Leicester comedy festival 2017: 8-26 February by Leicester Comedy Festival

8-26 FEBRUARY 2017

Tickets and info

0116 456 6812 COMEDY-FESTIVAL.CO.UK

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to join our party

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

CONTENTS SPONSORS

The great companies that sponsor the festival

A-Z OF ACTS Performers names at a glance

WELCOME

FESTIVAL DIARY

Welcomes from Geoff Rowe, Cllr Rory Palmer and Prof Dominic Shellard

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

5&7

OUR LISTINGS EXPLAINED How the listing section works

BUSINESS PARTNERS CLUB ROLL OF HONOUR Our local business supporters

FESTIVAL INFORMATION Useful bits of information

PROJECTS AND EVENTS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

137

ACCESS GUIDE TO THE FESTIVAL

146

MAPS & VENUE INFORMATION Find your way around the festival

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

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

35 – 136

WATCH OUT FOR

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

18 – 32

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

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

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

16 – 17

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS People and organisations we want to thank

147 – 151 154 154

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.

Our contact details can be found on page 154 so please do get in touch!

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

SPONSORED BY

FESTIVAL EVENTS

WANT TICKETS?

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL I am delighted to welcome you all to Leicester Comedy Festival 2017. The festival has grown over the past 20 years to become a major cultural event for both city residents and the thousands of people who visit from across the UK. Leicester Comedy Festival is now firmly established in the calendar and gives us all an opportunity to enjoy the impressive number of comedians and performers who take part. The 19-day programme is one of the major attractions for Leicester and is part of the reason why Leicester continues to receive national and international publicity. Of course the festival is not just about raising smiles, it also makes a significant economic impact for Leicester; it is estimated that this impact is worth £3m each February. I’m proud Leicester City Council continues to support the festival. I hope everyone has a great festival. Cllr Rory Palmer, Deputy City Mayor @Rory_Palmer

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY Leicester Comedy Festival is one of the best events this city has to offer and we’re very proud it began here at De Montfort University (DMU) What started as a student project has grown into a stunning showcase – of both bright new talent and some of the biggest names in comedy – and we’re always delighted to play a part. Over the past 23 years our students have gained invaluable hands-on experience by doing everything from booking, scheduling and promoting the acts, to running the tech backstage and even performing. Through our Square Mile Smiles comedy classes we’ve also given people living in the West End of Leicester a chance to enjoy the limelight and prove laughter is the best medicine. Good comedy can be a serious business – it makes us laugh but it should also make us think. In challenging times, we need to do both. Good luck to everyone involved in this year’s festival. Professor Dominic Shellard, De Montfort University Vice-Chancellor @DMUVC

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

FESTIVAL INFORMATION 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.

VOLUNTEERS Are you interested in going behind the scenes and experiencing the festival in a different way? Join our team and help make 2017 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

Tickets are also available to buy in person from the Festival Hub located in the city centre. Call the ticket office team for more information about location and opening times.

UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION:

You can also collect tickets from our ticket booths located at venues and locations across the city centre. Check the website for more information about where/when these will be open or call 0116 456 6812.

Twitter: @LeicsComedyFest Watch:

Search for Leicester Comedy Festival on www.youtube.com

Outside of these times, tickets may be available to purchase direct from the venue. Details are listed on pages 147 – 151.

Listen:

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

Read:

Leicester Mercury for interviews & reviews

BOOKING FEES We’ve worked hard to keep booking fees as low as possible for our box office, working with our ticketing partner Red61. These booking fees have been reduced from recent years. All tickets purchased via the festival ticket office will be charged a 12% booking fee. If you would like your tickets posted to you there is a charge of £1 for standard postage. Alternatively you can collect your tickets at one of our ticket collection points – check www.comedy-festival.co.uk for locations. If you have any feedback on our centralised ticket office, do let us know info@ comedy-festival.co.uk These are the booking fees and arrangements for our main festival box office. If you buy tickets from elsewhere, the booking fees and arrangements may be different so please check with who you are buying tickets from. Leicester Comedy Festival is produced by Big Difference Company, a registered charity (1135167). If you want to contact the show promoter, contact details are shown on pages 147 – 151. PRICES & TIMES Prices for events are contained in this brochure; full price tickets are shown and relevant concession/discounted prices are shown in brackets. Those who are entitled to discounts do vary according to the event, so check with the ticket office when booking. Start times are shown and indicates the time the performance will start; the venue may open before this and you are advised to check when booking tickets. We have also tried to suggest finish times (so you can enjoy more than one event in a day). It is difficult to guarantee finish times as comedy shows do sometimes overrun and delays can happen but we hope the estimates are useful. DIRECTIONS We’ve included basic maps (pages 147 – 151) 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.

Visit:

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

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 154 so please do get in touch! GET THERE EARLY! Some of the venues have fixed seating and you’ll get issued with an exact seat when you buy your ticket (reserved). Other venues allocate seats on a first come, first served basis so there are occasionally queues of people waiting to get in to make sure they get the “best” seats (unreserved). We’ve indicated which option is relevant next to each event. If the seating is unreserved, and you turn up late, you might be sat/stood at the back of the room. ACCOMMODATION If you’re coming from out of town, there are several hotels in Leicester where you can stay and catch some laughs late into the night. Our official hotels are The Belmont Hotel and The Mercure Grand Hotel and our website has information about deals and how to book or see page 10 in this brochure. ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES All the promoters and venues that put on events try and ensure that everyone is able to attend Festival events and have a comfortable time when they get there. We have produced a guide to visiting our venues for people with disabilities and this can be downloaded from our website or by contacting our main festival office. If you want to discuss visiting a venue further, contact the relevant promoter (details are shown on pages 147 – 151).

WANT TICKETS?

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

WATCH OUT FOR: SPECIAL OFFERS

There will be various special offers promoted leading up to, and during, the festival. These are often available via twitter or facebook or sign up to our newsletter which is sent out from time to time and is the best way to get the latest festival news. You can subscribe to the newsletter via our website www.comedy-festival.co.uk. THE BIG WEEKENDS Back for a 2nd year, a great line up of shows in Loughborough & Melton. The BIG Weekends are taking over these Leicestershire towns and providing a taste of the main festival.

CHARITY SHOWS This year you can once again have a few laughs and feel content in the knowledge that the ticket money is going towards good causes. There are various charity shows in the programme, including our traditional charity gala finale show, Comedy Heaven, in aid of Prostaid and Big Difference Company. We are proud that activities during the festival will also support LOROS, Charity Link and Warning Zone.

THE SECRET TOURS A complete sell out in past years, join us on The Secret Tour. See several festival shows in one night. The catch? We won’t tell you which shows you’ll be seeing. Take a chance, you won’t regret it. Taking place on Fridays 17th & 24th February; unique ways to start your festival weekend. Tickets are only available in advance from www.comedy-festival.co.uk or 0116 456 6812.

BEYOND A JOKE Following the success last year, we have increased the number of talks & seminars we are promoting as part of the festival. These build on previous seminars and are aimed at people who want to delve a little deeper into issues linked to contemporary comedy. Topics this year include disability and comedy, accessibility, religion and offence and the history of Leicester Comedy Festival.

ROAR WITH LAUGHTER FRINGE The Roar with Laughter Fringe is back, taking over Everards pubs across Leicester & Leicestershire. 9 pubs are putting on great nights of comedy featuring comedians including Sarah Keyworth, Adam Hess, Ed Patrick, Mrs Barbara Nice & Ahir Shah. Check out the listings for more information. LEICESTER FRIDGE Back for another brilliant year, a selection of brilliant shows featuring locally sourced acts and their friends. Check out the advert on page 34 and look for the “fridge” icon next to shows.

FREE & PAY WHAT YOU WANT (PWYW) 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!

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

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.

FESTIVAL SPECIAL OFFER

10% discount on the best available rate; check online or call the hotel direct

The Belmont Hotel

Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel

De Montfort Street Leicester LE1 7GR 0116 254 4773 belmonthotel.co.uk

Granby Street Leicester 0844 815 9012 mercureleicester.co.uk

From Bed & Breakfast in the 1930’s to AA 3* rated Boutique & Bistro Hotel in 2015, 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.

Check in to Victorian elegance in a vibrant central location at the 4* Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel. Just two minutes away from the newly regenerated Cultural Quarter, and many of the city centre festival venues. Relax with cocktails under chandeliers and classical columns in the Lounge Bar with free wireless internet access.

Situated in pretty New Walk, the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the train station, festival venues and brilliant shopping and entertainment.

All bedrooms feature a ﬂat-screen TV and complimentary high speed WiFi. On site car park & located a few minutes’ walk from the train station.

Travel to Leicester with

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

Check www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk for best fares

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY in partnership with

DMU ADVERT

DMU IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL, 24 YEARS AFTER IT FIRST BEGAN AS ONE OF OUR STUDENT PROJECTS. Find out more about us at dmu.ac.uk

Sunburst design with microphone (Leicester comedy festival advert).indd 1

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

14/10/2016 15:29

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

PETER

Pizzeria

PIZZA AND COMEDY AT THE FESTIVALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

QUIRKIEST VENUE! FEATURING:

Sean Kelly (Storage Hunters)

Paul Foot

Zoe Lyons House Of Verse present

Jarred Christmas House of Mirth Ahir Shah Late Shows, Improv Shows, Kids Shows & Much More!

Tickets & Info at www.comedy-festival.co.uk OR Call 0116 456 6812 | #onlyjoking

BOOK A PRE/AFTER SHOW MEAL leicester@peterpizzeria.co.uk

0116 545 333

WANT TICKETS?

www.peterpizzeria.co.uk

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Paying booking fees? That’s bananas. Don’t let cheeky monkeys make you pay to buy your train tickets online. We don’t.

East Midlands Trains are proud partners of Leicester Comedy Festival

At Station l Online l App

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Original prints now for sale!

An exclusive set of 9 Leicester cartoons by Private Eye cartoonist Paul Wood.

Each print is A3, printed on 350gsm card & individually wrapped.

BY E MAILIN

inc VAT

T E S H C A E

.co.uk

ecompany bigdifferenc

info@

The cartoons feature: The Clocktower The Blue Tower John Lewis, Leicester Curve Theatre The Magazine

Leicester bus station Leicester market The National Space Centre King Power Stadium

All proceeds from the sale of these prints go to support Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167).

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

“One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar” the guardian

A–Z OF ACTS A Aaron Twitchen Abigoliah Schamaun Abi Roberts Adam Buxton Adam Drake Adam Hess Adam Larter Adam Saleh Addy Van Der Borgh Adele Cliff Ahir Shah Aidan Goatley Alan Bellamy Alasdair Beckett-King Alastair Clark Alexander Bennett Alexandria Macleod Alex Davies Alex Horne Alex Hylton Alex Kealy Alex Keen Alex Love Alex Mahoney Alfie Brown Alfie Moore Alison Thea-Skot Alistair Williams Allan Smith Amadeus Martin Amy Howerska Amy Howeska Andrea Hubert Andrew Bird Andrew Lawrence Andrew Ryan Andy Askins Andy Barr Andy Bridge Andy Kind Andy Zaltzman Angela Barnes Anna Morris Anna Piper Anthony King Archie Maddox B Barbara Nice Barry Ferns Beattie Edmondson Becky Bone Becky Walker Ben Briggs Ben Ennis Ben Fogg Benjamin Alborough Benji Tranter Ben Rowse Ben Target Ben Welch Bethany Black Bilal Zafar Bisha K Ali Bob Blackman Bobby Mair Bob Slayer Brendan Murphy Brennan Reece Bridget Thomas Bruce Edhouse Bryony Twydle

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 72,113 37 37 38 125 38,50,91 38 38 48 38 39,121,135 39 39 127 40 71,136 56 56 40 40,46,93 40 118 73 53 40 41 131 41 130 46 41 47 42 42 43 43 43 43,126 54 43 44 44 44 73 35,135 44 42 45 47 79 45 45 36 46 56 105 125 83 103,120 67 46 47,57,72 48 49 48,49,76 91 49,50 111 36,93 50

C Cally Beaton Camille Ucan Candy Gigi Carl Donnelly Carly Smallman Caroline Ryan Catherine Bohart Charlie Baker Charlie Gascoyne Charlotte Russell Charmian Hughes Chris Betts Chris Fay Chris Kehoe Chris Kent Chris Norton Walker Chris Phillips Chris Purchase Chris Read Chris Stokes Christian Dart Christian Talbot Chris Washington Clare Plested Clare Snow Clayton Jones Col Howarth Colin Chadwick Colin Hoult Colin Leggo Craig Byrne Cynosure Theatre Company D Damian Clark Dan Bramley Dane Baptiste Danielle Downey Danielle Ward Daniel Nicholas Dan Lees Danny Clives Danny Mcloughlin Danny OBrien Danny Ward Dan Wallbank Daphna Baram Darius Davies Darren Coles Darren Walsh Dave Chawner Dave Gotheridge Dave McGuckin Dave Parkin David Alnwick David Anthony Wood David Ephgrave David Longley David McIver David Mills David Morgan David ODoherty David Trent Debra Heighton Desiree Burch Devvo Dimitri Bakanov Doctor Ray Lowry Dominic Frisby Donna Scott Doug Deans Doug Segal Drew Taylor Dylan Gott

52,112 47 50 51 51,102 51 52 52 118 118 52 52,53,121 53 53 63 53 111 53 128 74 126 53 111 54 98 57 63 35 54 54 60 63 57 105 57 56 58 55,56,57,58,75,76,100 128 37 58 59 59 93 45 59,71,87,88 127 59,111 50 130 46,59,93 105 59 123 102 74 60 60 72 60 64 61 61 61 129 65 61 130 56,105 62 125 127

WANT TICKETS?

E Ed Gamble Ed Patrick Edward Aczel Edward Easton Eleanor Tiernan Elf Lyons Elliot Steel Erich McElroy F Fern Brady Fin Taylor Fiona Pearce Fran Jenking Frank Foucault Freddie Farrell Freddy Quinne G Gabby Best Gabriel Ebulue Gareth Richards Garrett Millerick Gary Delaney Gary Tro Gemma Caseley-Kirk Geoff Norcott George Egg George Lewis George Rigden George Wiliams Georgia Hurt Georgie Morrell Geraint Evans Gervase Phinn Gill Frost Glenn Moore Glenn Wade Glenn Wool Graham Fellows Graham Milton Gráinne Maguire H Hannah Blakeley Hannah Croft Hannah Silvester Hardeep Singh Kohli Hari Sriskantha Harriet Cains Harriet Dyer Harriet Kemsley Harry Baker Helen Bauer Helen Duff Herman German Holly Walsh Howard Read I Iain Stirling Ian Hall Ian Lane Ian Seaburn Ian Smith Imran Yusuf Ishi Khan-Jackson Ivo Graham J Jack Britton Jack Campbell Jack Gleadow Jack Hobbs Jacob Hatton Jake Howie Jake Lambert Jamali Maddix

62 62,135 62 67,125 63 63 63 64 64 64 56 65 65 65 63 66 66 66 66 66 67,129 96 67 65 67 68,119,129 96 74 68 53 68 112 68 127 69 85 69,85 70 90 56 70,101 70 70 96 70 71 128 100 71 72 73 46 75 36,93 75 78 42,75 76 76 77 55,56,57,77 77,78,92 133 80 78 129 78 78

James Acaster James Bone James Campbell James Cann James Cook James Dunnell-Smith James Farmer James Farr James Hissett James Meehan James Rowland Jane Hill Janice Connolly Jared Shooter Jarred Christmas Jasmine Roberts Jason Bridge Jason Manford Jason Neale Javier Jarquin Jay Handley Jay Islaam Jeff Japers Jen Brister Jenny Collier Jeremy Davies Jimmy Carr Jim Smallman Joanna Carolan Joanna Neary Jo DArcy Jody Kamali Joe Bromehead Joel Dommett Joe Lycett Jo Enright Joe Sutherland Joe Thompson Joe Wells John Aggasild John Bond John Hastings John Kearns Johnny Vegas John Pendal John Robertson John Robins John Shuttleworth John Woodburn Jonathan Goodwin Jonathan Hearn Jonathan Pie Jon Long Jonny Awsum Jon Pearson Jon Richardson Jordan Brookes Joseph Murphy Josh Howie Joshua George Smith Joshua Jones Josie Long Jovis Lane Joz Norris Juliet Meyers Jurgen Strack Justin Moorhouse Justin Panks K Kate Fox Kate Lucas Kate McCabe Kate Smurthwaite Katharine Ferns

. .

78,79 79 79 56 48,112 122 79 123 55 66,67,79,125 91 80 45,74 80 80,110 80 126 105 81,93 129 81 120 52 81 81 69 81 81 120 82 57 82 83 83 49,83 82 83 118 74 83 126 83,84,127 84 85,87 84 84 85 85 122 126 130 86 85 86 85,135 86 86 55 86 122 69 86 105 87 87 72 88 71 88 88,89 89 123 89

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

A–Z OF ACTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Kath Hughes Kathryn Bond Katie Mulgrew Katie Pritchard Katy Schutte Kayleigh Cassidy Keith Farnan Ken Dodd Kevin Dewsbury Kevin Hudson Kevin Precious Kieran Boyd Kieran Hodgson Kiri Pritchard-McLean Kwame Asante Kyle D Evans L Laura Anderson Laura Lexx Lauren Pattison Lawrence 'Trev' Cole Lee Apsey Lee Hurst Lee Peart Lee Ridley Leo Kearse Lewis Charlesworth Lewis Cook Lewys Holt Liam Gardiner Webber Lindsey Santoro Lindsey Warnes Carroll Little Howard Lloyd Griffith Lloyd Henning Lord Fear Loren OBrien Lost Voice Guy Lou Conran Luca Cupani Lucy Manning Lucy Pearman Lucy Porter Lucy Roper Lucy Thompson Luke McQueen M Mabel Green Madame Señorita. Maddy Anholt Marcus Newman Mark Cooper-Jones Mark Dean Quinn Mark Dolan Mark Simmons Mark Smith Mark Watson Marlon Davis Marny Godden Matt Andrews Matt Forde Matt Green Matthew Highton Matt Hollins Matt Watts Maxine Jones Max Levine Michael Brunström Michael Dryburgh Michael Stranney Mickey Sharma Mick Ferry Micky Overman Micky P Kerr

67,125 88 89 74 91 56 89 89 90 111 90 90 90 41,44,67,91,125 91 91 74 92 92 120 56 92 92 94 71,93 127 56 55,56,57,75 72 37 55,93,101,102,121,128,134 46 94,114 65 91 94 94 95 95 96 95 95 68 95 96 103 96 96 118 97 97 97 88,97,111 97 97 98 98 56 98 98 99 99 99 99 73 100 101 100 120 66 100 100

Mik Artistik Mike Brown Mike Newall Mike Waller Mike Yeoman Milo McCabe Miranda Kane Mitch Benn MJ Hibbett Moses Ali Khan Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer N Naomi Cooper Narisha Lawson Nathan Cassidy Nathan Caton Nathan Willcock Naz Osmanoglu Neil Davidson Neil Frost Neil Johnston Nick Dixon Nick Revell Nick Sheard Nicola James Nicola Lucey Nicole Henriksen Nico Yearwood Nigel Ng Norman Lovett Nuala Harvey O Oh Standfast Olaf Falafel P Pascale Wilson Pat Cahill Patrick Monahan Paula Valluerca Paul Banks Paul Currie Paul Dance Paul Flannery Paul Foot Paul F Taylor Paul Gosling Paul McCaffrey Paul Richards Paul Savage Paul Sinha Paul Thorne Paul Tonkinson Penny Matthews Pete Otway Peter Brush Peter Dobbing Pete Sutton Phil Cooper Phil Drew Phil Ellis Phil Hammond Philip Hutchinson Phil Jarvis Phil Jerrod Phil Kay Phil Nichol Pierre Novellie Poetman R Rachel E. Thorn Rachel Fairburn Rachel Parris Radu Isac Rahul Kohli

100 130 90,101 118 54 101 102 102 124 120 103 103 96 103,130 103 103,126 104 131 128 85 104 104 98 78 56 104 104 104 105 60 62 105 120 105 105,111 96 54 106 72 91 106 106,121 98 56,87,107 107 71,117 107 107 108 52 108 108 108 65 53,109 92 49,66,87,109 62 71 126 109 109 110 110 62,63 56,118 41,111,112 112 129 112

Rebecca Shorrocks Red Redmond Rhys James Rhys Lawton Richard Cadell Richard Gadd Richard Herring Richard Pulsford Richard Soames Richard Todd Richard Wright Rick Molland Rob Broderick Rob Coleman Robert Bilic Rob Gee Rob Kemp Rob Leeson Rob Mulholland Robyn Perkins Roger Monkhouse Roger Swift Romesh Ranganathan Rory OKeeffe Rosana Bosanac Rose Johnson Rose Matafeo Rosie Philips Ross Brierly Rousha Browning Russell Hicks Ryan Byrne S Sabrina Sandhu Sajeela Kershi Samantha Baines Samantha Pressdee Sam Fletcher Sam Golin Sam Gore Sam Nicoresti Sam Schäfer Sam Walls Sam Wilson Sandra Hale Sarah Bridgeman Sarah Griffin Sarah Johnson Sarah Kempton Sarah Keyworth Sarah Millican Sarah White Sasha Ellen Scarlet SoHandsome Scott Bennett Scott Capurro Scott Gibson Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Sean Hargreaves Sean Kelly Sean McLoughlin Sean Morley Seann Walsh Seymour Mace Shappi Khorsandi Shazia Mirza Shirley Rentokill Si Deaves Silky Simon Caine Simon Donald Simon Munnery Simon Schatzberger Simon Stanley Ward

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

121 60,117 113 69 123 113 113 113 91 114 104 102 37 69 98 36,127 128 98 114 47 88 46,114 42 114 64 47 115 127 129 115 115 60 96 115 35 116 116 57 74 115 53,109 126 37 116 52 69 116 56 50,116 123 120 37 117 117 117 118 118 52 36,118 118 118 119 119 120 120 128 92 106 44,122 122 122 42 112

Simon Warner Sol Bernstein Sooty Spiky Mike Steffan Evans Stella Graham Stephanie Laing Stephen Bailey Steve Bond Steve Bugeja Steve Forbes Steve Hili Steve Rodgers Steve Vertigo Stewart Lee Stuart Goldsmith Stu Woodings Sue Perkins Sully OSullivan Susan Calman Sweep T Terry Alderton Tez Ilyas The Noise Next Door The Same Faces The Warwick Comedy Society Thomas Lawrence Thomas Rackham Tiernan Douieb Tiff Stevenson Tim FitzHigham Tom Allen Tom Bell Tom Burgess Tom Goodliffe Tom Greaves Tom Little Tom Lucy Tom Short Tom Stade Tom Ward Tom Wrigglesworth Tom Young Tony Basnett Tony Law Tony Vino Tori Millard Tracey Gosling V Vicky Johnson Vince Atta Viv Groskop W Wayne Carter Will Duggan Will Hutchby Will Seaward Will White Y Yuriko Kotani Z Zahra Barri Zoe Lyons Zoë Tomalin

122 88 123 121 125 123 47,72 124 56 49,124 112 129 69 124 124 125 110 125 102 125 123 126 126 87,129 130 134 130 92,95,101 132 132 88 132 91 108,115 132 54 132 133 133 87 133 133 130,133 133 134 127 69 98 98 134 134 135 135 90 136 118 136 136 136 108

DIARY START TIME

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

PAGE

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 2017 07:30 08:45 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 17:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:20 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:30 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:00 19:30 21:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 22:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:30 20:15 22:45 21:00 21:50 21:00 21:50 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 22:45 00:02

Business Breakfast The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs Make 'Em Laugh 2 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Schools' Showcase Mark Simmons: Whatever you want, I couldn't give a toss Phil Kay: Laugh & Death Richard Herring: The Best High Sheriff's Charity Comedy Night CineMadness: Comedy Shorts Debra Heighton & Friends Dave McGuckin - Prisencolinensinainciusol Cat Call Should I Stay or Should I Go? Jonathan Pie: Live Mark Watson: A Work In Progress Stewart Lee: Content Provider Proper Funny Launch Party PUNel Show Sarah Keyworth: Daddy's Girl BlackMan and Robyn Nathan Caton: Work In Progress Bob Slayer: Where's The BlundaBus?

DMU Campus City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre The Y Leicester Guildhall DMU Heritage centre Regent College Studio The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy The National Space Centre Firebug PETER Pizzeria The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 Kayal The Y The Cookie De Montfort Hall Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion

50 131 60 96 35 36 117 97 109 113 72 54 61 59 52 121 86 97 124 110 111 116 47 103 49

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 17:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 14:15 12:00 12:20 18:30 22:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:55 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 22:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 21:15 20:00 22:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:55 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Make 'Em Laugh 2 Shakespeare Martineau (Comedy) Curry Club 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) A Bellyful of Laughs in aid of Charity Link Josh Howie's Messed Up An Hour with Woody Allen(ish) Hotel D'Comedie: Loughborough Chris Betts vs The Audience The Alasdair Beckett-King Mysteries Sean Kelly - LIVE! Richard Todd Andrew Bird: I Knew This Would Happen Bilal Zafar - WORK IN PROGRESS Jared Shooter - I Think My Dad Is Batman Absolute Mess by Danny Clives and Lindsey Santoro Rahul Kohli - Not So Chubby Brown Just The Tonic's Thursday Night Comedy Commentary Bulls Head Roars With Laughter Stewart Lee: Content Provider Ahir Shah: Machines A Fox's Tale Twonkey's Christmas in the Jungle Dead Leicester Chris Betts: Social Animal

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre DMU Heritage centre The Y Chutney Ivy Leicester Guildhall The Cow & Plough The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Holywell House Heroes @ The Criterion The Regent Sports and Social Club PETER Pizzeria Duffys Bar The Cookie @ The Globe The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 BrewDog Loughborough Town Hall Phoenix Bulls Head De Montfort Hall The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway The Needle & Pin

131 60 36 96 119 35 35 86 42 73 52 127 118 114 42 46 80 37 112 88 55 50 124 39 36 134 60 53

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

22:00 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:20 22:30 00:02

Silky: Indoor Fireworks Paul Richards: One Man and a Box Tiernan Douieb - Happily Miserable, Miserably Happy If You Lived Here You'd Be Ian Lane By Now Matt Hollins: LE8 State of Mind Andy Zaltzman: Plan Z Amy Howerska - PROGRESS (work in) Cream Tea and Incest Bob Slayer: Where's The BlundaBus?

