2's Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week. 'Destined to become a household name' Telegraph **** www.larrydeancomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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Over The Lyne Comedy and Nik Coppin Productions present

LASSTER FESTIVAL COMEDY Jeannie Jones hosts a showcase of some of the funniest lasses from Leicester Comedy Festival. Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe with "EdinBra", Jeannie now brings LassTer to Leicester! This a great opportunity to see a selection of the best established and up and coming female comedians all in the beautiful surroundings of the King Richard III Visitor Centre. Overthelyne.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

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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

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Time: 23:30 (00:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 HD Management present

LATEEF LOVEJOY - LIFE, TIMES, AND SOCIETIES CRIMES HD Management Presents, Multi award nominee and ofﬁcial face of the ITV Hub and U Switch Lateef Lovejoy with his solo stand-up show "Life, Times, And Societies Crimes" where he expresses his unique comedic voice regarding social commentary, satire, and his contemporary take on popular culture. www.lateeﬂovejoy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5

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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. www.comedy-festival.co.uk/laugh-term-comedy-school CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Moat Community College

Time: 9:30-12:00 or 13:00-15:30 Entry: £25 for the week (mornings or afternoons)

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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. www.comedy-festival.co.uk/laugh-term-comedy-school CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Moat Community College

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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Laughter Craft Comedy

LAUGHTER LOFT'S GONG SHOW Who wins? You decide! 10 new acts battle against the gong to see who will be crowned the winner of the Laughter Lofts Gong Show! If they don't impress then the audience gong the acts off the stage! www.blackhorseaylestone.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

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Get Comedy present

LAURA DAVIS: CAKE IN THE RAIN Dark, bold and razor sharp, Laura Davis makes her Leicester debut with Cake in the Rain. With a refreshing disregard for convention shining through her work, Davis's brand of joyously cathartic stand-up will twist its way into the shadowy recesses of your psyche and leave you breathless with glee. "She's doing it better than anyone else" Herald Sun (Melbourne) ***** "A genuinely exciting experience" Fest **** "Droll elegance" Scotsman **** www.lauradaviscomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

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Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LAURA DAVIS: WORK IN PROGRESS

Dear potential audiences, I am a multi-award-winning, very highly acclaimed comedian but you don't have to come to this show. There are other shows that you can go and see, or you could stay home. That's OK, I'm sure your house is nice. I hope you at least try to come. It would be nice to have some people to perform to. I've never been to Leicester before. I think that if you were doing a show, I would try to come. Sincerely, Laura Davis. www.lauradaviscomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Andrew Roach Talent present

WORLD PREMIERE

LAURA LEXX: BITS OF A NEW SHOW IN A RANDOM ORDER

Laura Lexx's last 2 shows were nominated for awards, in 2018 she won the Comics' Choice Award for Best Performer and has been nominated for the Chortle Best MC Award for the last 3 years. "stomach-achingly funny" (Entertainment Focus). So this show is probably the beginnings of something that's quite likely to be good. It'll be fast, funny, warm and honest. Probably another "masterpiece" Voice "a bouncy, bubbly stand-up star" The Telegraph. www.lauralexx.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

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Andrew Roach Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LAURA LEXX: TRYING

Laura Lexx (as seen on Live At The Apollo) brings her ﬁ ve-star, award-winning show to Leicester. In 2015 one plucky reviewer opined, 'one can only hope there's some life-altering catastrophe around the corner for Lexx'. Luckily, the 'bouncy, bubbly stand-up star' (The Telegraph) had a breakdown. Laura spent 2017 trying to get through therapy, trying the patience of everyone and trying unsuccessfully for a baby; now it's time to laugh. www.lauralexx.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:20) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

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United Agents present

LAUREN PATTISON: PEACHY Following a whirlwind year of awards, nominations & sold-out shows on top of a run at Melbourne International Comedy Festival & Just For Laughs in Montreal, Lastminute.com Best Newcomer nominee 2017 Lauren Pattison is back with her critically acclaimed, sell out second show Peachy. Come see her deliver some new home truths with her wicked, warm & authentic brand of humour. As seen on tour with Katherine Ryan and on TV's Live At The Comedy Store. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: £7 (£5)

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LEE KYLE - KICKING POTATOES INTO THE SEA AND HAL BRANSON - MBOLO Have you ever kicked a potato into the sea? Lee Kyle has. It's great but it's not the answer to your problems or anything. Unless your problem is that your sea doesn't have enough potatoes in... ***** - North East Theatre Guide **** - One4Review **** - Wee Review. The debut hour from one of comedy's rising stars. Join Hal as he relives a 2003 trip to Uganda to get over a nervous breakdown and nagging ganja habit. 'An understated comedy gem.' imleekyle.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £6

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Leicester Fridge proudly present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER Teams from Leicester's regular comedy nights come together in our fi fth annual comedy bunfight. The night will lead to the coveted Battle for Leicester trophy, made from the rubble of the demolished City Council offices, being awarded to one of those nights "Battle for Leicester showed the breadth of talent there is in Leicester's thriving comedy scene all year round" - Leicester Mercury MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE

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Leicester Fridge proudly present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: NAKED COMEDY Watch a mixed bill of comedians perform totally starkers for charity! After last year's unforgettable event became one of the most talked about shows of LCF18, Naked Comedy is back! Male and female comedians will face their biggest fear and take to the stage 'au naturel' to raise money for Mind. Like 'Leicester Fridge' on facebook for line-up announcements. Advance tickets only - no door sales. Not for the easily offended! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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Time: 23:55 (00:55) Entry: £8

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Leicester Comedy Festival present

LEICESTER MERCURY COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR Now in its 25th 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. In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 www.comedy-festival.co.uk/leicester-mercury-comedian-year MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 19:30 (22:15) Entry: £16 (£14)

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Lisa Klevemark

LEMONS Doctor Klevemark isn't a real doctor, but she believes in the power of positive thinking. Her own depression is not going to stop her from telling people how to be happy, and what they've been doing wrong so far. Find happiness with Doctor Klevemark! CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

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Lisa Klevemark

LEMONS Doctor Klevemark is not a real doctor, but she believes in the power of positive thinking, like all people should. She is a perma-positive life coach who isn't going to let her own depression stop her from telling people how to lead happy and harmonious lives, and, more importantly, what they've been doing wrong so far. Any problem - she has the solution. Find happiness with Doctor Klevemark! CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

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Leslie Ewing-Burgesse

WORLD PREMIERE

LESLIE EWING-BURGESSE EXISTS! (WIP)

Leslie Ewing-Burgesse did a show last year about being imaginary, and realised along the way that it was a massive manifestation of all her insecurities!! Hooray!! Now she's trying to accept that she might actually be real, and face the horrid truth of being a genuine human in a terrifying world. Through the means of extreme silliness, obviously. She doesn't know how to take things seriously!! (Work-in-progress show.) www.leslieis.cool ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

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Jokes on Us present

LGBTQZX - SPECIAL EDITION Updated for 2019, Laura Monmoth returns with her Leicester Comedy Festival 'Best New Show' nominated foray into obsession, retro gaming, and making the ultimate change. Social commentary entwined with a visual parade of nonsense, music and animations. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

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Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LIAM WITHNAIL: HOMEBOY

Join Englishman Liam Withnail for an hour of laughs tackling sexism, society & Sausage Fests. A show that explores if and how the straight white man can atone in the era of #MeToo. NOMINATED Edinburgh Fringe BEST SHOW (Amused Moose Award). WINNER 2018 Scottish Comedy Award. FINALIST English Comedian of the Year. FINALIST Scottish Comedian of the Year. ***** - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. **** - One4Review. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 LILY PHILLIPS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Lily is one of the most exciting up and coming voices in comedy in the UK. She is a Funny Women 2018 ﬁnalist and has already ﬁlmed for Comedy Central online. Join her for a new work in progress show where she'll talk about some things she'd not quite sure about yet.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 (£4) advance or Pay What You Want

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Big Difference Company present

LIVE AT THE MARKET HALL Join us for an incredible night of comedy in the unique setting of Harborough Market Hall. Transformed into a theatre for The BIG Weekend, the Market Hall will host a night of contemporary comedy, hosted by Phil Nichol (Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Live At Jongleurs, Everybody's Talking About Jamie), and featuring top comedians from the UK circuit, and some special guests. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Harborough Market

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £10 - £12

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The Cookie Comedy Club present

LLOYD GRIFFITH: ALL-ROUNDER After the success of his sold out 2017/18 UK tour, comedian, choirboy and host of Soccer AM, Lloyd Grifﬁ th is back on the road with his hilarious new stand-up show. Expect jokes, dubious impressions, jokes, a bit of choral singing, jokes, maybe a fact about a Cathedral, jokes and probably the story about about that time he had a toilet incident on the A46. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

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LLOYD LANGFORD: FIVE QUID'S WORTH OF JOKES

WORLD PREMIERE

Hello. Last year my show "Six Quid's Worth Of Jokes" won Best Show At Leicester Comedy Festival. I'm coming back with a new, very much work-in-progress show. At time of writing (October 2018), I only have one new observation about a dandruff advert. But I'm sure I'll pull something together. As seen on Q.I, Celebrity Mastermind & Kevin Hart's LOL Network. As heard on The Unbelievable Truth & The Rhod Gilbert Radio Show. IT IS ONLY FIVE POUNDS. www.lloydlangford.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

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The Cookie Comedy Club present

LOST VOICE GUY Britain's Got Talent Winner, Lee is the ﬁrst stand-up comedian to use a communication aid and made his ﬁrst stand-up appearance in February 2012. He has performed in some of the UK's most popular comedy venues as well as in solo shows at festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe, the Brighton Fringe, Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Leicester Comedy Festival, Nottingham Comedy Festival and Liverpool Comedy Festival. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 19:30 (22:30) Entry: £16

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LOUISE ATKINSON: WIP Louise Atkinson (Amused Moose National New Comic Award Finalist, 2018 & So You Think Your Funny Semi- Finalist, 2018) comes to Leicester after her sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, to debut her brand new show. Warning: use of strong northern colloquialisms. "A strong ﬂavour of Victoria Wood" - Bruce Dessau. "Can certainly breathe life into her story, with a keen eye for detail." - Steve Bennett . SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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Time: 18:35 (19:20) Entry: £5

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

DONATE

AND SUPPORT LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL WE MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE Did you know that as well as producing the annual Leicester Comedy Festival, Big Difference Company is a charity and we work year round on projects which improve social, economic & cultural wellbeing? Our vision is to: • Excite

• Educate

• Engage

• Entertain

Why not donate today – and help us put a smile on someone’s face!

For 26 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, we’d be really grateful.

Thank you. You can donate by visiting www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

Market Harborough 21-24 February 2019

Events include Arthur Smith An Interview with David Benson Phil Nichol Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army Radio Show Family events

TICKETS & INFORMATION www.comedy-festival.co.uk IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

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WANT TICKETS?

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 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". www.comedy-festival.co.uk/loving-laughing CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 12:30 (14:00) Entry: By invitation only

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LUCA CUPANI: WORK 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, Luca is ready to entertain you with his gentle, endearing dark humour. There will also be room for improvisation and audience interaction. 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

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

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ARC Stockton present

LUCA RUTHERFORD'S POLITICAL PARTY Have you ever felt confused or overwhelmed by politics? Have you ever wondered what stops you from taking action? Luca reached a point where thinking about politics made her want to lie down on the pavement and not get up. Instead of doing this she is throwing a party. A political party. There will be music, dancing and eggs! No know-it-alls. No big words. You are invited! This is a show about how we do politics instead of talking about it. curveonline.co.uk SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £12

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Lucy Hopkins

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LUCY HOPKINS: SECRT CIRCL

Calling the courageous, faithless and broken to the late-night, interactive ceremony of love we always hoped we'd never need. Hosted by award-winning priestess/shapeshifter/person Lucy Hopkins. Everything is sacred. Magic is reality. 'Hopkins is fantastic' (Guardian). 'A wonderful experience' (Scotsman). 'Lucy Hopkins... will transform you' (EdFringeReview.com). Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. Tell evryone. Image: Matthew Highton www.lucyhopkins.com ALTERNATIVE, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 22:45 (00:05) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

LUCY PEARMAN: FRUIT LOOP Pearman brings her critically acclaimed, sell out 2018 Edinburgh show to Leicester. The charming story of a worm who has completely misunderstood her existence. As seen on Spencer Jones The Mind Of Herbert Clunkerdunk (BBC) and heard on Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme (BBC Radio 4) "She is a performer brimming with charisma, and her magic shines through" THE SKINNY **** 2017 EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS BEST NEWCOMER NOMINEE ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£5)

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LUCY PEARMAN: WORK IN PROGRESS Complete idiot, Lucy Pearman will be trying out some new ideas. There will be a bag, a song, a leg, some tears and probably blood. It will be a silly old muddle but we will get through it. EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARD BEST NEWCOMER NOMINEE "She is a performer brimming with charisma...her magic shines through" THE SKINNY **** "Pearman is a true delight" THE LIST **** (BBC2 Spencer Jones comedy short/Tim Keys late night Poetry show Radio 4) CLOWN, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Bright Buoy Productions

LUKE ROLLASON'S PLANET EARTH III Luke Rollason's Planet Earth III 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 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. ***** Ed Fest Mag ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

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LULU POPPLEWELL: WORK IN PROGRESS Silly idiot Lulu Popplewell takes you through the various jobs, characters and pitfalls she's encountered in her 27ish years. Expect snakes (not real), peach grease (not real) and lessons on the dangers of party popper addiction (all too real). Then again, she's writing this copy in September, so it could just be a wry political-satire-cum-kosher-cooking show by the time she actually performs it. 'A perpetual target for bullies' - Chortle SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

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Ride Leicester present

LYNN-RUTH MILLER'S COMEDY BOOTCAMP Join three sessions of Comedy Bootcamp with Lynn-Ruth Miller - International stand-up, burlesque, cabaret star and award-winning writer - Learn how to write and perform your own ﬁrst 5 minute comedy show with the almost-original cycling suffragette and get paid for your ﬁrst (?) ever paid public performance with Ride Light Comedy Club at the Future Cycles on Market Street. Workshops are 2 hours long. More details on www.comedy-festival.co.uk DISCUSSION, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Future Cycles

Time: 10th 17th 14:00 | 24th: 14:00 & show 18:00 Entry: £10 p/workshop p/person - Free show

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Jokes On Us present

MAD RON - TALK TO MILLENIALS Mad Ron, the third hardest man in Uxbridge, gives a motivational talk for millennials. There's a lot wrong with this modern world and Mad Ron has all the answers. Through his unique brand of educational enforcement, he will enlighten us on how we can return to our traditional values of dishonesty and indifference. Break free from limiting distractions like work and responsibility. Release your inner thug. Learn life the Mad Ron way. With guest. CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

MADDIE CAMPION: TRULY MADDIE DEEPLY (WIP)

REGIONAL PREMIERE

On a whim Maddie Campion went to see a psychic. He told her she had a good soul, but an old man's ghost is having sex with her and it's keeping living men away. In this show Maddie ponders; is it her, or is it the ghost? Maddie is a BBC New Comedy Award 2018 nominee, "very inventive and dry writer ****" - Funny Women, and her 2018 Edfringe show was described as "a show like no other" - Daily Info. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

MAISIE ADAM: VAGUE In her debut, the northerner and self-confessed "Slave to the Sesh" relays her experiences of navigating the recklessness of youth whilst dealing with a medical condition that requires you to be a "Sensible Susan". Winner: So You Think You're Funny? 2017. 'Exudes an appealing, quirky energy... clearly a natural wit' (Chortle.co.uk). www.maisieadam.wixsite.com/comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

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Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Spot On George

MAKE 'EM LAUGH 4 Leicester caricaturist George returns to The Y with his uniquely twisted visual take on great British comedy and its iconic comedians. This will be the fourth instalment of the collection of digital caricatures, featuring more contemporary comedians, hilariously lampooned in a classic 'luvvy' headshot style. EXHIBITION DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 11:00 until close Entry: FREE

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MARIA SHEHATA - PRETTY LITTLE (WORK IN PROGRESS) Multi-award winning American comedian Maria Shehata performs her hour of stand-up and storytelling about her life in London and what happened after she whimsically moved from LA for love. Winner of Best Comedian at the Hollywood Festival of New Cinema and Best Comedy at the Miami Web Fest. Maria was voted one of the 5 best new acts of the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe by The 99 Club. www.mariashehata.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

MARK CRAM: HORSE COSTUME

WORLD PREMIERE

Being dumped is hard. Being dumped on the same day you purchased a two-person horse costume is harder. Join Mark Cram for an hour of comedy about searching for that missing something in your life. That little thing that's lacking, be it romance, money or worse. Even if that "missing something" is just the back end of a horse. "A master class in comedy design". Bedford Comedian of the Year 2013. Last Minute Comedian of the Year 2013 Finalist SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

The Cookie present

MARK DOLAN: YOU'RE WELCOME Award-winning TV funnyman Mark Dolan is back with a brand new stand-up show for 2019, dealing with topics including fatherhood, marriage and the fact that he's still buying 10p carrier bags from the supermarket. Mark won the Best Joke award at last year's festival. Catch his ﬁnest new ones in this wildly hilarious show. "**** Consistently funny" The Independent markdolan.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 55

MARK SIMMONS: ONE-LINERERERER Hotly anticipated new show from the 'Master of one liners' ***** (One4Review). This is a show for people who like jokes. Silly jokes, clever jokes, naughty jokes. If you don't like jokes you will not like this show. Rob Brydon Tour support 2018 and featured in Dave's Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe. As seen on BBC Three's One for the Road. 'A talented comic with an artisan's grasp of joke-writing' **** (Chortle.co.uk). www.marksimmons.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Impatient Productions present

MARK WATSON - THE INFINITE SHOW Cluster-bombed with yoghurt on 'Taskmaster', half-killed on 'Bear Grylls' Celebrity Island', Watson returns to what he's best at: being indoors. Inspired by the mostly alarming state of the world his children are growing up in, and a genuine, urgent desire to do something about it, this show is about empathy. 99 percent of the world's population is made up of other people: why can't we understand them? www.markwatsonthecomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Map Ref: 61

Time: 20:00 (21:40) Entry: £19

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

MARLON DAVIS: EMOTIONAL BLACK MALE (WORK IN PROGRESS) As seen on Live at the Apollo and Comedy Central's Comedy Store Live, Marlon Davis returns to Leicester with a hilarious brand-new show! 'Bursts on to the stage like a breath of fresh air, with impish grin, boyish enthusiasm and an effortlessly open, conﬁdent style' - Chortle www.offthekerb.com/artist/marlon-davis SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Mather and Dervish

MATHER AND DERVISH: FUNNY SIDE OF THE MOON Mather and Dervish bring you a show jam packed with fun storytelling rhymes set to an original soundtrack, and exciting stand-up; with stories of modern life everyone will be able to identify with and dark yet inoffensive jokes that occasionally veer towards the surreal. www.KathrynMather.com www.HassanDervish.co.uk MIXED BILL, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

