HIGHLIGHTS
Leicester Comedy Festival 2021
WELCOME TO LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2021! Grab your tickets online at www.comedy-festival.co.uk’
The world does seem to have significantly changed since Leicester Comedy Festival 2020 took place and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the pandemic. It’s been a really difficult time for so many people, including us and all those involved in live entertainment. We feel for all our colleagues around the world who have had to cancel, or rearrange shows, events and festivals. We are delighted to be back, presenting a celebration of British comedy and supporting those from our Festival community. Our team have been working for months to ensure whatever is happening Covid-wise we can still bring a programme to you, our lovely audience. So, that is what we are going to do! Things will, of course, be a bit different to normal but tickets are on sale now for online events and I’m thrilled with the programme we have confirmed to date. The festival will feature appearances by Tom Allen, Stewart Lee, Al Murray, Zoe Lyons, Angela Barnes and many, many more. Check out the details in this brochure for all the info you need. The brochure will be updated regularly over the next few weeks so watch out for announcements as extra acts are confirmed or do visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk The festival is supported by a number of partners including our main partners Leicester City Council, De Montfort University and Union JACK Radio, as well as our Official Streaming Partner Next Up Comedy. The support we continue to receive is really appreciated so a HUGE thank you to those organisations who support what we do. Regular favourites like The (Not So!) Late Comedy Club and the Beyond A Joke seminar programme are returning for 2021, and in addition to this we have a fantastic line up of podcasts recorded live at the festival, live streamed comedy shows and exclusive Q&A interviews with a bunch of friends of the festival. Our UK Kids’ Comedy Festival is also back and you can check out the programme by visiting www.ukkidscomedyfestival.co.uk We hope the festival will support you, our audiences, who perhaps are feeling like we are and are wanting something to look forward to after a period of, well, not very much. Dare I suggest it’s time to put a smile on our faces, and I hope we can help raise spirits just a little. Leicester Comedy Festival is produced by registered charity Big Difference Company and 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. We pass on 100% of the ticket sales to our promoters, venues and comedians and we now receive around 8% of the money we need each year from donations. If you value and support what we do, please consider making a donation when you buy your tickets. Your support is needed more than ever before.
“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror
We have a growing number of supporters and several new partners for 2021 so a massive thank you to them and everyone who works on the festival and supports what we do. I’m so proud that all our main partners have stayed on board at this difficult time and are 100% committed to sustaining this festival, which has taken place each February since 1994. Although things might be strange and odd, I hope you enjoy the festival and together we can sustain Leicester Comedy Festival for many years to come. Thank you. Stay safe, smile and enjoy Geoff Rowe BEM Director Leicester Comedy Festival @geoff_rowe
HOW TO ENJOY THE FESTIVAL ONLINE Things are a little different for Leicester Comedy Festival 2021 and currently all of our shows will be streamed online. You will be able to view these as long as you have a ticket, a screen, a good broadband connection (and a comfy chair!). Our performers use a variety of different streaming platforms and when you purchase your ticket your email confirmation will include all the instructions that you will need to watch your chosen event online. Like a real show, a ticket is required for each person, even if you’re in the same room – this helps us support comedians and the venues as much as possible. When you receive your email link, please don’t share this with others or neither party will be able to enter the gig. Before your event starts, if it’s required, make sure you have the correct streaming software installed on your laptop or tablet – this may be Zoom, Twitch, Teams or viewed via NextUp, our official streaming partner for the 2021 festival. Give it a test before the show to make sure it works – we don’t want you to miss the show! We hope this helps to answer a few of the questions you may have, but if there’s anything we’ve missed, please email tickets@comedyfestival.co.uk and we will do our best to assist you.
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