The Regent Sports and Social Club Duffys Bar The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie BrewDog Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion

106 107 132 75 99 44 41 56 49

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Make 'Em Laugh 2 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) It's A Funny Old Business The Purple Pound is Everyone's Business Confessions of a gobshite A Q&A and auction with Sean Kelly Jasmine Roberts: The Great British Nunny Improv with Nicholas Holt: In A Art Gallery! Big Howard Little Howard: Man And Boy Cream Tea and Incest Dead Leicester Kate Lucas: Whatever Happened to Kate Lucas? 'BLOOZY WOOZY' BILL - ABSOLUTE LEGEND The Comedy Asylum Anchor Inn Roars With Laughter Hotel D'Comedie: Loughborough Chris Betts vs The Audience The Fairfield Inn Roars with Laughter The Alasdair Beckett-King Mysteries Accidents Happen: Sasha Ellen and Beloved Pets She's Killed The Clean (As Possible) Comedy Show Ahir Shah: Work In Progress Sean Kelly - LIVE! Abandoman - Life + Rhymes Pick of the Fest Danielle Ward: Seventeen The Black Horse Comedy Club: Laughter Loft Gay Comedy Night - with Bethany Black Nicole Henriksen - Techno Glitter Penguins Jimmy Carr: The Best of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour Adam Hess New Show Seann Walsh - One For The Road Molland & Sullivan - Freedom of Speech Maxine Jones: Now We Are 60 Black Dog Roars With Laughter Smurthwaite on Masculinity Twonkey's Christmas in the Jungle Seven Acts for £7 Dead Leicester SIlent Comedy Elf Lyons : Pelican Paul Richards: One Man and a Box

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre DMU Heritage centre The Y Leicester Guildhall PETER Pizzeria Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) Grays@LCB Depot Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Heroes @ The Criterion DMU Art Gallery Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Grays@LCB Depot Magazine Gateway The Cookie Kayal Attenborough Arts Centre Anchor Inn Holywell House Heroes @ The Criterion The Fairfield Inn The Regent Sports and Social Club Duffys Bar Central Baptist Church, Leicester The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe PETER Pizzeria Firebug Curve Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Black Horse The Y Manhattan 34 De Montfort Hall The Cookie Loughborough Town Hall BrewDog Grays@LCB Depot Black Dog Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Magazine Gateway Firebug The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Duffys Bar

131 60 36 96 35 76 130 55 36 80 75 46 56 60 89 48 127 42 73 52 128 127 37 127 39 118 37 110 58 47 67 104 81 38 119 102 99 47 123 134 119 60 121 63 107

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 17:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:20 12:30 14:15 13:30 14:30 17:00 18:00 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:20 18:00 19:00 18:15 19:05 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:50 19:45 19:00 21:30 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 21:15 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:15 20:00 23:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:30 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 20:50 20:00 21:15 20:10 21:10 20:15 21:15 20:30 22:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 21:50 21:00 22:00

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

22:00 22:15 22:15 22:30 22:30 23:00 22:20 23:00 23:00 23:30 00:02

Katharine Ferns: In Stitches Vince Atta: LOOPZILLA John Pendal: How To Escape From Stuff Great Expectations & The Sassinator. Samantha Pressdee: Sextremist Leicester Fridge: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER Dead Cat Comedy Club PETER's Secret Show Amy Howerska PROGRESS (work in) Your Hero Alexander Bennett Bob Slayer: Where's The BlundaBus?

The Regent Sports and Social Club Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Manhattan 34 Kayal Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion BrewDog PETER Pizzeria: Loughborough Duffys Bar Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion

89 134 84 69 116 93 60 109 41 136 49

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs Make 'Em Laugh 2 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) BEN BRIGGS - YES... I REALLY JUST SAID THAT A FUNNY CITY: open discussion with Leicester's heroes of comedy Stuart Goldsmith: All The Time In The World Short & Curly: Young at Start (Work In Progress) Cult Comics All Killa No Filla Live Jarred Christmas & The Hobbit: The Mighty Kids Beatbox Game Show A Digital Legacy Colin Leggo: Parallels of Punderment UFI Unstoppable Poppable Tom Goodliffe's Coffee Run Daniel Nicholas: Poster Boy Ben Fogg - How I Won Best Newcomer 2017 Sheep Soup: The Invention of Acting Tony Basnett Always Lands on his Feet Warwick Comedy Society Stand-Up Show Tom Ward: Work In Progress Funny Bones and Wisdom Teeth Leo Kearse: I Can Make You Tory Paul Thorne: This Month's Apocalypse Bilal Zafar - CAKES Dead Leicester Maxine Jones: Now We Are 60 Standard Issue In Conversation Binge Thinking Ian Smith - Work in Progress Katie Mulgrew: This guy Ken Dodd Shappi Khorsandi: Oh My Country! From Morris Dancing to Morrissey Clare Plested: Work in Progress The Star & Garter Roars With Laughter Paul Sinha: Postcards from the Z List Red Light Comedy Club KATE LUCAS: NEW STUFF Garrett Millerick: The Dreams Stuff Is Made Of Susan Calman The Black Horse Comedy Club: Laughter Loft Scarlet SoHandsome - WERK In Progress DANE BAPTISTE: WORK IN PROGRESS

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre The Y Leicester Guildhall The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie The Soundhouse Manhattan 34 PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie The Soundhouse Manhattan 34 The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Firebug Kayal Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Leicester Guildhall Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Magazine Gateway Grays@LCB Depot Firebug Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 De Montfort Hall Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Regent Sports and Social Club The Star & Garter LU Arts Future Cycles The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Curve Black Horse BrewDog The Cookie

131 60 96 35 45 36 125 121 57 41 80 35 54 134 132 58 46 120 133 134 133 65 93 107 46 60 99 123 46 75 89 89 120 54 131 107 113 88 66 125 47 117 57

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:20 12:30 13:30 13:00 14:00 13:15 14:15 14:00 15:00 14:30 15:30 14:45 15:45 15:00 16:00 15:30 16:20 15:30 16:30 15:45 16:45 16:00 17:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:15 18:15 17:30 18:30 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:50 18:00 18:55 18:15 19:05 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:20 18:45 19:45 18:50 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 23:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 19:45 21:15 20:00 21:15 20:00 20:50 20:00 21:00

WANT TICKETS?

PAGE

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

22:30 21:30 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:10 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:20 22:45 22:55 23:00 23:25 23:45 23:45 00:02 00:45

The Noise Next Door: Uproar! Shirley and Shirley: Not Just A One Night Stand Mission Ipswich Impossible: Cruisin' Thru The 80s Barry Loves You Joe Sutherland: Model / Actress Stuart Goldsmith: Compared to What Jarred Christmas & The Hobbit: Game Show Bitches! Paul Currie: FFFFFFFMilk! Just The Tonic Comedy Club with Doc Brown Danny O'Brien: Who Breaks Up With Stella? Dead Leicester ABI ROBERTS: WORK-IN-PROGRESS Pierre Novellie is Cool Peter Girlfriend Material: Work In Progress Barbara Nice: Raffle Andy Kind: Soldier Boy Hell To Play Tony Law: A Law Undo His-Elf What Welcome Bob Slayer: Fat Jockey Samantha Pressdee: Back to Basics (WIP) The Not So Late Show Silky: Indoor Fireworks Birthday Girls - SH!T HOT PARTY LEGENDS THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Loren O'Brien: Okie Dokie Hate 'n' Live Shaggers: Valentine's Special Bob Slayer: Where's The BlundaBus? Leicester Fridge: NAKED COMEDY

The Y Curve Grays@LCB Depot Kayal Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Firebug Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Regent Sports and Social Club Magazine Gateway The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Cookie Duffys Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Kayal Manhattan 34 The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot BrewDog The Regent Sports and Social Club Firebug PETER Pizzeria Duffys Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34

129 120 102 45 83 125 80 106 87 59 60 37 110 68 45 43 71 134 49 116 129 106 47 129 94 71 119 49 93

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Shirley's Super Smashing Sunday Funday Club It's my Party An Interview With Romesh Ranganathan Paul Currie: CATZINMYMOUTH - Work in Progress ABI ROBERTS: ANGLICHANKA Alfie Moore - Fair Cop Work in Progress Alex Kealy: Too Early To Say Quirky Tours The Pleasant Revolt Is that Comedy? Matt Green: New Show Charmian Hughes-Soixante Mirth Jane Hill - Cow Anna Morris: It's Got To Be Perfect Locked in a room with... Panelbeaters with Jason Manford Viv Groskop: Anchorwoman Geoff Norcott: Men - The Wilderness Years Leicester Fridge: A QUESTION OF SNORT Tom Allen's Work In Progress Colin Hoult - Anna Mann A Sketch Show for Depressives

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Curve Firebug The Cookie Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum Leicester Guildhall PETER Pizzeria Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Firebug Mercure Leicester Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Exchange Bar The Cookie Firebug

131 60 35 96 121 77 42 106 37 41 40 111 130 76 98 52 80 44 94 105 134 67 93 132 54

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 13:00 14:15 13:00 14:30 14:00 15:30 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:20 14:30 16:00 15:00 15:40 15:00 16:00 15:20 16:20 15:30 16:25 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:30 18:30 16:40 17:30 16:40 17:40 16:45 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00

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

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

18:15 18:30 18:50 20:30 18:55 19:15 19:30 19:30 21:45 19:45 20:00 19:55 20:20 20:30 20:45 20:45 21:00 21:15 21:15 22:30 21:30 21:35 21:50 22:15 22:47 22:30

Warwick Revue Sketch Show Tom Little And Some Other People Tom Ward: Work In Progress The Same Faces: Improvised Comedy Carly Smallman: A Work in Progress and Other Terrible Stories... Begging To Differ Sean McLoughlin - Kamikaze Scott Bennett: Smirk Life Balance (A work In progress) Suspiciously Cheap Comedy Cook and Davies: INFAMEY Desiree Burch: This is Evolution Helen Duff: Open Secret Tom Wrigglesworth: Greatest Hits & New Bits Paul Foot's Game of Dangers PETE OTWAY: SIX YEARS FROM THEN Danny Ward - Circling The Drain Bobby Mair: The New Hour The Elvis Dead Simon Donald - Satiscraptory Panelbeaters with Jason Manford Sleeping Trees: WESTERN? Rachel Parris: Best Laid Plans Gary Tro: Work in TROgress 2RO Rasputins Lunchbox Presents... Cally Beaton Bob Slayer: Where's The BlundaBus? Hell To Play

The Soundhouse PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion The Regent Sports and Social Club Kayal Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cookie The Exchange Bar Firebug The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre Kayal PETER Pizzeria The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cookie The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Attenborough Arts Centre Kayal The Exchange Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Heroes @ The Criterion The Soundhouse

135 132 133 130 51 45 118 117 125 56 61 71 133 106 108 59 49 128 122 105 122 112 67 112 49 71

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Adam Saleh A FUNNY CITY: with young people from Leicester Jack Campbell- Boy Girl Brain Alan Bellamy: The Omen Pike D.A.N.C.E The Sitcom Experience - Basil & Co The Dumb Canadians The UK Pun Championships Gervase Phinn - An Evening with Gervase Phinn Rachel Fairburn & Chris Washington John Kearns: Work in Progress Best of Jokes On Us Caroline Ryan: In Conversation With ... . The Just Us League presents MARVELED Mike Drop: The Adventures of a One Man Band John Hastings Integrity Jody Kamali's Hotel Cabaret

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y The Y The BRITE Centre The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug Curve The Kelso De Montfort Hall The Little Theatre The Exchange Bar The Cookie The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion

131 60 35 96 38 36 77 39 57 131 127 131 68 111 84 46 51 129 101 84 82

MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 16:00 18:00 17:00 17:45 18:30 19:25 19:00 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:45 19:15 20:15 19:30 22:00 19:30 21:10 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 21:00 21:55 21:15 22:05 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30

WANT TICKETS?

PAGE

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

PAGE

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 11:00 12:20 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:00 17:00 15:30 16:45 18:30 19:25 18:45 19:45 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:45 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:20 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:30 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:25 21:30 22:30

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs Sooty & Co 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Pub Quiz for Kids with Patrick Monahan Mark Cooper-Jones: Geographically Speaking Richard Pulsford: Phrases Ready Luca Cupani: More Confessions The Sitcom Experience - Basil & Co Karma Sutra-Tacular: Valentine's Day Specical Kieran Boyd - Work in Progress Tom Short & Jack Gleadow: Northern Souls I Can Make You Hard Holly Walsh: Work-in-Progress Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer's Dandy Valentine Lucy Thompson: Shake it Off Dead Leicester John Hastings Working Towards Progress The Firebug Comedy Pop Quiz D'Arcehole Hannah Silvester: Setting the world on fire and other hobbies Jody Kamali is the Incredible Man of Mystery Naz Osmanoglu: Work In Progress

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre The Little Theatre Leicester Guildhall The Y DMU Heritage centre PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Curve PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 The Cookie The Y Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie

131 60 123 35 96 36 111 97 113 95 131 88 90 133 74 73 103 95 60 84 128 57 70 82 104

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 11:00 12:15 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:00 17:00 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 19:55 19:00 21:00 19:00 19:50 19:15 20:45 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:20 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:10 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs Mini Fridge: THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SHIRLEY 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Mini Fridge: HANNAH SILVESTER - COMEDY FOR WHIPPERSNAPPERS Mini Fridge: KIDS' COURT Rhys James Amy Howerska SMASHCAT Spinal Tap with a Live Band Thea-Skot Makes Some Shizz Up The Sitcom Experience - Basil & Co Jenny Collier: Work In Progress John Shuttleworth: My Last Will and Tasty Mint Danny Mcloughlin: Work In Progress Improv with Nicholas Holt: In A Bar! Carl Donnelly: Bad Man Tings! Abigoliah Schamaun Dead Leicester Lauren Pattison: Reet Petite - A Work In Progress Ivo Graham: New Jokes and a Mad Dash Alastair Clark: Uninterrupted Screaming (WIP) Phil Nichol - Work In Progress The Establishment

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y DMU Heritage centre Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion Curve The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Little Theatre The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway The Exchange Bar The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Manhattan 34 The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion

131 60 101 35 96 36 101 101 113 41 123 131 131 81 85 58 75 51 37 60 92 77 40 110 128

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

DIARY START TIME

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

PAGE

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:00 17:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:15 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:30 19:00 20:15 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:45 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:20 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:00 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:55 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:50 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 21:30 20:00 21:30 20:00 21:00 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 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:20 21:30 22:30

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Gareth Richards: The Halo Effect Sandra Hale: Self Helpless! Mrs Green Does BINGO! Jack Campbell- Boy Girl Brain (Again somewhere else) James Acaster: Recognise White Lion Roars With Laughter Amy Howerska SMASHCAT Adam Hess New Show The Sitcom Experience - Basil & Co Growing Up Is Optional Dr Phil Hammond - Dr Phil's Health Revolution Lloyd Griffith WIP CineMadness: Comedy Shorts JOHN AGGASILD: WELCOME (Work in Progress) Danny Mcloughlin: Philip Was Right Johnston & Milton Descend Upstairs A Fox's Tale Megazone Presents: Laser Laughs Jon Richardson: The Old Man Joe Lycett: Work-in-Progress Wayne Carter: Gurrrll Feed Bellies Not Bins Comedy Club Simon Warner's Viva Hypnosis Phil Cooper & Sam SchÃ¤fer Olaf Falafel and The Cheese Of Truth Brennan Reece - Everglow Dead Leicester Milo McCabe: Troy Hawke Katharine Ferns: In Stitches David Alnwick: Cult of Dave Hotel D'Comedie Entfremdung Chris Kehoe: The Second Coming of Chris Ed Gamble: Work in Progress Failing Successfully Kate McCabe: Stuff and Nonsense The Establishment

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y DMU Heritage centre The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Queen of Bradgate Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy White Lion PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ The Criterion Curve The Regent Sports and Social Club The Little Theatre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Duffys Bar The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 Grays@LCB Depot Megazone Leicester Melton Theatre Auditorium The Cookie BrewDog The West End Centre The Y Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre Magazine Gateway PETER Pizzeria The Regent Sports and Social Club Duffys Bar Hotel Maiyango The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion

131 60 35 96 36 66 116 103 78 78 135 41 38 131 69 62 94 54 83 58 85 36 100 86 83 135 64 122 109 105 49 60 101 89 59 73 63 53 62 64 89 128

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:00 17:00 12:00 14:00 14:00 15:15 17:00 17:55 17:50 18:40 18:00 19:00 18:00 22:00

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Just Another Tick In A Box? The Even More Further Adventures of Shirley Loren O'Brien: Okie Dokie Chris Norton Walker: YEAH! Comedy in the Dark for Kids The Secret Tour

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y DMU Heritage centre Melton Theatre Auditorium The Exchange Bar Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Phoenix Ssshhhh it's a secret!!

131 60 35 96 36 87 128 94 53 55 130

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

19:00 19:15 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:50 20:00 20:15 20:30 20:00 20:00 20:45 20:30 20:30 20:30 21:35 21:30 20:30 20:45 21:15 21:45 22:30 21:00 21:00 20:50 22:30 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:20 22:30 22:10 22:30 22:20 22:30 22:30 23:15 23:45 00:00

Ed Patrick: Comedians' Surgery (Work in Progress) Scott Gibson: Life After Death John Robertson's THE DARK ROOM Ishi Khan-Jackson:I'mMigrant Tiff Stevenson: Seven Dead Leicester King Street Comedy with Adam Hess Scottish Falsetto Socks Do Shakespeare Daniel Nicholas: Scripted (Immersive Remix) Rose & Crown Roars With Laughter James Acaster: Represent Graham Milton's Paradise Tossed Still Valid: An Evening With MJ Hibbett (and Steve) The Sitcom Experience - Edmund and Queenie Growing Up Is Optional Andrew Ryan: Dying On The Inside Micky & Helen's Work In Progress Gary Delaney - There's Something About Gary Hats Off To Laurel and Hardy Jarred Christmas: Biggish Hits & Giggles Peter Brush: Dreams With Advert Breaks The Black Horse Comedy Club: Laughter Loft Laughter At LOROS Bottle Rocket Comedy Club Feat Joe Lycett Fin Taylor: Whitey McWhiteFace More Coffee Comedy Club with Carly Smallman Nathan Cassidy - The Man In The Arena Chuckle Busters Showcase Chris Betts: Bewilderbeest (WIP) Comedy in the Dark Peter Dobbing - Blast James & Seaburn: Pigeon Trousers EY EY, BA DAYA, BA WALLA DIE DAY, ENG BA DAYA, BA DAYA, BA WALLA... Dead Leicester Seven Acts for £7 How To Win A Pub Quiz Alfie Brown: Eat Your Young - WIP Aidan Goatley: 10 Films with my Dad Hotel D'Comedie Maddy Anholt: Work In Progress Alistair Williams: FOOD (Work in Progress) Dead Cat Comedy Club Frank Foucault: Weird Stuff George Rigden: Comic Sans Girlfriend (A Work In Progress) SAJEELA KERSHI: SHARIA'S L.A.W (Little Asian Women) WIP Michael Stranney presents Welcome to Ballybeg Jamali Maddix: Work In Progress Joe bromehead is on fire David Alnwick: Cult of Dave Bad Girls Showcase Conversation Dungeon

PETER Pizzeria Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Firebug Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Magazine Gateway 54a King Street (aka Nigel's Cafe) Kayal Attenborough Arts Centre The Rose & Crown The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Curve The Regent Sports and Social Club The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Duffys Bar The Little Theatre Leicester Guildhall PETER Pizzeria Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Black Horse LOROS Hospice The Y The Cookie More Coffee Co. BrewDog Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate Grays@LCB Depot Phoenix Kayal Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Attenborough Arts Centre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Regent Sports and Social Club Hotel Maiyango Duffys Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall BrewDog Manhattan 34 PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Kayal Duffys Bar Manhattan 34 Firebug

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

PAGE

62 118 84 76 132 60 91 118 58 114 79 69 124 131 69 43 100 66 71 80 108 47 92 49 64 102 103 53 52 55 108 78 64 60 119 73 40 39 73 96 41 60 65 68 115 100 78 83 59 45 56

DIARY START TIME

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 END TIME

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 11:00 11:45 12:00 12:45 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 13:00 13:45 13:00 14:15 14:00 15:30 14:00 15:00 14:00 14:45 14:00 15:00 14:30 16:00 14:30 16:00 15:00 15:45 15:30 16:20 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:45 17:35 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:30 18:20 17:50 18:50 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 18:55 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:25 18:30 19:30 18:50 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:30 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:45 19:15 20:30 19:30 21:20 19:30 21:50 19:30 20:30 19:30 21:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 20:45 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:15 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 22:30

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

PAGE

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs Cartooning Workshop Cartooning Workshop 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 James Farmer: Can't Adult, Won't Adult Cartooning Workshop Ask The Industry Live - Midlands Promoter Special The Sitcom Experience - Edmund and Queenie Paul F Taylor: Look, a distraction! Cartooning Workshop Comedy Club 4 Kids Quirky Tours James Campbell: The Funny Thing About... Cartooning Workshop A Digital Legacy Grumpy Boots Hurt & Anderson: Come What May Scriptless In Seattle Funz and Gamez Zahra Barri: Talk Like An Egyptian Jon Pearson: I Am What I Am Ben Fogg - How I Won Best Newcomer 2017 Barry Loves You Joanna Neary Does Animals and Men Crime Scene Improvisation Mitch Benn - Don't Fear The Reaper Jack Campbell Work In Progress Phil Ellis is Alone Together (but mostly alone) Lloyd Griffith Is a Keeper Chris Betts: Bewilderbeest (WIP) Dead Leicester Scottish Falsetto Socks Do Shakespeare Darren Walsh: S'PUN James Acaster: Reset HIGH-larious The Star & Garter Roars With Laughter Punchlining Above Their Weight Grรกinne Maguire: Grรกinne with a fada The Sitcom Experience - Edmund and Queenie Jacob Hatton: Dreams of FitzRoy and Londis Knightmare Live - The Game Has Changed Pick of the Fest Paul Sinha: Work in Progress Red Light Comedy Club Harriet Dyer 'We'd prefer someone a bit more mainstream' Darius Davies: Road to Wrestlemania Accidents Happen: Sasha Ellen and Beloved Pets She's Killed Miranda Kane - Crossbones (WIP) The Black Horse Comedy Club: Laughter Loft Justin Moorhouse: People and Feelings Lee Hurst - Comedy Show No.9 Lou Conran - I Love Lou C Chuckle Busters Showcase

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y The Cookie King Richard III Visitor Centre PETER Pizzeria Curve The Cookie King Richard III Visitor Centre De Montfort Hall Newarke Houses Museum Curve King Richard III Visitor Centre Grays@LCB Depot The Cookie Manhattan 34 PETER Pizzeria Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Manhattan 34 The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Firebug Manhattan 34 Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Magazine Gateway Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy Attenborough Arts Centre The Star & Garter Soft Touch Arts The Regent Sports and Social Club Curve Manhattan 34 The Little Theatre Melton Theatre Auditorium Firebug Future Cycles The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Duffys Bar Grays@LCB Depot Black Horse The Cookie The Y BrewDog Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

WANT TICKETS?

. .

131 60 51 51 35 96 79 51 44 131 106 51 54 111 79 51 35 69 74 118 66 136 85 46 45 82 56 102 77 109 94 52 60 118 59 79 72 131 111 70 131 78 91 110 107 113 70 59 37 102 47 88 92 95 53

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

21:00 22:00 21:10 21:15 22:30 21:30 21:30 21:35 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:30 22:20 22:45 23:00 23:25 23:45 03:00

Major Labia Sue Perkins LIVE! in SPECTACLES! Andy Askins: The Man With No Name Ed Aczel's Foreign Policy from the Edge of Hell Just the Tonic Comedy Club with Tom Stade Dead Leicester Tom Young's Experimental Happiness Real Talk Pat Cahill: DOTT Jim Smallman: STRAIGHT EDGE Aidan Goatley: The Joys of Retail (and how to escape them) Jason Neale: Talking & Pausing The Rat Pack presents... Who Fru it?! Andrew Ryan: Ruined SAJEELA KERSHI - SHALLOW HALAL Rachel Fairburn - Oh hi, just me Andrea Hubert: Week THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB The Death Hilarious: The Scum Always Rises Hate 'n' Live Hip Hop Karaoke

PETER Pizzeria De Montfort Hall Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Magazine Gateway The Regent Sports and Social Club Manhattan 34 The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug Duffys Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot BrewDog The Regent Sports and Social Club PETER Pizzeria Duffys Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Firebug

96 125 43 62 87 60 133 113 105 81 39 81 130 43 115 112 42 129 127 71 72

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Say What You Like: Comedy, Religion and Offence Kwame Asante: Open Arms Stella Graham: Sunday Roast Homecoming Kate Fox: The Wrong Stuff Quirky Tours Jonny Awsum: Work In Progress 2017 Madame Señorita: The Expector Harriet Dyer: Work in progress Scriptless In Seattle Lindsey & Ian's Incredible Improv Adventure The Harry And Chris Show Sean Morley: Earned Helplessness Juliet Meyers is Jekyll and Hyde (Work in progress ) Lost Voice Guy - Superhuman? Brennan Reece - Everlong (Work In Progress) Rose Matafeo - Work In Progress Board Game Smackdown Joanna Neary: Faceful of Issues The Same Faces present: Improv Smackdown 2017 Laura Lexx in Leicester! Crime Scene Improvisation Her and Her Damian Clark: Can't Slow Down Hurricane Katie Double Dose of Absurd Words featuring Oh Standfast & Poetman Darren Walsh: S'PUN Norman Lovett - Entertaining Moaner Nick Revell - Gluten-Free Jesus: 7 Easy Steps to Mindfulness, Weight-Loss...