MATT HOSS: A HOSS WITH NO NAME

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Welcome to the ﬁrst bi-annual meeting of the 'Matt Hoss Fan Club'. First Agenda: Who is Matt Hoss? Apparently he is "Warm and endearingly funny" (NARC Magazine) and "Really funny" (Broadway Baby). That's all very nice, but who is he REALLY? This uplifting stand-up hour about self-identity discusses everything it means to be 'Matt Hoss'. Find out who Matt is by seeing this show about self-discovery and happiness. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. www.matthosscomedy.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

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MistakenWhatnot present

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT KINSON: THE SIMPLETON COMPLEX

My 2018 show was a disaster of Hindenbergian proportions, as is my love life. Come see The Simpleton Complex, an apology for all of it. I promise this will be FULL of jokes and not a front-loaded cavalcade of lame puns followed by a diatribe of mirthless misery. Nobody wants that. Believe me, I've done the research. I may also bring cake. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

MATT MCGUINNESS: WE ARE WHAT WE OVERCOME Fresh from a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe, uplifting anthemic tunes punctuate stories and conversation, shedding light on Mental Health with self-depreciating honesty and dark humour. Thursday 7th - 8.15pm start (full band). Saturday 9th - 1pm and 7pm start (solo show). Show duration 1 hour. 'Moments of bright energy shine through' Storge 'Songs with substance, somewhere between Folk, Gospel & pure Rock n Roll' Liveamp.com www.mattmcguinness.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 7th 20:15 | 9th 13:00 & 19:00 (60min) Entry: £5

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Jokes On Us resent

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT PRICE: BROKEN HOOTERS AND GEEZERS WITH SHOOTERS

Friendly Cornish giant Matt Price was asked to work on a writing project with a former criminal. This is the true and very funny story of what happened next. If you like an epic yarn with twists and turns, larger than life characters and a story that is as unique as it is ridiculous, then this is the show for you. Matt Price is widely regarded as one of the best storytelling comedians in the country. "A great storyteller" Leicester Mercury www.mattpricecomedian.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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Time: 20:45 (21:45) Entry: FREE

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 RBM present

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT REES: WORK IN PROGRESS

WINNER of Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year Award and star of BBC3's This Country, Matt Rees, is excited to be returning to the festival. Since winning the award he's taken time off to deal with his alcoholism and is now back wowing audiences with his incredibly sharp material. The deadpan, Welsh comedian recently made his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe and has recorded episodes for Amazon's Audible Presents and Stand-Up For BBC Radio Wales. www.rbmcomedy.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

Lee Martin for Gag Reﬂex present

MATT STELLINGWERF: SISYPHUS As punishment for his self-aggrandising craftiness and deceitfulness, Sisyphus was forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down whenever it neared the top, consigning him to an eternity of useless efforts and unending frustration. Join award-winning comedian Matt Stellingwerf as he rolls his own boulder...searching for meaning in life. ***** "brilliant hour of stand up" Wee Review. "Erudite satire superstar" TheatreReview SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 29

MATTHEW HIGHTON - THE HORROR

WORLD PREMIERE

Horror maestro Matthew Highton (Chortle winning Weirdos Collective and Chortle nominated Comedians Cinema Club) hilariously dives into the on and off-screen world of macabre, where dread lurks behind every turn, taking you on a surreal, spooky thrill ride that might one day just save your life, nae, your soul. "Highton has the storytellers gift." **** Chortle "Wonderful" The Guardian "Warm, intelligent and beautifully written" The List www.matthewhighton.com

ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Mick Perrin Worldwide in association with PBJ Management present

MAWAAN RIZWAN: JUICE Juice is a deeply personal and skilfully physical show about love, freedom and Missy Elliot. Mawaan recently supported Simon Amstell on his 40 date UK tour, he has over 18 million views on his YouTube channel, starred in Carnage, BAFTA winning Murdered by my Father, ITV's Next of Kin and BBCs How Gay is Pakistan? **** The Times **** Evening Standard **** Fest **** Edinburgh Festival Magazine **** Beyond the Joke www.pbjmanagement.co.uk/artists/mawaan-rizwan SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 27

Dawn Sedgwick Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

MAX & IVAN: WORK IN PROGRESS

Edinburgh Comedy award winners and all round nice lads Max & Ivan are bringing the beginnings of their brand new show to Leicester! Expect high-octane comedy and low-ﬁ projection. 'Astonishing: fast-paced and unﬂaggingly funny' ***** (Times)'Truly outstanding individual performances' ***** (Evening News) 'Phenomenal range of talent' ***** (Mirror) 'First-rate comic acting' **** (The Scotsman) 'Max & Ivan are the real deal' **** (Guardian) www.maxandivan.com CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Megazone/ Discerning Nights present

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 award winning comedians, as you battle it out together to win in this space themed event for kids . Featuring mini-games and prizes to be won! Limited tickets available. Book via phone to avoid disappointment: 0116 253 1153 For ages 6-14 www.megazoneleicester.co.uk CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Megazone Leicester

Map Ref: 40

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

Time: 13:00 (15:00) Entry: £12

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Megazone/ Discerning Nights present

MEGAZONE PRESENTS: COMEDY TAG Comedy Tag returns, Megazone and Daniel Nicholas, are teaming up once again to bring you laser tag and comedy with a twist. You'll be allocated to a team lead by award winning comedians, as you battle it out together to win in this zombie themed event. Limited tickets available. Book via phone to avoid disappointment: 0116 253 1153 www.megazoneleicester.co.uk IMMERSIVE, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Megazone Leicester

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £15

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Heroes of Fringe present

WORLD PREMIERE

MICHAEL BRUNSTRÖM: WORLD OF SPORTS

Surrealist caper. Michael Brunström is an athlete striving for gold medal glory. Follow him on his sporting journey to the podium of victory as he competes in the triple jump, the badminton, the archery, the cake decorating, the chess, etc. - culminating in a thrilling 100m ﬁnale. Experience every heart-stopping moment. Hear the roar of the stadium. Smell the adrenaline. **** "Artistic genius" Skinny. **** "Sense-bendingly entertaining" Scotsman www.michaelbrunstrom.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

MICHAEL CLARKE: TRIBUTE

WORLD PREMIERE

The UK's number one Michael Clarke tribute act hits Leicester for one night only! Prepare to relive all of your favourite Michael Clarke moments in an evening of "unbridled" (The Leicester Jester), "unbelievable" (Chucklesandwich//lol.org) and "unauthorised" (Michael Clarke) fun. It'll be just like watching the man himself (before the crash). "Thanks for making Pam's 50th a night to remember" (Nigel). ***** "Nothing short of genius" (Three Weeks) ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

MICHAEL FABBRI & DAN EVANS

WORLD PREMIERE

Two new shows from these fearless ﬁ xtures of the live comedy scene - For the price of just one! MICHAEL FABBRI (Star of Radio 4's Dyslexicon) delivers news from the front line of failure. 'Exceptionally funny, extremely sharp, hugely enjoyable' The Scotsman. DAN EVANS offers you a golden opportunity to back one of his awesome ﬁ fth-done-already business ideas. 'Originally ridiculous. Silliness taken to the nth degree' Milton Jones. www.danevans.info, www.michaelfabbri.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 8

UTC Artist Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

MICHAEL ODEWALE: #BLACKBEARSMATTER

An exceptionally smart young man with something to say, Michael Odewale's stand up covers everything from politics to pigeons. He began performing in 2014 while at university and was a ﬁnalist in both the Chortle Student Comedy Award and the BBC New Comedy Award. A fresh new voice known for delivering sharp, slick and beautifully executed content, Odewale is set to take the comedy world by storm. www.utcartistmanagement.co.uk/portfolio-item/michael-odewale/ SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

MICKEY SHARMA - WORK IN PROGRESS Just an hour of me messing around with the crowd and try and work some new material :-) www.mickeysharma.com

SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Fluid Thinking present

MIKE NEWALL: DESERT BOOTLEG ISLAND DISCS Having ﬁnally accepted he probably won't ever be a guest on 'Desert Island Discs', Mike creates his own version. With a love for music and nostalgia it's a show he's always wanted to be on, and now he is, in a way, with his own show! "WELL CRAFTED JOKES, GREAT CALL-BACKS AND A WONDERFULLY DRY DELIVERY' Three Weeks "STORYTELLING COMES EASY AND THE LAUGHS ARE SHARP... OFF-BEAT SURREAL AND CLEVER OBSERVATIONS" Edinburgh Reporter www.mikenewall.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 29

Fluid Thinking present

MIKE NEWALL: RE:NEWALL Re:newall This show tittle is one that Mike can't quite believe he hasn't used or thought of before. Having to move back home at 36 and 'start again' maybe the this is just the right time. 'well-crafted jokes, great call-backs and a wonderfully dry delivery' (Three Weeks) "Impressive stuff" (Chortle) www.mikenewallco.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

IMWP present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MITCH BENN - DOING IT ON PURPOSE

Do you know what you're doing? And if so, why? Does anybody? Yes - Mitch Benn does. He's back, with guitar in hand, a spring in his step, a bee in his bonnet and giving a piece of his mind (there's enough of it to go round). He's come to ask searching questions and eat biscuits. And he's all out of biscuits. "Well crafted lyrics, catchy tunes and a charismatic performer. What more could you ask for?" Leicester Mercury www.mitchbenn.com MUSICAL, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 17

Ride Leicester present

MOLE RIDE - SUE TOWNSEND'S LEICESTER Discover Sue Townsend's Leicester - Mole Ride - An interactive 5 mile guided tour of the city including book reading, anecdotes and spots. Bring your own bike or hire one from Future Cycles on Market Street ! Sign up for full details at www.letsride.co.uk EVENT, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Town Hall Bike Park

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

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Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

MORGAN REES & RIORDAN DJ: COMING TO TERMS

Multi award-winning and nominated comedians Riordan DJ and Morgan Rees present a shared hour of solid and assured stand-up comedy. Riordan DJ, a medical student at University of Bristol, is the winner of prestigious Chortle Student Comedy Award 2017. Morgan Rees was a ﬁnalist in both the BBC New Comedy Award 2017 and So You're Think You're Funny. "Excellent" (The Scotsman) "Great one-liners" (Chortle) As heard on Radio 4. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

MOUNTSORREL COMEDY NIGHT A top line up of stand up comedy led by the great Glenn Moore (Mock the Week, Absolute Radio and Stand Up Central). Headlined by the double awarded (Leicester Comedy Festival Awards 2018 & Chortle Awards 2018) musical comedy duo Flo & Joan. More acts to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Mountsorrel Memorial centre

Map Ref: 43

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

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £12 (£8)

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 MUSIC HALL TAVERN The UK's premier comedy drag show is back for its 6th year with a brand new hilarious fabulous glamorous show for 2019 ! Whatever your age, come along and join Mrs T and the "girls" from MHT this Spring for a truly magniﬁcent night of dazzling costumes, side splitting laughter and a cast of unique characters singing and dancing all night long. musichalltavern.com CABARET, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:55) Entry: £22 (£20)

Map Ref: 61

So Comedy & Broken Robot Productions by arrangement with Corrie McGuire Management

MYRA DUBOIS The self-declared siren of South Yorkshire presents an hour of 'Incredibly quick witted comedy' **** (The Scotsman) 'Trust us, you're going to want to spend your festival with DuBois' **** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine) 'Expect to be entertained' ***** (Broadway Baby) 'Ten minutes of DuBois on stage is worth the price of the rail fare to the festival alone' (The Stage) As seen on BBC1's John Bishop Show & C5's Big Brothers Bit On The Side. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

The Rat Pack Productions Ltd present

NATHAN CASSIDY: MY SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

On the ﬁlm's 25th anniversary, award-winning comedian Cassidy with a stand-up show to the soundtrack of a masterpiece. Love can hold you prisoner. Crawing through sh*t can set you free. Happy Valentine's Day! 'Relentlessly laugh out loud, hilarious.' Edinburgh Eve News 2018 'Stormingly good' Kate Copstick 2018 'Piercingly sarcastic jibes have a touch of Stewart Lee' Chortle 2017 Malcolm Hardee Award Nominee, Best Show Buxton Fringe Winner. www.myshawshankredemeption.co.uk SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

NATHAN CATON: WORK IN PROGRESS Nathan Caton, star of TV and radio delivers an hour of new of stories and anecdotes in usual hilarious and entertaining fashion as he prepares for his brand new tour. See it here before anyone else! www.nathancaton.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

NAZ OSMANOGLU: WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Heavyweight sketch maestro and award-winning stand-up, Naz Osmanoglu, charges up to Leicester to punch out characters grotesque, sketches inspired and laughs aplenty. Star of BBC Two's 'Inside No. 9', 'Flat TV' and 'Plebs' (ITV2). 'A high energy, no-holds-barred hour from the consistently funny Naz' (Telegraph). 'Particularly magnetic' (Guardian). ***** (Three Weeks). ***** (Broadway Baby). **** (The List). **** (Edinburgh Festivals). Come! www.nazosmanoglu.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

NEIL DELAMERE: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE Star of BBC's 'The Blame Game' and 'Soft Border Patrol' Neil Delamere makes his Leicester Comedy Festival debut with a brand new show. 'One lean, mean, comedy, killing machine' - The Herald 'You'll be hard pressed to ﬁnd a more gifted comic at the Fringe' ***** - The Scotsman www.neildelamere.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 NICK DIXON: ACTUALLY FUNNY

WORLD PREMIERE

Nick Dixon ('Comedy Central at the Comedy Store', joke writer for Hollywood's Will Smith) performs a work in progress of his brand new show. No political lectures, no sad bits, just funny. "Hugely engaging" - The Times "Well worth looking out for" - Jason Manford "Nick Dixon has a sparky cynicism that engages while maintaining an edge to his well-crafted jokes, delivered with certainty, earmarking him as a future success" - Chortle www.nickdixoncomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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

Map Ref: 30

NICK DIXON: ACTUALLY FUNNY

WORLD PREMIERE

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

KEEP IN TOUCH #votecomedy

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NICK HORSEMAN: THE RHYME SCHEME

WORLD PREMIERE

Over the past 12 months, Nick 'Horse' Horseman has got married, survived a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that killed 450 and given up his dayjob to become the biggest rap superstar of all time. This is the story of his year, told through stand-up, original hip-hop tunes and accompanying visuals.

MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

NICK REVELL - BROKENDREAMCATCHER Tales from the BBC Radio 4 series,and Edinburgh Fringe hit - expanded, plus some unheard - Clash of The Hipster Shamans, Vladimir Putin's Bottom is Missing, and The Theme Park At the End of The World. "a master storyteller with a powerful and original mind, whose parallel universe brings out some uncomfortable truths about the world we are living in." BeyondTheJoke nickrevell.com SATIRE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 19:20 (20:20) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

Phil McIntyre Entertainments proudly present

NISH KUMAR - IT'S IN YOUR NATURE TO DESTROY YOURSELVES Double Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee Nish Kumar is taking his brand new show on a nationwide tour of the UK! The title is a quote from Terminator 2. There will be jokes about politics, mankind's capacity for self-destruction and whether it will lead to the end of days. GOOD FUN STUFF. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Map Ref: 14

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

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £24

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 NO HEADLINER: MATT TILLER AND MJ HIBBETT Two support acts, no headliner - that's everybody's idea of a perfect gig, right? Matt Tiller's mix of one-liners and songs are 'Sharp and astutely observed' say the astute British Comedy Guide. MJ Hibbett has performed live on Radio One, had an Album Of The Day on 6Music and released one of the ﬁrst ever viral videos ("Hey Hey 16K"). They promise an hour of songs, jokes and general delight, with no waiting around for an encore at the end! MUSICAL, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

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New Horizons in British Islam present

NO JOKES PLEASE, WE'RE MUSLIM! The award nominated 'No Jokes Please, We're Muslim!' returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival for a second year! After a sold-out show in 2018, we're bringing back an all-star, all- hilarious line-up to Leicester. WARNING: May contains jokes about beliefs, burkinis and Boris Johnson! Headline act conﬁrmed as award winning comedian Shazia Mirza! www.nhorizons.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 57

Thom Bee & Andrew Marsh present

(NO) MONEY IN THE BANK Thom Bee and Andrew Marsh are forming a comedy tag-team. They're using all their tag-team skills to dissect professional wrestling, their own lives, and the colourful career of the greatest wrestler you've never heard of, Balthazar Dark. Let this double act change your mind about sports entertainment. There'll be jokes, characters, stories, and maybe even tables, ladders and chairs depending on the budget. www.nomoneyinthebank.com ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

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Jon Pearson present

NOELS ARMS ALL DAYER 5 shows throughout the day, featuring solo shows from some of the best comics on the UK comedy circuit. Free entry with bucket donations at the end of each show. Or purchase an all day ticket for £15 and you can see as many show as you want. MIXED BILL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Noels Arms

Time: 13:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 63

#NOTALLABLE-BODIEDPEOPLE WIP

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Join Jewish Comedian of the Year (2017) and wheelchair enthusiast Aaron Simmonds for a work in progress of his debut show all about his relationship to able bodied people, well #NotAllAble-BodiedPeople. "His routine unfolded with great, measured skill. A class act." Steve Bennett - Chortle. BBC New Comedian of the Year Finalist (2017) SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

Map Ref: 44

Irregular Arts in association with LittleMighty

ODD ENCOUNTER Everything I know about love, I learned from Brief Encounter. Oh, Fred. But when it comes to matters of the heart, could it be time for us to move on? Isn't all that just a bit old fashioned now? A riotous mash-up of cabaret, theatre show and wedding reception, Odd Encounter asks if the whole idea of ﬁnding "The One" was always a bit misguided. Plus you get cake and bubbly. www.irregulararts.com THEATRE, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

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Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £5

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. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 OLAF FALAFEL PRESENTS THERE'S NO I IN IDIOT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Critically acclaimed idiot Olaf Falafel presents his award winning Edinburgh show. It's yet another hour of inventive jokes, audience participation and the very loosest of themes. You'll laugh, you'll be confused, you'll enjoy most of it. 'Absurdity so well-crafted that silly doesn't do it justice" - Evening Standard 'Olaf Falafel is an idiot, and wouldn't have it any other way' - Chortle www.olaffalafel.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us Present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

OLGA KOCH: BUTTON, A WORK IN PROGRESS

The Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and self-proclaimed Taylor Swift of the London comedy scene Olga Koch is back! The acclaimed storyteller shares one fateful turn that changed her life forever the only way she knows how - through the medium of computer programming (which she studied at university and, like, barely ever brings up). "slick, impeccably timed and every joke lands" ***** Broadway Baby **** The Telegraph **** The Skinny **** The List www.rocknrolga.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

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Berk's Nest in association with Hannah Layton Management present

OLGA KOCH: FIGHT Edinburgh Best Newcomer Nominee 2018. In 2014, Olga Koch's father got stopped by authorities on the Russian border, which resulted in the most surreal year of her family's life. "A very conﬁdent debut... an assured and endearing hour of stand up storytelling" **** Telegraph. "The performance is slick, impeccably timed and every joke lands" ***** BroadwayBaby **** Skinny **** List **** ArtsDesk. As heard on The Now Show & seen on BBC3. berksnest.com STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 9

Away with Media Present

ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE Enjoy an intimate evening with John Challis, one of the nation's greatest comedy actors, best known as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses. In this one-off show the national treasure will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his dazzling career. Having worked with some of the biggest names in show business, he'll be spilling the beans about Only Fools and Horses co-stars like Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst and friends. www.meltontheatre.co.uk SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:45) Entry: £17

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United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PAT CAHILL: CLAGNUT (WIP)

Come and see Pat Cahill with his favourite nuggets of neo-music hall entertainment, old clags, new dingles and some ridiculous chunks he just can't jiggle away. 'Stand-up with a difference... Reminiscent of the old great comics' (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Wonderfully weird' (Guardian). 'A near perfect absurdist hour' ***** (EdFestMag.com). Best Show nominee, Leicester Comedy Festival 2016. A work in progress. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 24

PATRICK DRAPER: THE TRUTH - A WORK IN PROGRESS SHOW From a desire to expose the truth behind - literally - the worlds biggest cover-up, Draper brings a brand new WiP show to Leicester. The show will contain life changing information that every human needs to hear - but will mostly go off on tangents and into far too much detail about trivial pedantry. "Consistently funny, his fairly dark take on the world is delivered with a deceptive lightness" Fringe Review. "Killer Punchlines" Funhouse Comedy www.patdraper.me.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £3.50 (£2)

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

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Vivienne Smith Management present

PATRICK MONAHAN - #GOALS! Multi award-winning comedian and Edinburgh Fringe favourite performs his latest full show. We all have life goals. Whatever amazing things they are, make it your goal to come watch this great new comedy show from an 'Edinburgh Fringe Legend', Mirror **** Scotsman ****, 'Deﬁnite must see' Edinburgh Festivals Magazine **** 'Rip roaringly funny' One4Review (Edinburgh 2018) **** www.patrickmonahan.co.uk/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 23

Leicestershire Libraries

PAUL COOKSON - JOKE SHOP POETRY 100 mile an hour family friendly audience participatory poetry show. With added ukuleles. Audience participation non negotiable. Like pantomime but with better rhymes. For 4-12 years, booking essential. www.harboroughmuseum.org.uk CHILDREN'S, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Market Harborough Library & Museum

Time: 10:30 (12:00) Entry: £3.50

Map Ref: 38

TripleCeePee present

PAUL CURRIE - HOT DONKEY Hot Donkey examines letting go of our obsessions with icons and brands. It looks at our fascination with rule breakers, and those who question social structure, while we remain scared of breaking rules and questioning the world ourselves. It asks that we take iconic artists as inspiration, but only that, as we must ultimately follow our own heart and gut, to create new art and new culture. Winner Comedians' Choice Award Edinburgh 2018. www.mrpaulcurrie.com CLOWN, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 17

TripleCeePee present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL CURRIE - TRUFFICLE MUSK WORK IN PROGRESS

Come take the laugh less travelled and treat yourself to the brand-new absurdist show from this turbo fool. Strap in for sparkling surrealism as the entire audience is whisked into a true circus of existential nonsense and solid gold silliness. Sell-out show at Edinburgh 2014-2017. Previously nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2015 and 2017. Winner: Comedian's Choice - best show EDINBURGH FRINGE 2018. www.mrpaulcurrie.com CLOWN, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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

Map Ref: 17

PAUL DUNCAN MCGARRITY - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ATTACKING CASTLES From the age of sieges and chivalry comes a show about medieval love, adrenaline junkies and an insane quest for glory. Join comedian and archaeologist Paul Duncan McGarrity as he explains how life could be so much better if we all just learned how to attack a castle. From the host of the Ask an Archaeologist podcast comes another hour of hysterical historical fun. 'A more pleasant way to pass an hour could scarcely be found' (BroadwayBaby.com) www.paulduncanmcgarrity.co.uk

SOLO SHOW, HISTORICAL

DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6

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PAUL F TAYLOR - ODDPAUL

WORLD PREMIERE

He looks like an Oddpaul! Nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival in 2017 and 2013. "An enticing, dizzying prospect, who whips through a welter of daft, Harry Hill-like ideas and diversions and chucks characters around with the agility of the Pajama Men." (The Independent) "An impressive knack for both observational wit and quirky ﬂights of fancy." (The Evening Standard) www.paulftaylor.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 The Comedy Agency present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL KERENSA: PK MAXX

British Comedy award-winning writer Paul has helped pen Miranda, Not Going Out and TFI Friday. But is he happy? Yes. But is he older and more tired by the day? Heck yes. Just days after turning 40, Paul returns to Leicester with a show unpicking modern family life with jokes, tales and possibly a bit about what he learned writing for Matt LeBlanc on Top Gear. As heard regularly on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show "Dazzlingly funny" The Spectator www.paulkerensa.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

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

Map Ref: 8

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

PAUL MCCAFFREY: I THOUGHT I'D HAVE GROWN OUT OF THIS BY NOW Most recently Paul has appeared on major UK tours with two of Britain's foremost stand-ups. Sean Lock on his Keep It Light tour 2016-2018 and Kevin Bridges on his Brand New Tour 2018 playing to more than half a million people nationwide to great critical acclaim. www.paulmccaffrey.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8

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PAUL MERRYCK - LOCAL BUSINESSMAN UNREPENTANT

WORLD PREMIERE

And from the darkness of the marshes and swamps of the Essex hinterland there came the light....Paul Merryck in his new hilarious one man show 'Local Businessman Unrepentant' is delighted to be performing to the people of Leicester. "The Essex bloke is something of a geezer ... plenty of showbiz patter... . gag-focussed delivery... . high laugh rate... . you'd think that the spirit of Mike Reid is alive and well" Steve Bennett - Chortle July 2018 www.paulmerryck.com

CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL SAVAGE: THE MANDELA EFFECT

Some people got confused when Nelson Mandela died. Because they remember him dying in prison in the 1980's. This is "the Mandela Effect". Paul Savage has memories he's sure didn't happen, and he's going to be doing observational comedy about them. And he's also going to be possessed by a load of the comedians he could have been. A blend of stand up and character comedy from Leicester Best Debut show nominee 2009. "I laughed my arse off" NME www.paulsavagecomedy.com SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL SAVAGE: THE MANDELA EFFECT

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

RED Comedy present

PAUL SINHA - THE TWO AGES OF MAN Paul returns to Leicester with his life, seemingly, still bordering on disarray. Having spent two decades juggling disparate careers, loneliness, heartbreak, a multitude of vices and an overwhelming urge to show off his general knowledge, he ﬁnds that just as one problem disappears, another emerges. Paul is 48 and is pondering the unthinkable. Is he past it? Was Shakespeare wrong? Are there only Two Ages of Man? **** 'Comedy gold' (Scotsman) www.paulsinha.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Map Ref: 51

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

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £14

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 RED Comedy & TripleCeePee present

PAUL SINHA'S RAPID FIRE QUIZ World-class quizzer and one of the stars of ITV's The Chase, Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha, hosts his own rapid-fire quiz. Will your team have the fastest, smartest brains in Leicester? 50 questions in 50 minutes. 5 rounds of 10 questions. 5 pounds per person. Maximum of 5 people per team. Prize money - win the quiz and get double your points in £££s, finish second and get £1 per correct answer, finish third and get half your points in £££s. www.paulsinha.com GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £5

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The Comedy Store present

PAUL TONKINSON: THE RETURN OF THE TONK Following the success of 2017'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 www.paultonkinson.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

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Phil McIntyre Ents present

PETE FIRMAN: MARVELS Pete Firman is one of the UK's most popular magicians and he's back on the road with his astonishing new show. You've seen him on television, now experience his jaw-dropping magic live on stage! 'The UK's leading comedy magician' Time Out. 'A spellbinding mix of comedy and magic' The List. MAGIC, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £16 (£14)

Map Ref: 23

PETER BAZELY: INTERPRETED Half traditional entertainer, half mystical, deadpan soothsayer 'AAA stand-up' Peter Bazely incorporates songs, audience interaction, and killer one-liners. Stand-up comedy accompanied by a sign language interpreter (BSL Level 3). Edinburgh Fringe SELL OUT RUN! As seen on BBC 2 and heard on BBC Radio 4 'Funny from the Fringe'. Best Jokes from Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 - The Mirror. New Comedian of the Year Finalist. www.petebazely.com ALTERNATIVE, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

PETER FLEMING: HAVE YOU SEEN? BEST DEBUT SHOW - LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2018. Retired children's TV pioneer Peter Fleming needs your help. His legendary BBC programmes are missing from the archives, believed wiped. Join him on his nationwide quest to ﬁnd all your favourite childhood TV shows, and his family if there's time left over at the end. As heard on BBC Radio Wales. 'Extraordinary comic' - Manchester Evening News. 'A delightfully unusual character' - The Skinny. CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

PHIL COOPER: THE WAY YOU MAKE ME PHIL (WORK-IN-PROGRESS)

The shambolically charming and frequently hatted Welsh scallywag brings a work in progress show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Come and see a brand new hour packed with fresh ideas and jokes you may never hear again (for good reason) that will eventually (hopefully) become a blinding Edinburgh show. As seen on BBC Wales and S4C "Makes comedy look simple, a true talent" (Fosters Comedy) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

. .

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oard harity al.

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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

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ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

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Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

WANT TICKETS?

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 PHIL ELLIS IS DEAD FUNNY

Phil Ellis is funny. Come and see him be funny. He's funny on radio 4 and on Comedy Central. He's also funny on stage. Funny guy. You like laughing? This is the show for you. "Much cleverer and much more stupid than you might think' **** (Chortle.co.uk). '...Genuinely, endlessly hilarious' **** (Scotsman). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

PHIL JERROD: GHOST (WORK IN PROGRESS) Join award winning comedian Phil Jerrod (Tour support for Romesh Ranganathan and Angela Barnes) as he works out material for his new show. He reckons it might be about ghosts this year, but he's not sure. 'Insightful, despairing wit' - The Scotsman. 'Casual brilliance' - The Guardian. www.philjerrod.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Monsterpiece Present

PHIL NICHOL: YOUR WRONG Last year Phil embarked on a national tour of his hit show Your Wrong. The show reﬂects on his big brother Andrew's severe car accident and the resulting ﬁ ve-week-long coma. This is the story of the faith, the family, the pain, the love and the limits in medical science for the Nichol family. 'A show that makes you laugh and think while you are watching, and then wakes you up in the night to laugh and think again' ***** (Scotsman) www.philnichol.com SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 55

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

PHIL PAGETT: LIVE IN CONCERT (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Phil Pagett returns for a new hour of quickﬁre one-liners. Join the acclaimed gagsmith for an onslaught of silliness with a smattering of smut.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

PICK OF THE FEST This sell-out show returns to Curve theatre for a forth year with a handpicked selection of festival favourites. This year's stellar line-up includes Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2018 Jack Gleadow; more acts to be announced. curveonline.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:30 (21:15) Entry: £20

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PILLER KILLER

WORLD PREMIERE

Father and son serial killers Philip and Pip have been conditionally released back into society under the watchful eye of the Work And Special Training Enterprise. With their macabre dreams of being a screenwriter and appearing on late-night quiz shows still unfulﬁlled, they plot their not-so-cunning escape. A thrilling tale of murder, sticker albums and Steve Gutenberg. www.pillerkiller.com CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Map Ref: 72

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

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

129

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Platform One Comedy present

PLATFORM ONE COMEDY: SYSTON BROOKSIDE SPECIAL Fabulous mixed bill including the eye brow ranting internet sensation Gary Meikle. Along with Gary will be joining him will be the MC of the night Freddy Quinne, Edward Hedges, Tom King plus one more guest act to be conﬁrmed! Five fantastic acts for a low price of just £10 where you are guaranteed to be laughing for days! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Syston Brookside Club

Time: 20:30 (23:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 52

Hivemind Theatrical Solutions

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PRETTY EVIL

Evil has been defeated. Now, you're more likely to see superheroes on TV and lunchboxes instead of ﬁghting crime. Everyone thinks they're ﬁnally safe. Until three new wannabe villains hire out a conference room in their local community centre and get to work giving evil a new face. THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Proper Funny Comedy present

PROPER FUNNY'S FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY The "Proper Funny Launch Party" returns to kick the Leicester Comedy Festival off with a bang! The show includes sets from a wide-variety of acts, ranging from previous Festival Award Winners/Nominees to some of the very ﬁnest emerging acts. All of which is held together seamlessly by Leicester's own Jason Neale (MC). The show has SOLD OUT for the last 4 years running so book your ticket early to avoid disappointment! www.properfunnycomedy.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:35) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Jokes On Us present

PUN-JABI Lovdev Barpaga returns this year with his stupidly hilarious show 'Pun-Jabi' full of crazy stories along with his old fashioned jokes, promises 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. "You're a very very dangerous man - Tony Slattery. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 20

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. Mark Simmons and Darren Walsh join forces for the third year running to present the Punel Show: a new panel game focused on puns and general silliness. 'This is a masterclass in fast paced puns' ***** (BunburyMagazine) GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Gerty Words present

WORLD PREMIERE

RACHEL SAMBROOKS: LYRICAL HAMSTER

Rachel Sambrooks, stand up poet in a new comedy poetry show about getting lyrics wrong, raising a hamster and attempting to be woke when you're essentially Pam Ayres love child. Finalist 'Sitcom Trials' 2016, Semi-Finalist Old Comedian of the Year 2017/2018, One to Watch Funny Women 2018, as heard on BBC Radio. "Innovative and warm" We Are Most Amused. 4 stars Londontheatre1 "Wonderful tales." £5 or pay what you want www.rachelsambrooks.com SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

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Time: 18:00 (18:50) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Radu Isac

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RADU ISAC: GOOD EXCUSES FOR SOCIOPATHS

Testing the limits of free speech has always been an immature endeavor. Sadly Radu Isac is also a very immature comedian. If you enjoy taking comedy seriously you probably won't enjoy this show. BBC Radio 4 - "Fresh From the Fringe" 2017 BBC World Service - "The Arts Hour" 2017 "cynical and tricksy", "simultaneously sweet and dark" - Chortle *none of the victims feelings were considered during the writing of the show. www.raduisac2.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

RAHUL KOHLI: ALL MY HEROES ARE DEAD, IN JAIL OR TOUCHED UP YOUR NAN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Rahul Kohli grew up with many heroes. All have been exposed as homophobes, sex-pests, Nazis and even homunculi secretly harvesting human lives in an attempt to attain a Philosophers Stone, from Hulk Hogan, to Newcastle United, to even his political champion Gandhi. But is everyone that ever lived truly a horrid shitbag? Or are society's standards changing at an exponential rate that society is just not ready for? As heard on BBC Radio 4.

SOLO SHOW, SATIRE

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

RAHUL KOHLI: ALL MY HEROES ARE DEAD, IN JAIL OR TOUCHED UP YOUR NAN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW, SATIRE

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

TGA present

RAY BRADSHAW - DEAF COMEDY FAM 1 in 6 people suffer from hearing loss. 2 of those people are Ray Bradshaw's parents.Full of hilarious, revealing tales about growing up with deaf parents, Deaf Comedy Fam presents a very ﬁrst for comedy, as each show will be performed by Ray simultaneously in both spoken English and British Sign Language which just so happens to be Ray's ﬁrst language. Winner of Scottish Culture Award and two Scottish Comedy Awards. ***** Broadway Baby www.raybradshaw.co.uk STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 14:30 (15:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 3

Ride Leicester Present

RED LIGHT COMEDY CLUB Red Light Comedy 'Tour de Leicester' - Stage 1 Cycling Suffragette Lynn-Ruth Miller with a peloton of festival favourites at Town Hall Bike Park !

CABARET, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Town Hall Bike Park

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: TBC

Ride Leicester present

RED LIGHT COMEDY CLUB Red Light Comedy 'Tour de Leicester' - Stage 2 Cycling Suffragette Lynn-Ruth Miller with a peloton of festival favourites at Ebike Centres !

CABARET, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Ebike Centres

Map Ref: 16

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

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £5

131

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 RED LIGHT COMEDY CLUB Red Light Comedy 'Tour de Leicester' - Stage 3 Cycling Suffragette Lynn-Ruth Miller with a peloton of festival favourites at Future Cycles !