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y PETER Pizzeria Kayal The Cookie Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Leicester Guildhall Firebug Heroes @ The Criterion Kayal The Exchange Bar The Cookie Firebug The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion The Regent Sports and Social Club Kayal PETER Pizzeria The Exchange Bar The Cookie The Soundhouse Attenborough Arts Centre Heroes @ The Criterion Firebug Kayal

131 60 35 96 117 91 123 73 88 111 86 96 70 118 93 128 118 87 94 50 115 48 82 130 92 56 72 57 74 62 59 105 104

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:30 14:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:20 14:30 16:00 15:20 16:15 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:00 17:00 16:40 17:30 16:40 17:40 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:30 18:30 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:50 18:00 20:30 18:00 18:55 18:00 19:00 18:20 19:20 18:30 19:30 18:45 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:20 20:20

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

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

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

Paul Foot's Game of Dangers PETE OTWAY: WORK IN PROGRESS Wax Comical Showcase Jon Long: Winded Scott Capurro David O'Doherty: Big Time Russell Hicks: From The Heart Jack Britton: Britt Pop Keith Farnan: Bad Socialist Simon Caine: Laughter is the Best Placebo Mik Artistik's Ego Trip Glenn Moore: The Very Best of Belinda Carlisle

PETER Pizzeria The Exchange Bar The Noels Arms The Soundhouse The Cookie Curve Heroes @ The Criterion Attenborough Arts Centre Kayal The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion

106 108 135 85 117 60 115 77 89 122 100 68

MONDAY FEBRUARY 20TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 19:45 20:00 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Madame Señorita: The Expector Hardeep Singh Kohli's Mix Tape End to End D.W.A... DAD WITH ATTITUDE Best of Jokes On Us Bob Blackman's Tray Robin Ince is 48 today Tales from Wales C'Est La Vegan Roger Swift's Pun-O-Matic Lucy Thompson & Thomas Rackham as THE TOADSHOW

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Leicester Guildhall The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Leicester Guildhall The Exchange Bar The Soundhouse Heroes @ The Criterion

131 60 35 96 96 70 63 57 46 48 114 125 50 114 95

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21ST 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:00 17:00 18:30 22:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:15 19:45 20:35 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:05 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:45 21:45 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:30 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition Food, Glorious Food! Madame Señorita: The Expector Andrew Lawrence: The Hate Speech Tour Tania Edwards: They Come In The Night (Work in Progress) Space Travel & Hip Hop Chris Purchase - Distracted Henry von Stifle: My Back Hurts John Robins: Work in Progress Dead Leicester Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Hysterical Woman Naomi Cooper: KERFUFFLE The Firebug Comedy Pop Quiz Lee Peart: The Liberation of the Butterfly A Year in the Life of the Two Syds

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y DMU Heritage centre Soft Touch Arts Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie The Little Theatre The Exchange Bar Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Magazine Gateway The Little Theatre The Exchange Bar Firebug Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion

131 60 35 96 36 65 96 43 126 123 53 72 85 60 91 103 128 92 36

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y

131 60 35 96

WANT TICKETS?

PAGE

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

12:00 17:30 18:30 18:30 19:00 19:30 19:30 19:45 19:45 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:15 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:15 21:30 21:30

17:00 19:00 19:30 19:25 20:00 20:30 20:30 20:45 20:45 21:00 20:45 21:00 21:15 21:30 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:30

A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition I Say - The Annual Comedy Conversation Mark Dolan: Life Hacks Jen Brister is The Other One Dominic Frisby: Finance 101 (Work In Progress) Jake Lambert: Little Lost Lad (Work In Progress) Imran Yusuf - Work In Progress Steve Bugeja: Work In Progress Adam Buxton's BUG: David Bowie Special Nathan Willcock - State of the Nathan Massive Number 2 Paul Foot: 'Tis A Pity She's A Piglet Bisha K Ali & Stephanie Laing: In Agony Dead Leicester Yuriko Kotani: Work In Progress Paul Tonkinson: The Full Tonks Dominic Frisby: Let's talk about tax George Lewis: Work In Progress Ready Steady James Richard Gadd: Monkey See Monkey Do Sarah Johnson: Reminisce

DMU Heritage centre Vijay Patel Building The Cookie The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Firebug The Exchange Bar Curve Manhattan 34 Little theatre The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway The Exchange Bar Firebug PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Manhattan 34 The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion

36 74 97 81 61 78 76 124 38 103 98 106 47 60 136 108 61 67 112 113 116

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Silver Stand Up Final Seymour Mace... erm... ? Steve Bugeja: Unpronounceable Improv with Nicholas Holt: In A Arts Centre! 1 Woman, Some Science & An Awesome Ride: Samantha Baines (WIP) Matthew Highton's The Magic Was In Our Hearts All Along Alex Horne & The Horne Section Adele Cliff: Work in Progress Georgie Morrell: A Poke in the Eye Richard Todd Tom Lucy: Work In Progress William Shakespeare's Long Long First Play (Abridged) Alex Hylton - Boy Wonder Tez Ilyas: A Work In Progress Fern Brady - Male Comedienne A Fox's Tale Megazone Presents: Comedy Tag Christian Talbot - Lovely Hair Paul Foot: 'Tis A Pity She's A Piglet Shirley's Velvet Curtains Josie Long: Something Better Jason Neale: Talking & Pausing James Meehan - Cobbles (work in progress) Dead Leicester Kyle D Evans: 'BORN TO SUM' Nigel Ng and Nico Yearwood: Rush Hour Jay Handley: Acumental (WIP) A Digital Legacy

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre DMU Heritage centre Leicester Guildhall The Y PETER Pizzeria Firebug The Cookie Attenborough Arts Centre Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy Manhattan 34 The Regent Sports and Social Club Duffys Bar The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Curve The Exchange Bar PETER Pizzeria Firebug Grays@LCB Depot Megazone Leicester BrewDog The Cookie Attenborough Arts Centre The Y Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Magazine Gateway Duffys Bar The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Exchange Bar The Regent Sports and Social Club

131 60 36 35 96 122 119 124 75 35 99 40 38 68 114 133 136 40 126 64 36 99 53 106 121 86 81 79 60 91 104 81 35

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23RD 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 18:00 19:00 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:30 18:30 19:20 19:00 19:55 19:00 20:30 19:15 19:55 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 21:15 19:45 20:45 19:45 20:45 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:55 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:00 20:00 22:00 20:15 21:15 20:15 21:15 20:30 21:30 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 21:50

“One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar” the guardian

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 21:30 22:45

22:15 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:30 00:02

Massive Number 2 The Book of Northern: the entire history of the North West, told in under one hour Mark Dean Quinn Appropriate Adult Simon Munnery: Standing Still Bob Slayer: NeverMind The BusStops

Grays@LCB Depot BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 The Cookie Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

98 127 97 44 122 49

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs A FUNNY CITY: Pop-up Exhibition 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Is it OK? Pub Quiz for Kids with Patrick Monahan Eleanor Tiernan and Chris Kent - Starting From Scratch Shazia Mirza - New Show The Secret Tour Archie Maddocks: Smiles and Cries Massive Number 2 Dead Leicester The Holey Truth Iain Stirling: Onwards! Anchor Inn New Act Night Will Seaward: Magnificent Bastard Zoe Lyons: Little Misfit Bob Slayer & Joz Norris in Judge Rinder the Appeal! Croft & Pearce: Are Not Themselves Marlon Davis: In Stitches (Work In Progress) #DMUlocal Laughs Bryony Twydle : Twaddle I Hope I Die Before I Start Voting Conservative (WIP) William Shakespeare's Long Long First Play (Abridged) Kev's Komedy Kitchen: Second Helpings - Work in Progress Cricketers Roars With Laughter Parkin & Deans Present... Benji Tranter & The Well Adjusted Individuals Terry Alderton's All Crazy Now Rob Mulholland - I'm not looking for trouble, but if it's looking for me I'm not hard to find Teasing the Funny Bone: A Seminar (For Professionals, Amateurs and anything in between) The Black Horse Comedy Club: Laughter Loft Tea with Oscar Comedy in the Dark Devvo: Retired But not Gone Forever? Pontoon Dead Leicester Angela Barnes: Work In Progress Seven Acts for Â£7 Patrick Monahan - That 80s Show Mark Smith: Old Smudge Elliot Steel: Jet Fuel Can't Melt Steel Dreams (Work In Progress) Steve Vertigo: Standing on the Shoulders of Ants Stephen Bailey: Nation's Sweetheart Herman the German and Liam Webber Share a Stage Comedians Cinema Club (Split Screen) I See You - LIVE Mission Ipswich Impossible: Cruisin' Thru The 80s

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre DMU Heritage centre Leicester Guildhall The Y Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) PETER Pizzeria Grays@LCB Depot Heroes @ The Criterion Ssshhhh it's a secret!! Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Grays@LCB Depot Magazine Gateway Manhattan 34 The Cookie Anchor Inn Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus The Little Theatre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Vijay Patel Roof Terrace The Regent Sports and Social Club Duffys Bar Curve Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cricketers Attenborough Arts Centre The Y BrewDog Grays@LCB Depot Black Horse Leicester Guildhall Phoenix Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Magazine Gateway The Cookie Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Little Theatre Duffys Bar The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Regent Sports and Social Club Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Manhattan 34 Heroes @ The Criterion BrewDog Grays@LCB Depot

131 60 36 35 96 76 111 63 120 130 44 98 60 129 75 42 136 136 48 56 98 61 50 74 136 90 56 105 126 114 126 47 126 55 61 110 60 44 119 105 97 63 124 124 72 54 74 102

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 17:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 13:30 14:30 16:30 17:45 17:00 18:00 17:50 18:50 18:00 22:00 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:15 18:30 19:30 19:00 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:15 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:50 19:15 20:15 19:15 20:15 19:30 20:30 19:30 22:00 19:30 20:30 19:30 20:30 19:45 21:15 19:45 20:25 20:00 21:15 20:00 23:00 20:00 22:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 20:55 20:00 21:15 20:00 21:40 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:15 20:15 21:00 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:30 22:30 20:45 21:45 21:00 22:00 21:00 22:00 21:00 21:50 21:15 22:15 21:15 22:15 21:30 22:30 21:30 22:20 21:30 22:25

WANT TICKETS?

PAGE

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

22:00 22:00 22:15 22:45 22:45

23:00 23:00 23:15 00:02 23:35

Paul McCaffrey: Work In Progress THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Kyle D Evans: 'BORN TO SUM' Bob Slayer: NeverMind The BusStops Andy Barr: Tropic of Admin

The Cookie PETER Pizzeria Duffys Bar Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus Heroes @ The Criterion

107 129 91 49 43

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 Fran Jenking: 'Frantasy Island' Chatty Chatty Bang Bang John Pendal: How To Escape From Stuff Lucy Pearman: WIP and a Cabbage Quirky Tours Freddie Farrell: Excuse me while I burst into flames Michael Brunström: Parsley A Digital Legacy Never Before Seen Again Gein's Family Giftshop - Work In Progress GO UKULELE CRAZY: COMEDY CONCERT Kev's Komedy Kitchen Candy Gigi: A Star Is Born David McIver: Stop It David We Are Having Too Much Fun Iraq Out & Loud Documentary Phil Jerrod: Snakes and Ladders (Work in Progress) Ben Fogg - How I Won Best Newcomer 2017 Say, What's The Big Idea? Sam Fletcher: Daftwerk Marny Godden: Where's John's Porridge Bowl? Silly Sausage Ahir Shah: Work In Progress Lucy Porter - WIP Teasing the Funny Bone: A Seminar (For Professionals, Amateurs and anything in between) Dead Leicester Doug Segal: I Can Make You Feel Good Johnny Vegas: Unprepared But Ready Gráinne Maguire: Gráinne with a fada John Hastings & Ben Target: Tussle Bob Slayer & Adam Larter ConCon Podcast Croft & Pearce: Are Not Themselves Will Duggan Expands on an Idea (Work In Progress) Harriet Kemsley's New Show Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Red Light Comedy Club House of Mirth Jo Eright: Erdington Girl Mike Newall: Desert Bootleg Island Discs William Shakespeare's Long Long First Play (Abridged) Charlie Baker: The Hit Polisher The Black Horse Comedy Club: Laughter Loft Mostly David Ephgrave FoxDog Studios LIVE Laughing With LOROS at Melton Theatre Rory O'Keeffe: Monoglot

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Grays@LCB Depot Manhattan 34 The Little Theatre Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus The Cookie Grays@LCB Depot Kayal The Little Theatre Heroes @ The Criterion Manhattan 34 PETER Pizzeria Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Grays@LCB Depot Magazine Gateway Kayal Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Regent Sports and Social Club Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus The Little Theatre Manhattan 34 The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe The Y Future Cycles PETER Pizzeria Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Duffys Bar Curve The Cookie Black Horse Grays@LCB Depot BrewDog Melton Theatre Auditorium Kayal

131 60 35 96 65 52 84 95 111 65 100 35 104 67 69 90 50 60 76 109 46 117 116 98 121 39 95 126 60 62 85 70 83 48 56 135 71 93 113 73 82 101 136 52 47 102 65 91 114

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 13:00 14:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:00 14:30 16:00 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:30 15:30 16:20 15:30 16:30 16:00 17:00 16:00 17:00 16:00 16:55 16:40 17:40 16:45 17:30 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:30 18:30 17:30 18:30 17:50 18:50 18:00 18:45 18:00 19:00 18:15 19:15 18:30 19:25 18:30 19:30 18:50 19:50 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:15 19:15 20:15 19:20 20:20 19:30 20:30 19:30 22:15 19:30 21:30 19:45 00:00 19:45 20:45 19:45 20:45 19:45 21:15 20:00 21:00 20:00 21:15 20:00 21:00 20:00 20:50 20:00 22:00 20:10 21:05

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

PAGE

DIARY

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

START TIME

END TIME

EVENT TITLE

VENUE

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

21:15 21:30 22:30 21:20 21:20 21:45 21:45 22:00 22:15 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:25 22:20 22:30 22:45 23:00 23:30 23:45 00:02 23:45

Joz Norris: Look At Me, Don't Look At Me Dead Leicester Just the Tonic Comedy Club with Johnny Vegas Becky Walker's Mandatory Rest Break Steve Vertigo: Standing on the Shoulders of Ants Rahul Kohli: Newcastle Brown Tales David Mills: SHAME! Luke McQueen: Something for Everyone Micky P Kerr: Lay-Z Paul McCaffrey MATT FORDE: IT'S MY POLITICAL PARTY (AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO) Gabriel Ebulue: Hip-Punk Leaves With a D 1 Woman, A Dwarf Planet and 2 Cox: Samantha Baines Adam Larter: Lart Noveau Hari Sriskantha: Clown Atlas SHALOM ALAIKUM - The Comedy Intifada Georgie Morrell: A Poke in the Eye The Abridged Dapper Eleven Hour Monochrome Dream Show Bob Slayer: NeverMind The BusStops Hate 'n' Live

Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus The Regent Sports and Social Club Manhattan 34 The Little Theatre The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe Duffys Bar Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall The Cookie Kayal Grays@LCB Depot BrewDog Heroes @ The Criterion The Regent Sports and Social Club Manhattan 34 Duffys Bar Heroes @ The Criterion Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

87 60 87 45 124 112 60 96 100 107 98 66 92 35 38 70 120 68 126 49 71

The Thermos Museum @deadmonarchs 1000 Years Show (Additional performances at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm) Make 'Em Laugh 2 The International Incident Gabby Best: Sleep... A Work in Progress Quirky Tours Kevin Precious: Work In Progress Sharma Sharma Sharma Sharma... ... Comedian!!! Kat Bond: Loo Roll Locked in a room with... Alfie Moore - Fair Cop Work in Progress James Bone's TOWNIES Carly Smallman really does have friends, and a dog Joel Dommett: Work In Progress Emergency! Comedy Special Peter Fleming & Light Entertainment Larry: Haunted Videotape The Same Faces: Improvised Comedy Nick Dixon: Overthinking Out Loud Glenn Wool: Viva Forever - WIP Rousha Browning: House Party Punchlining Above Their Weight Matt Watts: Playlist Bob Slayer & Jason Neale Official Closing Ceremony Erich McElroy's Political Work in Progress Comedy Heaven Kieran Hodgson: Maestro Sam & Tom: Unrectifiable Dead Leicester Jordan Brookes: The Making Of What Are You Doing That For? Bob Slayer: NeverMind The BusStops

City Centre King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester Guildhall The Y Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion Newarke Houses Museum Kayal The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Mercure Leicester Kayal Heroes @ The Criterion PETER Pizzeria The Cookie The Y Heroes @ The Criterion The Regent Sports and Social Club Kayal The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion BrewDog Attenborough Arts Centre Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus Kayal PETER Pizzeria The Cookie Heroes @ The Criterion Magazine Gateway Attenborough Arts Centre Kayal Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

131 60 35 96 129 66 111 90 120 88 94 41 79 51 83 63 108 130 104 69 115 111 99 48 64 55 90 115 60 86 135 49

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26TH 2017 09:00 17:00 10:00 16:00 12:00 12:20 12:00 12:00 14:00 15:00 14:20 15:20 14:30 16:00 15:20 16:20 15:30 16:15 15:30 16:20 16:00 17:00 16:40 17:40 16:40 17:40 17:00 18:00 17:00 18:00 17:00 19:00 17:50 18:40 18:00 20:30 18:00 19:00 18:30 19:30 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:00 20:00 19:15 20:15 19:20 20:20 19:30 20:30 20:00 21:00 20:15 21:05 20:30 21:30 20:30 21:30 20:40 21:40 21:30 22:47

WANT TICKETS?

PAGE

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Loughborough 9-13 February 2017

Melton Mowbray 16-18 February 2017

Events include Seann Walsh

Mitch Benn

Jon Richardson

Carly Smallman

Pick of the Fest

Adam Hess

Hotel D’Comedie

Chris Betts

TICKETS & INFORMATION www.comedy-festival.co.uk

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH

CENTRE FOR COMEDY STUDIES RESEARCH (CCSR) The Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) is an international research centre devoted to the academic study of comedy hosted by the Department of Social Sciences, Media and Communications at Brunel University London. As an interdisciplinary centre it considers the production, content, reception and wider socio-political implications of comedy in its variety of formats and from a range of perspectives. The Centre successfully brings together leading academics and writers in a diverse range of fields, including media and communications, sociology, psychology, theatre, drama, film and television, computing, English, creative writing, social work and ageing studies.

RESEARCH AREAS • Mediated and Live Comedy

The Centre has strong links with the comedy industry and is supported by five CCSR Ambassadors:

• Comedy and Identity

• Jo Brand – Comedian, writer, actress and Brunel Honorary Graduate

• Comedy, Taboo and Offence

• Nitin Ganatra – Actor (including Eastenders and Mumbai Calling)

• Comedy, Power and Ideology • Comic Novels All of our research and teaching is strongly underpinned by the belief that comedy is socially, culturally, artistically, politically and economically significant at local, national and international levels.

• Lee Mack – Comedian, writer, actor and Brunel Honorary Graduate • Simon Minty – Co-founder and Producer of Abnormally Funny People • Geoff Rowe – Director & Founder of the Leicester Comedy Festival

CONTACT DETAILS For more information on the Centre for Comedy Studies Research (CCSR) please contact the Director, Dr Sharon Lockyer: comedy.studies@brunel.ac.uk The CCSR runs regular exciting events, please visit:

www.brunel.ac.uk/ccsr t @Comedy_Studies 003350E CCSR Centre for Comedy Studies Research Advert A5L v2 FINAL.indd 1

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

20/10/2016 12:10

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

NOMINATED FOR:

BEST PROMOTER AWARD 2015

CONTRIBUTION TO THE FESTIVAL AWARD 2015 + 2016

BACK FOR A THIRD YEAR, LEICESTER FRIDGE BRINGS YOU ANOTHER FEAST OF LOCALLY-SOURCED COMEDY DELIGHTS - WHET YOUR APPETITE WITH OUR PREVIEW SHOW...

FRIDGE PREVIEW SHOW SATURDAY 14TH JAN AT THE COOKIE

See loads of acts performing short teasers for their festival shows, for only £6 it’s the best way to discover great new shows to see at the festival! Tickets available from thecookieleicester.co.uk

ONCE THE OPENING WEEKEND OF THE FESTIVAL ARRIVES, YOU’LL BE READY FOR THE MAIN COURSE...

BATTLE FOR LEICESTER FRIDAY 10TH FEB AT THE CRITERION

Four of Leicester’s regular comedy nights go headto-head in a stand-up challenge to decide whose is the funniest night in town.

NAKED COMEDY

SATURDAY 11TH FEB AT MANHATTAN34

The title says it all really! Male & female comedians face their biggest fear and perform totally starkers in aid of LOROS. Not for the feint-hearted!

A QUESTION OF SNORT

SUNDAY 12TH FEB AT THE EXCHANGE

The pub quiz with a difference, in which teams get points for funny answers as well as correct ones, with a team of comedians on hand to help or hinder!

Tickets for all our Leicester Comedy Festival shows are available from COMEDY-FESTIVAL.CO.UK

AND OUR DESSERTS ARE PARTICULARLY POPULAR WITH THE KIDS...

KIDS’ COMEDY FOR HALF-TERM WEDNESDAY 15TH FEB AT ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE

After the huge success of last year’s event, MiniFridge returns with 3 more shows to delight the little ones, and more than enough to keep the parents amused too! Featuring:

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SHIRLEY KIDS’ COURT HANNAH SILVESTER: COMEDY FOR WHIPPERSNAPPERS Leicester Fridge also supports dozens of locally-produced shows in the festival - look out for the little red Fridge icon in your brochure listings. For tickets, show details and information about our other events, visit our website and follow us on social media:

Leicester Fridge

www.leicesterfridge.co.uk WANT TICKETS?