CABARET, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Future Cycles

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 16

TripleCeePee present

REVAN AND FENNELL: WORK IN PROGRESS Award-winning comedy duo, Revan and Fennell, return to Leicester with an evening of new material for their highly anticipated second show. 2013 Funny Women Variety Award Winners and 2016 New Act of the Year Finalists. 'A double act that have the potential to succeed the comedy throne of French & Saunders' ***** BROADWAY BABY. 'Comic genius' **** BLACK DIAMOND FM. 'Hilarious' WESTERN PARK GAZETTE. As seen on London Live. As heard on BBC Radio. SKETCH, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

Time: 16:30 (17:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 23

RHIANNON SHAW: EMPTY NEST

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Rhiannon Shaw has an empty nest. Uni's over. Dad's dead. And to top it all off, Zumba has no spaces this week. So she's ﬁlling her life with a new cast of friends and family, in her debut hour of character comedy. Chortle Student Comedy Finalist 2018. Winner of the Pembroke Black Tie Smoker 2017. "a cunning comic mind" - Chortle. **** "a feast of giggles" - Varsity. twitter.com/rhiannoneshaw CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Rhymes Improv 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! www.rhymesimprov.com IMPROV, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

RHYS JAMES: WHISTLE-LOLLY (WORK-IN-PROGRESS)

Rhys James from Mock The Week (BBC2), Roast Battle (Comedy Central), his own radio series (BBC Radio 4) and Harpenden (Hertfordshire) brings a work in progress comedy show to Leicester. The show is called Whistle-Lolly because of a one-liner in it that frankly might not even make the cut - but what a ride we're going to have ﬁnding out. "Has star-in-waiting running through him like Blackpool through a stick of rock" (Evening Standard) rhysjames.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 9

Off the Kerb Productions Ltd

RICH HALL'S HOEDOWN There has never been a better time to be an American comedian in the UK. The Hoedown begins as a withering dissection of Trump's America, but ends up being a celebration of Americana. There's stand-up, improvised ballads, cracking good musicianship, and ultimately a hilarious, foot-stomping, sh*t-kicking good time to be had by all. Even if you don't own a hoe. www.haytheatre.com SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

132

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £17

Map Ref: 23

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. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Jokes on Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

RICHARD PULSFORD: ROLL UP FOR THE SMIRKING BREAK

Master of wordplay Richard Pulsford and 2016 UK Pun Championships runner-up, Richard presents an hour of his best stand-up comedy. "Like a well-oiled machine of mirth... a likeable stand-up comedian with great material" - Buxton Fringe. "A congenial showman... the audience loved him... you will not be disappointed" - Prague Fringe. "Richard's experience shone through as he delivered a series of solid, top quality puns' - Gigglebeats. www.richardpulsford.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

RICHARD WHEATLEY IS BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS

WORLD PREMIERE

Britain's funniest blind physicist turned stand-up comedian with a Blue Peter Badge... well definitely top three. Richard brings his signature blend of unique anecdotes and charming audience interaction to Leicester for the first time. With a degree in theoretical physics, multiple rifle shooting medals and words for thank you in 11 different languages, Richard always has a story. Fun, fast and friendly, Richard is mostly clean and always funny. www.richardwheatleycomedy.com

SOLO SHOW, IMPROV

DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 3

Delphine Manley Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RIK CARRANZA PRESENTS: STAR TREK VS STAR WARS

The hit show of Edfringe 2016, 2017 and 2018 comes to Leicester! Rik Carranza guides two comedians through the ultimate comedy panel show that boldly goes to a galaxy far, far away. Kirk vs Solo, Klingon vs Wookie, Neelix vs Jar Jar Binks? There can only be one winner and you, the audience, decide. 'Exceptionally nerdy and hysterically funny' FringeBiscuit.co.uk 'Fun for geeks and all' **** Voice Mag 'A fun-ﬁlled hour' **** Reviewshub www.rikcarranza.com GAME SHOW, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

Delphine Manley Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RIK CARRANZA: STILL A FAN

Rik Carranza loves Star Trek, but it wasn't always that way. A funny, but poignant show, that will resonate with anyone who's been a fan of anything. "A very funny and charismatic performer." ***** OntheMic 'Superb storyteller... wonderfully wry wit' - **** FringeBiscuit 'The best storytelling style I've seen this year' - **** VoiceMag 'A genuinely funny, amiable and honest performer' - **** Broadway Baby www.rikcarranza.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

Map Ref: 44

ROB AUTON: THE TALK SHOW 'The Talk Show' is a comedy/spoken word show about talking by award-winning writer and performer Rob Auton. Following on from shows about hair, sleep, water, faces, the sky and the colour yellow, Rob now turns his attention to talking because he is ready to talk about talking. The Talk Show was the second best reviewed comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival 2018. 'A genuine original' The Guardian. 'One of my absolute favourites.' Daniel Kitson. www.robauton.co.uk

SPOKEN WORD, THEATRE

DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 3

Custard Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

ROB COLEMAN'S GRUMPY HOUR

Rob is so grumpy he's away rowing the Atlantic - imagine the happiness in that boat - and can't even be bothered to turn up to his own gig. Fortunately, he's got three of his grumpiest chums to ﬁll in for him. Expect moans, whinges and whining at the state of the world, and everything and everyone in it. Very funny though. Hosted by Chris Norton-Walker. www.facebook.com/Robs-Grumpy-Hour-470736073433751/ MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 55

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

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

133

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 ROB GILROY IS IN BITS

WORLD PREMIERE

Rob Gilroy is struggling to keep it together. In fact, he's coming apart at the seams. Meet a variety of Rob's loveable and notso-loveable alter-egos in this one-man character comedy sketch show. Hopefully he'll be able to piece it all back together at the end... Star of BBC's Jesting About, and writer on shows such as The Now Show, The News Quiz and Mock the Week. 'One of the best new comedy writing talents around' Chris Addison www.robgilroy.wordpress.com CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

ROB KEMP - MOONRAKER 2: MOONRAKERER

WORLD PREMIERE

Rob Kemp heads to space. Nah. It's not that. Honestly, I wasn't going to do a show this year, then my girlfriend registered a show on a whim, and as I lay in bed I started thinking about the possibility, had a couple of dumb ideas and decided, 'If she can do it, so can I!' Which brings us to here. I don't know what to expect, so it makes sense that you shouldn't either. It will probably be a bit odd. Best Show Winner 2017. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 22:45 (23:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

A Rush Of Laughter and Jokes On You present

WORLD PREMIERE

ROB MULHOLLAND: ALLEGATIONS

Fearless, hilarious and occasionally dark powerhouse stand-up. An hour of no frills comedy from a cheeky, lewd and mischievous bar-stool philosopher. Not for the faint of mind. Rob has won a several legitimate comedy awards. "He's mastered the art" Chortle. "Hilarious stand up, unﬂinchingly real and open" Broadway Baby. "Nasty, offensive and dangerous" National Student Review. --- @robmulholland www.robcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 37

PBJ present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ROB OLDHAM: WORM'S LAMENT

Rob Oldham, Amused Moose Breakthrough Comic 2017 and tour support for John Kearns and Abandoman, considers politics, youth and death. He does jokes to ensure this is funny. Worm's Lament is an hour of stand-up, reﬂective nostalgia and ambient anxiety. 'A vivid snapshot of being young and half-alive in the 21st century' (The Guardian, 'The Best Shows at the Edinburgh Fringe') Directed by Liam Williams. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

ROB PYBUS: DAZE OF SLIME

WORLD PREMIERE

Rob Pybus has a very important job to do. He is key to a smooth and functioning society. For him every day is battle with slime. Except one day...just when he thought the battle was won he embarks on an adventure like no other. Using projected cartoons to build a landscape of a mad cap scenarios and twisted characters, you'll join Rob for a ride that will stay with you for hundreds of years. www.pybism.com ALTERNATIVE, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:00 (13:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE' and 'Cuffe & Taylor' present

ROBERT WHITE: THE TANK TOP TOUR Robert White wowed the judges and viewers alike with his fast-paced comedy routine on this year's Britain's Got Talent. He is now set to bring all that fun you saw on the TV live across the country as he announces his debut tour: The Tank Top Tour. With a suitcase full of his trademark vests, Robert will be travelling the UK with his unique musical stand-up to 31 venues between February and April 2019. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Haymarket Theatre

134

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £19.50

Map Ref: 23

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Oddsocks Productions

ROBIN HOOD AND THE REVOLTING PEASANTS Join Robin, Little John, Maid Marion and Friar Tuck as they take on some of their hardest challenges to date: A conniving king, a sinister sheriff and a downtrodden village of peasants who's 'get up and go' has got up and gone. Can the merry band teach the baddies a lesson? The villagers to revolt? The world to sing? Find out when Oddsocks rumble in with the adventures of this legendary folk hero in a show for all the family. Suitable for ages 7+ www.ytheatre.co.uk CHILDREN'S, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 17:00 (19:00) Entry: £12.50 | Family Tickets £40

Map Ref: 67

So Comedy & Broken Robot Productions by arrangement with Troika

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ROBIN MORGAN: HONEYMOON

Robin is about to go on his ﬁrst UK tour. One small issue: he's only just got married, and is spending his actual honeymoon performing to the nation. Surely there's a good reason why he's doing it? There is. Come and ﬁnd out why. Following two sell-out Edinburgh Festival runs, the writer for BBC's The News Quiz, and Graham Norton Show support artist, takes his latest show on the road. **** (Sunday Times) 'Utterly hilarious' (Broadway Baby) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

So Comedy in association with Troika present

ROBIN MORGAN: WORK IN PROGRESS The third hour show from Robin Morgan (Writer for BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, television warm-up for the Graham Norton Show and tour support for Ellie Taylor, Iain Stirling and Stephen Bailey). As seen on BBC One, BBC Three and Comedy Central. "A phenomenal comic. Utterly hilarious." **** (Broadway Baby) **** Sunday Times www.robinjmorgan.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

Ebdon Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ROISIN AND CHIARA: BACK TO BACK

A bubbling, slightly twisted blend of The Mighty Boosh, House of Pain and James Joyce. Call it stream-of-consciousness, messy art-house disco funk comedy. A two-woman character sketch comedy bonanza. These 'improvising geniuses' (FunnyWomen.com) guarantee a kaleidoscopic adventure of surreal proportions. 'Sensual, spiritual, bafﬂing, staggering... hilariously unpredictable' ***** (ThreeWeeks). Meet 'The Mighty Boosh on acid' ***** (BroadwayBaby) www.roisinandchiara.com SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

ROLAND SAUNDERS TVTV Gay Donald Trump, Sex mad Mary Berry and robot dancing Theresa May. Uniquely individual lipsync impressionist roasts current and past celebrities and politicians using their own words cleverly underscored with music and sound effects. This show is surprising, original and hilarious in equal measure. Take Cassette boy and add Ennio Marchetto equal Roland Saunders TVTV. New Acts of the Year 2017 runner-up and Oxjam Tavern's Got Talent winner 2016. CABARET, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Map Ref: 72

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

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7

135

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Lee Martin at Gag Reﬂex present

ROSCO MCCLELLAND: WORK IN PROGRESS Scottish comedian of the year 2016 Rosco is working on something beautiful, brilliant and ridiculous. This isn't just standup, it's so much more. "A gifted storyteller" **** Ed Fest Magazine "McClelland is approaching shades of Tony Law-style buffoonery" Jay Richardson "Unquestionable shades of Billy Connolly to his style...non stop progression towards stardom" Chortle SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd

ROSIE JONES: BOX TICKER (WORK IN PROGRESS) Rosie 'triple threat' Jones returns with a brand-new show, exploring what it's like to be the world's ﬁrst, and only, disabled, gay, northern comedian with a phobia of cotton wool and a lethal amount of Creme Eggs in her wardrobe. 'Smart, mischievous, laugh-out-loud funny' - Chortle. 'Genuinely masterful' - The Skinny. As seen on 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Comedy Central's Roast Battle. Nish Kumar and Joe Lycett tour support. www.offthekerb.com/artist/rosie-jones SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 56

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd present

ROSIE JONES: FIFTEEN MINUTES Rosie Jones is a comedian with a penchant for being mischievous. Her cerebral palsy doesn't slow her down in the slightest. Catch her before she wobbles her way to stardom! Finalist: Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2018, Amused Moose Comedy's National New Comic Award 2017. "It's rare to see a comedian who exudes such joy" - Chortle. 'An exceptional and original show' ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine www.offthekerb.com/artist/rosie-jones SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ROSS BRIERLEY - THINK FAST (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Seeing this show will be the best decision you make today. The rest of them will be poorly judged, biased and irrational, but that's OK, because that's what this show is about. Join Ross to ﬁnd out 188 ways why your brain is against you in his second solo hour. From the creator of The Not So Late Show with Ross & Josh, UK Garage Horse Racing etc "Slickly delivered, remarkably assured" - The Wee Review www.rossbrierley.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

RUFUS AND RHIANNON: RECKLESS TOPIARY ENTHUSIAST AND EMPTY NEST

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Ex-Cambridge Footlight frequent collaborators Rufus McAlister and Rhiannon Shaw bring you a 2-for-1 special: a split bill of snippets from their debut hours. One-man sketch extraordinaire Rufus McAlister presents a selection from his smash hit debut (6/5 - The Tab) Reckless Topiary Enthusiast. Character comedian Rhiannon Shaw (****- Varsity, 'a cunning comic mind' - Chortle) presents a preview of her Leicester solo show Empty Nest. CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

RUSSELL ARATHOON: THE CURIOUS INCIDENTS OF THE GAY IN THE NIGHTTIME Russell Arathoon brings his hilarious debut hour back to Leicester Comedy Festival. After a sell out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2018 and successful runs at Brighton & Manchester, expect big laughs and not so family friendly fun. Playful, energetic stand up from a promising new comedian. From his move from Manchester to Chelsea, nights out with big fat Sarah, the untimely death of his pet cactus & life with with a gluten free Shi-tz.

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

136

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 27

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Just the Tonic present

RUSSELL HOWARD: WORK IN PROGRESS Good news...Russell Howard brings three nights of new material to the festival. A rare chance to see one of the UK's brightest comedians in an intimate room, just working some stuff out. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 28

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

SAJEELA KERSHI - KARMA CALMER CULTURAL CHAMELEON (WIP)

New WIP show from Multi-award winning comedian/writer. Has written for and heard on various BBC Radio. #Brexit #Trump #TheFarRight. How did we manage to f**k it up this bad? Winner of AWA Awards is looking for answers whilst attempting to blend in and be a decent human being! 'Smart, funny with a mischievous glint' (Times) 'Magnetic, lovable and extremely witty' (The Spectator) *****(The Argos) *****(AsianCultureVulture) ****(BroadwayBaby) SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 8th 18:30 | 9th 20:15 (60min) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 20

PBJ present

WORLD PREMIERE

SAM FLETCHER: MUCKABOUT

The Edinburgh Comdey Awards Best Newcomer Nominee is back up in Leicester for one night only, bringing his unique mix of wholesome stupidity to yo' faces. Expect a musical ﬂoor piano and an attempt at levitation. Yeah, that's right - ﬂ ying and stuff. Fun, silly, easy-going humour for all. "Put simply no other show has made me smile so much this year" **** The Independent **** Metro **** Times SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

Heroes of Fringe present

WORLD PREMIERE

SAM NICORESTI: U.F.O.

In 1991 Sam Nicoresti was abducted by aliens. Come join him on a heart-warming journey to the centre of a galactic conspiracy as he exposes our corrupt paymasters and provides the concrete evidence that 'They' don't want you to see. GCHQ and the army are not permitted at this event. Also no kids because of the pub's licensing restriction. Sorry. "Wilder & weirder & more & more bizarre" ***** - The Mumble samnicoresti.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Love Mufﬁn Productions

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SAMANTHA PRESSDEE: COVERED

Five years ago Samantha lost everything, including her marbles. In an adventure through the British welfare system, Samantha battles cuts, medication and eventually trolls. The journey back to sanity can be a rough road. Getting your needs met in austerity Britain is like a game of Russian roulette. Can Samantha beat the system? ****'Excellent storytelling and very funny' (One4Review) Best Jokes - Telegraph 2016. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. www.samanthapressdee.co.uk STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

FoxyComedy present

SAMEENA ZEHRA - EXISTERHOOD We're all some kind of arsebiscuit. The trick is how to be more biscuit, less arse. In her ﬁrst new solo show in 2 years, Sameena is back doing what she does best; a goulash of storytelling and political commentary, peppered with absurdity, dark humour and personal context. www.kriii.com STORYTELLING, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Map Ref: 31

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

137

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Dawn Sedgwick Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SARA BARRON: FOR WORSE

The 'reigning queen of New York's live storytelling scene' (Jon Ronson): Sara's debut stand-up hour is outstanding - garnering 5* reviews and nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Hilarious and incisive, Sara skewers her husband, her child, WhatsApp, herself and, notably, a tweenage sex script she wrote way back in 1992. Host of the hit US live show The Moth - and heard on The Guilty Feminist and BBC Radio 4. www.sarabarron.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

Spikey Productions

SARAH JOHNSON - MUM'S GOING TO IBIZA If you were invited to a 50th birthday party in Ibiza, would you go? To help you make your mind up, Sarah takes you on her journey and it's one you'll never forget. "Johnson is an excellent performer, and this well-crafted hour is deﬁnitely worth seeing" 4.5 ****(One4Review) "Johnson is a terriﬁc host, and spins her yarn with just the sort of pace and verve that it requires *** (Chortle) Edinburgh Fringe 2018 www.sarahljohnson.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 9th 20:15 | 19th 19:00 (60min) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Fight In The Dog in association with United Agents

SARAH KEYWORTH: DARK HORSE You've seen her on Comedy Central, you've seen her on the BBC. Now see Nottingham-born rising star Sarah Keyworth's debut hour. Join Sarah as she tells you about her life with an important little girl and her battle against every expectation of what being a girl means. Think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun but British, deadpan and in no way similar. www.sarahkeyworth.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 20

United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SARAH KEYWORTH: WIP

Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee for Best Newcomer and Winner of the Herald Angel Award returns with a brand new hour of stand-up comedy. "Powerful, poignant and achingly funny stuff." - Herald Scotland "It's refreshing to see something so generous and outward-looking" - Chortle "...the most hilarious visual images... " - The Scotsman www.sarahkeyworth.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 58

RBM present

WORLD PREMIERE

SASKIA PRESTON: WORK IN PROGRESS

A work in progress show from professional clothes-wearer Saskia Preston. In this blurb, Saskia will hint that she's a really self-aware model by saying 'professional clothes wearer' but really the only thing that's deﬁnitely true is that she's a French missionary married to Megan Merkel. One liners. And occasionally jokes that last over 45 seconds. Heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra, Writer for The News Quiz. 'Superb gag-writer...one to watch' London IF www.saskiapreston.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:20) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

Fluid Thinking present

WORLD PREMIERE

SCOTT BENNETT: KICKS SOME IDEAS AROUND FOR AN HOUR (WIP)

In a bid to give himself a deadline Scott has booked in a show on a Sunday night above a curry house, to try out some new ideas. Early indications, from the scribbles on his receipts and notes he's put into his phone at 3am suggest topics as varied as legacies, the rise of the machines, ageing and human interaction. Rob Brydon Tour Support, Chortle One to Watch 2018, Amused Moose Award nominee, "Brilliantly funny, a joy to watch" CHRIS RAMSEY www.scottbennettcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Kayal

138

Time: 20:40 (21:40) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Fluid Thinking present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SCOTT BENNETT: LEAP YEAR

"People say its brave to do stand-up comedy, its braver to let someone you love do it" This year Scott has ﬁnally made a decision, a big one. What does it mean to follow your dreams when you feel like you have so much to lose? Tour support for Rob Brydon, writer on the Chris Ramsey Show and the BBC News Quiz, Amused Moose Edinburgh award nominee and a Chortle "One to watch" for 2018. "Great material, great delivery, a very funny man" ROB BRYDON www.scottbennettcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

Scott Capurro

WORLD PREMIERE

SCOTT CAPURRO: SCOTT CAPURRO SPOUTS OFF

Challenging and sometimes outrageous, Scott Capurro is a natural raconteur - confessional, intimate and most shocking of all, occasionally full of doubt. "Told with such speed, bravado and absolute commitment that you've barely gasped at one outrageous comment before the next is either being ﬂung in your general direction, or cast away as a glorious aside." Broadway Baby ***** www.scottcapurro.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Gilded Balloon present

SCOTT GIBSON: ANYWHERE BUT HERE Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer 2016, Scott Gibson, was just 16 when he ﬁrst tasted freedom from the shackles of parental control. Only a wee thing, he was accompanied by an army of seven fearless school friends as they left the rural idylls of Renfrewshire behind them, setting course for a voyage of discovery. Their destination? Kavos, of course. Where else? 'Irvine Welsh meets Billy Connelly' **** Evening Standard. www.scottgibsoncomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 55

SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCKS: ROLL UP!