@LeicesterFridge

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Hannah Layton Management present

1 WOMAN, A DWARF PLANET AND 2 COX: SAMANTHA BAINES Award-winning comedian Samantha Baines (The Crown, Call the Midwife, Sunny D) brings her five star smash hit debut show to Leicester after a sold out Edinburgh Fringe run. Let's talk about science and Cox (Brian). 'mind-blowing' Huff Post, 'genius' The Mumble, 'fabulous' BBC Science Focus, 'one of the best comedians on the circuit' Comedy Coroner www.samanthabaines.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

Hannah Layton Management present

1 WOMAN, SOME SCIENCE & AN AWESOME RIDE: SAMANTHA BAINES (WIP) Award-winning comedian Samantha Baines (The Crown, Call the Midwife, Sunny D) brings her new work-in-progress science comedy show to Leicester. After sell-out runs at the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe last year as well as 4 and 5 star reviews she has a lot to live up to, come and see if she can... 'mind-blowing' Huff Post, 'genius' The Mumble, 'fabulous' BBC Science Focus, 'one of the best comedians on the circuit' Comedy Coroner www.samanthabaines.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

1000 Years present

1000 YEARS SHOW Anthony's daily bite-sized, historical, musical and comedy shows throughout the festival. Each day there will be a five 20 minute performances visiting points in history with original songs. Each show can differ and if you come more than once, you can even request different songs. Expect topics such as Richard III, plus a read-along 5 minute zoom through time. PLEASE NOTE: SHOWS LAST 20 MINS www.1000years.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

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

Map Ref: 25

Charity Link present

A BELLYFUL OF LAUGHS IN AID OF CHARITY LINK Come and enjoy cuisine and comedy in aid of Charity Link. The Cow and Plough will treat you to a candlelit, cosy, comedy experience in a rambling old farm building with local comedian Anthony King. You will have a nice warm feeling knowing that proceeds raised will help local vulnerable people and children who are experiencing poverty, hardship and crisis. Ticket price includes a delicious two course meal and comedy night. www.charity-link.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cow & Plough

Time: 18:30 (22:30) Entry: £25

Map Ref: 46

Colin Chadwick

A DIGITAL LEGACY What would you like to happen to your Facebook and Twitter accounts when you die? Irish comedian Colin Chadwick (BBC Radio, RTE Two and The A.V. Club) will help you answer that question and maybe even prove the existence of eternal life as he takes you on a tour of his Digital Legacy. 'The man can certainly write a gag' - Chortle. 'His quirky punchlines come thick and fast' **** - Broadway Baby. www.colin.ie SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 15:30 (16:20) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Colin Chadwick

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Map Ref: 55

Time: 21:00 (21:50) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 FoxyComedy

WORLD PREMIERE

A FOX'S TALE

From 2001 - 2004 Ben worked as a Football Mascot* at a prominent East Midlands Football club, who recently achieved unexpected success. Have you tumbled it? In an original new show, award-winning stand-up Ben Ennis delivers a very personal journey, told through stories, jokes, and a combination of both - anecjokes. *Football mascots are for all the family, but this show is just for adults! No Foxes were harmed in the writing of this show STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund

A FUNNY CITY: OPEN DISCUSSION WITH LEICESTER'S HEROES OF COMEDY A Funny City: part of Leicester Comedy Festival's project charting the history of comedy since 1979, & the development of the annual festival. Come along and share your memories of comedy in the city. Are you a performer, a promoter - or a member of the public - with a story to tell and a memory or memorabilia to share? Join the discussion with some of Leicester's comedy heroes. Help us tell the story of comedy in Leicester. www.afunnycity.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 17

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund

A FUNNY CITY: POP-UP EXHIBITION A pop-up exhibition as a taster of A Funny City, a project charting the history of comedy in Leicester since 1979. The exhibition will feature memories of comedy and humour from city residents and comedy professionals, sharing what we've unearthed so far. In partnership with the De Montfort University Heritage Centre. www.afunnycity.co.uk DATES:

Venue: DMU Heritage centre

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

Map Ref: 13

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund

A FUNNY CITY: WITH YOUNG PEOPLE FROM LEICESTER Leicester is A Funny City: young people from Leicester have spent the last few months recording friends and family, collecting jokes and funny stories. Now they want to share this material with you in comedy sketches devised with support from funny man, Rob Gee. So, come find out why ours is A Funny City. Part of A Funny City: a project charting the history of comedy in Leicester. www.afunnycity.co.uk DATES:

Venue: The BRITE Centre

Time: 17:00 (17:45) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 42

A Q&A AND AUCTION WITH SEAN KELLY Auctioneering star of the hit TV show, Storage Hunters, Sean Kelly first found fame as comedian over 15 years ago in America and did one of his first UK stand-up shows at Leicester Comedy Festival 2015 . He's back - and this year Festival founder, Geoff Rowe, talks to Sean about his career to date. Sean will also auction off some unique festival lots & experiences, in aid of Big Difference Company, registered charity 1135167 www.seanbrandonkelly.com DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 22

Heroes of Fringe and Club Smashing present

WORLD PREMIERE

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE TWO SYDS

Join shambolic local fartabouts Ian Hall and Bruce Edhouse for an hour of joyful silliness! This year we'll be telling you all about the stuff we've done since last year's show. Officially the 4th and 5th best Alternative Acts in the Midlands (Midlands Comedy Awards 2016) and a former Best New Show winner (Leicester Comedy Festival 2014). 'Deliciously daft, and they looked like they were having as much fun as we were' - Leicester Mercury ALTERNATIVE, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 TripleCeePee present

ABANDOMAN - LIFE + RHYMES The year is 1993. After destroying rural Ireland's talent show circuit, hip-hop improvisers Abandoman are teetering on the edge of international fame. This is their access-all-areas story: the highs, lows and a cast of characters... that changes every night. This is your chance to be part of Abandoman's history. Their biggest, most ambitious show ever. This is their Life and Rhymes. 'Raucous, expansive and relentlessly hilarious' **** (Times). www.abandoman.com IMPROV, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 15

Abi Roberts / Bawls Out Comedy

ABI ROBERTS: ANGLICHANKA Anglichanka is Abi Roberts' exhilarating new stand-up comedy show about living in the former Soviet Union in the 90s and returning after 18 years as the first UK comic to perform comedy in English and Russian. We see how Russia has changed and what we need to know about Putin and the country described as 'a riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma'. ***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. ***** Edinburgh Fringe Review. ***** Three Weeks. www.abiroberts.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 43

Abi Roberts / Bawls Out Comedy

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

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

Troll Productions present

ABIGOLIAH SCHAMAUN Abigoliah talks of her love for healthy living by day and debauched shenanigans by night. Explore health and wellness from the perspective of a woman who hates her thighs but loves fried chicken. A former NYC yogi now living in London, Abigoliah is a disarmingly honest comedian with a tender heart and a foul mouth that compliments her wicked sense of humour. 'Fiercely Funny.' The Scotsman '*****'To-Do List '*****'Three Weeks '****' Skinny www.abigoliah.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

ABSOLUTE MESS BY DANNY CLIVES AND LINDSEY SANTORO After last year's sell out show Danny 'light-breeze' Clives and Lindsey 'you're too loud, you've upset your nan' Santoro are back with a new show. Join them on a rib-tickling journey in two halves which will inevitably be an absolute mess. Danny was shortlisted for the Pleasance Comedy Reserve in 2016. Lindsey was a semi finalist in the BBC Comedy Award 2016. MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Sasha Ellen

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN: SASHA ELLEN AND BELOVED PETS SHE'S KILLED

WORLD PREMIERE

At the age of 3 Sasha Ellen accidentally killed a kitten... And she hasn't stopped murdering since. A stand-up show about mishaps, misunderstandings and general screw ups. Disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the making of this show... Intentionally. Sasha has had 2 sell-out Edinburgh shows, one of which transferred to the Soho Playhouse in New York. 'Genuinely fresh' The Scotsman **** 'Cheeky humour... upfront and witty' Broadway Baby **** www.sashaellenproductions.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Map Ref: 14

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

Time: 10th - 19:30 (20:30) | 18th - 19:45 (20:45) Entry: FREE

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ADAM BUXTON'S BUG: DAVID BOWIE SPECIAL David Bowie was a rock legend - and much more besides. Now Adam Buxton presents a very special BUG show celebrating some of Bowie's incredible music video output and other on-screen appearances. A must-see for fans of the Thin White Duke, this BUG Special is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some key moments from David Bowie's life and career on the big screen. EVENT DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £18.50

Map Ref: 9

ADAM HESS NEW SHOW Star of 'Live From The BBC' and 'Drunk History', Adam is really funny and was nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2015 and in 2016 a reviewer from the Times said 'I've seen few shows that are funnier' so I guess that means you might as well. He can't imagine the queen with wet hair and when he found out that he was taller than his dad he got sick. adamhess.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Weirdos Comedy & Heroes present

WORLD PREMIERE

ADAM LARTER: LART NOVEAU

Welcome to Lart Noveau. The new 'show' from Adam Larter. Head of twice Chortle nominated 'Weirdos Comedy', comedian, artist, friend. Late night, rowdy art. Saturday night. Party night. Art night. There will be some nice music, some extreme drama and some moments of bitter bottled art. ' anarchically preposterous' Chortle 'Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.' Rodin adamlarter.com ALTERNATIVE, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

ADAM SALEH Join YouTube sensation Adam Saleh for a live show at The Y. Adam has created many videos and is known as solo YouTuber. He has also appeared in American buddy cop comedy-drama action film American Sharia.[3] Adam first released the single 'Diamond Girl' on May 3, 2015 featuring Sheikh Akbar and Mumzy Stranger as a part of TrueStoryASA. On 16 August 2015 he released his debut solo single 'Tears' featuring Zack Knight as a tribute to his cousin. www.adamsalehworldwide.com/leicester-13-2-17

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 16:00 (18:00) Entry: £14.99

Map Ref: 60

ADELE CLIFF: WORK IN PROGRESS Adele Cliff, writer of one of Dave's Top Ten Funniest Jokes of the Fringe 2016, tries out a whole bunch of, as yet, unnominated jokes. Over 100 of them! Finalist Bath Comedy Festival New Act 2016, Finalist Nottingham Comedy Festival New Act 2016, Semi Finalist Laughing Horse New Act 2015, Funny Women's Ones to Watch 2015, 2016 & Huffington Post Ten Must See New Acts 2016. 'A lively and energetic breath of fresh air' - Notts Comedy Review SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 19:15 (19:55) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 AHIR SHAH: MACHINES

Award-winning stand-up Ahir Shah brings his MACHINES tour to Leicester following a critically acclaimed sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe. One of Britain's most exciting young political comedians, Shah blends questing polemic with sweet gags in this philosophical comedy about what is, was, and might be. It contains an absolutely cracking joke about lizards. 'Burning passion at his fingertips and the gags to back up his fire' ***** List ahirshah.com ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 43

AHIR SHAH: WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Ahir Shah presents an hour of new material for 2017. Shah's blend of philosophical enquiry and Extremely Funny Jokes have made him a firm Leicester favourite. He's writing this in 2016, reasonably confident that the last year will have provided enough material for a political comedian. 'Burning passion at his fingertips and the gags to back up his fire' ***** List 'Like the best political opinion piece you've ever read, but with laughs' Guardian ahirshah.com

ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

AHIR SHAH: WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 37

AIDAN GOATLEY: 10 FILMS WITH MY DAD How do fathers & sons communicate? Sports? Cars? The Jeremy Kyle show? For Aidan and his dad it was films. Join Aidan as he takes you through his 5 star internationally performed Edinburgh fringe show from John Wayne to 3D to show how 2 men grew up with the help of popcorn and Hollywood. 'Charmingly Funny' - The Scotsman 'Proper comic gold' - Chortle 'A Brilliant Raconteur... Amazing' - Fringeguru www.aidangoatley.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 55

Aidan Goatley

AIDAN GOATLEY: THE JOYS OF RETAIL (AND HOW TO ESCAPE THEM)

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Sure, you could have become an accountant like your grandmother wanted, but you had a dream. A dream that meant you did a media degree. Congratulations, you now work in retail. Aidan Goatley shows the delights and horrors of the retail world, from insane area managers to delightful customers, and how you might escape them. 'Proper comic gold' (Chortle) 'Charmingly funny' (Scotsman). 'Riotously funny' (BroadwayBaby.com) www.aidangoatley.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 14

AJB present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALAN BELLAMY: THE OMEN PIKE

The Omen Pike opens its doors for a motley collection of characters struggling to find their place. Join them in this challenging work that examines the evolving journey of absurdity and what it means to perform. An emotional, eclectic comedy piece, with a non standard formula. ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ALASTAIR CLARK: UNINTERRUPTED SCREAMING (WIP) Hey guys! It's me Alastair Clark and I'm coming to Leicester with a brainful of ideas to rock your world for one night only before jetting back off North to my fortress of solitude to ruminate on EXACTLY where it was my life went wrong. Now you're thinking: 'Goddamn, this guy got my attention, I like his spunk, but what can I expect from the show?' A good question. Tbh I don't know, I haven't written it yet. Best guess: daft and silly funtimes. alastairclarkcomedian.co.uk

SOLO SHOW, CLOWN

DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

ALEX HORNE & THE HORNE SECTION Alex Horne has gathered some of the UK's finest jazz musicians and mixed them with the most exciting comics in the country to create some unique and hilarious noises. It's jazz-infused comedy; live and loud - part improvised, part honed, part performance, part party. www.thehornesection.com MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 45

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALEX HYLTON - BOY WONDER

One of the UK's youngest, most exciting comics, Alex has gotten used to being dubbed the 'Boy Wonder.' But now he's just turned 21, it's time to become a man, stand on his own two feet, and make something of himself. In this ambitious debut solo-show, Alex tries to convince the world (but mainly his Mum and Dad) that he's a proper grown-up... AND a proper comedian. 'See him now, while he's still playing the smaller rooms!' - Huffington Post STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Heroes of Fringe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ALEX KEALY: TOO EARLY TO SAY

Comedian & vertebrate Alex Kealy presents his second comedy show. There now follows a reading from The Book of Press Quotes, please be seated: 'Hilarious... fresh, insightful and original... a name to watch' **** - FringeGuru, 'Ferociously quick-witted... flawless script' **** - EdFringeReview, 'A fascinating hour... marvellous stand-up' - The Skinny, 'Sure to be a hit... Clever and original... Kealy's style worked a treat' - Broadway Baby www.twitter.com/alexkealy SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Chris Quaile present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALFIE BROWN: EAT YOUR YOUNG - WIP

Another charming, heaving and philosophical expulsion of anger from the 'future of British comedy' (The List). One hour of stand-up comedy covering populism, just war theory, robots and loads of other stuff that didn't get included in this blurb because when it was written, now was ages away. NEW SHOW. 'Alfie Brown has evolved into an extraordinarily impressive comic.' ****The Scotsman www.alfiebrown.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

KEEP UP TO DATE #onlyjoking

For all the latest news and gossip from this year’s festival you can... Subscribe to our newsletter via www.comedy-festival.co.uk

Like us on Facebook Leics Comedy Festival

WANT TICKETS?

Youtube Leicester Comedy Festival

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ALFIE MOORE - FAIR COP WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Join Humberside cop-turned-comedian Alfie Moore for a hilarious, interactive work in progress for his acclaimed BBC Radio 4 comedy series 'IT'S A FAIR COP'. Alfie 'swears in' the audience as police officers and takes them through a real-life scenario from his 'casebook'. He playfully challenges them with moral dilemmas and invites them to share what they'd do - with unexpected and entertaining results. '... ... offbeat and very funny' Daily Mail www.alfiemoore.com

SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 12th - 14:00 (15:00) | 26th - 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

CatFace Talent present

WORLD PREMIERE

ALISTAIR WILLIAMS: FOOD (WORK IN PROGRESS)

In 2015 I discovered the secret to eating, feeling and looking better. I started eating food. In 2017 I wrote an hour of hilarious, expertly crafted stand up comedy that explains how everyone, including you, can do this. This show isn't at all preachy. And it could change your life. Tickets to this show cost £5. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 21:15 (22:05) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

ALL KILLA NO FILLA LIVE Join comedians Rachel Fairburn (English Comedian of the Year finalist) and Kiri Pritchard-McLean (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year finalist) as they explore a shared passion, serial killers. In this live version of the hugely popular podcast the pair will talk all things murder and macabre while having a right laugh doing it. Recent shows have sold out so get there early to get in. You weirdos. allkillanofilla.podomatic.com HORROR, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 14:45 (15:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

Dead Cat present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

AMY HOWERSKA - PROGRESS (WORK IN)

Welsh-Jewish-Polish-Irish BBC-box-ticking wet dream Amy Howerska brings you another hour of unfiltered comedy stuffing. Fresh from a sell out Edinburgh and scribbling on Radio 4's Now Show and Newsjack, Howerska attempts to pull yet another show out of her ass. Please join us for this spectacle. 'A comedian at the height of her powers' ***** - Comedy Corner www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

AMY HOWERSKA PROGRESS (WORK IN) Welsh-Jewish-Polish-Irish BBC-box-ticking wet dream Amy Howerska brings you another hour of unfiltered comedy stuffing. Fresh from a sell out Edinburgh Fringe and scribbling on Radio 4's Now Show and Newsjack, Howerska attempts to pull yet another stand up show out of her ass. Join us for what is sure to be a five star spectacle. 'A force to be reckoned with' CHORTLE 'A comedian at the height of her powers' ***** - Comedy Corner www.amyhowersk.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 22:15 (23:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 14

CWTCH Comedy present

AMY HOWERSKA SMASHCAT It's Howerska, your favorite Welsh Wonder. Fresh from a sell out, five star Edinburgh Festival, and scribbling on Radio 4. Howerska asks the all important questions namely: Can you love Bowie too much? And what is a SMASHCAT... has it ruined your life. WARNING Heavy use of Mercury throughout (as in Freddie) unsentimental... A force to be reckoned with' (Chortle). 'A comedian at the height of her powers' *****Comedy Coroner www.amyhowerska.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 37

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £6 (£5)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 MLA TALENT present

AN HOUR WITH WOODY ALLEN(ISH) Simon Schatzberger plays Woody Allen, performing his iconic '60s stand-up comedy routines. Sell out shows in London and Edinburgh 2015/16. Appeared at London's Woodystock! celebrating Woody's 80th birthday, Gothenburg Theatre Sweden, Tring and Leicester Comedy Festival 2016 and more... 'uncanny, fans of Allen will love it' TIME OUT 'mesmerising, like going back in time and seeing him live' JON CULSHAW www.woodyallenish.com www.woodyallenish.com SOLO SHOW, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Big Difference Company present

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROMESH RANGANATHAN Romesh has come a long way since winning the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition in 2013. He's appeared on numerous TV shows including 'Mock the Week', 'Live at the Apollo' and 'Sunday Night at the Palladium'. Romesh and his mum also appeared in the TV show 'Asian Provocateur' which has recently been re-commissioned. Join Romesh for this in-depth interview with Festival Director, Geoff Rowe. Part of the Beyond a Joke series. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 14:00 (15:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 9

Everards Tiger present

ANCHOR INN NEW ACT NIGHT Leicester Comedy Festival has long been one the best places to spot new comedy talent and see some of the UK's household names on the cusp of their fame. Previous newbies include Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford & Rhod Gilbert. You too can join the search for the next big thing in this new act showcase. Hosted by the hotly-tipped multi-comedy competition finalist George Rigden. Acts announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk. Includes a free pint of Tiger www.anchorinnhathern.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Anchor Inn

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: TBC

Everards Tiger present

ANCHOR INN ROARS WITH LAUGHTER A stellar night of stand-up comedy featuring the 'fantastically funny' (The Times), award winning comic Ian Smith (Sweat the Small Stuff, BBC3 & Siblings, BBC3), and comedy legend Mrs Barbara Nice - an ordinary Brummy housewife brought to you by Phoenix Nights star Janice Connolly. More exciting acts to be announced; check www.comedy-festival.co.uk Includes a free pint of Tiger. www.anchorinnhathern.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Anchor Inn

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: TBC

Glorious Management present

ANDREA HUBERT: WEEK Hotly-tipped, BAFTA prize award-winning writer and comedian, Andrea Hubert returns to Leicester Comedy Festival. Join Andrea for her surprisingly uplifting debut hour of medication, night sweats, stoned teenage philosophy and explaining why putting on your socks is life's most challenging and meaningless endeavour. 'Andrea Hubert's eccentric and dark humour has the audience in hysterics' BroadwayBaby. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 21:45 (22:45) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 55

ANDREW BIRD: I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN Andrew knew this would happen. That he would end skint, married and struggling with two kids. He knew this would happen because Andrew is one of life's pessimists. But where did this pessimism come from? His Dad? Where he grew up? Or maybe it's just him! Writer on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 'Funny as hell' Rhod Gilbert 'A Great Story Teller' Time Out 'Going to be a star' The Scotsman www.andrewbirdcomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: TBC

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 RBM present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ANDREW LAWRENCE: THE HATE SPEECH TOUR

Star of BBC1's Live at The Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Roadshow and Dave's One Night Stand, as well as four hugely successful series for BBC Radio 4. The UK comedy scene's most bigoted scumbag presents an all new show of morally repugnant material all for the sake of a cheap laugh. Come, bring a friend who's easily offended, and be sure to take everything at face value. 'Superbly intelligent, highly articulate and deeply sour.' The Spectator www.andrewlawrencecomedy.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

ANDREW RYAN: DYING ON THE INSIDE

Leicester Comedy Festival's favourite Irishman Andrew Ryan is 34 years of age. Ryan has gone to his deepest thoughts and now has to face the reality of what he's found. Why has he never been in love and why is he so stuck in his ways? Join Andrew for his new show where he explores the reasons why he feels the way he does and if people can actually change. Best new show nominee 2015 Leicester Comedy Festival. 'Going to be a huge star' Timeout www.andrewryancomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

Off The Kerb Productions present

ANDREW RYAN: RUINED Watch Andrew Ryan divide (but not conquer) his own life. He explores the reasons why he has a destructive personality and a habit of catastrophizing situations which leaves him feeling like he is ruining things for himself. Star of Russell Howard's Good News, Comedy Central at The Comedy Store and BBC Three's Ed Comedy Fest Live. Best New Show Nominee Leicester Comedy Festival 2015. www.andrewryancomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

Comedy Store Management proudly present

ANDY ASKINS: THE MAN WITH NO NAME Andy Askins is living life in blissful ignorance and at odds with rational thinking. You may have seen him (twice) on The John Bishop Show for BBC1 or maybe on Live at The Comedy Store or The World Stands Up for Comedy Central. Join this international man of mystery for some quality deadpan humour, fantastical storytelling and the faint possibility of some absurd musical songs. www.andyaskins.co.uk SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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

Map Ref: 23

Heroes of Fringe present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ANDY BARR: TROPIC OF ADMIN

Marooned on a tropical island, HR Administrator of the Year 2011 Andy Barr spies a cruise ship on the horizon and vows to put on the greatest management conference Micronesia has ever seen. Andy Barr is a member of the Weirdos collective, 'Rising star' (Laugh Out London) and shambolic degenerate. IMMERSIVE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 22:45 (23:35) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 19

The Comedy Agency present

WORLD PREMIERE

ANDY KIND: SOLDIER BOY

As a boy, Andy Kind wanted to be Sharpe from the TV series, Sharpe. His heart was set on joining the Green Jackets and fighting Bonaparte. For many reasons that wasn't realistic, and the British Army said 'No'. What follows is the story of what happened when the hero of the story got gunned down in the opening montage, and of how the boy soldier had to grow up. Andy Kind is an award winning comedian and published author. www.andykind.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Map Ref: 23

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

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ANDY ZALTZMAN: PLAN Z The marginally less successful half of global hit satirical podcast The Bugle, performed with John Oliver since 2007, returns to plot his planet's path to and/or from preservation and/or perdition. In a show encompassing national identity, hope, fear and live action democracy, Zaltzman will address diverse issues such as the past, the present, and the future, body-surfing the unending volcano of confused fury that is modern global politics andyzaltzman.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 43

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

ANGELA BARNES: WORK IN PROGRESS

Following the success of her previous shows 'You Can't Take It With You (As heard on BBC Radio 4) and 'Come As You Are', Angela Barnes (BBC 2's Mock The Week, Radio 4's News Quiz, Ch4's Stand Up For The Week) brings a work-in-progress of her brand new 2017 show to Leicester. 'She's just a gloriously downto-earth, straight talking and extremely funny comic' The Guardian 'Brilliantly Funny', Sarah Millican www.angelabarnescomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

TripleCeePee & Catface Talent present

ANNA MORRIS: IT'S GOT TO BE PERFECT Star of ITV's Bad Bridesmaid & BBC1's Outnumbered Anna Morris brings her smash-hit, sell-out show to Leicester. You are invited to attend the wedding rehearsal of Georgina Francis (dubbed 'Britain's Worst Bride in the press) & her long suffering fiancé Simon. Georgina wants THE perfect wedding, so is rehearsing extensively throughout the UK, using audiences as guests?! Be warned: Nothing will ruin her perfect day. Don't. Be. Late. www.annamoris.co.uk CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 15

APPROPRIATE ADULT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Kiri Pritchard - McLean follows up her critically acclaimed debut hour with a brand new show looking at adoption, kids and trying to make a difference. www.kiripritchardmclean.co.uk

SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

CatFace Talent present

ARCHIE MADDOCKS: SMILES AND CRIES Archie has been described as a 'super cool, super smart storyteller' (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard) and 'poignant, inventive and razor-sharp' (broadway baby). Join him for his new show, which looks at why he tells stories, how reality has always disappointed him, the story of a killer donut, and the time he got looked out of his room by a ghost (shut up, it happened. It definitely happened). www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

ASK THE INDUSTRY LIVE - MIDLANDS PROMOTER SPECIAL Comedian Simon Caine hosts a live Q&A podcast with 4 Midlands comedy promoters to find out what makes them tick, how they pick their line ups and the secrets behind the scenes of your favourite clubs. Come down with your questions to ask them anything. simoncaine.co.uk/AskTheIndustryPodcast

WORLD PREMIERE

DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 13:00 (14:15) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 BAD GIRLS SHOWCASE Lulu Reubens hosts an all female line-up! With a token boy! A mix of the best up and coming and established acts in a mischievous playground of dark humour! 'A hilarious and fascinating parade of brilliant women' - Arthur Smith

MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 22:45 (23:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

BARBARA NICE: RAFFLE Barbara Nice brings her hit Edinburgh festival show . Tip top fun from Phoenix Nights star Janice Connolly. 'Catch her before she goes strataspheric ' The Scotsman www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 21:15 (22:10) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 22

BARRY LOVES YOU

WORLD PREMIERE

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

Venue: Kayal

Time: 11th - 20:10 (21:00) | 18th - 17:30 (18:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 23

Heroes of Fringe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BECKY WALKER'S MANDATORY REST BREAK

Best known as one face of chaotic comedy collective 'Heroes' Becky has been performing on some of the most prestigious stages in the UK for years, mostly after everyone else has gone home and left her to tidy up. Bringing dark but charming stand up and stories to Best-er after an eventful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Previous work experience includes: Easter Bunny Impersonator, Night Club Shots Tart and Haunted Lighthouse Keeper. www.heroesoffringe.com STORYTELLING, HORROR DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

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

Map Ref: 18

BEGGING TO DIFFER Daphna Baram, the Middle Eastern Mary Poppins, is back with a spoonful of humous, political wit, and some great advice on smuggling yourself into foreign lands and surviving both the Israeli and the British political havoc. 'Extremely sharp, caustic humour and a very wicked streak... Baram is 'that' friend, who whispers bad ideas into your ear and has you constantly exclaiming 'I can't believe you said that!' (Views From The Gods) www.missd.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

The Cookie present

WORLD PREMIERE

BEN BRIGGS - YES... I REALLY JUST SAID THAT

After sell out shows at Leicester in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Ben Briggs brings another hour of stand up comedy to Leicester Comedy Festival 2017. Brash, confrontational and dark, but always very, very funny. Not to be missed. 'Inherently appealing style' - Chortle ''a nice cynical sneer' - beyondthejoke.co.uk Nominated Best Act - Midlands Comedy Awards 2014 and 2015 Finalist - English Comedian of The Year 2015 www.benbriggs.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Shaven Ape Ltd. present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BEN FOGG - HOW I WON BEST NEWCOMER 2017

'A second once in a lifetime chance to see the greatest living comic of every generation. Ben Fogg delivers a technically perfect, pant-wetting, heart-warming, pole-stiffening watermelon of a show. He delights and inspires us all, like a hill-top wizard battling a sadness dragon. Like comedy? See it done properly for once.' Ben Fogg - Winner, 'Best Newcomer 2017'. www.shavenape.tv EVENT DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

Jokes On Us present

BEST OF JOKES ON US Not sure who to see at this year's festival? Award-Winning comedy promoters Jokes On Us bring you a selection of some of the finest comedians on the UK Comedy scene, each performing a short set to give a flavour of their full show to help you decide! Come and see a smorgasbord of talent in this 'Pay What You Want' show. DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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