WORLD PREMIERE

Roll up! Roll up! They're Socks and they roll up! Earth's funniest footwear are back with their brand new show, bringing you all the fun of the fair. The roar of the greasepaint and the smell of some socks. The world premiere of their new show, some parts of which may never be seen again. "I experienced streaming tears of laughter and almost fell off my chair clutching my aching sides" ***** 5 STARS Broadway Baby comicfestival.co.uk SKETCH, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:50 (19:50) Entry: £9 (£8)

Map Ref: 30

Heroes present

SEAN MORLEY - I APOLOGISE FOR MY RECENT BEHAVIOUR Remorseful absurdist Sean Morley plays with guilt, blame, forgiveness and audience expectations in this genre-bending stand-up apology. 'An understated, weird, brilliant man' (Fest) 'The sort of encounter you'll talk about for some time afterwards' (Steve Bennett, Chortle.co.uk) 'A feast for any comedy lover who has a taste for the strange and absurd' **** - The Skinny. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 24

Heroes present

SEAN MORLEY - SOON I WILL BE DEAD AND MY BONES WILL BE FREE TO WREAK HAVOC UPON THIS WORLD ONCE MORE (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

Inside my skin is a rattling beast and when I breath my last it will emerge. Free me from the enemy within. 'The genius and conﬁdence of Kitson and with the poetic linguistics of Dylan Moran. There's something very special about Sean Morley.' (ShortCom) 'An understated, weird, brilliant man' (Fest)

HORROR, IMMERSIVE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5

139

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 SERTRALINE QUEEN Following a sell-out show at the Camden Fringe, comedian Pol Penter brings her show Sertraline Queen to Leicester. Having spent the last few years travelling the world, trying out a range of antidepressants and being reunited with the family who gave her up for adoption, Pol is keen to share her experiences with you in an evening of stories, jokes and songs. www.facebook.com/polpentercomedian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

SEZAR ALKASSAB: WORK IN PROGRESS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

The Leicester Comedy Festival welcomes Scottish stand-up comedian Sezar Alkassab with his new work in progress show "My Views Are My Own". Sezar Alkassab is an award-winning ﬁlmmaker and he brings his audience together through laughter, with his unique perspective, silly stories, and friendly audience engagement. www.sezaralkassab.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

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

Map Ref: 69

Nik Coppin Productions

SHAGGERS Following more sell-outs all over the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia, the hit show returns to Leicester with a revolving line-up of great comedians of all varieties, genders and sexual orientations with material based around that most noble of pursuits - shagging! "The perfect way to close a night at the festival" ***** - Melbourne Comedy Festival. "A tour de force of laughter-ﬁlled mischievous comedy" - ***** - Arts in Leicestershire. www.shaggerscomedy.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 9th 16th 23:00 | 14th 21:30 (60 mins) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Impatient Productions present

SHAPPI KHORSANDI: SKITTISH WARRIOR...CONFESSIONS OF A CLUB COMIC Comedian, author, cultural icon and - most recently - idiot who agreed to be tortured on 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!', Shappi Khorsandi is a woman of many parts. Luckily for this festival, one of those parts is 'very funny woman'. After her spell in the jungle, she now sets out for the more welcoming destination of Leicester with a brand new hour of sharp-tongued gags, cultural observation and whatever else crosses her mind. shappi.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Sue Townsend Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:15) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 51

SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA...COMEDIAN! Mickey brings his best hour honed over 9 years as a professional comic with 5 Edinburgh solo runs. www.mickeysharma.com

SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 8th 22:30 | 9th 22:00 (60min) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 37

NCF Comedy

WORLD PREMIERE

SHE FESTERS

Katie is a changeling, replaced by a log at birth and spirited away by faeries. She endured a childhood living in a damp hill playing with the baby rabbits and the goblins. At least, that is what she tells herself to make sense of it all. The fantastically gothic debut show of the whimsical Katie Mitchell is an absurd journey down the rabbit hole of childhood grief, all neatly packaged up in relentless gags. ALTERNATIVE, HORROR DATES:

Venue: Kayal

140

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

Map Ref: 30

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 SHELLEY DRAPER IS CAMILLA, CAT AND JULES

2017 - The Weinstein scandal breaks, MeToo and Time's Up movements born. Fallon resigns from government for "touching someones knee". A new wave of feminism begins (is this one the fourth or the ﬁ fth? I'm losing count now). It's SO effective that the USA elects a pussy grabber for president. 2019 - The dust has settled, dried in the intense heat of 2018, been pissed on and turned into sludge. 3 very different women are wading through it... www.shelleydraper.com

SOLO SHOW, THEATRE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 24

SHERAZ YOUSAF: THE PURSUIT OF MANLY-NESS What if you were taught how to be a man? But you weren't yet a man. So you un-taught yourself, and then you learned again from someone else, and they were also wrong. So you decided to read a book about it. And then looked on the internet. And then went to something where there were other men who told you how to be a man. What kind of man would you be? www.sherazyousaf.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

LWC presents

WORLD PREMIERE

SHIRLEY GOES POP!

Fun for all ages with the imitable Shirley in this, her brand new, hour long show. Make stuff, sing, dance, watch and join in with Shirley as she re-creates favourite music videos and routines. Dance and craft your way to a happy half term with the one and only family-favourite Shirley. With no pressure to join in but ample opportunities if you would like to, a Shirley show is something truly unique! CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 3

Just the Tonic present

SHOOTING THE BREEZE WITH JOHNNY VEGAS Johnny Vegas just talks about life, touring, stand-up, being Johnny Vegas and whatever else comes along. Let off the leash, no pretence of stand-up, just Johnny being himself and messing about. Holding the reigns and chucking in some comments is Darrell Martin, founder of Just the Tonic, tour support for Johnny and long term booker of the man. We can only describe it as 'unique' because who knows what will happen. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy DISCUSSION, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 15:30 (17:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 28

SHORT & CURLY: YOUNG AT START CURLY thinks Youth = Success. Cut a long story Short. SHORT ruins it. "Masters of silly" ***** Voice "Shorrocks and Taylor's chemistry evident from the ﬁrst bicker" **** Chortle "They are put simply, a delight" **** wee review "Raw silliness at its best" **** Deadline "A laugh out loud fun fest" **** BroadwayBaby "Quick changes and even quicker wit" ****ThreeWeeks "An exhilarating experience" **** ShortCom shortandcurlycomedy.co.uk SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 55

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 into all-singing, all-dancing productions with hilarious results! ***** "So polished, it deﬁes belief." Daily Telegraph curveonline.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Curve

Map Ref: 13

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

Time: 19:30 (21:20) Entry: £24-£10

141

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Discerning Nights/ The Robot Needs Home Collective present

SILENT COMEDY We take the concept of a silent disco and apply it to stand-up. Two award winning 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. www.robotneedshome.com EVENT, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 17

Market Harborough Library

SILLY WRIGGLY READERS Join us for a silly edition of our stories and rhymes for pre-schoolers and their big people. Puppets, books and songs will brighten your morning and get your little ones giggling until lunchtime. Regulars and newcomers welcome. Breastfeeding welcome, baby changing facilities available. www.leicestershire.gov.uk/libraries CHILDREN'S, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Market Harborough Library & Museum

Time: 10:30 (11:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 38

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 www.comedy-festival.co.uk/silver-stand-up MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:30) Entry: £7.50

Map Ref: 47

TripleCeePee present

WORLD PREMIERE

SIMON AND FRIENDS 2: MUSIC BOOGALOO

A year has passed since the award-nominated Simon and Friends banded together to achieve world peace and tell, arguably, some jokes. But they aren't done, dang it! Having come so close to winning Best Debut Show, Simon is haunted by the allure of fame. It's time to up his game. It's time for a musical! Stave off your ennui with an evening of songs, misguided sketches, and what some may call dance. The planet may be in harmony, but they won't be. SKETCH, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 6th 13th 20th 19:00 | 9th 18:00 (60min) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 17

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

SIMON CAINE - SEX, DRUGS AND OTHER THINGS I NEVER DO If you like piña coladas, and deep emotional pain. If you get anxious in public, come and see Simon Caine. The Martin Luther King Jr of comedy returns with 'his paranoid persona that's immediately entertaining and irrational but relatable' (BroadwayBaby.com) and a show about feeling 18 in your head, but being 31 in reality. 'What you're doing is great, it's just nobody understands it yet' (Dave TV commissioner). www.simoncaine.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

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

Map Ref: 32

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

SIMON CAINE ROLLS THE DICE ON NEW JOKES FOR 2019 Simon Caine returns to Leicester for the 4th year in a row with a work-in-progress show to prepare for Edinburgh 2019. The show is really funny, but then he's biased and wrote this description. "You're a more authentic John Oliver" - Doug Stanhope "immediately entertaining and irrational but relatable" BroadwayBaby www.simoncaine.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

142

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

Map Ref: 32

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

ADVERTISEMENT EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

TOP ACTS AT TOP SECRET VENUES

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

143

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Phil McIntyre Entertainments proudly present

SINDHU VEE: SANDHOG Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee 2018 for best newcomer, brings her highly anticipated debut show to the Soho Theatre, London. Loving your children, spouse and ageing parents (in that order, please don't tell my mother) is very hard work, very intense and a lot of the time it sucks. But who wants to live without love? Highly anticipated debut from the host of BBCR4's Comedy of the Week podcast. www.ytheatre.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £14

Map Ref: 67

SITCOM GEEKS - LIVE PODCAST Come and see top comedy writers James Cary (Miranda, Bluestone 42) and Dave Cohen (Not Going Out, Horrible Histories) with a special live Leicester Comedy Festival episode of their popular podcast. Getting to the heart of all comedy writing matters with A VERY SPECIAL GUEST (or two). Check the website for updates. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 57

SLEEPING TREES: WORLD TOUR

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Sleeping Trees have been travelling around the world! They've been scuba-diving at the Great Barrier Reef, trekking the ancient Inca trails of Peru and gone dogging in Blackpool. But what starts as an innocent journey of discovery soon leads to an intricate series of events, culminating in the secret mission to end all missions. A story of love, revenge and friendship, and by friendship, we mean revenge. Directed by Tom Parry (Pappys, BBC3). www.thesleepingtrees.co.uk

SKETCH, CHARACTER

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 27

Jokes On Us present

SNOG, MARRY, AVOID. Kirsty's single, lonely and mid-thirties. What's the worst that could happen? Oh so that happened. With cabaret numbers like "I'm desperate and I know it" and "No dignity". "Snog, Marry, Avoid" is a romping comic tragedy of ﬂ ying solo, so low. "Fantastically Funny". Arts In Magazine. "Hilarious, insightful and fun". (Audience member Ed Fringe). SOLO SHOW, CABARET DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

IAM Present

SOFIE HAGEN: WORK IN PROGRESS Sofie Hagen tries out jokes and stories for her brand-new show. She remembers nothing from the first ten years of her life - and to be honest, the rest of her life is a bit of a blur as well. This show sets out to explore the way our memory forms and the things we have forgotten - and the things we wish we could forget. She's been seen on The Nightly Show and Comedy Central's Roast Battle as well as being the 2015 Edinburgh Best Newcomer. sofiehagen.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 55

SOPHIE DUKER: VENUS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Sophie Duker is not a goddess. But she's got it. Yeah, baby - she's got it. Work-in-progress debut hour from "a sparky proposition" - The Independent. Star of Channel 4's Riot Girls, as seen on Comedy Central, BBC Three. Writer for The News Quiz, Famalam and Horrible Histories. "Laugh out-loud funny" - The Telegraph

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

144

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 56

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Duncan Murray Wines present

SPOOKY SIPS WITH ARTHUR SMITH Spooky Sips with Arthur Smith - A drinks tasting with a twist. Award-winning Leicestershire wine merchants, Duncan Murray Wines, have hosted drinks tastings for many years on topics such as a sparkling wine re-enactment of the Battle of Agincourt. For the Leicester Comedy Festival we are pulling out all the stops for a night of Ghoulish Gargleblasters followed by a Ghost Walk hosted by comedic legend Arthur Smith. What could possibly go wrong?! MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Angel Hotel

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £35

Map Ref: 53

SPRING DAY: I AM NOT A FAG HAG! CALL ME MS. FRUIT FLY

WORLD PREMIERE

Or call me Ms. Vangie if you're nasty. A diehard Rupaul's Drag Race fan examines and celebrates what it means to be a straight ally who also happens to love glitter, Lady Gaga, gay culture and good times. Yes, Gawd! "Wickedly delivered punch lines which have the audience falling over themselves with laughter, thinking 'I can't believe she just said that!' They absolutely loved her and there is no doubt that you will too. ****" -Broadway Baby springdaycomedy.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

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 DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 32

STEALING THE SHOW: THE IMPROVISED HEIST COMEDY Move over Oceans 8, 11, 12 and 13. There's a new game in town! Stealing The Show is a criminal comedy caper made up from your suggestions. What will we steal? How will we steal it? It's all up to you! www.stealingtheshow.co.uk IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 22:30 (23:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Jokes On Us present

STEFF TODD: REALITY CHECK (WORK IN PROGRESS) Join rising star, comedian and impressionist Steff Todd for a fun gag-packed hour impersonating all the stars of reality TV and pop culture. Steff is an award winning new comedian from Yorkshire who has made a name for herself with hilarious impressions, an impeccable wit and razor sharp one-liners. "Absolutely incredible impressions" The Mirror. "Hilariously accurate impressions" Daily Star. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

STEFFAN EVANS 'IF I DIE RIGHT NOW' WORK IN PROGRESS "If I Die Right Now... is one man's quest to ﬁnd his place in the world. From a sheltered life in West Wales through a midlife crisis that has hit way too early!" Think of it as an autobiography of an underachiever that refuses to be measured by popular means. A weird childhood can create a strange man. A chaotic world can confuse the humblest of men. Come and see a brand new stand up show by Steffan Evans. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Map Ref: 31

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

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

145

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 A Stellar Production

WORLD PREMIERE

STELLA GRAHAM - UNCIVILIZED

When you think you're smart and it turns out, you're just thick. That can't be right? Can it? Come see Coventry born Stella Graham face bullets of blame, shame and stupidity. Warning: May Contain Traces of Girl Going Nuts. "If you're a TV executive, drop what you're doing and go see her now" The Skinny. 'Fun and original' - Broadway Baby www.stellagraham.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 10th 14:00 | 23rd 12:30 (60min) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 55

Momentum Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

STEP DAD JOKES

Top one-liner comic, Tony Cowards ("The best joke writer around", GQ Magazine), returns with his hilarious new show about the trials and tribulations of becoming a stepparent and what it means to be part of an extended family. For years Tony has been telling "dad jokes", ﬁnally he has a suitable audience. If you're aged 8 to 80 and a fan of silly jokes, tortuous puns and fabulous wordplay, this is the show for you. www.tonycowards.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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

Map Ref: 72

Bright Buoy Productions

REGIONAL PREMIERE

STEPDADS

The first step to having fun... is Stepdads. Get ready for an activity-filled weekend with two men who wish they were your dad (but who are glad he went to prison.) A surreal fever dream of a double act filled with songs, stupidity and the sanctity of marriage. Guaranteed to erase your memories of childhood and replace them with better ones. Meet Tom Curzon and Luke Rollason ("hugely entertaining" - Chortle) as the men who make your mum happy. ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:40) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 24

Phil McIntyre Entertainments present

STEPHEN BAILEY: OUR KID Everyone's favourite 'guilty pleasure' (Daily Record), stand-up star Stephen Bailey is back on tour with his brand-new show 'Our Kid' - a story full of Northern warmth, some working-class guilt and a bit of blue. The past six months have seen him embark on his ﬁrst critically acclaimed UK tour, support Katherine Ryan on her sold-out UK outing and host 5star's 'Celebs On The Farm'. Stephen is one of the Britain's most exciting up-and-coming acts. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:45) Entry: £14 (£11)

Map Ref: 27

Avalon Promotions present

STEVE BUGEJA: ALMOST Voted at school most likely to be forgotten. The reunion was in February, apparently. BBC New Comedy Award Winner returns following three criticallyacclaimed shows. As seen on Stand Up Central and Love Island Aftersun. "Big Laughs" (Guardian) "Hilarious" (Fest) www.stevebugeja.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

STEVE BUGEJA: WORK IN PROGRESS Steve Bugeja, host of Radio 4's Economics with subtitles and as seen on 'Love Island Aftersun', Russell Howard's 'Stand Up Central' and The Zoe Ball Show, presents a work-in-progress show. In this show he'll be investigating what truly makes us happy and how to trick ourselves into being happier. His last four solo shows have gained a combined 30 4/5 star reviews. Come along and help him create the next one. "Big laughs" (The Guardian). www.stevebugeja.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

146

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

Map Ref: 58

WANT TICKETS?

. .