Map Ref: 57

BIG HOWARD LITTLE HOWARD: MAN AND BOY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Howard is back! With Little Howard in tow they're returning to comedy for adults. Their unique mix of the thoughtful and the dumb will appeal to aspirational stupid people, and self-loathing intellectuals in equal measure. It will never be successful, but by crikey will it be pleased with itself! 'Witty, clever, at times breathtakingly funny comedy' (The Sunday Times) www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:05) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

BILAL ZAFAR - CAKES Cakes is the highly anticipated debut show from Bilal Zafar, Edinburgh 2016 best newcomer nominee and the Hackney Empire New Comedian of the Year 2016 (NATYS) . Join Bilal as he takes you on a fascinating and hilarious journey of how he was mistaken for a Muslim-only cake shop and became a prime target for the furious far right around the world. 'Relaxed, knowing, skilful' (Steve Bennett, Chortle.co.uk). 'Instantly engaging' SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

BILAL ZAFAR - WORK IN PROGRESS Bilal Zafar is an Edinburgh 2016 Best Newcomer nominee and winner of the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2016 (NATYS) This is his amazing new show! Bilalzafarcomedy.Com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

BINGE THINKING

REGIONAL PREMIERE

With his ferocious dark humour, bold award winning comedian Amadeus Martin delivers his sharp witted take on pen pal disputes, old school Lucozade, fundraising and more. Amadeus may occasionally be obscene, so if you're easily offended, be sure to come along. 'Critic's Choice' Time Out 'Comedy Pick' Evening Standard & GQ amadeusmartin.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:50 (19:50) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 23

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 TripleCeePee present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BIRTHDAY GIRLS - SH!T HOT PARTY LEGENDS

Party legends of Leicester assemble! After the success of their 2015 smash-hit, sell-out show Party Vibes, Birthday Girls are back with a nips-out, bodyrocking sketch show that will leave you pumped and ready for a night out. We promise you funny shit. We promise you try-hard dancing. We promise you everything. Birthday Girls are Beattie Edmondson (the funny one), Rose Johnson (the funny one) and Camille Ucan (the funny one). www.birthdaygirlscomedy.com SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:55 (22:55) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

A Rush of Laughter present

BISHA K ALI & STEPHANIE LAING: IN AGONY What's bugging you? What's causing upset or strife in your life right now? We're Bisha K Ali & Stephanie Laing - a pair of comedians from London. We are your new age, wizard-like, but mammalian Agony Aunts. At this live recording we will give you our super-excellent advice on everything from love to car maintenance, alien invasion to dog grooming. Please bear in mind we know nothing about any of those things. Really nothing at all. inagonyshow.tumblr.com ALTERNATIVE, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

KEEP UP TO DATE #onlyjoking

For all the latest news and gossip from this year’s festival you can Subscribe to our newsletter via www.comedy-festival.co.uk

Like us on Facebook Leics Comedy Festival

Youtube Leicester Comedy Festival

Everards Tiger present

BLACK DOG ROARS WITH LAUGHTER A top night of comedy from some of the UK's favourite comedians. Featuring Amy Howerska, a Welsh-Jewish-Polish-Irish BBC-box-ticking dream guaranteed to get the 'crowd roaring' (**** Mumble), and the 'enigmatic, charismatic, systematic, hydromatic... Staggeringly impressive and refreshing' (***** Herald) Tom Ward. This truly is a Friday night not to miss. More acts to be announced; check www.comedy-festival.co.uk Includes a free pint of Tiger. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Dog

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 3

Everards Tiger present

THE BLACK HORSE COMEDY CLUB: LAUGHTER LOFT Six nights of side splitting comedy in this great pub. Each night will feature a top line of comics from the UK circuit, plus special guest headliners. Check out the website for the full listings www.blackhorse-aylestone.co.uk or follow on Facebook, search 'Aylestone Black-Horse' www.blackhorse-aylestone.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Black Horse

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: TBC

BLACKMAN AND ROBYN

WORLD PREMIERE

This American gone British delivers her debut hour, bouncing between her personal issues and issues with her country. The show's content is developed from her experience in the UK and her [relatively] new Nigerian boyfriend, containing chatty, upbeat observational comedy with laced with commentary about today's societal issues. www.robynperkins.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 31

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Addy van der Borgh presents

WORLD PREMIERE

'BLOOZY WOOZY' BILL - ABSOLUTE LEGEND

Comedy with the blues - funny recollections of festivals, musicians, stolen instruments, and the influence of Morris dancing. Infused with blues harmonica and piano. Artist, Philosopher, Visionary? Or Eccentric, Fool, Bumbler? 'Brilliant natural clown' Daniel Kitson, 'Funny and entertaining' ****Chortle, 'Born to make people laugh' Edinburgh Evening News. Total sell out at the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 www.addyvanderborgh.com CHARACTER, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:50 (19:45) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 23

BOARD GAME SMACKDOWN Hosted by award-winning comedian and UK board game champion James Cook, the funniest Leicester Comedy Festival performers play classic and new board games. See website or venue for details. www.jamescookcomedian.com

GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

BOB BLACKMAN'S TRAY The funniest men in Staffordshire arrive in Leicester to entertain with a collection of jokes and local characters. Free entry, donations welcome. 'Unfashionably dressed' - The Skinny. 'The funniest men in Staffordshire' - Stoke Sentinel.

ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

BOB SLAYER & ADAM LARTER CONCON PODCAST

The completely official ConCon podcast staring Bob Slayer as the completely unofficial Stu Goldsmith interviewing Adam Larter as the completely unofficial Andrew Lawrence... 'The interview that they didn't think would happen... ' (Chortle) Bob Slayer joins three of his favourites on the BlundaBus over three days to create a trio of peculiar double acts. SATIRE, DANCE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 18

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

BOB SLAYER & JASON NEALE OFFICIAL CLOSING CEREMONY

Join two grown men arm wrestling in brandy butter, for an hour. Competing for the title of Spirit of the Festival. The winner takes all. This is how to close the Festival! Bob Slayer joins three of his favourites on the BlundaBus over three days to create a trio of ridonculous double acts. www.blundabus.com BURLESQUE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 18

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

BOB SLAYER & JOZ NORRIS IN JUDGE RINDER THE APPEAL!

In October last year Joz Norris and Bob Slayer faced each other in the court of Judge Rinder on ITV... Let's watch it again and see who really won? Come play Judge, Jury and executioner of the BlundaBus Appeal Court. 'The stangest case I have ever heard... ' Judge Rinder. Over three days Bob Slayer joins three of his favourites on the BlundaBus to create a trio of hilarious double acts. GAME SHOW, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 18

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Heroes of Fringe

BOB SLAYER: FAT JOCKEY Bob Slayer used to be a Jockey. 'Really? Aren't you too tall? Too fat? 'Have you ever excelled at something that you just weren't built for? This is Bob's origin story: pre comedy (Multiple Award Winner), pre managing bands (Japan's Electric Eel Shock) and pre eating all the pies, he could have won the Grand National! 'Wonderfully hilarious storyteller... ' (Racing Post) 'Half shambles, half genius... ' (Threeweeks) STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Heroes of Fringe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BOB SLAYER: NEVERMIND THE BUSSTOPS

Nevermind the Bob Slayer here's his BlundaBus! Bob's infamous late night lock-in and happenings on the closing weekend: Storytelling and take-overs on a multiple award-winning double-decker bus. Anything can happen if you let it. We even have a piano! 'Spirit of the Fringe... ' (Guardian). Until Late! Latecomers welcome. GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

Time: 23rd/24th/25th - 22:45 | 26th - 21:30 Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 18

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

BOB SLAYER: WHERE'S THE BLUNDABUS?

Where's the BlundaBus?? Nevermind! Let's settle in for Bob Slayer's infamous launch weekend late night lock-in and happenings: This is Circle Time! Storytelling and take-overs. Anything can happen if you let it. 'Spirit of the Fringe... ' (Guardian). Until Late! Latecomers welcome. www.blundabus.com GAME SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 8th/9th/10th/11th - 22:45 | 12th - 21:30 Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

BOBBY MAIR: THE NEW HOUR

WORLD PREMIERE

Bobby Mair presents a new hour of stand up comedy. In 2016 Bobby starred in CH4's World of Weird and ITV2's @Elevenish and supported Bill Burr on his national tour. As seen on Safeword, Russell Howard's Good News, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Sweat The Small Stuff and other now cancelled shows. 'Bobby Mair is clearly a brilliant stand up. He's either going to be a huge international comedy star or the funniest homeless man ever.' SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 43

BOTTLE ROCKET COMEDY CLUB FEAT JOE LYCETT Join us for this Leicester Comedy Festival Special featuring stand up star Joe Lycett As seen on on Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Drunk History. Book Early! 'Cheeky, warm and super-funny' (Time Out). Support from Phil Ellis (Star of Cult BBC3 hit Funz and Gamez) and Steve Bugeja (BBC New Comedy Award Winner) www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1677 DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £16

Map Ref: 60

Live Nation present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

BRENNAN REECE - EVERGLOW

Hello! I'm the English Comedian of the Year and this is my debut show. I was lucky enough to perform it all over the world. That sounds like bragging, but I don't know another way to explain that people liked it. I've also appeared on BBC, ITV, E4 and supported Joe Lycett and Nick Offerman on tour. Still bragging. I just really like doing comedy and if you come and see me, I reckon you'll like it too. ***** Arts Award **** Fest Mag www.brennanreece.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 1

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

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Live Nation present

WORLD PREMIERE

BRENNAN REECE - EVERLONG (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Hello! This is my second debut show. My first one did pretty well. It sold out in Australia and Edinburgh, and I was nominated for Best Show and Best Newcomer. I have to mention these things, so you come along. Other things about me that might make you want to buy a ticket: English Comedian Of The Year, Jason Manford Tour Support, I've been on telly, 5 star Uber rating, very tidy housemate and I visit my 93 year old Nanna every week. www.brennanreece.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 43

BRYONY TWYDLE : TWADDLE Character comedian Bryony Twydle (Funny Women Semi Finalist 2015, BBC Radio 4's Sketchorama, one fifth of award winning sketch group The Jest) brings to Leicester her solo character show. Prepare for her warped, arrogant and overly-ambitious everyday eccentrics and the weird and wonderful world in which they inhabit. 'Comic Gold' - viewfromthegods ***** 'Impressively dynamic and effortlessly charismatic' LondonTheatre1 **** www.bryonytwydle.com

CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 55

Everards Tiger present

BULLS HEAD ROARS WITH LAUGHTER Kick off your festival with an incredible night of stand comedy from some of the circuit's best stand-up comedians. Featuring the 'excellently deadpan' (Huffington Post) Sarah Keyworth - 'Funny Women 2015 First Runner Up', and headlined by Adam Hess, star of 'Live from the BBC' and 'Drunk History'. More exciting acts to be announced; check www.comedy-festival.co.uk Includes a free pint of Tiger. www.bullsheadleicesterforestwest.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Bulls Head

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 5

De Montfort University present

BUSINESS BREAKFAST The launch of Leicester Comedy Festival 2017, to guests and friends from local businesses, at De Montfort University, where the Festival began in 1994. www.dmu.ac.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: DMU Campus

Time: 07:30 (08:45) Entry: INVITE ONLY

Map Ref: 12

C'EST LA VEGAN

WORLD PREMIERE

Award winning comic, Dave Chawner, brings his new show about turning vegan to Leicester. A light-hearted look at the UK food industry, nutrition and diet-culture. As seen on BBC, ITV & Channel 4. Featured in The Guardian The Independent & Cosmopolitan. Three Weeks - * * * * Broadway Baby - * * * * Ed Fringe Review - * * * * Arts Award Voice - * * * * * Bunbury Magazine - * * * * * www.DaveChawner.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Candy Gigi

CANDY GIGI: A STAR IS BORN Oy! Everyon'es favourite Yiddish girl Candy Gigi, Malcome Hardee Award winner 2014, has transformed Fiddler on the Roof into something truly bizarre and outrageous. She talks and sings you through the life and pressures of being brought up as an Orthodox Jew, and the lengths she's gone to hunt down a nice Jewish man. ' Once seen, never forgotten' - Chortle ALTERNATIVE, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Avalon Promotions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CARL DONNELLY: BAD MAN TINGS!

Join twice Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated Carl Donnelly for an all new hour of funnies as he takes us through his thoughts on reaching the ripe old age of 34, the age that is statistically the happiest of your life. Following the mess that was his late twenties and early thirties (involving divorce, depression, hallucinogens and worse). 'Observational genius' The Guardian www.carldonnelly.co.uk STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

CARLY SMALLMAN REALLY DOES HAVE FRIENDS, AND A DOG

WORLD PREMIERE

Do you like comedy but always have that niggling feeling that every show you've seen this festival is lacking a really cute dog? Well fear not! Perpetual single dog lady Carly Smallman is here to prove that she has amazing comedy friends and also a dog. A fab compilation stand up comedy show featuring the finest comedy talents in the UK. Hosted by Carly. And a dog. www.carlysmallman.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 37

CARLY SMALLMAN: A WORK IN PROGRESS AND OTHER TERRIBLE STORIES ABOUT WHY I KEEP RUINING IT FOR MYSELF

WORLD PREMIERE

Carly Smallman (that's me) returns to Leicester with an hour of funny songs and stories about how I keep f*cking up my own life by accident. It's funnier than it sounds. Just come and let's have a chat afterwards and maybe a curry? 'Smutty outspoken jolity' - The Telegraph. 'The most exciting female act in the country' - GQ. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL www.carlysmallman.com DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (18:55) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Heroes @ The Criterion

WORLD PREMIERE

CAROLINE RYAN: IN CONVERSATION WITH ... .

Caroline Ryan returns for a fourth time to Leicester Comedy Festival, with a show not yet defined ... a work in progress loosely titled In Conversation With ... . although she's not sure who with yet!! It's quite possible it will be with herself! Join Caroline and see where the hour takes you. STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

KEEP UP TO DATE #onlyjoking

For all the latest news and gossip from this year’s festival you can... Subscribe to our newsletter via www.comedy-festival.co.uk

Like us on Facebook Leics Comedy Festival

Youtube Leicester Comedy Festival

CARTOONING WORKSHOP Join us for some creative cartooning fun and create your own medieval knight with our cartooning expert! Sessions take place from 11am with the last one starting at 3pm. The workshop is included in admission to the Visitor Centre and tickets can be bought on the day at the Visitor Centre. www.kriii.com/comedyfestival CHILDREN'S, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Map Ref: 24

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

Time: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 Entry: £7.95 (£4.75)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 CAT CALL

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Shame, sex & shouting back from two of the UK's best new stand-up comics. With a 20 year age gap between them, Cally Beaton & Catherine Bohart show there's no easy side of 40. At 47, Cally breaks taboos on everything from autism to body image, and tackles feminism head on. 27 year old Catherine's dry observations include her bisexuality and the perils of having a Catholic deacon for a dad. At least they're not ginger... oh hold on... callybeaton.com/gigs/ EVENT DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Off The Kerb Productions present

CHARLIE BAKER: THE HIT POLISHER Charlie Baker swings in to town direct from playing the O2 (Channel 4's Comedy Gala) appearing as Harry Hill's hunchback kitchen assistant (Sky 1's Tea Time) and causing trouble in Albert Square (BBC1's EastEnders). Brilliant jokes, Beautiful singing, Banging night out. 'A superior take on the modern showman' The Guardian. 'an absolute romp, with some shout-with-laughter moments' **** Chortle www.charliebakercomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 43

Heroes@Leicester Comedy Festival

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CHARMIAN HUGHES-SOIXANTE MIRTH

Charmian thought she'd be an adult by now - but her ten year old former self wants to know what she's done with her life, if she's kept her promises and what on earth is she wearing. Fun filled frolic- Fate, Flim-Flam and Filosophy- no effing! Nominated Buxton Fringe Comedy Award 2016. 'Lots of lovely lines and surprises.' Bruce Dessau Beyond The Joke, 'Lovely show. Genuinely enjoyable watch' Kate Copstick, 'joyous and fun hour**** 'Funny Women www.charmianhughes.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 15:30 (16:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Heroes

WORLD PREMIERE

CHATTY CHATTY BANG BANG

Chatty Chatty Bang Bang is a fun comedy chat show, hosted by Welsh comedians Sarah Bridgeman and Penny Matthews. Joining them as the house-band is the legendery Jeff Japers - a light hearted, musical comedy act from up-North. They will be chatting with fantastic and interesting special guests. The show is very playful and includes sketches, daft characters, films and lots of silly fun and laughs. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:00 (14:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

The Galton Agency present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHRIS BETTS VS THE AUDIENCE

Chris Betts will argue for or against anything. Bring your opinions, your facts, your life experiences and no matter what you say Chris will argue (hilariously I might add) the opposite. Scores are kept by an independent comedian judge and by the end of the hour we'll tally up the scores of arguments won and lost and declare a winner! Prizes for the audience if they win and prizes for Chris if he wins! 'Properly hilarious'-What's On London www.chrisbettsisntfunny.com ALTERNATIVE, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

The Galton Agency present

CHRIS BETTS: BEWILDERBEEST (WIP) Sceptical, ludicrous and hilarious, Betts brings his second hour of stand-up to Leicester. His comedy is a perfect balance of incisive social satire and complete silliness. Likely topics include: Left-hand bias, Jagermeister and Incan pottery. 'Chris Betts is tremendous '( Such Small Portions); 'An enticing prospect, a Canadian who deals in off-kilter thoughts sharpened by the occasional prod at taboo topics' (The Independent) www.chrisbettsisntfunny.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 17th - 20:00 (20:55) | 18th - 18:30 (19:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 CHRIS BETTS: SOCIAL ANIMAL

Canadian comedian, Chris Betts (2014 Leicester Square New Comedian and 2015 NATY finalist) brings his acclaimed show, Social Animal, to Loughborough. A seasoned bartender and habitual people watcher, Betts has studied Mankind at our watering holes and come back hopeful. Think Jane Goodall polishing glasses. 'An enticing prospect, a Canadian who deals in off-kilter thoughts sharpened by the occasional prod at taboo topics' (The Independent) www.chrisbettsisntfunny.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Needle & Pin

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 53

CHRIS KEHOE: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIS

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Would the world be a better place if piratical misanthrope Chris Kehoe was in charge? Without a shadow of a doubt. Join the award winning Boltonian satirist as he tackles climate change, racism and asks what would motivate 23 people to leave a review of a pedal bin on line? 'Brings much needed smarts to as many polemical subjects as he can.' - Manchester Wire 'A damn fine satirist.' - The Skinny chriskehoe.co.uk SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

CHRIS NORTON WALKER: YEAH!

An hour of self deprecating comedy charm. A show about trying to stay positive when everyone and everything is out to annoy you! For anyone who smiles through grimaced teeth at the frustrations of life. // 'Hilarious to watch' - LocalSecrets.com, 'Cementing his reputation as one of the best up and coming acts around' - Funny First Mondays, 'A fun, teasing way of keeping the audience on their toes' - Chortle (Steve Bennett) www.NortonWalker.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

TSW Promotions present

CHRIS PURCHASE - DISTRACTED Taking the comedy scene by storm with his mix of light hearted anecdotes and cultural satire, this is a show all about how we don't focus on the important things. Chris Purchase is Distracted 'Had the crowd roaring, lapped it up . Full of energy, loud, charismatic. Lovely.' - The Stand 'Charismatic and entertaining' - Comedy Central 'Top stuff... confident, funny and self deprecating' - Jack Whitehall www.christopherpurchase.com SATIRE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Dead Cat present

WORLD PREMIERE

CHRISTIAN TALBOT - LOVELY HAIR

A new work in progress show from Christian Talbot. Why? Because you're worth it. 'An absolutely engaging performer. The women next to me nearly dislocated something, so much was she laughing. Can't say fairer than that.' - The Scotsman www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

Chuckle Busters present

CHUCKLE BUSTERS SHOWCASE Chuckle Busters presents a mix of top comedians from the South West and further afield. Acts will include Phil Cooper ('Took everything in his stride with a fantastic set, wrung every single laugh to be had' Fosters Comedy), ('Perfectly observed comedy' Bristol Post), Alex Mahoney (BBC New Comedy Award SemiFinalist) and Sam Schäfer (once lost a game of crazy golf to a mouse). A few special guests from the festival will also be joining us! MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

Map Ref: 7

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

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £8

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 FlipYou Productions and Peril Film proudly present

WORLD PREMIERE

CINEMADNESS: COMEDY SHORTS

If you're fond of the twin disciplines of 'laughing' and 'watching images on a screen' , then this is the show for you! Join us for a night of short comedy films and sketches from talented home-grown film-makers. With popcorn and pints you can sit back and enjoy our CineMadness! Free goody bags for all. (Advance ticket purchasers score our amazing super goody bag!) Check our facebook page for film listings and preview. Cert: 18 www.facebook.com/CineMadnessComedy EVENT, EXHIBITION DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

CLARE PLESTED: WORK IN PROGRESS Brand new character comedy from critically acclaimed comedian Clare Plested. 'Plested's a natural character actress' (Scotsman). 'Like a better-looking Dave Allen ... she's wonderful company - the kind of woman you'd like to have a glass of wine with ... it's a pleasure to spend time in Plested's company' (Chortle.co.uk). 'A sassy and vivacious performance ... a sheer delight ... fresh, witty and immensely funny' (BritishTheatreGuide. info). www.clareplested.co.uk

CHARACTER, SKETCH

DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 55

TripleCeePee present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

COLIN HOULT - ANNA MANN A SKETCH SHOW FOR DEPRESSIVES

Star of BBC's Murder in Successville and Being Human, Colin Hoult returns as the delightful character Ms Anna Mann in a show to put down your black dog at last or at least chuck him a bone. 'As seen in Derek, Life's Too Short and creator of BBC Radio 4's Carnival of Monsters. 'Unique and darkly brilliant talent' **** (Guardian). 'Funnier than almost all other shows at this year's Fringe' **** (Telegraph) ***** (ShortCom) ***** (Ed Fringe Review) www.mrscolinhoult.com/ SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 15

Comedy Trumpet present

WORLD PREMIERE

COLIN LEGGO: PARALLELS OF PUNDERMENT

Best Debut Show 2015 Nominee, Colin Leggo is a stand-up comedian, YouTube-botherer and Cornish fool who dabbles in the fine arts of puns, wordplay and having a foot made of plastic. Join him for another hour of stupidity; involving puns, songs, puns, some elaborate props and more puns. 'Leggo is wonderfully silly, bursting with optimism and character' - British Comedy Guide **** Broadway Baby **** British Comedy Guide **** Sick of the Fringe www.colinleggo.com SOLO SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

COMEDIANS CINEMA CLUB (SPLIT SCREEN) Chaotic, alcohol-fuelled and very funny indeed. Comedians Cinema Club is a sure-fire blockbuster hit if you're looking for a good laugh. These movies are brash, hilarious and nothing like the originals. Time Out Comedy Critics Choice every month since February 2015. One of the best audience participation comedy shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014 according to the Guardian. Nominated Chortle's Best Music and Variety 2016. www.comedianscinemaclub.com IMPROV, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

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 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!?' www.demontforthall.co.uk CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 10

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Leicester Comedy Festival present

COMEDY HEAVEN This year the festival grand finale show goes on tour and takes over venues including The Cookie, PETER Pizzeria, Firebug, The Exchange and Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall. Since 2005 the annual festival has closed with this gala show, and past acts have included Hal Cruttenden, Sean Kelly, Arthur Smith, Stewart Lee & Jason Manford. Over the years the show has raised thousands of pounds for charities and this year the shows will support registered charities Prostaid (registered charity 1116935) and Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167). Pick your favourite venue and settle in for a mixed bill of comedians on the last night of the festival. The line ups will be announced online so keep an eye on www.comedy-festival.co.uk for announcements. Expect some of the best acts from the festival plus a few special guests and surprises. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie, PETER Pizzeria, Firebug, The Exchange & Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:30 onwards Entry: £5

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). www.comedyinthedark.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Phoenix

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 39

Big Difference Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

COMEDY IN THE DARK FOR KIDS

A special version of this unique comedy experience premieres at Leicester Comedy Festival. It's still comedy, and it's still dark... A perfect family show for halfterm giggles! Please see www.comedy-festival.co.uk for more details and the line-up as it's announced. Recommended for 8 -12 years olds. www.comedyinthedark.com CHILDREN'S, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Phoenix

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 39

Commentary/ Phoenix Arts Centre

COMMENTARY Commentary returns to Leicester Comedy Festival, filled to bursting with media-mashing entertainment. In this very special show we welcome back the very best performances from the past two years! Watch, listen and prepare to be entertained as live comedians, poets, musicians and more interact with films and animations before your very eyes. Re-scripting. Re-scoring. Re-inventing cinema. #WhatAreYouWatching? MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Phoenix

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 39

CONFESSIONS OF A GOBSHITE

WORLD PREMIERE

Love! Money! Respect! Joseph Murphy has failed to achieve all of these. This orchestral comedic odyssey is his life's story. New Act of the Year Finalist 2016. BBC Radio New Comedy Award Selection 2015. 'It's great to have him on the bill, shaking things up' Steve Bennet Chortle

STORYTELLING, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Map Ref: 17

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Matt Watts & Doug Deans present

WORLD PREMIERE

CONVERSATION DUNGEON

The Conversation Garden trio reunite and invite their guests and audience to embark on a fantasy role-playing game set in the city of Leicester. With live musical accompaniment, they will immerse themselves in the nerdy realm of goblins, ghouls, and dragons. Come along for a raucous and unpredictable night of fabrication, improvisation, and conversation. https://conversationgarden.com GAME SHOW, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 23:00 (00:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 15