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 STEVE MCNEIL: VIDEO GAMES (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

The creator of (and team captain on) "Dara O'Briain's Go 8 Bit" bangs on about video games for an hour. It might be some adapted bits from his forthcoming book about the history of video games (Hey! Listen!). It might be some anecdotes about his TV show. It might even involve playing games if he's not written enough stuff. No idea. He's not started work on it yet. First work in progress. Quality will be either variable, or consistently poor. stevemcneil.co.uk

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 17

STEVIE GRAY: ARCTIC MONKEYS' MIDLIFE CRISIS Award winning Stevie smashes out a debut show of songs, stories and silliness whilst answering that all important question, what should the middle aged Arctic Monkeys be singing about? "Performance of the Year" (Notts Comedy Review) www.steviegray.co.uk

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

STEVIE MARTIN VOL. 1 After a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe ("Inventive and consistently funny" - Fest) Stevie Martin of sketch group Massive Dad brings her debut solo show to Leicester. It's silly. It's sketches, characters and some nonspeciﬁc talking. It doesn't involve a live horse. www.steviemartin.com SKETCH, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:30 (20:20) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 3

STRUAN LOGAN: HUFFLEPUFF

WORLD PREMIERE

Hufﬂepuff was the ﬁrst (good) nickname Struan got. Come see why the "humble Scotsman" - [****1/2 Adelaide Advertiser] got the nickname & whether its best to be brave, smart, cunning or just nice. If you get the reference you are already on board, if not chances are you haven't read this far. "A highly candid comedic voice" **** Voice Mag "Adorably goofy" **** The Music ***** Weekend Notes **** Perth Happenings **** Fourth Wall Media www.struanlogan.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 17th 21:00 | 18th 19:30 (60min) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 69

Chambers Touring present

STUART GOLDSMITH: END OF Stu's back with a comic odyssey on how it works out in the end, and whether anyone cares. Intelligent stand-up comedy for everybody, but of particular interest to people over thirty who've lost touch with all their old friends and can't eat just one pain au chocolat. Featuring ultimates, absolutes and surprisingly few conclusions. "Expert, charming stand-up" The Sunday Times "Truly a comedy masterclass... Endlessly inventive" The List www.comedianscomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 20

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: FREE

Chambers Touring present

STUART GOLDSMITH: NOT EVEN THE WORD "UNTITLED", JUST LITERALLY NO TITLE [WIP]

WORLD PREMIERE

Not only does this show not have a title, it has absolutely no content. As I try to scrape further and further to the very bone marrow of creative efﬁciency, I hereby guarantee you that I will not have done any work on this work-in-progress until the very morning of the performance. "Truly a comedy masterclass... SOLO SHOW endlessly inventive" The List DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 15:45 (16:45)

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 37

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

Entry: FREE

147

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 STUART LAWS: MAKING A CHOICE New show from the "chronically funny stand up" (TimeOut) Stuart Laws. Observational and surreal, this show is about the choices in our lives and the different directions they take us. But mainly it's stupid, silly comedy about butt surgeons, burning candles at both ends or fight or flight club. "You'll struggle to find a comedian with a better jokes per minute rate... like a one-man episode of Arrested Development" Fest. www.stuartlaws.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 16:30 (17:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 17

STUART MITCHELL - MORALS

WORLD PREMIERE

Described by The Sun as 'Scotland's brightest comedy talent', the Glaswegian comic's sharp one-liners, brilliant turn of phrase and clever wordplay has ensured he is the longest running panelist on all 10 series of BBC Radio Scotland's satirical comedy show 'Breaking the News'. www.stuartmitchellcomedy.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

SUNDAY NIGHT WITH SHIP OF FOOLS Three great nights of stand-up with Ship of Fools. Acts include award-winning JOSH PUGH , TOM CHRISTIAN, PATRICK DRAPER and BEN ENNIS on the 10th, former Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year TOM LITTLE, HOWARD WALKER, SARAH JOHNSON and CARLA POL on the 17th, and SCOTT BENNETT, SARAH JOHNSON, and HARV HAWKINS on the 24th plus compere ALAN SEAMAN www.wegottickets.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 10th 17th 20:00 (2hrs) | 24th 22:00 (1.5hr) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 72

Jokes On Us present

SUNIL PATEL 'Man is wolf to man.' Sounds pretty clever doesn't it? I will do about ﬁ ve minutes on bumholes ﬁrst though. 'A clearly gifted comedian' (EdFestMag.com). As seen on BBC, Dave, Comedy Central, C4. All the best, cheers a lot then. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 37

Red Imp Productions present

SUSAN MURRAY'S BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA 'Blunt Force Trauma', is the brand new show by this insatiable comedian, described as a cross between Frankie Boyle and Julie Walters. Quality dark gags: plane crashes, mosh pits, the Highways Agency. "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: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 24

Chuckle Busters presents

WORLD PREMIERE

SUZI RUFFELL IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

Suzi's last show was a complete sell out, got heaps of great reviews and was recommended by the British Comedy Guide, Scotsman and Sunday Times. It's important to remember that this is an early preview so might be a bit all over the shop but there will be moments you really enjoy! As seen on Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week. "Ruffell really does have funny bones" (Evening Standard) "Do you have to keep doing my voice?" (Suzi's Mum) suziruffell.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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WANT TICKETS?

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 9

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Clwb Comedy present

TALES FROM WALES "Two of the fastest rising stars of the Welsh comedy scene" (standupforcomedy.co.uk) bring an hour of hilarious, Welsh themed stand up 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... 5 stars - Fringe Review ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 31

Clwb Comedy present

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 72

Avalon present

TANIA EDWARDS: NOT MY DOG Not My Dog is a hilariously dark exploration of modern life. Tania is an award-winning stand up and recently supported Katherine Ryan on tour. She has written for Mock the Week (BBC 2), Stand Up for the Week, and Twit of the Year (Channel 4) . Selected as James Acaster's Best Edinburgh Fringe Picks (Guardian), and Glamour Magazine's Top Female Comics. Winner of Amused Moose Comedy Award 2018. "A dark, dry and hilarious show" Voice ***** taniaedwardscomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

Heroes @ Leicester Comedy Festival

TASH GOLDSTONE: SUPER SOAKER Tash Goldstone, as seen on Comedy Central online and Vice, comes of age in a show exploring childhood obsessions, daddies, and why you should never eat glitter. "Very unique... one to watch" (Broadway Baby). "Top oddball stand up" (Laugh Out London). "Strong material" (Female Arts). www.tashgoldstone.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

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UTC Artist Management presents

TEZ ILYAS: WORK IN PROGRESS Fresh from his hit nationwide tour, Tez Ilyas is back with a brand new show. Expect a silly, smart and subversive ride from this breakout star. As seen on: Man Like Mobeen, Mock the Week and The Last Leg. As heard on: TEZ Talks and The Now Show (BBC Radio 4). **** 'Radiantly entertaining' The Times **** The Guardian **** The Telegraph **** Chortle www.tezilyas.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 47

AEH Entertainment presents

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. "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 www.wearethemonks.co.uk SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

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

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Tom Allsopp

THE BARN ULTIMATUM One animal has uncovered a secret that will rock the whole farm. In this brand new comedy from Tom Allsopp, the peaceful world of the farm is about to come tumbling down around the ears, horns and udders of its inhabitants as the truth about their purpose in life is suddenly revealed. With their world turned upside down, these plucky animals will have to lean on each other! If you like the Bourne movies and farm animals, you'll love this. www.upstairsatthewestern.com THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

The Miller Partnership and Glynis Wright & Co present

THE BIG CHILL/I WITH SHAZIA MIRZA Soft Touch Arts in association with The Miller Partnership and Glynis Wright & Co give you The Big Chill/i. Join us at Leicester Curry Awards Restaurant of the Year winners Chutney Ivy. It's Curry! There's Comedy! It's Shazia Mirza! What's not to love?! Come, convivialise and chill/i, big time! Tickets are £45 per person (Discounted to £40 per person if 10 + tickets are purchased). Contact chris@soft-touch.org.uk for further information. www.soft-touch.org.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chutney Ivy

Time: 18:30 (22:00) Entry: £45

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Jack A.G. Britton

THE BIG LEBOWSKI: PRESENTED BY EDY HURST AND CINEMA PARADISCOUNT

WORLD PREMIERE

Cinema Para-Discount is a film night like no other, comedians are given the chance to create an interactive screening that enhances a film of their choice. Edy Hurst is an award-winning musical comedian. Armed with a guitar, loop pedal and assortment of DIY props, he'll be providing comic commentary on his IMMERSIVE, THEATRE favourite film, The Big Lebowski. Watch and help Edy bring the film to life with an an alternate sound track and interactive games. DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 19:00 (21:15)

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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Kids Club Smashing present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE BOOK OF DAFT 2: THIS TIME IT'S DAFTER (KIDS SHOW)

Award-winning local comedian (and daft apeth) Ian Hall plus daft-as-a-brush 10-year-old daughter Niamh return with a jam-packed joiny-in jamboree of (daft) fun for the whole family. Dress up, sing and dance along to help bring the next chapter of 'The Book of Daft' to life. Best Kids Show nominees at LCF 2017 & 2018. "Get caught up in the infectious, participatory bubble. Brilliantly daft" Leicester Mercury (even the Mercury says they're daft!) CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 11:00 (12:00) Entry: £5

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Live Nation present

THE COMEDY STORE With nearly 40 years' experience in the business and as the premier name in comedy, The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent, and remains the place to see tomorrow's stars today. The likes of Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Sarah Millican, have all cut their comedy teeth with us. We bring you "The Best In Stand Up" from around the globe, showcasing the brightest names in comedy today. www.meltontheatre.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £15

Map Ref: TBC

Austin 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 LCF award winning Kids version as well! www.thejohnrobertson.com/thedarkroom GAME SHOW, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

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WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Austin Talent present

THE DARK ROOM FOR KIDS WINNER: BEST KIDS SHOW Leicester Comedy Festival 2018. You and your family are stuck inside a live-action video game! How will you escape?! Will you: A) Find Light Switch? B) Go North? C) Explode in a shower of stinking guts? Can YOU escape the Dark Room? This bit is for parents only: This show is recommended for 11+ but younger kids are welcome, too. There may be some mild language but it's more like Roald Dahl than YouTube. http://www.thejohnrobertson.com/thedarkroom CHILDREN'S, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £8

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The Galton Agency

THE DEATH HILARIOUS: PONY CUM TRANSFER (WORK IN PROGRESS) What was it like to be a black lesbian growing up in Harlem in the 1970's? The Death Hilarious have no idea and would never attempt to write a show about it. Instead, the former Welsh comedy double act have quit being funny and decided to get into the lucrative business of spiritualism. Chortle Best Newcomer Nominees, 2018. **** - Steve Bennett, Chortle. **** - Jay Richardson, The Scotsman. As heard on BBC Radio 4. SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: REGENERATION GAME

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Join Chris and Amy as they rally the inhabitants of an ailing northern community to get them crowned the UK's next City of Culture. A surreal voyage of self-discovery via sinister secretions, mythical creatures and unsettling multimedia content. "Very smart writing" The Guardian. "The most grotesquely funny, inbred version of a Northern English town since The League of Gentlemen" The Scotsman. We operate a strict 'no bigheads' policy. www.thedelightfulsausage.com

SKETCH, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

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Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE DESK BY FRANK FOUCAULT (WIP)

Thump. James Corden hears a thump underneath his chat-show desk. Thump. It's the evening before the start of his American talk-show career. Thump. This is not a stand-up show. Thump. But it's written, performed and created by my stand-up comedy persona. Thump. I understand that's confusing. Thump. I hope you enjoy it. Thump. Thump. Love. Thump. Thump. Ego. Thump. Thump. Death. Thump. Thump. Sex. Thump. Thump. The Desk. (work in progress) ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

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Mad Etiquette

THE ESTABLISHMENT: LE BUREAU DE STRANGE Side-splitting, stiff upper-lipped hilarity from masters of the absurd Dan Lees and Neil Frost. "Silliness as an art form" The Scotsman, "One of the most outrageously funny hours imaginable" British Theatre Guide, "A fast-paced, multidimensional masterclass in comedy" Edinburgh Festivals Magazine, "Fresh and funny" Chortle. www.madetiquette.com CLOWN, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

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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. Leicester Comedy Festival "Best Children's Show 2018" Nominee. "All of the show was brilliant!" Festmag. "Excellent!" BBC Radio Leicester. www.timetravellingbaron.com CHILDREN'S, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 3

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

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £8 (£5)

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Big Difference Company present

THE FUTURE OF GAY COMEDY NIGHT - A DISCUSSION Since 1995 Leicester Comedy Festival and The Y have produced the Gay Comedy Night. Over the years the annual show has featured an impressive line-up of LGBTQ+ comedians including Alan Carr, Graham Norton & Zoe Lyons. This discussion will feature some of the acts performing as part of the 2019 show, and some special guests, who will discuss with the audience whether there is still a need to produce the show and whether it should be renamed. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:00 (13:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

Rik Carranza present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE GEEKATORIUM LIVE!!

IT'S THE FIRST EVER LIVE RECORDING!! The Geekatorium podcast comes to the Leicester Comedy Festival. Comedian and geek Rik Carranza chats to guests about their nerdy passions, whether it's Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter or anything in between, before giving them an opportunity to leave something in the Geek Ark to preserve it for all time. www.rikcarranza.com MIXED BILL, DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: O'Neills

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

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Charlie Baker present

THE GREATEST GOAT OF ALL TIME Fresh Funny Fantastical story starring Charlie Baker (Harry Hill Sky1) and CBBC Class Dismissed's Sam Battersea. Live 'Clip-Clop Hip-hop' accompanies our hero from 0-100% Conﬁdence with her tuneful farmyard friend. Jokes! Songs! A goat! (plastic). Smiles! (Not plastic). Sutable for ages 7-107. Bring the KIDS. As seen on Blue Peter! www.ytheatre.co.uk CHILDREN'S, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 14:30 (15:30) Entry: £10 (£7)

Map Ref: 67

THE IMPROLECTUALS The Improlectuals are an improv "super-group" made up of some of the ﬁnest improvisers from around the Midlands. They create completely new comedy sketches on the spot, based entirely on audience suggestions. Performances always feature Richard Baldwin (Wow Impro, Abbey Players) and Robert Lane (Foghorn Unscripted, Birmingham Rep, The Old Joint Stock Theatre) plus a rotating cast of talented improvisers. improlectuals.wordpress.com IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Momentum Artist Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

THE JUST US LEAGUE: IMPROVENGERS ASSEMBLE

IMPROVENGERS ASSEMBLE The UK's premiere nerd-comedy duo, The Just Us League, bring their brand new show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Improvengers Assemble is the fully improvised Marvel-based comedy show. All the heroes. All the villains. Your story. www.thejustusleague.co.uk IMPROV, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

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Big Difference Productions 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 Glenn Moore, George Rigden, Sajeela Kershi, Alasdair Beckett-King, Eshaan Akbar, and many more acts to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

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Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £7

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WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Laughter Craft present

THE LAUGHTER LOFT AT THE BLACK HORSE The Award Winning Laughter Loft returns. A night ﬁlled with 4 top acts from the UK circuit. Some you will have seen on TV some you won't but all are guaranteed to make you laugh! www.blackhorseaylestone.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse Laughter Loft

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10

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Lucky Dog Theatre Productions present

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. www.luckydogtheatreproductions.com CABARET, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

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Jokes On Us present

THE MAN OF A THOUSAND 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: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 15th 17:00 | 16th 21:30 (60min) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 20

THE MANICS: A COMEDY SHOW WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Dai Davies and Dylan Jones ask "who is truly the madman"? The Community Mental Health Team thinks it's them. They think otherwise. They were outvoted. South Wales Valleys boys, Jones was brought up in a cult. Davies doesn't remember 1993-1998. It's a wonder they stayed sane for so long. "strong material ... stonking lines" - Chortle. "A comedic version of the Super Furry Animals" Wales Online www.themanics.co.uk SPOKEN WORD, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

The Oxford Imps

THE OXFORD IMPS This 'devastatingly funny' ( ***** Ed Fringe Review) group of improvisers serves up Whose Line Is It Anyway-style comedy, invented on the spot and based entirely on your suggestions. With a single show featuring anything from Shakespearean verse to freestyle raps and Broadway ballads, there really is something for everyone. ***** ThreeWeeks ***** Oxford Mail www.oxfordimps.com IMPROV, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

THE POL SHOW What' the difference between a sign and a gesture? This Italian comedian opens up like a silly Russian doll interweaving her disconnected visual world and chameleonic storytelling. Drawings, props, audience interaction and some academic stuff, this show is bed bugs friendly. Come along. It's a work in progress show. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 56

Time: 19:00 (19:40) Entry: FREE

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EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Brett Vincent for GetComedy proudly present

THE RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE: HAM The legendary terpsichorean twosome make their Leicester Comedy Festival debut. If it is true that every story needs plot and narrative, it is fortunate indeed that this has both, which means if you're looking for a tale, one that includes the story telling devices of plottery and narrativery, then this one could be just for you. "BEND-YOU-OVER, TURN-YOU-RED-IN-THE-FACE, NON-STOP, EYE WATERINGLY FUNNY!" ***** THE SCOTSMAN www.raymondandmrtimpkins.co.uk MUSICAL, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 72

DONATE: Less than 5% of our income comes from public funding. You can support the festival by making a donation via our website www.comedy-festival.co.uk or when booking your tickets.

"Best Improv Show" Nominees, LCF 2018

THE SAME FACES: FRESH FACES A new generation of The Same Faces make their festival debuts, in a show hosted by group director, Tom Young. With an ever expanding community of local improvisers, there's no shortage of talent with which to bring you fantastic performances from the TSF gang. This will be completely different to our other shows this festival, but just as great! www.thesamefaces.co.uk IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £5

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"Best Improv Show" Nominees, LCF 2018

THE SAME FACES: IMPROV SMACKDOWN 2019 The Same Faces are proud to present Improv Smackdown 2019, returning to Leicester for a fourth 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 2019. But here's the twist: it's an improv show, so they have to work together! Reigning champion Charlie Gascoyne will be back to defend her crown, but can she be the ﬁrst person to retain it? www.thesamefaces.co.uk IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:00 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

"Best Improv Show" Nominees, LCF 2018

THE SAME FACES: IMPROVISED COMEDY Leicester's own improv group, The Same Faces return for their sixth year at Leicester Comedy Festival, with another round of improvised silliness. This shortform 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! www.thesamefaces.co.uk IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 69

"Best Improv Show" Nominees, LCF 2018

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 hilarious, fully improvised sketches of our players. Previous headliners include Naz Osmanoglu, Mrs Barbara Nice, Jim Smallman, Diane Spencer, Jack Campbell, and multi award winner, Rob Kemp. www.thesamefaces.co.uk IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

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Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

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WANT TICKETS?

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visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 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: 17:30 (22:30) Entry: £30

Map Ref: TBC

AEH Artist Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE TAMING OF THE DREW

The Taming of the Drew, is the debut solo hour from Welsh comic, Drew Taylor. Bringing with him razor sharp, observational stand up and hilarious story telling, Drew, described as "a rising star of the Welsh stand up scene..." (standupforcomedy.co.uk) gives his takes on modern life, marriage and why 33 doesn't have a catchy bingo call... As heard on the Rhod Gilbert Show and seen on BBC Sesh! "A hilarious roar!" - Craig Campbell ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5 (£3) advance or Pay What You Want

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DTL Productions present

THE TOMMY COOPER SHOW Joined by a superb supporting cast, Blood Brothers and West End star Daniel Taylor embodies the comedy icon, complete with Tommy's distinct brand of misﬁring magic and dazzling wordplay. The show evokes nostalgia for the legends of early television and charms audiences of all ages, celebrating the life of the man who could prompt laughter by simply entering a room. 'Utterly Entranced' British Theatre Guide. 'Hilarious' Liverpool Echo. THEATRE, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:20) Entry: £16.50

Map Ref: 61

THE TURVILLE MILITANT PACIFISTS

WORLD PREMIERE

The village of Turville - Home to The Vicar of Dibley, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... and the Turville Militant Pacifists. More Breakfast Club than Musketeers, Peter, Claire, Luke, Sarah, Eddie and Gary put aside their differences (mainly, which is better, a Bourbon or a Custard Cream) and come together to fight dirty in the hopes of being crowned the UKs best Pacifist group! THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

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Big Difference Company & De Montfort Hall present

THE UK PUN CHAMPIONSHIPS A total sell out for the past 5 years, The UK Pun Championships returns to De Montfort Hall as the culmination of #UKPunDay. A celebration of the great British pun featuring contestants from across the UK. "a pantomime atmosphere" www.chortle.co.uk MIXED BILL, EVENT DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 14

THE VILLAGE HUB COMEDY CLUB A mixed bill of some of the best comedians around arrive at one of 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. Featuring Lulu Popplewell, ﬁnalist on 2018 Chortle Student Comedy Awards and Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year 2017 Alasdair Beckett-King . Check the full line up on www.comedyfestival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Village Hub

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: Tickets from University of Leicester

155

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 THOMAS GREEN - BOOM (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

Thomas Green returns to Leicester with his new work in progress hour - BOOM. It's his most explosive hour yet! After sellouts in Edinburgh in 2018, Green brings his engaging story-telling style, his face of elasticity and his high-octane stage presence back to his hometown stage with a - BOOM! "... will have you in stitches." ****1/2 - The Advertiser (Adelaide, 2018) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

Platform One present

THOMAS GREEN: DOUBTING THOMAS Thomas Green returns with his show 'Doubting Thomas'. Green looks at life after leaving religion, teaching and moving abroad. With a new found view on life and his affable, excitable presence, this is not a show to be missed. 'He's proof that you don't need a gimmick to be great' ** (The List, Edinburgh, 2016). 'Will have you in stitches' ****1/2 ( The Advertiser, Adelaide, 2018). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Midland Railway

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

Map Ref: 62

The Foundry Group present

THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN Mitchell & Nixon's thrilling, hilarious hit play about aviation legends Alcock & Brown and the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight. To celebrate the flight's centenary, award-winning company The Foundry Group returns with this much-loved production starring David Mounfield ('Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show' Radio 4) and Brian Mitchell ('The Ministry of Biscuits') 'Wonderfully entertaining.' - The Times 'Spiffing perfection.' - The Telegraph www.foundrygroup.co.uk THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

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Tickled Pink present

TICKLED PINK ALL STAR FEMALE COMEDY NIGHT Tickled Pink gives a platform for female comedians to shine together. Come and unwind and laugh your cares away with compere Judith Critchley and acts including Hannah Silvester and Ishi The Funny Khan. EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Guildhall

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 60

Chuckle Busters present

TIERNAN DOUIEB TAKES UP AN HOUR OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK

WORLD PREMIERE

Brand new gags, thoughts and general grumblings from stand-up comedian and new parent Tiernan Douieb on trying to ﬁnd the best in people despite mostly giving up on humanity as a species. There'll probably be some politics stuff too. Around 60 minutes of things from the host of the popular Partly Political Broadcast podcast and Frankie Boyle support. "Very friendly but ﬁercely political" (Time Out) "Opinionated yet likeable" (The Guardian) SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES: 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time: 20:00 (21:00)

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 9

United present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TIM RENKOW: SUPER HEROES AND PORN

Truly, what is the difference between porn and art? Which is better? And where do superhero movies fall along the spectrum? Tim Renkow will try to answer these questions but will probably end up just making fun of hippies 'A proper renegade as a comic' **** (Scotsman). 'Renkow is a smart comedian who also knows how to handle dark, risky material' (Guardian). Star of A Brief History of Tim (BBC), Bobby and Harriet Get Married (VICELAND). SATIRE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

156

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

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

TALK TO US: We’d love to hear what you think about the Festival, and the shows that you have seen. Tweet, email or write to us to share your thoughts (contact details are on page 170)

TOM LITTLE: LOOK, IT'S TOM LITTLE, ALRIGHT? Tom Little won the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2015 and was a BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2014 ﬁnalist. He's already done this show in Edinburgh and it got nominated for the Amused Moose Comedy Award 2018. So it should be decent. 'Inventive, unexpected and often very silly... he surely can't remain a hidden treasure for long ****' - Chortle. 'Gut-wrenchingly funny... truthfully an hour with Tom Little almost isn't enough' - FringeReview https://thisistomlittle.wordpress.com/

SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: The Cosy Club

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 57

Off The Kerb Productions Ltd

TOM LUCY: RELUCTANT MILLENNIAL Tom Lucy is one of the youngest professional comedians on the circuit. He is also, apparently, a millennial. This is not something he is happy about. An hour of blistering new material from the snowﬂake of his generation. The Edinburgh Fringe 2017 and 2018 sell-out and star of 'Stand Up Central' and 'Live At The Comedy Store' (Comedy Central) brings his hilarious show to Leicester. The Sun's Best New Comedian 2017 and Kevin Bridges' tour support www.tomlucy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 55

Berk's Nest in association with Ebdon Management

TOM NEENAN: IT'S ALWAYS INFINITY Tom's girlfriend has vanished... So he has done what any "theatre-maker" would do in this situation, and turned his search for her into an "important" piece of "art". Come "witness" it. (Nobody went missing in the creation of this show). "Clever and elegantly constructed" **** Telegraph. "A sharply-scripted character study" **** Chortle **** List **** Entertainment Focus **** Fringe Review. Writer of The Mash Report, Mock The Week & The Last Leg. berksnest.com CHARACTER, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 9

United Agents present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TOM ROSENTHAL: WORK IN PROGRESS

After a sell-out run of work-in-progress shows in Edinburgh 2018, the beaky young man from Plebs (ITV2) and Friday Night Dinner (Channel 4) comes to Leicester to try out a new comedy show with the best of intentions. Co-creator and star of Flat TV (BBC3), as seen on Drunk History (Comedy Central). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

Blue Jeans Management proudly present

TOM STADE: I SWEAR TO... After another smash-hit Edinburgh, the Canadian comedy legend returns with his latest show, picking up just where he left off. Welcome to I Swear To; as an hour just wasn't long enough. Tom knows the times are a-changing and he wants time to know he will not be changing with them. Exactly when did he, and all his stuff, become vintage and why didn't he see it coming? As seen on Live At The Apollo - twice, bitches! "UNMISSABLE" Edinburgh Eve News tomstade.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Map Ref: 28

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £16.50

157

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Chuckle Busters present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM TAYLOR: ABRIDGED (WORK IN PROGRESS)

The creator of Edinburgh Fringe hit The Charlie Montague Mysteries (sell-out shows 2016 and 2017) returns to Leicester with a new stand-up show packed full of jokes and silliness. As heard on BBC Radio 4. Tour support for Simon Munnery, John Kearns and Abandoman. Musical Comedy Awards Audience Favourite winner. "Excellent... beautifully daft" (Sunday Times) "An absolute delight" (Skinny) "Gloriously silly" (Stage) "Astoundingly funny" Fringe Guru www.tomedy.co.uk MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 9

The Same Faces present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM YOUNG'S MUSICAL MUSICAL

Don't know your Phantom from your Valjean? Can't tell your Gilbert & Sullivan from your Rodgers & Hammerstein? Clueless as to what makes a Triple Threat? Then come and learn the (abridged) history of musical theatre in this stand up show about musicals, that is itself, a musical. Tom returns to the festival for his ninth year, tenth solo show, and ﬁrst (and probably last) musical. www.tomyoungcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

TOMMY SANDHU ON TOUR Tommy Sandhu (BBC, ITV, BBC Asian Network) comes to Peepul Centre as part of his UK comedy tour. Tommy will be joined by his comedy friends in what is guaranteed to be an evening of fun and laughter.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Peepul Centre

Time: 19:00 (21:00) Entry: £15-£20

Map Ref: 46

The Cookie Comedy Club present

TONY LAW: A LOST ONE A journey through the side and under-mind. Cold fresh pillow. Come! Under radar fresh for you. Tony doesn't have the vocabulary or word-learning to express the powerful towering healing depths of the ancient soul unity snap. Watch him and through laugh - rise, happier. You cry, with laugh. 'What was that?' 'I loved that'. www.mrtonylaw.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 55

The Cookie Comedy Club present

TONY LAW: A LOST SHOW Tony doesn't have the vocabulary or word-learning to express the powerful towering healing depths of the ancient soul unity snap. Watch him and through laugh - rise, happier. You cry, with laugh. 'What was that?' 'I loved that'. Then you smile to self. 'Tony, you grande dickhead you making me thinking while you do 'up' voice shouting 'n' clownsabout and somehow, through idiocy and bones of funny - Tone, I know what you mean'. He's funny of a kind SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 55

Jokes on Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TRANS VISION SCAMP

Is there such a thing as a friendly troll? What kind of person believes everything they see online? Why do characters in Star Wars have such ridiculous names? And what exactly does all this have to do with Laura Monmoth's latest obsession? The follow up to the award-winning LGBTQZX is another dose of visual silliness, encompassing gender, hypnosis, 80s and 90s musical heroes, and an inability to let go. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

158

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 TRAVIS JAY Travis Jay returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with his brand new show, this show takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. This show promises to deliver a hilarious evening of comedy. As heard on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 1Xtra.

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 17

TRISH DUNN: VOICES IN MY HEAD Comic Ventriloquist Trish Dunn is brining her US stand-up comedy ventriloquism straight to the UK with her "Voices in My Head" show!!! Trish Dunn loves to laugh and has a unique talent to take the abstract in everyday life and turn it upside down into a stress relieving and belly laughing experience to remember by bringing the laughs with the help of her Vent Crew, also known as dummies. You don't want to miss her "Voices in My Head Show"!!! PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: TBC

FoxyComedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

TRISH DUNN: VOICES IN MY HEAD

Comic ventriloquist Trish Dunn is bringing her US stand-up comedy ventriloquism straight to the UK with her "Voices in My Head" show!!! Trish Dunn has a unique talent to take the abstract in everyday life and turn it upside down - a stress relieving and belly laughing experience to remember, by bringing the laughs with the help of her Vent Crew (also known as dummies). A must see show. www.wygstonshouse.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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

Map Ref: 72

TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE SOCIAL CLUB

WORLD PREMIERE

Kevin Dewsbury returns to Leicester Comedy Festival following on from his previous successful sell out parody show 'Kev's Komedy Kitchen' with a brand new work in progress show 'Tuesday Night At The Social Club' co-starring and written alongside up and coming comic and Chortle Student Comedy Award winner Bexie Archer. They invite you to a typical Tuesday at the Chufﬁngton Social Club hosted by everyone's favourite "local comedian" Pat Bashford. www.wygstonshouse.co.uk

CHARACTER, SKETCH

DATES:

Venue: Wygston's House

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

Map Ref: 72

TWIN PEAKS Mandy is an idiot. In fact she's a right nob, but she's hilarious and adorable so that makes it OK. Sometimes horrible thing's happen to the nobbiest of people. When faced with her own mortality, how does she cope? She laughs into the cleavage of cancer....because laughter really is the breast medicine. Nominated for Best Comedy Show MCR Fringe 2018 and Best Comedy Performer Buxton Fringe 2018. www.mandytootillcomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Upstairs At The Western

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 69

Heroes of Fringe

TWONKEY TURNS THE UMBRELLA OF HISTORY, MEETS LEONARDO DA VINCI AND EXPLAINS CLIMATE CHANGE

WORLD PREMIERE

"He creates wonderlands of weird" **** The Scotsman "Fuelled by fever-dreams" **** Broadway Baby. The story of grotesque cake decorating shop in the Dordogne that has been secretly making fake weather sense 1982. www.twonkey.blogspot.com

CABARET, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 24

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

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5

159

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 UCL Comedy Club

UCL STAND UPS Creating a buzz on the London comedy circuit, the UCL Stand Ups are ready to show audiences of Leicester Comedy Festival just why. The exciting array of talent includes local London competition winners and ﬁnalists in the national competition So You Think You're Funny? 2018. The show also features local talent with Leicester's very own Rahul Somia, who runs Friday Night Stand Up in Leicester. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

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 DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 22:30 (23:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 37

Leicester University Theatre present

VARIETY WEEK WITH LUTHEATRE Join us for three nights of variety brought to you by students from the University of Leicester. We've been honing our skills and practising our craft. Keep an eye on our social media for more information; or if you want to be surprised, then just turn up at the door! www.leicesterunion.com/opportunities/studentgroups/ﬁndastudentgroup/7256/ MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Belvoir Park Lounge

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 6

Corrie McGuire Management present

VIKKI STONE - SONG BIRD As seen and heard on BBC Radio 4's The Now Show, BBC One's John Bishop Show and the BBC Proms Podcast, award-winning comedian and musician Vikki Stone returns to the Leicester Comedy Festival with a work-in-progress performance of this brand new show. "The love child of Victoria Wood and Tim Minchin" The Scotsman. "musical comedy genius" Absolute Radio **** The Scotsman ***** Three Weeks **** Sunday Herald **** Broadway Baby www.vikkistone.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 55

VIVA LAS VEGANS Welcome to Viva Las Vegans, the world's ﬁrst ever Vegan Comedy club. We offer you the best stand-up comedy available in a lovely, intimate & hilarious environment. Everyone is welcome. We give you a line-up full of exclusively vegan comedians; the best from the comedy circuit. You'll "leaf" with a smile on your face, and want to come back for herbi-MORE! Hosted by Matt Hoss . **** "Really Funny" - Broadway Baby. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer www.matthosscomedy.com

MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8 as part of the Kayal All-Dayer

Map Ref: 30

Joe Bor

WORLD PREMIERE

WALTER AND HERBERT BY JOE BOR

Award winning comedian Joe Bor retells the story of the friendship between his grandad (world renowned architect Walter Bor) and his grandad's best friend (world renowned comedy actor Herbert Lom) and their journey from Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia to the UK. 'Natural born comic ability' Chortle. www.joeborﬁlms.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

160

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

Map Ref: 55

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 NCF presents,

WARWICK COMEDY STAND-UP SPECIAL We're back from the Edinburgh Fringe with another mixed-bill stand up show for one night and one night only! Warwick Comedy brings you some of the best young talent the Midlands has to offer in our 3rd consecutive year at Leicester Comedy Festival. Featuring a diverse range of performers from Warwick University, including Chortle Student Comedy & So You Think You're Funny ﬁnalists. https://www.warwicksu.com/societies/comedy/ MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:10) Entry: £4 (£3)

Map Ref: 30

Big Difference Company present

WHAT MAKES KIDS LAUGH? As we approach the end of the ﬁrst ever UK Kids' Comedy Festival, a panel of comedians, promoters and kids get together to discuss what makes Kids' laugh. Join us as we discuss whether there is a difference between performing to adults compared to kids and what approach a growing number of comedians take when developing kid-friendly shows. We'll also discuss how The UK Kids' Comedy Festival can grow and engage more young people in future years. DISCUSSION, CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:00 (13:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 47

WHATTON LAUGHS An evening of fun and laughter with your favourite comedians in Long Whatton Community Centre. Featuring Leicester Mercury Comedian of the year 2017 Alasdair Beckett-King, Lloyd Langford (Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Award 2018) and Best Newcomer 2017 Lauren Pattison ('Spiky, deliciously bawdy and remarkably assured' **** Telegraph). More acts to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Long Whatton Community Centre

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 34

The Cutty Bang Cabaret Show present

WORLD PREMIERE

WHEN DREAMS WERE HORSES JUST MADE FROM WHITE SATIN Do you remember?

ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

WHITE COLLAR COMEDY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

They're Middle Class, Middle Aged and Middle England. And all three are working vicars. They are: White Collar Comedy. Given that one is a former Satanist, the second a Jewish mystic and the third worked at the hot end of a crematorium, possibly quite a lot could go wrong here... Rev. Ravi Holy (yes, that's his real name), Rev. Maggy Whitehouse and Rev. Kate Bruce are NOT ﬂuffy, NOT pious and NOT trying to convert you. They ARE a Revelation. www.maggywhitehouse.com/comedy

EVENT, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 47

Jokes On Us Present Philip Simon in

WHO'S THE DADDY PIG? Before becoming a stand-up comedian Philip played Daddy Pig in the theatrical hit Peppa Pig. Now he's a father, he's ﬁnally found a use for everything he's learnt from "The Expert". Join him for some award-wining stand-up comedy about dating, parenthood and, of course, Peppa Pig...not for little Piggies! Philip Simon has been seen/heard on BBC 1, ITV, Channel 4, Radio 2, Radio 4 and Radio 4Xtra & has also written for Mock the Week. www.philipsimon.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 58

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

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

161

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 WILL DUGGAN- REUNION? WIP Will Duggan 'a must see for comedy aﬁcionados'- EDFEST MAG is back. This year, he has decided to sort through the muddle of the last 31 years that has led him to be here. To do this he is chatting to his four oldest friends. They haven't spoken in a while. Also they are imaginary. POW. SOLO SHOW, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at The Shed

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

Map Ref: 29

WILL HALL: NETFLIX AND WILL Will Hall brings his show Netﬂix and Will to Leicester, after selling-out in Edinburgh and London. It's a show about love, life and a 2015 photo-printing disaster which is surely way too speciﬁc for this blurb. Last chance this hilarious hour of stories from a rising star who's on the way to becoming "a hugely popular comedian" (The List). "Electrically witty... an upcoming to the likes of David Mitchell and Stephen Fry" ***** (Broadway Baby) SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 (£4) advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 27

StraightUp Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

WILL PENSWICK: NØRDIC(K)

Full time detective. Part time performer. Full time Scandinavian. Pætur Pætursson is from the Faroe Islands. A detective in the Tórshavn (that's the capital city) Police like his father and his father before him, a semi-legendary DJ and a troubled man, Pætur is going toe-to-toe with Scandinavia's most dangerous criminals... and he needs your help. "You will be in for a comic treat" **** PlaysToSee "Brilliant" **** Radio Ha-Ha **** BroadwayBaby straightupproductions.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

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

Map Ref: 27

WILLIAM ANDREWS: WILLY A joyful return to stand-up for this cult idiot, William is wholeheartedly embracing the Willy he always was. Remarkable stories told in original ways. He's daft, inimitably creative, and sharply ingenuous to boot. Yes, he was in Alan Partridge, for like a tiny bit. Yes, he had a spot in Him & Her. Yes, he was in the second series of Broadchurch (the one that didn't make sense), but no, for the last time, he wasn't in Horrible Histories www.teamwonderful.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 55

Furthest From The Sea Music, Comedy and Arts CIC present

WILLIS THE POET'S COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA Willis the Poet's Comedy Extravaganza is a free-wheel through the world of comedic poetry with 6 of the very best comic poets from around the UK. Expect mirth, expect laughter, expect the unexpected, because this is spoken word with an edge, and it's so sharp who knows which bits you will lose in the performance! www.willisthepoet.wordpress.com SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Knight & Garter

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 32

Ingrid Dahle present

WINGRID How does a shy Norwegian from the fjords end up leaving home and becoming a unique award-winning comedian in the UK? Surely there's more to it than simply putting a W in front of your name to becoming the winner you were meant to be? "Such a joyous show, an incredibly warm host, with bags of energy"The List "Destined for stardom"-The Argus "Fast rising comedian"- Sunday Times www.ingriddahle.com SOLO SHOW, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

162

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 Lewis Doherty and The North Wall present

WOLF Detective Jay Walker is dead. With no leads and a case colder than ice, it's up to his ex-partner Patrick 'Nobody calls me Patrick' Wolf to bust some imaginary heads and ﬁnd out who killed him. Armed with nothing but his own body and a chair, Lewis Doherty brings to life thirty characters, car chases, and multi-man brawls in his explosive debut solo show. "A rollickingly entertaining, noir-inﬂected solo thriller" **** The Stage www.thenorthwall.com SOLO SHOW, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 27

YURIKO KOTANI: OVERWORK IN PROGRESS Born and raised in Japan, Yuriko Kotani now lives in the UK. Using her unique perspective, she is going to tell stories of her experiences and thoughts as a work-in-progress. Winner of the BBC New Comedy Award 2015 and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016 nominee, Yuriko brings you "wonderfully offbeat stories" "with her rug-pulling punchlines and bizarre observations". As seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central and Pls Like (BBC3). www.yurikokotani.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 24

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.' www.zahrabarri.com

SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD

DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 14:30 (15:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 3

Jokes On Us present

ZAHRA BARRI: THINGS I SHOULDN'T SAY They say the truth hurts but it also sets you free. 'Radical honesty asserts that lying leads to stress and speaking bluntly even about the taboo creates happier people.' Zahra has her foot in her mouth so often, her breath tastes of the triﬂe that Rachel made in Friends. "Edgy and very funny", Cheeky Monkey Comedy 'A buzzy ﬂuffball of comedy unafraid to take risks, a cute puppy with a surprising snarl.' Mumble Comedy. As seen on BBC Iplayer. www.zahrabarri.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 15:00 (15:50) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 58

Zenjiro presents

WORLD PREMIERE

ZENJIRO : KAMIKAZE STAND UP COMEDY

Zenjiro, a Japanese comic, won the Bangkok International Comedy Competition in 2015 and made the ﬁnals of the 2016 Sacramento Stand-up Competition in the US. In Britain he was featured in Jonathan Ross' TV series Japanorama. It's the world of the absurd from Japan: an extreme combination of stand-up and physical comedy delivered with full force of Samurai power, arriving in a whirlwind of laughs direct from a sell-out Asia tour. Be warned! www.zenjiro.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 8th 19:00 | 24th 18:45 (60min) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 47

Impatient Productions present

ZOE LYONS - ENTRY LEVEL HUMAN She's just completed her chef stint on 'Celebrity Masterchef', is a regular on 'Mock The Week' and a much-loved ﬁgure on 'Live At The Apollo', as well as being all over Radio 4 - for whom she's had her very own series air in September 2018. All this makes it sound like Zoe Lyons has some sort of idea what she's doing in life. But does she? Or is she the perfect example of an Entry Level Human? 'Conﬁdent and razor sharp' Observer www.zoelyons.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Map Ref: 17

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

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £12

163

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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

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

164

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 165-169.