COOK AND DAVIES: INFAMEY

WORLD PREMIERE

This is it! High energy surreal sketch duo and fame hungry bastards Cook and Davies will call in all favours and cross all lines to make this their big break! They want their 15 minutes of fame and stretch it out to an hour! 'A sketch show unlike those you've seen before' - Broadway Baby 2016 Leicester Square Theatre Sketch-Off Finalists! 'Douglas Adams-esque' - Three Weeks 'Immediately likeakle' - Chortle cookanddavies.com SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

CREAM TEA AND INCEST

WORLD PREMIERE

Murder! Death! Violence! Jeffrey and Eddie must learn the meaning of these words and more in this brand new loose parody of Jeeves and Wooster. Lord Wiggins refuses to marry his fiancée and risks alienating his loose acquaintance, Eddie Spangler. It's up to Eddie and his kind, strong valet Jeffrey to reunite Wiggins with his bride-to-be by any means necessary. THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 9th - 21:30 (22:30) | 10th - 18:30 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

Everards Tiger present

CRICKETERS ROARS WITH LAUGHTER We're back to Roar with Laughter for a 2nd year! Join us for funny night out featuring festival favourite and star of BBC3's Impractical Jokers, Paul McCaffrey. Paul has been heard on Russell Kane's Whistle-Stop Tour (BBC Radio 2) and is a regular guest on The Matt Forde Show (talkSPORT). More acts to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk. Includes a free pint of Tiger. www.comedy-festival.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cricketers

Time: 20:00 (21:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 47

The Chandeliers present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

CRIME SCENE IMPROVISATION

Mirth meets murder in the world's daftest whodunnit. Crime Scene Improvisation is a rip-roaring crime comedy entirely made up on the spot. Following sell-out runs at Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe Festivals, we create a 100% brand new whodunnit every show to solve an outlandish murder invented by the audience. 'CSI leave you feeling like you were part of something unique' - Everything Theatre. ***** 'Improv comedy at its finest' - Bunbury. www.crimesceneimpro.com IMPROV, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 37

Laugh á Little / Vivienne Smith Management present

CROFT & PEARCE: ARE NOT THEMSELVES The stars of BBC Radio 4's The Croft & Pearce Show and Spirit of the Fringe award-winners return with 'a laugh-out-loud sketch show' (Daily Express). A BBC's Next Big Thing act 2015, they've sold out theatres in London, New York and around the UK. 'Edinburgh favourites' (Independent). 'A hit' (Telegraph). 'Sketch comedy at its best' (Alistair McGowan). 'Magnificent sketch after magnificent sketch... ' ***** (Broadway Baby). www.croftandpearce.com SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 51

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Jokes On Us

CULT COMICS Two award-losing nerds (Sam Golin & Bisha K Ali) present an hour of geek-culture themed stand-up comedy, fun and games. If you're a gamer, a comic book fan, a sci-fi & fantasy buff or addicted to horror movies, Cult Comics is for you. Join us. Resistance is futile. www.cultcomics.tumblr.com ALTERNATIVE, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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

Map Ref: 57

D'ARCEHOLE Jo D'Arcy - 'Funny bones and a clownish sensibility, a little like a female Rik Mayall' (Bruce Dessau); 'A formidable performer ' - (Steve Bennett, Chortle) - got called ALL the names in High School, then went back to teach and got them all again, but none of them are as bad as the names she's called herself. Somehow though, she's coming through it and learning how not to be such a f***king d**khead to herself (there's still some work to do). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Daniel Nicholas/ Tetrad

D.A.N.C.E D.A.N.C.E is developing a new comedy experience, where comedians and dancers alike share the stage to entertain you. Comedians will perform their routines, whilst dancers, react and improvise their interpretation on stage with them. And then swap, with comedians performing contemporary dance for the first time, and dancers trying out material, what could possibly go wrong? An exciting way to see different artforms working together. www.danielnicholas.co.uk DANCE, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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

Map Ref: 15

D.W.A... DAD WITH ATTITUDE D.A.D... Dad with attitude. Once I became a parent I lost my name and identity and became 'DAD'. I want to tell my story about my life before and after becoming Dad... It's Payback time!!!! c13jones.wixsite.com/comedian-1 SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 20:00 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 48

DAMIAN CLARK: CAN'T SLOW DOWN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Aussie Damian Clark bursts back to Leicester with his brand new show of fast-paced observational stand up. Known for his child-like outlook and energetic stage presence, Damian has had audiences in tears since he hit our shores 4 years ago. 'The world's wittiest machine gun... Amazing' - The Scotsman 'His sunny observational humour is perfect' - Three Weeks 'Bladder burstingly funny' - Chortle damianclark.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

UTC Artist Management present

DANE BAPTISTE: WORK IN PROGRESS Following two critically acclaimed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Dane Baptiste returns to workshop brand new material. Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee. As seen on Live At The Apollo, Sunday Night At The Palladium, Mock the Week and his own BBC sitcom Sunny D. www.utcartistmanagement.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Daniel Nicholas / Tetrad present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANIEL NICHOLAS: POSTER BOY

Daniel Nicholas. He's a bit weird, and not quite cool enough to hang out with the Addams family. Daniel is starting to wonder if he's too alienating. But that doesn't mean he's not marketable right? In this brand new show full of questionable interaction and games, via surround sound screaming and seducing a mic stand, Daniel investigates what a guy needs to do to be fully successful in the comedy industry. N.B suspect to change. www.danielnicholas.co.uk ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

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

Daniel Nicholas / Tetrad present

DANIEL NICHOLAS: SCRIPTED (IMMERSIVE REMIX) A remix of Daniel Nicholas' madcap stand-up hour that bats around from interactive games to surreal one-liners and some longer bits, taking place around the whole building of the Attenborough Arts Centre. From the Jumper Game to the Elimination Process, via one-liners and surreal longer bits. Imagine if Tim Burton made a stand-up game show and it might be like this... 'Inventive... should have a future in comedy.' (Chortle.co.uk). www.danielnicholas.co.uk IMMERSIVE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 1

DANIELLE WARD: SEVENTEEN Sending hate mail to Gary Barlow. Pubic hair. The ghost of Graham Chapman... It's tough being seventeen. A new stand-up show from the host of hit podcast Do the Right Thing. 'Graphic and funny' ****(Fest). www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 22

Fluid Thinking present

DANNY MCLOUGHLIN: PHILIP WAS RIGHT When Danny was 10 something bad happened, he was fine. He didn't think it was that bad. Now he's older, he's not fine as he's realised the bad thing was probably badder than he first thought. Join him to find out if Philip was right, as well as who the hell Philip even is. *also contains a poem, questionable in quality. www.dannymcloughlin.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Fluid Thinking and Phil Mcintyre management present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANNY MCLOUGHLIN: WORK IN PROGRESS

Hi everyone. I'm Danny Mcloughlin and I'm doing a work in progress show I'm throwing out some fresh ideas, and some new material as well as some embryonic routines (and some fully formed ones too). I'd love you all to come and be a part of it (please come with all you friends) www.dannymcloughlin.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Corrie McGuire for ROAR Comedy present

DANNY O'BRIEN: WHO BREAKS UP WITH STELLA? Award winning comedian Danny O'Brien makes his Leicester debut following sold out runs in Edinburgh, Melbourne and Dublin, and appearances at Latitude, Electric Picnic and The Vodafone Comedy Festival. 'O' Brien took to the stage like a force of nature... one suspects it wont be too much longer before stadiums come calling' The Examiner **** 'A perfect mix of brains, banter and brilliance!' (Great Scott ****) roarcomedy.co.uk/profiles/danny-obrien SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

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

Map Ref: 55

Cosmic Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

DANNY WARD - CIRCLING THE DRAIN

Danny Ward (Amused Peoples' Champion) returns with another high octane hit of his unique brand of comedy. With so many people wondering what lies ahead for the future of mankind, Danny's getting ready for the worst. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

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

Map Ref: 22

CatFace Talent present

DARIUS DAVIES: ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA True story of following your dreams and having them crushed, along with your bones! At age 18, weighing 10 stone and possessing zero athletic ability, Darius decided a career in wrestling was his dream. This is the hilarious true story of teenage naivety recounting the training, steroid use and broken bones! Watch the lows and lows of having aspirations of a pro-wrestling career. Features a Tough Enough audition video so bad you'll wince. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

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

Map Ref: 22

DARREN WALSH: S'PUN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

In 2016, Darren took this show to the Edinburgh Fringe, but broke his arm cycling with a deck chair (not a joke). This year, in Leicester, he's going to perform it with 2 arms. **** - Sunday Express **** - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine **** - Fringe Explosion. Top 10 Jokes of the 2016 Fringe - Guardian, Top 37 Jokes of the 2016 Fringe - Telegraph, Top 35 Jokes of the 2016 Fringe - Mirror, Top 50 Jokes of the 2016 Fringe - The Scotsman. darrenwalsh.co.uk SOLO SHOW, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

DAVE MCGUCKIN - PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL

'Prisencolinensinainciusol' is a word of pure gibberish. Dave McGuckin relates to this term intensely as a guy who has spent his life just trying to make sense of all that gibberish; but often finds himself contributing to it. Join the former host of Comedy & Cocktails at Manhattan34 as he embarks on his first ever solo show; a collection of stories, jokes and japes about the language of the modern world. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Kosher Bacon Management present

DAVID ALNWICK: CULT OF DAVE Geek mind wizard Dave Alnwick wants you to join his cult. Will he convert you? Back from a sell out run at the Edinburgh Fringe and a national tour, this magic show is not to be missed! 'Ginger ninja wizard' ***** ThreeWeeks 'Genuinely impressive illusions' **** FringeGuru.com ***** LSM **** The Skinny www.kosherbacon.co.uk/artist/david_alnwick SOLO SHOW, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Map Ref: 14

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

Time: 16th - 21:00 (22:00) | 17th - 22:15 (23:15) Entry: 16th - £4 | 17th - £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 DAVID MCIVER: STOP IT DAVID WE ARE HAVING TOO MUCH FUN David McIver is one of the most fun guys around these days. Come see him do a show about the things he has thought of using his imagination. Expect DIY props, silly characters and stupid nonsense from this idiot. 'Charming and playful... delightfully ridiculous' (Chortle.co.uk). Selected for the BBC New Comedy Award 2015. As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra. ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 16:45 (17:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

Laugh á Little / Vivienne Smith Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DAVID MILLS: SHAME!

Sharp and hilarious pop culture rants! 'Is Mills' show good enough for a Foster's? Yes! Essential viewing! Mills combines laid-back storytelling with acerbic wit. This is sharp, intelligent stuff and some of the best political comedy I have heard this year' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com, 2015). Cocktail lounge-lizard 'bristling with sharp-tongued satire' **** (Fest, 2015). 'Mills deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Dave Allen. www.itsdavidmills.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 20:45 (21:45) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 51

Chambers Management present

DAVID O'DOHERTY: BIG TIME David O'Doherty - the Aldi Bublé, the Ryanair Enya - is delighted to present a brand new show of talking and songs played on a crappy keyboard from 1986. This year David's comedy has been nominated for the best show awards at the Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival and he spent the summer on tour around America with Flight of the Conchords. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £17.50 (£15)

Map Ref: 9

Dead Cat present

DEAD CAT COMEDY CLUB UK's premier alternative comedy club is back in Leicester. After being nominated for multiple awards last year, Dead Cat returns with the festival's finest stand-up showcase. Hosted by RED REDMOND ('The most likeable compére on the circuit' wow247). Leicester Comedy Festival BEST PROMOTER and BEST NEW VENUE (nominee). CityLife Best Comedy Club (nominee). 'A unique night of alternative comedy' The Skinny deadcatcomedy.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

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.deadleicster.co.uk

THEATRE, HISTORICAL

DATES:

Venue: Magazine Gateway

Time: 20:30 (21:30) | + 18:30 (19:30) Fri & Sat Entry: £10 (£6)

Map Ref: 30

@DEADMONARCHS Centuries-dead kings and queens have sussed out modern technology and are tweeting from beyond the grave! The King Richard III Visitor Centre hosts an exhibition of the words of wisdom of our past kings and queens as part of Leicester Comedy Festival. The exhibition is included in admission to the Visitor Centre. www.kriii.com/comedyfestival EXHIBITION, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: King Richard III Visitor Centre

Time: 10:00 (16:00) Entry: £7.95 (£7)

Map Ref: 24

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 DEBRA HEIGHTON & FRIENDS

Fancy a giggle? Debra Heighton was one of the contestants in the 2015 Stand Up Challenge and since taking to the stage for her first ever stand up show, she has continued to entertain audiences both locally and around the world. Come along and hear Debra chat and interview a bunch of her colourful friends, all of whom have stories to tell... ... In aid of Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167)

DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 37

DESIREE BURCH: THIS IS EVOLUTION

REGIONAL PREMIERE

2015 Funny Women Winner Desiree Burch takes on sex, death, fat, physics & dick pics in this high-octane stand-up hour. The Fringe First winner explores the nature of change at a time when she and much of Western culture are trying not to shit the bed in the middle of 'adultlescence'. 'Funny, kinetic showmanship' -New York Times. 'It took me 3 weeks of reviewing shows to find the funniest comedian I have ever seen in person.' ***** - Scotsgay desireeburch.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

DEVVO: RETIRED BUT NOT GONE FOREVER?

Devvo is coming back to Leicester. Long time promoter and friend Bob Slayer is dragging him out of retirement whether he wants to or not. A now very rare chance to see your uncle Devvo! Don't miss it. 'Hilarious cult pioneer of the internet and beyond' The Metro. STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 19

#DMULOCAL LAUGHS For 12 weeks, brave members of the public have been taking part in the #DMUlocal comedy course, run by comedian, Alan Seaman. Their training and preparation has come down to this final performance. Join us for a night of laughs in a very unique location. Each ticket gains entry to the comedy show with a free drink on arrival and interval drink. Money from the ticket sales will go to the DMU Square Mile India Fund.

DATES:

Venue: Vijay Patel Roof Terrace

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 61

CKP

DOMINIC FRISBY: FINANCE 101 (WORK IN PROGRESS) Following a sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival with his show Let's Talk About Tax, Join Dominic Frisby for a brand new Work in Progress show. This time, Dominic - Moneyweek commentator, Bitcoin expert and comedian - takes on the world of finance. 'Magnificent', Spectator. 'Fabulous,' Guardian. 'Stand for parliament!' Douglas Carswell. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

CKP present

DOMINIC FRISBY: LET'S TALK ABOUT TAX Moneyweek commentator, Bitcoin expert and, bizarrely, comedian, Dominic Frisby, is going to make tax sexy. Tax, he says, has shaped the course of history, it shapes society today and it will shape the future. It is, in fact, the defining issue of our age. Don't worry: there will be jokes too. 'Magnificent' (Spectator). 'Fabulous' (Guardian). 'Outstanding' (Matt Ridley, Times). 'Stand for Parliament!' (Douglas Carswell). www.dominicfrisby.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 37

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

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 DOUBLE DOSE OF ABSURD WORDS FEATURING OH STANDFAST & POETMAN Reluctant poet and shouter of words 'Oh Standfast' is an observer of the absurd. Bags for life, speedy boarding passes, meals for one, the mundane will never be the same. **** The next generation of offbeat comedy gold. - To Do List Performance Poetry, Charming & Dapper, Arguably Comedy, Occasional Rapper, Poetman rights wrongs by writing songs, from Simon Cowell to Jeremy Kyle, he targets the ruthless, the cruel and the vile. www.poetman.co.uk

SPOKEN WORD

DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 1

Andrew Roach Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DOUG SEGAL: I CAN MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD

'Imagine if Derren Brown was funny' (Evening Standard). Join award-winning comedy mind reader Doug Segal for a brand new show designed to make you feel good! Mind tricks, jokes & an endorphin rush are all guaranteed. As seen on BBC One & BBC Three. Winner: Best Cabaret Act (Brighton Fringe) and ThreeWeeks Editor's Award (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). 'Simply brilliant' ***** (Sunday Express). 'Good old-fashioned showmanship' **** (Broadway Baby). www.dougsegal.co.uk CABARET, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:50 (19:50) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 23

Laugh á Little / Lakin McCarthy present

DR PHIL HAMMOND - DR PHIL'S HEALTH REVOLUTION Dr Phil Hammond take to the road with a full length version of his Edinburgh Fringe show. Laugh, love, shout and reclaim our NHS. Ditch the market, cherish the carers, fund the frontline, avoid the harm, kill the fear, tell the truth, use the evidence, inspire, collaborate, recover, die gently. Are you in? Dr Phil's Health Revolution combines the themes of how to live and die well, how to survive the NHS and in turn how to help the NHS survive. www.drphilhammond.com DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:20) Entry: £15 (£12)

Map Ref: 51

ED ACZEL'S FOREIGN POLICY FROM THE EDGE OF HELL Ed Aczel's Foreign Policy - doesn't have too much 'Foreign' and certainly no 'Policy'.. come along it'll probably be fine (includes Video's if that helps?) 'Still the master of the genre' **** Scotsman. 'His meanderings are apparently the evidence of pure genius' List 'This could be one of the funniest men on the Fringe' The Herald Ed is an Anti-Comedian - In 2008 Ed won the Malcolm Hardee Award. www.edwardaczel.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

ED GAMBLE: WORK IN PROGRESS Ed Gamble (Almost Royal, Mock The Week, Drunk History, Conan) returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a swag-bag full to the brim of new gear. You won't learn anything, and you will probably leave a worse person. www.edgamble.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

ED PATRICK: COMEDIANS' SURGERY (WORK IN PROGRESS)

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Welcome to the Comedians' Surgery, take your seat, we'll be with you shortly. Following a highly successful debut show, comedian and junior doctor Ed Patrick brings a second show to the Leicester Comedy festival. Expect tales, experiences, and possibly guest comedians who had to book their appointment 6 months ago. 'Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee 2016'. Threeweeks **** 'Refreshingly good' SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 37

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ELEANOR TIERNAN AND CHRIS KENT - STARTING FROM SCRATCH

After years of building their careers in their native land, two of Ireland's top stand-ups have upped sticks and moved to the UK. What were they thinking? They present a work in progress. 'A touch of whimsy while grounded in astute observation' CHORTLE on Eleanor Tiernan 'Compelling storyteller, truly surprising, beautifully delivered' THE SCOTSMAN on Chris Kent www.mandywardartistmanagement.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

Dawn Sedgwick Management present

ELF LYONS : PELICAN Sassy comedian Elf Lyons performs her acclaimed Ed Fringe Show 'Pelican' - a theatrical stand-up show about old french men, yoghurt and wanting to kill your mother. 'Endearingly awkward, sexually frank and delightfully silly' The List, 'Outlandishly funny and intensely energetic comedy' TV Bomb ***** A Young Perspective **** The Skinny, **** The List **** Short Com, **** Edinburgh Festivals, **** Scottish Woman Magazine, **** Arts Award Voice www.theelflyons.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (21:50) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 44

Off The Kerb Productions present

ELLIOT STEEL: JET FUEL CAN'T MELT STEEL DREAMS (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

Conspiracy theorist and (now) adult Elliot Steel returns to Leicester Comedy Festival to perform a new hour of stand up about life, the Illuminati and having to grow up fast. Fresh from his debut TV appearance on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, catch this new show from a rising stand-up star. Leicester Comedy Festival 'Best Debut Show' Nominee 2015. Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Nominee. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

EMERGENCY! COMEDY SPECIAL Featuring Poetman & 'The Fixer' by Emma J. Bamford Poetman - Performance Poetry, Charming & Dapper, Arguably Comedy, Occasional Rapper, Poetman fights word crime through the power of rhyme, righting wrongs by writing songs. Cynosure Theatre Company presents ... 'The Fixer' - A One-Act Play A comedy that could almost be a tragedy ... He's always there. He's always watching. And sometimes ... he fixes things. www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1681 THEATRE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 17:00 (19:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 60

standupforcomedy.co.uk present

END TO END In his wonderfully quirky and assured debut Col Howarth plots a single journey from one end of a busy high street to the other, revealing the dots of a story that arcs between a series of chance encounters, unexpected tangents and harsh realisations. This is a hilarious, fast-paced and utterly uplifting show about what happens when you look up, see what's in front of you and let the moment in. 'Witty, clever and charming', Clwb Comedy. www.standupforcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Time: 19:00 (19:45) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 25

ENTFREMDUNG

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Award-winning stand up comedian Freddy Quinne takes his debut solo hour to Leicester Comedy Festival. 'Big, brash and very funny' - Gigglebeats 'uncompromising... a natural comic with near perfect timing' - The Skinny 'uniquely Northern observational humor' - Lancashire Evening Post 'Every sentence got a laugh... his effortlessly funny anecdotes and improvised jokes were undeniably the high point of the evening' - Leeds Laughs SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 48

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ERICH MCELROY'S POLITICAL WORK IN PROGRESS American turned Brit Erich McElroy is back with another hour of stand-up comedy covering the latest events in the last year. From Brexit to the rise of Trump-ism - do we even need satire anymore or do politicians just need to look in the mirror. 'This is political stand-up at its best.' FIVE STARS BroadwayBaby @erichmcelroy As part of the Kayal All-Dayer. www.erichmcelroy.com DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 19:20 (20:20) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Heroes of Fringe proudly present

EY EY, BA DAYA, BA WALLA DIE DAY, ENG BA DAYA, BA DAYA, BA WALLA DIE DAY, EY EY, BA DAYA, BA WALLA DIE DAY, ENG BA DAY, ENG BA DA DA DA DA WALLA DIE DAVID TRENT (GWAN) THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS SHOW. I'VE BEEN ON TELLY AND NOMINATED FOR AWARDS. THE TITLE IS SO LONG I CAN'T FIT ANY MORE IN. DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

ALTERNATIVE

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

Map Ref: 19

FAILING SUCCESSFULLY Funny Women finalist, Rosana Bosanac reveals a self-pitying stand-up on a quest for greatness, culminating in assured self-sabotage. 'Spooky poise and the compelling weirdness of a female Daniel Simonsen' (Independent)

ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

The Real Junk Food Project present

FEED BELLIES NOT BINS COMEDY CLUB The Real Junk Food project is no laughing matter... well... actually it is tonight! We'll be laying on a very special treat as we open our doors for a night of comedy. A total sell out in 2016! Full Line up announced at www.comedy-festival.co.uk. Nominated for the Make Me Happy Award 2016. Make Me Happy is the festival's community programme which encourages participation for local people and various different groups. www.realjunkfoodleicester.org MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The West End Centre

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 59

TripleCeePee

FERN BRADY - MALE COMEDIENNE After selling out for a second year at the Fringe with no flyering or PR, Fern Brady brings her critically acclaimed show about gender, class and Catholicism to Leicester. As seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, BBC Three's Britain's Biggest Sexists, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Stewart Lee's Alternative Comedy Experience. 'An astounding hour from an act with identity issues and a past worth mining' ***** - The List ***** - The Skinny twitter.com/FernBrady SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

PBJ Management

FIN TAYLOR: WHITEY MCWHITEFACE Taking the Fringe by storm with a critically acclaimed sell-out run, Fin has supported Doc Brown on tour, gigged with Louis CK in New York, and made multiple appearances on Josh Widdicombe's XFM Show. Now Fin is taking his unique blend of gross social commentary on the road. ***** 'Brilliantly explodes white privilege' Scotsman; ***** Chortle; **** Independent; **** EdFest Mag; **** Beyond the Joke www.fintaylor.com DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!

Join the Jukebox Jokeslam at Soft Touch Arts for an evening of Foodie Fabulousness featuring the inimitable George Egg's Abridged Anarchist Cook and Culinary Comedy dished up by Marvellous Members of the Stand-Up Challenge Alumni. Tickets are £25 and include a scrumptious spread (gruel also available) and a tempting tipple. Please contact chris@soft-touch.org.uk for further details and booking www.soft-touch.org.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Soft Touch Arts

Time: 18:30 (22:00) Entry: INVITE ONLY

Map Ref: 41

Dead Cat present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

FOXDOG STUDIOS LIVE

Computer consultants Foxdog Studios put client contracts on hold to bring Leicester their new inventions. Featuring non-confrontational interaction via your phone. 'Foxdog Studios present a show of technical finesse and bizarre storytelling with an audience interaction element like no other' ***** - The Skinny www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk INTERACTIVE, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

FRAN JENKING: 'FRANTASY ISLAND' Join the top gagsmith on a journey filled with new material, crowd work & pure daftness. His purpose? To make sense of life in the funniest way possible. The Funhouse Comedy regular covers topics from his love of football... to his love of (some) people... to his love of being grumpy... That's it, feel the love. Support TBC. 'Fran has a natural ability to banter and just seems to create material from almost nowhere' - Notts Comedy Review SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

FRANK FOUCAULT: WEIRD STUFF DISCLAIMER: A simulated sexual encounter with a vase of flowers will happen at the beginning of the show. Nominated for the Magners New Act of the Year 2015. 'A tiny work of comic genius' - Kate Copstick (The Scotsman)

CLOWN, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

A Rush Of Laughter present

WORLD PREMIERE

FREDDIE FARRELL: EXCUSE ME WHILE I BURST INTO FLAMES

Hello, my name is Freddie and this is my debut hour show. It's a pretty big deal for me, but the deal for you is so much better. You just turn up, laugh at my jokes and go home happy. Sounds good doesn't it? See you there then. Oh, I'm also recording the show, and it'll be released as an album, so no pressure guys. 'One to watch for sure!' Joe Lycett (Live at the Apollo) 'Raw comedy with no reservations' EdFringeReview www.freddiefarrell.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

FUNNY BONES AND WISDOM TEETH Doctor Ray Lowry is a retired doctor and dentist and former TV and radio comedy scriptwriter. Laught at the tricks of the trade and how to survive your encounters with the health care professions. www.drlowryafterdinnerspeaker.co.uk

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Map Ref: 25

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 18:00 (18:55) Entry: £10 (£8)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 FUNZ AND GAMEZ Funz and Gamez are back and more bitter than ever. A whole new hour of Edinburgh award winning, family fun. This time Phil and the gang have rebranded the show in an amazing new, never seen before format that is going to rock your world. Phil has created something he likes to call a 'comedy panel show'. There'll be prizez, laughz and plenty of funz and gamez. '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 Hansom Hall

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 22

Heroes of Fringe

GABBY BEST: SLEEP... A WORK IN PROGRESS Gabby hasn't slept properly in years. The result is that she regularly feels like a ghost and looks like a shoe... Come and stay awake with her for yet another hour as she unpicks a decade of bed head. A work in progress hour from Funny Women Award winning comedian, as seen on BBC3's Top Coppers & ITV2's Glitchy. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

The Galton Agency present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GABRIEL EBULUE: HIP-PUNK

In his debut solo show, comedian and music journalist Gabriel Ebulue breaks down the trials and tribulations of having a unique taste in music. After all, can you love Captain Beefheart, N.W.A and Morrissey without being called weird? A show about how we should be judged by what we put in our headphones. 'Refreshingly steers away from cliched routines and stereotypes' (Bruce Dessau, BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). gabrielebulue.com SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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

Map Ref: 23

GARETH RICHARDS: THE HALO EFFECT Gareth Richards: The Halo Effect Join Gareth Richards, Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards best newcomer nominee 2010 for his sixth solo show of hilarious stand-up, and gorgeously low-key comedy songs. As seen on Russell Howard's Good News and Live at the Electric (BBC3) and heard on Frank Skinner's Sony Award-winning Absolute Radio show, and BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4! 'A delightful hour of comedy.' The Guardian www.garethrichards.net

MUSICAL

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 43

Kilimanjaro Live present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GARRETT MILLERICK: THE DREAMS STUFF IS MADE OF

On his misguided quest to follow his dreams, Garrett Millerick got locked in a shipping container by Eminem, directed hip-hop videos for deluded city traders and once made a feature documentary about a ballroom dancer trying to save all the children of Birmingham from certain destruction. This is his story. 'Wants to entertain you and does it superbly' **** (Mirror) 'A fantastic stand-up show that always hits its mark' ***** (ThreeWeeks) www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

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

Map Ref: 22

Laugh á Little / Bottle Rocket Comedy / CKP present

GARY DELANEY - THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT GARY 'There's Something About Gary'... and that something is he likes to write and perform jokes. An awful lot of them. He thinks a good joke should be like a drunk Glaswegian, short and punchy. 'I laughed, and I laughed and I laughed... master craftsman' The Times 'Expect a cavalcade of brilliantly inventive puns' The Guardian 'Wickedly funny' The Sunday Times www.garydelaney.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:35) Entry: £15 (£13)

Map Ref: 51

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 GARY TRO: WORK IN TROGRESS 2RO

After an 'under-the-radar' success at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016, GARY TRO is back with his follow up stand-up show. I'm sure you're gagging to know what it'll be about... so is he! ThreeWeeks.com ***** WhatsOnStage.com **** Venue.com **** 'Excellent, fresh material with a fresh style' - Comedy Store, Manchester 'Genuninely funny... kept the whole crowd laughing' - Three Weeks garytro.co.uk SPOKEN WORD, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:00 (21:50) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 48

GAY COMEDY NIGHT - WITH BETHANY BLACK The ever popular Gay Comedy Night returns with headliner Bethany Black. Star of Channel 4's Cucumber Banana Tofu trilogy, and the Cloned Space Warrior 474 from Doctor Who, Bethany Black has been performing stand-up comedy across the globe for over a decade. She has performed alongside some of the biggest names in the business, and her first show 'Beth Becomes Her' was nominated for Leicester Comedy Festival Best Newcomer. www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1674 DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (23:00) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 60

Laugh á Little present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GEIN'S FAMILY GIFTSHOP - WORK IN PROGRESS

Like persistent dandruff Gein's Family Giftshop are back, and they are itching to show you what they've come up with. Skin ailments aside, Gein's Family Giftshop are a multi-award winning 4 strong, 5 star sketch group who'll be hawking out yet another hour of 'fluid and twisted' (The Guardian) sketch comedy, performed with 'the kind of sensibility that would unsettle even the darkest League of Gentlemen fan' ***** The Sunday Times. www.geinsfamilygiftshop.co.uk SKETCH, HORROR DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 51

Troika Talent & So TV Productions

GEOFF NORCOTT: MEN - THE WILDERNESS YEARS Following a sellout run at 2016 Edinburgh Fringe, Geoff heads to Leicester with a brand new hour of standup. With the world's leaders finally becoming all women, and Geoff having recently had a son, he's looking ahead to a deserved period on the sidelines for the y chromosome. As seen on Daily Politics, Geoff also writes for TV shows including '8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown' & 'Live at the Apollo'. **** Telegraph, **** The List, **** Mirror www.geoffnorcott.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Off The Kerb Productions present

GEORGE LEWIS: WORK IN PROGRESS Last year's Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year runner-up is back to right 2016's wrongs with a brand new (work in progress) show. In his new show about his angst-ridden geeked-out teenage years, expect nineties references, embarrassing diary entries, and tales from when George did what you should never do in secondary school: be yourself. Especially when your self is so weird. www.georgelewiscomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Map Ref: 44

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

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 GEORGE RIGDEN: COMIC SANS GIRLFRIEND (A WORK IN PROGRESS)

WORLD PREMIERE

Hotly-tipped multi-comedy competition finalist and zero award-winning comic GEORGE RIGDEN brings his unique brand of needlessly hostile & sneering musical comedy to Leicester Comedy Festival for his debut show. Expect laughs, tears and a mean-spirited & slightly overweight man questioning why he's still alone. 'Very Funny Stuff' - Steve Bennett, Chortle 'Deliciously Dark' - Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke www.facebook.com/georgerigdencomedian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 21:30 (22:10) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 37

Georgie Morrell

GEORGIE MORRELL: A POKE IN THE EYE One woman. One eye. And her (sort of) blind life... The debut stand up show from comic, Georgie Morrell. Using her wit, charm, sounds and illustration Georgie tells the story of how she went blind but now she can see... literally 'Get a look in for tickets if you can. And keep your good eye open for sightings of this remarkable comic and semi-visionary writer. It's way better than the thing with the sharp stick.'-M. Laura Thomas, London Pub Theat pokeintheeyeproductions.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

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

Map Ref: 55

Georgie Morrell

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 22:30 (23:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 14

Laugh á Little present

GERVASE PHINN - AN EVENING WITH GERVASE PHINN Best-selling & award winning author, radio & TV personality Gervase Phinn really is at his best and most exciting in front of a live audience, and has been touring theatres across the country for over 10 years as a hilarious raconteur. Dubbed 'the James Herriot of schools', An Evening with Gervase will have you on the edge of your seats as he shares his hilarious and sometimes poignant tales of life as a schools inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. www.gervase-phinn.com/ SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:10) Entry: £17

Map Ref: 51

Trudelight Productions

GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL: WORK IN PROGRESS A new work-in progress show from Laughing Horse New Act of The Year 2015 Finalist and unsuccessful Guardian Blind Date participant, Lucy Roper.

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

GLENN MOORE: THE VERY BEST OF BELINDA CARLISLE

WORLD PREMIERE

Glenn Moore ('Best Debut Show' nominee, Leicester Comedy Festival 2016) returns to Leicester with another 'Relentlessly silly and gag-laden show' (The List). This time, he's adjusting to life at his grandparents' house, and is trying to solve a murder whilst he's at it. 'Tipped for great things' - GQ Magazine. Four stars - The List, The Herald, Ed Fest Magazing, One4Review SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 GetComedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

GLENN WOOL: VIVA FOREVER - WIP

Glenn brings his latest hour-long offering to Leicester Comedy Festival. 'Wool's show is a masterpiece of comedy, which will have the audience helpless with laughter. One of the best hours of comedy I have ever seen' SCOTSMAN ***** 'Edgy, imaginative, funny and original, Canadian born Wool sets the standards' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'When you watch Glenn Wool, you realise the heights that a talented performer can reach' The Arts Desk www.glennwool.com SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7.50 (£6.50)

Map Ref: 43

GO UKULELE CRAZY: COMEDY CONCERT Come and join us as we perform for you our concert repertoire including many comedy numbers. Be prepared to join in with the actions and the singing! www.goukulelecrazy.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

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

Map Ref: 22

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

GRAHAM MILTON'S PARADISE TOSSED

In my late 20s, I lost most of my hearing. Then my wife left me, I had a breakdown and slept in my parents spare room amongst the homebrew kits and wilted tomato plant saplings and re-built my life from scratch. Watch a miserable man on-stage trying to convince himself that telling amusing observations about his tragic life experiences in front of a room full of strangers is a healthy way of making it all ok. I've got jokes. I promise. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

GREAT EXPECTATIONS & THE SASSINATOR. Fresh into comedy, These two rising stars are only just getting started. With Josh already making the Chortle Student comedian finals! This Brassy, sassy pair are ready to take the Bull by the tap. Both showing their half hour debut stand up shows! Come on down, you may well see more than you bargained for. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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

Map Ref: 23

Trudelight Productions

REGIONAL PREMIERE

GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

Back in the city that shaped them, two Leicester old boys explore the funny side of being big kids in a grown up world, and the responsibilities of relationships, parenthood, and computer games. Ranging from sex to supermarkets, this show proves that, although getting older's no joke, you don't have to take it too seriously. ALTERNATIVE, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £2

Map Ref: 55

Rob Coleman presents

WORLD PREMIERE

GRUMPY BOOTS

You know how some shows cover deep and meaningful subjects? This isn't one of them. This is one man, being grumpy. And selfish. And childish. And probably sweary. For an hour. About pretty much everything. He's the sort of adult your parents did their best to avoid you becoming. Fortunately, according to that organ of record the Bedfordshire News he is 'A naturally funny man.' www.robcolemancomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Trudelight Productions

WORLD PREMIERE

GRÁINNE MAGUIRE: GRÁINNE WITH A FADA

Award nominated Gráinne Maguire brings her new solo show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Writer for Radio 4's News Quiz, Now Show, Dead Ringers and Newsjack. **** The Scotsman **** Nouse **** One 4 Review **** Short Com **** The Herald **** Edinburgh Festivals **** Three Weeks www.grainnemaguire.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

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

Map Ref: 55

HANNAH SILVESTER: SETTING THE WORLD ON FIRE AND OTHER HOBBIES Hannah Silvester was Disneyfied at a young age and spent her early years trying to be beautiful, modest and kind. In 2017 she is giving it all up to become a rapscallion. Some might call it a mid-life crisis; some might suggest it is a defiant protest against social conditioning; some might consider it's just what happens when you get older and stop caring so much. Frank and honest stand up with fluffy bits. 'viciously, hilariously blunt' Chortle www.hannahsilvester.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

So Comedy present

HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI'S MIX TAPE The star of BBC Radio 4 shares his personal mix tape - the joy, the pain and the bizarre middle eight - in this brand new stand-up hour. 'A master of pace, mixing stories with fantastic quick-witted patter' **** (Skinny) 'Something quite special... in between the laughter are stories of genuine power' ***** (Broadway Baby) 'Immensely funny' (Daily Express) socomedy.co.uk DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 43

HARI SRISKANTHA: CLOWN ATLAS

WORLD PREMIERE

A work-in-progress stand-up comedy show about happiness. The debut hour from Hari Sriskantha: a 2014 BBC Radio New Comedy Award finalist, a 2012 Chortle Student Comedy Award finalist, and the presenter of BBC Brit's 'Socially Awkward Situations'. 'So bloody good... A unique style that's quite chilled but also blindingly intelligent.' - The Skinny. 'A welcome offbeat, slightly geeky sensibility.' - Bruce Dessau. www.harisriskantha.com SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

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

Map Ref: 55

HARRIET DYER 'WE'D PREFER SOMEONE A BIT MORE MAINSTREAM' As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Ouch. Harriet has many voices that reside in her head. Some of them are legendary and some are a bag of dicks. All of them love 90s tunes and comedy but want to go off-the-grid. A tricky beaver indeed. If you like your comedy inventive, whimsical and full of tender moments, be still your beating heart, this is indeed for you. 'Instinctively funny' Steve Bennett, Chortle www.harrietdyer.com ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

HARRIET DYER: WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

As seen on ITV, as heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Ouch. Expect nonsense, daft characters and tentacles. 'Dyer exists in a joyful equilibrium, at the point where self-depreciation and a total embracement of oddness meet in utterly likeable harmony... Beautifully, brilliantly weird... Absolutely worth a watch.' Broadway Baby www.harrietdyer.com ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 MHA Talent present

HARRIET KEMSLEY'S NEW SHOW Multi award winning idiot Harriet Kemsley brings her third show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Harriet's recently been seen on Jo Brand's new Channel4 show Damned and Kevin Harts's LOL Live as well as appearances on The Radio1 Comedy Lounge, The One Show and as Tour Support for Katherine Ryan and Isy Sutty. 'A very funny new stand up,' Time Out. www.harrietkemsley.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

Hate n Live present

HATE 'N' LIVE The hit show returns with top comedians - aka the Gladi-Haters - 'hating on' topics suggested by the audience. This show has the audience on the edge of their seat as the comedians try to walk the line. See Darius Davies, ***** (BroadwayBaby.com), Leo Kearse, 'seriously funny' (Scotsman), and guests hate on self-service checkouts? Noisy eaters? Or Jeremy Corbyn? It's up to you! 'A great idea for a show, absolutely brilliant!' (Scotsman). www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

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

Map Ref: 22

HATS OFF TO LAUREL AND HARDY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

'Hats Off To Laurel & Hardy' is an award-winning production from professional Guildford-based theatre company Lucky Dog Theatre Productions. It has been on tour since 2013 and has been performed all over the UK as well as Berlin, Prague and Los Angeles. This accurate and moving account of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's lives and careers has made various world-renowned Laurel & Hardy experts state it is the closest portrayals they have seen! www.luckydogtheatreproductions.com/contact.html

THEATRE, EVENT

DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 25

HELEN DUFF: OPEN SECRET

WORLD PREMIERE

'Master of shamelessly silly yet socially conscious clowning' **** BROADWAY BABY, Helen Duff returns with a bold, subversive and very funny explosion of the secrets that stick us together. (WIP) 'Absolutely shameless, boldly ridiculous, embarrassingly funny' **** AUSTRALIA TIMES 'fresh, quick witted and supremely empowered... a formidable comic' **** THE SCOTSMAN (FRINGE FIRST NOMINATED). www.helenduff.com

CLOWN, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 1

HELL TO PLAY Hell To Play is a dark comedy game show set in hell, hosted by the devil. Comedians and audiences attempt to save their souls from eternal damnation by tackling games put to them by the very worst people in history... THE STAGE **** 'Hugely fun: a very silly, very funny show' Hell To Play was a cult hit at the 2015/16 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals and appeared at the End Of The Road festival as part of a world class line up. @ helltoplay666 www.alexanderbennettcomedian.com/hell-to-play.html

GAME SHOW, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

GAME SHOW, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Map Ref: 57

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 HENRY VON STIFLE: MY BACK HURTS Henry von Stifle (Paul Dance) is an entertainer from the old school and believes he is so talented that he can make anything he does 'entertaining'. But there are two problems. Firstly he has a terribly painful back pain which prevents him from doing his show how he would like and secondly he is actually quite a terrible performer/entertainer. But he wont let excruciating back pain and no talent ruin his ground breaking show. CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 20:15 (21:05) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

A Rush of Laughter

HER AND HER A 2 hander stand-up show. Two warm, winsome and weird comics bring you stories of anxiety, despair, eternal happiness, rhinos and ducks. Stephanie Laing and Bisha K Ali love you and want to be your friends. Just give them a chance, yeah? Stephanie - 'Devastating technique... natural comic timing and delivery' Chortle. Bisha - 'Badass Comedian' - MTV News MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 18:20 (19:20) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 48

HERMAN THE GERMAN AND LIAM WEBBER SHARE A STAGE HERMAN! German-born stand-up star combines character creations 'Herman the German' & 'Foreign Man'. Features a Gordon Ramsey impression, slice of bacon, and revealing a conspiracy that has gone unnoticed in the UK since WW2! LIAM WEBBER brings 30-mins of fast paced stand up/one-man-pseudo-sketch in this surreal collection of hilarious comic vignettes and stories. 'Extraordinary performer' - The Scotsman 'Excitingly peculiar' Kate Copstick https://www.comedy.co.uk/live/feature/jurgen_strack_blog/

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

HIGH SHERIFF'S CHARITY COMEDY NIGHT A great night of comedy to launch the 2017 festival put together and supported by the High Sheriff of Leicester. This unique event takes place inside the UK's largest planetarium and is hosted by Leicester's own David Morgan, as seen on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now (ITV2), Sweat the Small Stuff (BBC3)... oh and he used to work here at The National Space Centre. This show is in aid of Warning Zone registered charity 1113659. Free Parking. www.warningzone.org.uk DATES:

Venue: The National Space Centre

Time: 19:30 (21:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 52

Aaron Twitchen in

HIGH-LARIOUS Aerial-circus, Stand-up fusion show. Aaron Twitchen takes comedy to highs you've never seen before... literally. 'Seriously talented. Hilarious, warm, energetic and capable of busting some awesome moves, Twitchen is a Quadruple Threat' - The Skinny. Twitchen (BBC Radio 4) mixes relatable stories of friendship, love and wine with jaw-dropping stunts on the aerial silks. 'Positive, fun, feel-good... best free fringe show I've seen' - Scotsgay www.iloveaaron.co.uk CABARET, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

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

Map Ref: 1

HIP HOP KARAOKE Exactly what it says on the tin. Rap, sing or mumble your way through your favourite anthems, or observe the inevitable 'i thought i knew this better than i do' car crashes. There is nothing quite like Hip Hop Karaoke.

INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 23:00 (03:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 15

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Chambers Touring present

HOLLY WALSH: WORK-IN-PROGRESS A work in progress by Holly Walsh. As seen on Mock The Week, QI, Live At The Apollo and host and creator of Best Behaviour on BBC Radio 4. www.chambersmgt.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 43

HOMECOMING

WORLD PREMIERE

Sketch Comedy from Anna Piper (Funny Women's 'Ones to Watch 2016') and Max Levine (Radio 4's Newsjack, Cambridge Footlights). Crafted in their offices in Wetherspoons they present an hour of sketch comedy. This is their first performance in The Midlands since Anna did panto and Max stormed Nottinghamshire county fair as the only boy in an all female street dance troupe. This is their homecoming. SKETCH, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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

Map Ref: 15

Big Difference Company present

HOTEL D'COMEDIE Check in at Hotel D'Comedie and experience a series of unique comedy moments in one of Leicester's swankiest hotels! Take a tour of the hotel's luxurious suites to encounter and interact with a variety of intriguing comedy acts. Set in different rooms through Hotel Maiyango, this is an interactive show where the four comedians perform outside their comfort zones. Not to be missed! In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 www.maiyango.com MIXED BILL, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Hotel Maiyango

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 21

Big Difference Company present

HOTEL D'COMEDIE: LOUGHBOROUGH This exclusive festival show returns to Holywell Guest House in Loughborough for the second year. Take a tour of Holywell Guest House and bump in to some of it's more unusual visitors. This intimate show will introduce you to four comedians who are guaranteed to give you a night to remember. Limited tickets available. In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 www.holywellguesthouse.com MIXED BILL, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Holywell House

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 20

House of Verse present

HOUSE OF MIRTH House of Verse is House of Back as 'House of Mirth'! With a girth of giggles and a chuckle rumbling spectrum, join us for a whole host of grin inducing performers. Spoken word! Comedy! Live music! Beatbox! DJs! to proclaim a few. Bring your legs, lads, ladies and lovers. Miss it, mistake. www.houseofverse.co.uk CABARET, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:45 (00:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 37

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, witness results, win prizes. 'Alex Love is great fun.' - Copstick, the Scotsman. 'It takes quite a show to create such a sense of engagement that one music question can become a full-blown sing-along, but this is the spirit of How To Win A Pub Quiz.' - Broadway Baby. 'A brilliantly fun show.' - Den of Geek. www.alexlove.co.uk/howtowinapubquiz GAME SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 1

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

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Katie Pritchard

HURRICANE KATIE **** - Female Arts Magazine. Come along and enjoy some sublime craziness, all in the name of fun. Performing in her unique style, expect characters, shiny costumes, sweets, parodies, maybe even a guest appearance from her Ukulele called George, and... carnage. She is also very proficient at impersonations of inanimate objects, and is a professional Kazoo player. It's going to be one big magical mystery tour around the inner workings of her brain. www.katiepritchard.co.uk MUSICAL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 18:45 (19:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

Jokes on Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

HURT & ANDERSON: COME WHAT MAY

Hurt and Anderson are on the edge. They've come to Leicester to preview their brand new show, for the first and possibly last time. Both vying for the spotlight - can they make it work? Come what may, this will be a laugh out loud hour of four star sketch and musical comedy. 'A pleasure to watch... an exciting act' **** (Broadway Baby) 'These girls could be the next Mitchell and Webb' **** (Three Weeks) SKETCH, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Gag Reflex Management present

I CAN MAKE YOU HARD Bob 'The Boss' Hoffman has the tools necessary to show you how to get very, very hard. Learn the skills YOU need to stay safe on the streets of this violent, post apocalyptic landscape, in order to keep you and yours safe. A master of three different styles of Kung Fu, Bob 'The Boss' Hoffman and his assistant, Sandy, will condense decades of experience in to just one hour, so that you can leave with the knowledge to kill at your leisure. CHARACTER, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

I HOPE I DIE BEFORE I START VOTING CONSERVATIVE (WIP) Apparently we all get more right-wing as we grow older. This is a stand up show about trying to mature without losing hope for a fairer society. A work in progress outing of the third solo show by critically acclaimed and award winning stand up Joe Wells. As seen supporting Frankie Boyle and Alexei Sayle. 'some of the most surprising and thought provoking material coming from any comedian' - Guardian www.joewells.org.uk SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £3

Map Ref: 14

Big Difference Company & Equity present

I SAY - THE ANNUAL COMEDY CONVERSATION Our special guest is comedian, actor & artistic director Janice Connolly. Her character Mrs Barbara Nice is a UK comedy circuit headliner and an Edinburgh fringe veteran. She has worked with Vic and Bob, Paul O'Grady, Peter Kay and John Shuttleworth and has recently been commissioned for a BBC Radio 2 series. In association with Equity & De Montfort University. As part of Beyond a Joke. In aid of Big Difference Company, registered charity 113516 www.dmu.ac.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Vijay Patel Building

Time: 17:30 (19:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 61

Dead Cat present

WORLD PREMIERE

I SEE YOU - LIVE

The deranged mind behind Facebook's confusingly popular I See You stories brings the horror and the laughs to life. Multi-award winning comedian Sam Gore looks at politics and pop culture through a lens weirder than Michael Gove's clapping. There will be blood. www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Avalon Promotions present

IAIN STIRLING: ONWARDS! You may recognise his voice as the narrator of ITV2's 'Love Island' or recognise his face as the host of Scottish BAFTA award winning panel show 'The Dog Ate my Homework' (CBBC). In his new show, Iain explores the perception of his generation within today's society, as well as looking at their function within it. Are all young people self-entitled, ego maniacs that can't get off their phones? Come to the show and find out. Or just google it. www.iaindoesjokes.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 43

IAN SMITH - WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Ian Smith (BBC3's Sweat the Small Stuff, BBC1's The Ark) is an award-winning comedian. This is a work in progress of his fourth solo show. There is, at the very least, a joke about sledding. 'Proper star quality' (The Guardian) 'Fantastically funny' (The Times) 'You'd do well to catch him now before his inevitable jump to the big time' (The Telegraph) ***** The Mirror ***** Three Weeks ***** Angry Microwave ***** Black Diamond 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: 19

IF YOU LIVED HERE YOU'D BE IAN LANE BY NOW

WORLD PREMIERE

This work-in-progress show is about two things: home and the body. What is home? What is the body? What if you don't feel at home in your body? What if there's nobody home? Veteran homebody Ian Lane investigates by way of 'friendly absurdism, delivered in a recognisable standup style' (One4Review) or 'inventive, cliche-phobic comedy that makes a strong impression for its creativity' (Chortle), depending on who you ask. https://twitter.com/IanAvenueLane SOLO SHOW, EXHIBITION DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Tetrad / Daniel Nicholas / Lewys Holt present

IMPROV WITH NICHOLAS HOLT: IN A BAR! Improvisations from dance artist Lewys Holt and comedian Daniel Nicholas. Together and apart, they'll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes not. Who knows what will happen? They don't. IMPROV, DANCE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Tetrad / Daniel Nicholas / Lewys Holt present

IMPROV WITH NICHOLAS HOLT: IN AN ART GALLERY! Improvisations from dance artist Lewys Holt and comedian/writer Daniel Nicholas. Together and apart, they'll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes not. Who knows what will happen? They don't. IMPROV, DANCE DATES:

Venue: DMU Art Gallery

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

Map Ref: 11

Tetrad / Daniel Nicholas / Lewys Holt present

IMPROV WITH NICHOLAS HOLT: IN AN ARTS CENTRE! Improvisations from dance artist Lewys Holt and comedian Daniel Nicholas. Together and apart, they'll be writing, choreographing and performing simultaneously on stage. Sometimes funny. Sometimes not. Who knows what will happen? They don't. IMPROV, DANCE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 1

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Laughing with LOROS present

IMRAN YUSUF - WORK IN PROGRESS After 12+ years on the comedy circuit bearing the torch of offering a more humanising narrative of Muslims amidst a culture of demonization whilst being stuck between the extremists on one side and unchallenged bigotry on the other. Imran navigates the narrative he has inherited by virtue of birth alone and has to decide whether this experience is a burden or a blessing... www.imranyusuf.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