WANT TICKETS?

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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. For info about “green tick” see page 9 1 Title: Address: Info: Web:

96 DEGREES COFFEE SHOP

2 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

ANCHOR INN

3 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE

4 Title: Address: Info: Web:

BARKBY VILLAGE HALL

42 Braunstone Gate, Leicester LE3 5LG 0116 255 5474 www.cafe96degrees.co.uk

MAP 1 - B1

13 Title: Address: Info: Web:

CURVE

MAP 1 - A3

MAP 2

14 Title: Address: Info: Web:

DE MONTFORT HALL

MAP 1 - D4

15 Title: DOG HOUSE Address: 58-64 Braunstone Gate, Leicester LE3 5LG Web: www.facebook.com/doghouseleicester

MAP 1 - B1

Anchor Inn, 74 Loughborough Road, Hathern LE12 5JB 01509 646 688 info@anchorinnhathern.co.uk www.anchorinnhathern.co.uk Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA 0116 252 2455 arts-centre@le.ac.uk www.attenborougharts.com

MAP 1 - D3

MAP 2

Beeby Road, Barkby LE7 3QB 0116 260 3997 www.facebook.com/barkbyvillagehall

MAP 2 5 Title: BEERHOUSE Address: 76 St. Marys Road ‘The Forge’, Market Harborough LE16 7DX Info: 01858 465 317 Web: www.facebook.com/beerhouseuk MAP 2 6 Title: BELVOIR PARK LOUNGE Address: Charles Wilson Building, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH E-mail: su-lutheatre@le.ac.uk Web: www.facebook.com/lutheatre 7 Title: Address: Info: Web:

BLACK DOG

8 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

BLACK HORSE LAUGHTER LOFT

23 London Road, Oadby LE2 5DL 0116 2102 479 www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/black-dog-oadby

Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

10 Title: Address: Info: Web:

@ QUEEN OF BRADGATE

41 Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1TR 0116 251 1889 www.chutneyivy.com

11 Title: CO-OP SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB Address: Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4DE 12 Title: COGNITO Address: Loughborough Student Union, Ashby Rd, Loughborough LE11 3TT

16 Title: Address: Info: Web:

EBIKE CENTRES

MAP 1 - B3

17 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

FIREBUG

MAP 1 - B2

18 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

FUTURE CYCLES

MAP 1 - B2

102 Granby Street, Leicester LE11DL 0116 254 0888 www.ebike-centres.co.uk 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

19 Title: GRANBY PRIMARY SCHOOL Address: Granby Road, Leicester LE2 8LP Web: www.granby.leicester.sch.uk

MAP 2

GRAYS@LCB DEPOT

MAP 2

HARBOROUGH MARKET

MAP 2

MAP 1 - A2

21 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web: 22 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

HARBOROUGH THEATRE

MAP 2

23 Title: Address: Info: Web:

HAYMARKET THEATRE

MAP 1 - A2

24 Title: Address: Info: Web:

HEROES @ THE CRITERION

MAP 1 - B2

93-97 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB 0116 262 3990 info@queenofbradgate.co.uk www.thequeenofbradgate.co.uk

CHUTNEY IVY

Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU 0116 233 3111 demontforthall.co.uk

20 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

65 Narrow Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NA 0116 283 7225 blackhorseaylestone@yahoo.co.uk www.blackhorseaylestone.co.uk

9 Title: CHUCKLE BUSTERS

MAP 2

Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB 0116 242 3595 www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows

MAP 1 - A3

MAP 2 MAP 4

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

MAP 1 - A3

31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE 0116 261 6827 grays@lcbdepot.co.uk www.facebook.com/grayslcb

Northampton Road, Market Harborough LE16 9HB 01858 465 206 s.butt@harborough.gov.uk www.harboroughmarket.co.uk

Church Square, Market Harborough LE167NB 01858 463 673 boxoffice@harboroughtheatre.com www.harboroughtheatre.com 1 Garrick Walk, Leicester LE1 3AF 0116 296 1236 www.haytheatre.com 44 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN 0116 262 5418 www.facebook.com/thecriterionleicester

165

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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MAP 1 CITY CENTRE

25 Title: Address: Info: Web:

D MAIYANGO HOTEL yk

MAP 1 - A1

26 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

INTERNATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

MAP 1 - A2

27 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

JUST THE TONIC AT BREWDOG

28 Title: Address: Info: Web:

JUST THE TONIC AT HANSOM HALL

166

13-21 StesNicholas Place, Leicester LE1 4LD R d 0116 251 8898 www.maiyango.com Garden Street, Leicester LE1 3UA info@internationalartscentre.co.uk 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

29 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

JUST THE TONIC AT THE SHED

MAP 1 - A3

KAYAL

MAP 1 - B4

MAP 1 - B2

30 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE

MAP 1 - A2

MAP 1 - B2

31 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web: 32 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

KNIGHT & GARTER

MAP 1 - A2

WANT TICKETS?

5 Yeoman Street, Leicester LE1 1UT 0116 2625782 elisabeth@getintheshed.co.uk www.getintheshed.co.uk

153 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6FE 0116 255 4667 info@kayalrestaurant.com www.kayalrestaurant.com 4A St Martins, Leicester LE1 5DB 0300 300 0900 emma.lay@kriii.com www.kriii.com

Knight & Garter, Hotel Street, Leicester LE15AW 0116 303 3310 sam@beautifulpubs.co.uk www.knightandgarter.co.uk/gallery-venue

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 11

Gro by Rd

GLENFIELD

A46

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A46

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A50

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A60

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ANSTEY

MAP 2 LEICESTER/LEICESTERSHIRE

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A47

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A563

LEICESTER FOREST EAST

A47

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GLEN PARVA

Title: LEICESTER CATHEDRAL MAP 1 - A2 MAP 33 2 63 5PZ Address: St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester A5LE1 Web:

leicestercathedral.org

34 Title: LONG WHATTON COMMUNITY CENTRE Address: Main Street, The Green, Long Whatton, Loughborough LE12 5DB E-mail: office@longwhatton.leics.sch.uk Web: www.longwhattonvillage.co.uk 35 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL

MAP 4

Market Place, Loughborough LE11 3EB 01509 231 914 box.office@charnwood.gov.uk www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

63 7

OADBY

53 22

MAGAZINE GATEWAY

MAP 1 - B2

37 Title: Address: Info: Web:

MANHATTAN 34

MAP 1 - A3

The Magazine, Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 5XZ alan@deadleicester.co.uk www.deadleicester.co.uk

34 Rutland Street, The Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1RD 0116 262 8855 www.manhattan34.com

38 Title: MARKET HARBOROUGH LIBRARY Address: Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough LE16 7LT Info: 0116 305 3627 E-mail: marketharboroughlibrary@leics.gov.uk Web: www.harboroughmuseum.org.uk

MAP 2

39 Title: MARKET HARBOROUGH MUSEUM Address: Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7LT E-mail: helen.murray@leics.gov.uk Web: www.harboroughmuseum.org.uk

MAP 2

38/39 21

WIGSTON 40 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

MEGAZONE LEICESTER

41 Title: Address: Info: Web:

MELTON THEATRE

3 Gower Street, Leicester LE1 3LH 0116 253 1153 reshma.p@megazoneleicester.co.uk www.megazoneleicester.co.uk Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE130HJ 01664 851 111 www.meltontheatre.co.uk

42 Title: MOAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Address: Maidstone Road, Leicester LE2 0TU

36 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

A56 3

63 A5

M69

A51

43 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

MOUNTSORREL MEMORIAL CENTRE

44 Title: Address: Info: E-mail:

O’NEILLS

105 Leicester Road, Mountsorrel LE12 7DB 0116 230 4877 reception@mountsorrelmemorialcentre.co.uk www.mountsorrelmemorialcentre.co.uk 16-20 Loseby Lane, Leicester LE1 5DR 0116 262 8709 leicester@oneills.co.uk

MAP 1 -A3

MAP 3

MAP 1 -B4 MAP 2

MAP 1 - A2

MAP 2 45 Title: PARKS PRIMARY SCHOOL Address: New Parks Crescent, New Parks, Leicester LE3 9NZ 46 Title: PEEPUL CENTRE Address: Orchardson Avenue, Leicester LE4 6DP Info: 0116 261 6000 47 Title: Address: Info: Web:

PETER PIZZERIA

9 Welford Place, Leicester LE1 6ZH 0116 254 5333 www.peterpizzeria.co.uk

MAP 2

MAP 1 - A3

167

INFORMATION

ST MARTINS LODGE

MAP 1 - A2

7 Peacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5PZ 0116 261 5200 info@stmartinslodge.co.uk www.stmartinslodge.co.uk

A6 07

MAP 1 - B2 51 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

THE COOKIE

68 High Street, Leicester LE1 5YP 0116 253 1212 comedy@thecookieleicester.co.uk www.thecookieleicester.co.uk

@ THE GLOBE

MAP 1 - A2

Address: 43 Silver Street, Leicester LE1 5EU Info: 0116 253 9492

57 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE COSY CLUB

MAP 1 - A1

58 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE EXCHANGE BAR

MAP 1 - A3

59 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE FISH AND THE CHIP

MAP 1 - A1

68 Highcross Street, Leicester LE1 4NN 0116 408 0008 www.cosyclub.co.uk

The Exchange Bar, Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RD 0116 251 3434 www.exchangeleicester.com

52 Title: SYSTON BROOKSIDE CLUB Address: 10 Brookside, Syston, Leicester LE7 1GG Info: 0116 260 5875

MAP 2

53 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

THE ANGEL HOTEL

MAP 2

60 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

THE GUILDHALL

MAP 1 - A2

54 Title: Address: Info: E-mail:

THE BLACK HORSE

MAP 1 - B1

61 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

THE LITTLE THEATRE

MAP 1 - B3

62 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY

168

37 High Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AF 01858 462 702 theangel@theangel-hotel.co.uk www.theangel-hotel.co.uk 1 Foxon St, Leicester LE3 5LT 0116 254 0446 blackhorse.le35lt@btinternet.com

WANT TICKETS?

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 visitleicester.info/museums Dover Street, Leicester LE1 6PW 0116 255 1302 admin@lds-mail.net www.thelittletheatre.net 1081 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2JS adam.platformonecomedy@gmail.com themidlandrailwayhotelsyston.co.uk

tin

MAP 4

56 Title: THE COOKIE COMEDY CLUB

MAP 1 - A2

MAP 2

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

Wh a rncliffe Rd

MAP 2

MAP 4

49 Title: QUEENSMEAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Address: Winstanley Drive, Leicester LE3 1PF 50 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

55 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

Wh a rncliffe Rd

She

06 A6

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06 A6

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MAP 1 - A3

4 Midlands Street, Leicester LE1 1TG 0116 242 2800 hello@phoenix.org.uk www.phoenix.org.uk

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PEDESTRIANISED STREETS

MAP 3

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PHOENIX

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B58

48 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

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Norman Way

A6006 Norman Way

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MAP 4 LOUGHBOROUGH Meadow Ln

MAP 3 MELTON MOWBRAY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019 63 Title: THE NOELS ARMS Address: 31 Burton St, Melton Mowbray LE13 1AE Web: www.thenoelsarmsmeltonmowbray.co.uk 64 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE ROSE AND CROWN

65 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE TAP & BARREL

MAP 3

MAP 2

45 Main Street, Thurnby LE7 9PJ 0116 241 9075 www.roseandcrownthurnby.co.uk

MAP 2

58 Leicester Rd, Wigston LE18 1DR 0116 319 0123 www.tapandbarrelwigston.co.uk

71 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

WHITE LION

72 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

WYGSTON’S HOUSE

White Lion, 38 Main Street, Whissendine LE15 7ET 01664 474 233 info@whitelioninn.com www.whitelioninn.com Applegate, Leicester LE1 5LD 0116 296 4301 foxycomedy@gmail.com www.wygstonshouse.co.uk

MAP 2

MAP 1 - A2

MAP 2 66 Title: THE VILLAGE HUB Address: 33 Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leicester LE2 2RJ 67 Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE Y

7 East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY 0116 255 7066 www.leicesterymca.co.uk

Title: TOWN HALL BIKE PARK 68 Address: Town Hall Square, Leicester LE1 9BG

MAP 1 - B4

MAP 1 - B2

69 Title: Address: Info: E-mail: Web:

UPSTAIRS AT THE WESTERN

70 Title: Address: E-mail: Web:

WALTHAM ON THE WOLDS VILLAGE HALL MAP 3

70 Western Road, Leicester LE3 0GA 0116 254 5287 programming@upstairsatthewestern.com www.upstairsatthewestern.com

MAP 1 - C1

Goadby Road, Waltham on the Wolds LE14 4AG wvh.bookingclerk@gmail.com www.walthamvillagehall.co.uk

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 2019 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

169

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

CONTACT Big Difference Company, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE Registered charity 1135167

Tel: 0116 261 6812 Email: info@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk Website: www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

PEOPLE FESTIVAL PATRONS:

THE LATE SEAN HUGHES, THE LATE SUE TOWNSEND, THE LATE SIR NORMAN WISDOM OBE AND TONY SLATTERY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Martyn Allison (Chair), Asgoo Pirbhai, Max Schurer, David Boydon, Andrew Brown, Steph Osborn, Emma Anderson, Jonathan Kerry, Lauren Mills.

STAFF:

General Manager Festival Director Festival Producer Partnership Manager Marketing Support Special Events Assistant Volunteer Manager Finance Assistant Office Manager BIG Weekend Coordinator THANKS TO JOHN SYMONDS PR Manager Social media & video content creators Print design and production Print Distribution Lawyers

CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

Helen Tomblin Geoff Rowe Charlotte Laidet Katherine West Beth Piggott Alex Johnson Julian Haywood Khatija Kassam Jen Pethick Jo Herdman Anna Arthur PR Crosscut Media Reach Marketing SLB Distribution Shakespeares Martineau

anna@annaarthurpr.com crosscut-media.co.uk www.reachmarketing.co.uk www.slb-leaflet-distribution.co.uk www.shma.co.uk

BIG thanks to AIME ARMSTRONG, BARBARA MATTHEWS, EMILY HOWARTH, JANET AND ARTHUR GORDON, JONATHAN KERRY, LIZ BLYTH AND DEB WATSON. Thanks to Anne Vinestock, Dave Hancock, Fern Jennifer Elaine Beard, Simon Aldis, Tony Booth, Will Sarson

THANKS TO Sir Peter Soulsby, Piara Singh Clair, Andy Keeling, Mike Dalzell, Joanna Jones, Maggie Shutt, Sarah Harrison, Brian Lisowy, Andy Salkeld and everyone at Leicester City Council, Tony Graves, Richard Fletcher, John Rance, Jake Harvey and everyone at Phoenix Square, Julie Smith, Peter Leone, Antony Flint, Pete Mitchell & everyone at De Montfort Hall, Simon Winfield and everyone at Red Monkey, Steve Bennett, Chris, Nikolai, Chris, Claire & everyone at Curve, Martin Jinks, Anna Arthur, James, Paul, Sue, David & everyone at LCB Depot, Colin Bowles & everyone at The Little Theatre, Nicola Ward, Michael & everyone at The Y, George Oliver and everyone at Leicester Mercury, Schroeder Carbado, Donach, Kat, Giles & everyone at Union Jack Radio, Eloic, Liz, Lucy & everyone at The Belmont Hotel, The team at Ramada Encore Hotel, Bryan & everyone at Rowleys, Louise Grainger, Pete & Tracey Miller, Asgoo, Gary, Owain & everyone at Reach, Simon Jenner & BID Leicester, Jed, Adam, Callie & everyone at Haymarket Theatre, Michaela Butter & Attenborough Arts, Liz & Ken, David Hunter, Steve Garland, Heidi, Howard & everyone at East Midlands Airport, Leicester Fridge, Sophie Shardlow, Kamlesh Purohit, Pete Wardman & everyone at BBC Leicester, Ben, Alice & everyone at East Midlands Trains, Nik & everyone at The Cookie, Chris Perkin, Sharon Lockyer, Alex Hylton, NCF Comedy, Darrell Martin, Alice Robinson & everyone at Just The Tonic, Chris Sturgess, Nichola Moore & everyone at Sturgess, Sarah & everyone at PETER Pizzeria, Glenda and everyone at The Cosy Club, Lindsay, Fee, Martin & everyone at Red61, Robbie Kerr & Loughborough Town Hall, Claire Cannell, Erika Hardy & Everards, Flo Howard, Jo Herdmann, Kate Lennon, Daniel Nicholas, Mark Dolan, Janice Connolly, Kevin Russell, and all promoters, volunteers, venue staff and performers!

170

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2019

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