Heroes of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

IRAQ OUT & LOUD DOCUMENTARY

At Edinburgh Fringe 2016 in a Garden Shed next to a Double Decker Bus 1444 people collectively read all 2.6 million words of the Chilcot Report in 284hrs & 45mins. 12 days non-stop: The longest continuous show ever. The surprise hit of the Fringe won Multiple awards. But why? WHY?? Well that is the key question surrounding British involvement in the 2003 Americal-led invasion of Iraq. Why! This is the documentary. Including Q&A & special guests INSTALLATION, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus

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

Map Ref: 18

IS IT OK? Following on from the success of the hashtag #isitok @thelastleg throughout the Paralympics in Rio we ask the questions: Is it OK to use disability stereotypes in the media? Is it OK to laugh at disabled people? Can disabled people be funny? Is it OK ... ..? This panel discussion will look at representations of disabled people in the media. Everyone welcome. Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. As part of Beyond a Joke. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL)

Time: 13:30 (14:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 26

Daniel Nicholas / Tetrad present

IS THAT COMEDY? Stand up is a distinct art form - but what happens when comedians and performers test those boundaries with other art forms like dance, poetry & theatre. Do the audience come away wondering with disbelief at what they saw? Or are they excited by something unique? Join Daniel Nicholas and panellists in this discussion about what happens when the boundaries are blurred and how audiences and industry look upon it. As part of Beyond a Joke. www.danielnicholas.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

2 Funny Comedy present

ISHI KHAN-JACKSON:I'MMIGRANT A fun stand up comedy show about migration, belonging and identity. Ishi was born in Zambia, has Indian roots and loves her home in Britain. Does that make her BriZamdian? Come along on a journey of discovery that culminates with a fun, energetic Bollywood dance. www.2funny.org.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

Leicestershire Business Voice present

IT'S A FUNNY OLD BUSINESS Join members of the Leicester & Leicestershire business community as they explore the impact of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival & discuss ways in which this impact can be grown and sustained. A short presentation by Festival Director Geoff Rowe followed by a Q&A session, chaired by LBV Chair Gareth John, featuring Jo Tallack (Highcross) and a special guest to be announced . For tickets contact: editor@leicestershirebusinessvoice.com www.leicestershirebusinessvoice.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 12:30 (14:15) Entry: INVITE ONLY

Map Ref: 37

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 IT'S MY PARTY

In the year the festival has launched itself as the Official Comedy Party, join in this seminar to explore a little further the link between comedy, humour and politics. Is the association always a good thing or should politicians avoid comedy, and vice versa? The speakers will include local politicians, comedians and experts. Check www.comedy-festival.co.uk for further information. As part of Beyond A Joke. www.comedy-festival.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 13:00 (14:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 37

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

IVO GRAHAM: NEW JOKES AND A MAD DASH

The sweaty legend who, in February 2016, left the Globe stage at 9:51 and still made the 9:58 last train back to London, returns to Leicester to perform the same deeply unprofessional stunt all over again. A near-hour of bumbling work in progress stand-up with increasingly frequent glances at a watch, from a man who has appeared on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, Fighting Talk, Josh Widdicombe's XFM Show, and various other bits. www.ivograham.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

Jack A.G Britton/Tetrad

WORLD PREMIERE

JACK BRITTON: BRITT POP

The second album is tough, but Jack Britton's cracked it; he closed his eyes, squeezed real hard, gritted his teeth and plopped out Britt Pop. A brand new show of songs, serenades, rhymes that don't make sense and lemonades. With the musical talent of a reluctant pre-teen guitar player and the hutzpah of an outdated term clawing its way back into common language, Britton brings us a second album without even having recorded the first one. jackagbritton.tumblr.com MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 1

JACK CAMPBELL WORK IN PROGRESS Jack Campbell, English Comedian of the Year 2014, DMU graduate and Leicester resident needs to decide what he is going to say to people in Edinburgh.. in August... for his third solo show. He's got about three ideas which isn't bad considering he is writing this entry in October. You've earnt a break Jack, go put the kettle on. www.jackcampbellcomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 18:00 (18:55) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

JACK CAMPBELL- BOY GIRL BRAIN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

DMU Graduate, English Comedian of the Year 2014 and now living in the Champions City that is Leicester, Jack Campbell brings you his second solo show which was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016. This is one of two of the last performances of Boy Girl Brain. 'Comedy needs to be true to be really funny, and Campbell is very, very true' www.jackcampbellcomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

Time: 18:30 (19:25) Entry: £5 (£4)

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 JACK CAMPBELL- BOY GIRL BRAIN (AGAIN SOMEWHERE ELSE)

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (19:55) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 1

Jokes On Us

JACOB HATTON: DREAMS OF FITZROY AND LONDIS Off the wall stand up and sketches about life, magic and The Shipping Forecast. An outrageously funny new show from the up and coming Jacob Hatton (BBC Radio 4, Soho Theatre Young Company) . Silly. Surreal. And if you're really unlucky there might be a song. 'Great fun. The hour flew past and I can't wait to see what he presents in future years.' Edinburgh Fringe Audience Review 'Very Funny.' John Kearns (Fosters Comedy Awards Winner) https://twitter.com/jacobandthehats SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

JAKE LAMBERT: LITTLE LOST LAD (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Join Jake Lambert (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2015 nominee, English Comedian of the Year Finalist 2015, Amused Moose Laugh Off Finalist, 2016), as he makes his Leicester Comedy Festival debut with his show Little Lost Lad. An hour of short stories, one-liners and word play as heard on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4. 'Brilliant one-liners' - Chortle. 'Could easily be a TV star' - Beyond The Joke. www.jakelambertcomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

Chris Quaile presents

JAMALI MADDIX: WORK IN PROGRESS As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2), The John Bishop Show (BBC1), Live from the Comedy Store (Comedy Central), and his very own series, Hate Thy Neighbour on Viceland, Jamali Maddix is truly one of the fastest rising stars in comedy. His debut hour in Edinburgh was a total sell out and he now brings the beginnings of his next creation to Leicester Comedy Festival. 'Something to Offend everyone' ****Sunday Times. SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 43

Joke's on Us Free Festival present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JAMES & SEABURN: PIGEON TROUSERS

James & Seaburn are back with a brand new show featuring their unique mix of sketch, stand-up, songs and general silliness. Among other things, this year we meet some celebrity obsessed mythical beasts, learn what really upsets professional wrestlers and find out what theatrical props talk about during filming breaks. Eccentric, energetic and a whole lot of fun. www.jamesandseaburn.com SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

JAMES ACASTER: RECOGNISE James Acaster has something he's been meaning to tell you. He's been putting it off for some time. You might want to sit down. www.jamesacaster.com

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 45

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 JAMES ACASTER: REPRESENT Running his mouth off about a bunch of stuff nobody even cares about - it's James Acaster. Nifty. Snazzy. 30 years old. Doing his best to improve his posture. www.jamesacaster.com

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 45

JAMES ACASTER: RESET James Acaster finds himself with something to look forward to. Something he's always wanted. Something we all want. www.jamesacaster.com

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 45

Heroes of Fringe

JAMES BONE'S TOWNIES The Townie Arms is like any regular suburban pub, except in this place regulars include a New Age Traveller, an Old Skool Raver, and a disgraced ex-Met Police Chief. With each of them trying to work out their raison d'être, it makes for an interesting night in the saloon bar. CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

JAMES CAMPBELL: THE FUNNY THING ABOUT... A stand-up show for children over 6, their parents and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words. Hold on to your socks and enjoy stand-up comedy for kids with James Campbell, founder of Comedy 4 Kids & author of Boyface. Making fun of everything from couscous to penguins to Nintendo Wii, James' jokes are written and performed to get children and parents laughing out loud. As seen on Blue Peter (CBBC). CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 14:30 (16:00) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 9

Glorious Management present

JAMES FARMER: CAN'T ADULT, WON'T ADULT Come and join adulthood denier James Farmer (writer for Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats & Nevermind The Buzzcocks) for his debut solo hour. There will be jokes, stories and possibly biscuits. DISCLAIMER; Biscuits subject to availability. Jimmy Carr Tour Support & Patrick Kielty Tour Support. 'Sharp and witty' BroadwayBaby, 'Very funny' Bedfordshire On Sunday 'Independents best 50 jokes of the fringe' www.gloriousmanagement.com/artist/james-farmer SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

JAMES MEEHAN - COBBLES (WORK IN PROGRESS) James Meehan presents his second show. An hour of comedy about Vulnerability, embarrassment and taking chances. Edinburgh Panel Prize winner 2014. Chortle best newcomer winner 2014. ***** - Ed Fest Mag. 'His earnestness is compelling' - The Scotsman 'All of what he has to say is genuinely important and needs to be heard' - Broadway Baby www.jamesmeehan.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 31

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Jane Hill

WORLD PREMIERE

JANE HILL - COW

Jane's a bit of a cow. Mardy cow, lazy cow, selfish cow, evil cow - she's described herself as all these things at some point in her life. But is it fair on her? Or even on cows? This is a one-woman comedy show about the insults we call ourselves. There'll be jokes and honesty and some facts about cows. 'Genuine belly-laughs' - Three Weeks www.janehill.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

JARED SHOOTER - I THINK MY DAD IS BATMAN

WORLD PREMIERE

Jared Shooter brings his eagerly anticipated debut solo show 'I Think My Dad Is Batman' to Leicester Comedy Festival. New for 2017, a show 4 Years in the making Jared shares witty anecdotes about his life so far, growing up with a dad who quite literally thought he was the dark knight Batman! www.comedycv.co.uk/jaredshooter SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Comedy Store Management proudly present

JARRED CHRISTMAS & THE HOBBIT: GAME SHOW BITCHES! The two coolest mofo's in the biz are back with a twisted game show to make your laugh pants fly off and your brain stems get hard. Comedy from the mouth, music from the mouth, laughter from the soul... that's right, the freakin soul. Get involved, win prizes and Leicester wide acclaim*. Jarred Christmas and The hobbit always deliver... not sure what they are delivering, but it will be delivered... straight into your face. *False www.jarredchristmas.com GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 37

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

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 15:00 (16:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 37

Comedy Store Management proudly present

JARRED CHRISTMAS: BIGGISH HITS & GIGGLES You always feel happier after a biggish Hit. You always feel happier after a giggle. Jarred Christmas is the really satisfying, solid and slightly funny shaped biggish hit that makes you feel good, lighter, and at peace. Also he definitely brings the giggles. This is his 16th consecutive year at LCF. He tell's me he knew Leicester was full of winners before the football team came along. (I don't know why I wrote this in the 3rd person) www.jarredchristmas.com DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 37

JASMINE ROBERTS: THE GREAT BRITISH NUNNY Slip and slide into the never regions of Jasmine Roberts and The Great British Nunny! A piece of comedic live art which explores sexual conservatism in the United Kingdom by using sex positive feminism. The set is approximately 20 minutes long and consists of performance poetry, audio recordings and the use of props and physical movement! From orgasms to documentaries this is a show jam packed full of everyday life with plenty of twists! SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:20) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Proper Funny Comedy present

WORLD PREMIERE

JASON NEALE: TALKING & PAUSING

Jason turns up, picks up the mic and talks... there's no particular 'narrative arc' to the show and you won't be expected to cry. He doesn't have a suitcase of props, he's not cool, he's not alternative; he's just really funny for an hour. 'A very likeable, easy manner and effortless delivery... he's very funny!' (Riproar Comedy Clubs) 'Superb... got this Stand-Up Comedy thing nailed!' (Voodoo Stands Up) www.jasonneale.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 18th - 21:30 (22:30) | 23rd - 20:15 (21:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

JAY HANDLEY: ACUMENTAL (WIP) Acumental is a word Jay Handley made up to describe the state acheived when reason and understanding lead to madness. More specifically when lines of comedic insight lead to bizarre, weird and sometimes unsettling places. Reason is a wonderful thing but it can just as easily result in confusion as well as clarity. Jay performs around the country at some of its best clubs including The Glee, The Stand, The Comedy Store & Jongleurs. jayhandley.weebly.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Everything Productions present

JEN BRISTER IS THE OTHER ONE Jen Brister's not THAT ONE, she's the OTHER ONE, in all things, not least becoming a Mum. Confused? Check out the haircut. So, what does it mean to be gay parent in 2017? And does life really get better in your 40s? Let's hope so. 'Gorgeously talented.' Time Out 'Blisteringly funny.' The List ' Look out for Jen Brister, long-championed by the comedy cognoscenti as someone who richly deserves a mainstream breakthrough.' The Guardian www.jenbrister.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:25) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 43

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

JENNY COLLIER: WORK IN PROGRESS

Multi-award winning Welsh stand-up Jenny Collier brings her brand new work in progress to Leicester Comedy Festival. A regular on BBC Radio Wales, Jenny has written for the News Quiz on BBC Radio 4, The Huffington Post and Glamour Magazine. 'excellent comedic work' ***** EdFest Mag. Winner - Laughing Horse New Act Competition 2014 www.jennycolliercomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

Laughing with LOROS / RED Comedy present

JIM SMALLMAN: STRAIGHT EDGE For 19 years, Jim Smallman has been straight edge. That means no drinking, no drugs, no cigarettes. This is a show about how more and more people are choosing to abstain, and how a crippling addiction to jaffa cakes can often replace booze. If we're honest, when this copy is written the show is in an embryonic state, but Jim has big things planned for this show and is a two-time LCF awards nominee. 'Beautiful comedy' Sunday Times jimsmallman.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

JIMMY CARR: THE BEST OF, ULTIMATE, GOLD, GREATEST HITS TOUR Jimmy has devoted his life to crafting perfect jokes and left a trail of laughter in his wake. His new tour will distil everything we love to laugh at into one incredible, unparalleled night of entertainment. You can see all the greatest material from his extraordinary career in one show this is the very best of Jimmy Carr. www.demontforthall.couk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Map Ref: 10

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

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £27.50

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

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

JO ENRIGHT: ERDINGTON GIRL Star of ITV's The Job Lot (Angela) Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights and alongside Warwick Davis in Ricky Gervais' Life's Too Short, Jo Enright is a very popular TV comic actress as well as an award winning stand up comic (Chortle Best Female Act, Jongleurs Best Female Act, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Dave's One Night Stand) Erdington Girl is Jo's much acclaimed full length stand up show and it's truly not to be missed. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 22

Claire Stephens Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOANNA NEARY DOES ANIMALS AND MEN

Reacting to arts funding cuts, education reform and bridging the social divide, Neary's show features stand-up with ludicrous impressions, an ill-advised dance, a celebration of art, education and lamps! (As a baby, Joanna was dropped on her head and stolen from outside Coventry library. At Polytechnic, she paid by cheque for a pot noodle). 'Character comedy of the highest order' (The List) 'Leaves you breathless with laughter' (Fest Mag) www.joneary.com SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Claire Stephens Management present

JOANNA NEARY: FACEFUL OF ISSUES Nominated for Best Show Leicester Comedy Festival 2016. The much-loved Celia, housewife and host, returns on tour with her Toxborough Village Hall Chat Show in aid of the Animal Hospital for a kitten who needs an iron lung. Topical talks, showbiz exclusives, celebrity interviews plus a locksmith's bawdy confessions and a photograph of a conker. Live music from Centre-Parting Martin. 'It's a smart, fun and exquisitely crafted show' (List) www.joneary.com CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

JODY KAMALI IS THE INCREDIBLE MAN OF MYSTERY A high-energy, physical comedy show full of visual routines using your everyday household items. Have you ever seen a man marry an ironing board? Think David Copperfield meets Ben Stiller. Totally serious and a ridiculously idiotic. 'An extremely talented comic, and completely, unfathomably ridiculous' Nouse 'Zany fun' Broadway Baby www.jodykamali.com CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

JODY KAMALI'S HOTEL CABARET

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Fernando, the concierge, invites you to spend a night at the Hotel Cabaret. Breakfast included. Checkout 10am. A zany, work-in-progress, character comedy show. 'Part sketch, part theatre, part everything else... delightful as it is bewildering' Nouse ***** 'willfully bonkers' Broadway Baby CHARACTER, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 JOE BROMEHEAD IS ON FIRE Joe bromehead is on fire. A stand up comedy hour from the comedy circuits only ex fire fighter. Ruthless, hilarious and very, very silly. Www.joebromehead.com

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8 (£2)

Map Ref: 23

Chambers Touring present

JOE LYCETT: WORK-IN-PROGRESS Ey thur buddy, why don y'all come on down to the cookie cause wee lil Joe Lycett gon be testin' sum o dat new comedy material y'all love so much. It's gon be real funny in places, and real awkward in others. He bin on dat Live at the Apollo n the rip snortin' version they do of Countdown so I reckon y'all be jus' fine. www.joelycett.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 43

Old Man Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

JOE SUTHERLAND: MODEL / ACTRESS

Former model turned aspiring model, Joe Sutherland presents his debut stand-up show. As seen in the movie Pride and supporting Ellie Taylor on tour, now he's willing to do anything to catch his big break. Honestly, anything. Come and marvel at his dazzling array of skills, which include standing AND talking. 'Definitely one to watch' - Chortle. 'Oozing star power from every pore' - The Mirror. www.joesutherland.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:15 (21:05) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

Off The Kerb Productions present

JOEL DOMMETT: WORK IN PROGRESS Join Joel Dommett (Sky 1's Bring the Noise, ITV2's Reality Bites and Channel 4's World of Werid) as he returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a brand new show. 'Excellent storytelling comic' Guardian 'Hilarious... Delightful tales' Scotsman www.joeldommett.com/ SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

A LOT OF HOT AIR present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOHN AGGASILD: WELCOME (WORK IN PROGRESS)

WELCOME is a low-concept debut effort from newcomer John Aggasild. 'I've accepted that I will never be a cool alternative comedian so I have resigned myself to being myself. Nothing fancy, barely themed, maybe coming of age-y (cringe). Just a Big WELCOME to me'. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

John Hastings & Ben Target

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JOHN HASTINGS & BEN TARGET: TUSSLE

Two friends wrestle with the truth... naked... for their souls. Stand up, storytelling, sketch and none of these things from two multi award baiting and critically acclaimed performers with a host of TV and radio credits. 'This fast-growing comic is a pleasure to watch' **** Times 'This highly physical performer is a true original and a legend in the making' Guardian DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 JOHN HASTINGS INTEGRITY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

John's visa is expiring, his friends are fighting and there's been a murder (yes, an actual murder). This deft show about one disastrous day is a compelling piece of comedy storytelling. As seen on BBC Three's Seann Walsh's Late Night Comedy Spectacular. 'This fast-growing comic is a pleasure to watch' **** (Times). www.johnhastingscomedy.com STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 43

JOHN HASTINGS WORKING TOWARDS PROGRESS John Hastings is a fence sitting former drag queen... .or is he... he is thejohnhastings.com

STORYTELLING, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

PBJ Management

JOHN KEARNS: WORK IN PROGRESS The absurdist stand-up comic and first ever winner of the Edinburgh Foster's Best Newcomer and Best Show Awards returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a work in progress. 'A true comedy original' Time Out 'Kearns could be your new King of Comedy' The Evening Standard 'Heading for the comedy stratosphere... you're in the hands of a master' The Guardian SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

Jokes On Us present

JOHN PENDAL: HOW TO ESCAPE FROM STUFF Work in progress second solo hour of comedy from John Pendal. His first show 'International Man of Leather' has been performed in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Melbourne and across the UK. Critics said: 'fringe brilliance' (5 STARS) - Broadway Baby ... 'engaging and hilarious throughout' (4 STARS) Edinburgh Festivals Magazine ... and 'a deviant you could take home to mum' - Chortle. www.johnpendal.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

JOHN PENDAL - HOW TO ESCAPE FROM STUFF Work in progress second solo hour of comedy from John Pendal. His first show 'International Man of Leather' has been performed in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Melbourne and across the UK. Critics said: 'fringe brilliance' (5 STARS) - Broadway Baby ... 'engaging and hilarious throughout' (4 STARS) - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine ... and 'a deviant you could take home to mum' - Chortle. www.johnpendal.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

TripleCeePee & Catface Talent present

JOHN ROBERTSON'S 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? YOU can come and play the world's only live action text based adventure game! It's a choose-your-own adventure, so choose it! 'NOT TO BE MISSED' - The Guardian ***** - Arts Awards Voice ***** - The Sun ***** 'You must see this show' - British Comedy Guide www.thejohnrobertson.com IMMERSIVE, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 15

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 JOHN ROBINS: WORK IN PROGRESS

John is a comedian, broadcaster and voice over artist based in London. He presents a weekly show on Radio X (formerly XFM) alongside friend and fellow comedian Elis James. 'The Elis James and John Robins Show' podcast has gained them a devoted following, and is a fixture in the top twenty comedy podcast charts. www.johnrobins.com DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 43

Laugh á Little / RBM Comedy present

JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH: MY LAST WILL AND TASTY MINT A recent health scare (well, a mild bout of sciatica) has made 'Sheffield's finest singer/songwriter' (The Times) John focus on his mortality, and the many things he needs to do before the inevitable move into a hospice. John considers Life's major issues and the excitement he felt when sucking his first mint: 'It gave my tongue activity, as the mint's flavours bore into me, turning my grey world azure blue - I remember my first Polo, do you?' www.shuttleworths.co.uk CHARACTER, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:20) Entry: £17 (£14)

Map Ref: 51

JOHNNY VEGAS: UNPREPARED BUT READY Johnny Vegas makes a return to Leicester Comedy Festival to work through more live show ideas. Who knows what will happen. These shows sell out each time, so hurry up and bag a ticket. We can't say more as at time of going to print we have no idea what the show will be about. But, it's Johnny Vegas! www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £12.50

Map Ref: 22

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

JOHNSTON & MILTON DESCEND UPSTAIRS

Do we love you? Of course we love you. Otherwise, we wouldn't invite you to our show, would we? So, why don't you put on that top we like? You know, the one with the picture of Dusty Springfield juggling seventeen cats in a Centre Parcs near Norwich. Then, come along and visit. Close your eyes or borrow a blindfold and let your ears do the work to experience a new radio-style sketch show with a barrage of comic sound effects and surreal ideas! SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

HD Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

JON LONG: WINDED

Jon Long performs Stand-up comedy with songs. Songs about love, life, falcons, sex, desert islands and recycling. In between the songs are jokes, jokes that will - with any luck - be 'delivered with laser-guided timing' (Bruce Dessau). 'Really excels over the usual comedian with a guitar' (Alt Reading) Winner of the Comedy Store King Gong, and the Musical Comedy Awards Audience Favourite 2016. www.hd-management.co.uk/jon-long MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 20:00 (20:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

Delphine Manley presents

JON PEARSON: I AM WHAT I AM Jon is what he is, a big man, with big opinions. From hopscotch as a valid exercise choice, to his positive twist on modern-day cannibalism. Jon's debut comedy hour looks at life from an elevated 6ft 6in perspective. www.jonpearson.co.uk SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Off The Kerb Productions present

JON RICHARDSON: THE OLD MAN The British Comedy Award nominee and star of Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of 10 Cats is embarking on a nationwide tour to complain about the state of the world and offer no solutions. Since his last show he has become a husband and father, seen the UK vote to leave the EU and watched the rise of Donald Trump, all of which leaves him asking one question, why does it seem that no one else alive can correctly load a dishwasher? www.meltontheatre.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre Auditorium

Time: 20:00 (21:50) Entry: £20.50

Map Ref: 33

JONATHAN PIE: LIVE Jonathan Pie is a respected news reporter for a respected news broadcaster but he has a problem. He has several problems. He hates his job. He hates his colleagues. But mainly he hates the news. Join him for this live show where he hilariously reveals the truth behind recent news events both home and abroad. He'll also be discussing his own meteoric rise to mediocrity... and one imagines he'll be venting plenty of spleen in the process*. www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1668 SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £18.50

Map Ref: 60

Lee Martin for Gag Reflex

WORLD PREMIERE

JONNY AWSUM: WORK IN PROGRESS 2017

Jonny Awsum is a on a mission. It's a mission to fulfill a promise he made to his daughter - that one day he'll perform on the legendary stage of the O2 Arena. Can Jonny find a way to deliver on his promise? Come along and find out! 'A welcome feel-good musical act... his brand of audience participation is second to none' ***** Daily Mirror. 'A wonderfully entertaining hour' ***** Three Weeks. As part of the Kayal All-Dayer www.gagreflex.co.uk MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:15) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

JORDAN BROOKES: THE MAKING OF The 2016 Chortle Award Best Newcomer nominee JORDAN BROOKES, presents his widely-acclaimed, intricately ambitious second solo hour. A boundary-pushing, high-wire stand-up act of silly faces, uncomfortable poses and unnecessary confessions. 'A breath-taking, hugely original hour' ***** Fest Mag Highly inventive, a compelling performer, who doesn't sacrifice laughs for the sake of artistic stretch' **** Chortle ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 1

Chambers Touring present

JOSH HOWIE'S MESSED UP Fresh from creating and starring in his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom and having performed his unique brand of painfully honest stand-up at the top comedy clubs and festivals in the UK and internationally, Josh Howie is embarking on his first UK tour. It might not be easy living with him and it's not easy being him, but it is easy to laugh at his antics as he strives to be an amazing husband and super-dad of four. And fails. www.joshhowie.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 43

JOSIE LONG: SOMETHING BETTER This is a show about optimism and hopefulness and about looking for people and things to look up to. It's about wanting more from life than it might be up for giving out. It's about struggling with realising what you are, who you are and what you can't change about yourself, and about really feeling like an outsider for the first time. www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1679 SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 60

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Heroes of Fringe present

WORLD PREMIERE

JOZ NORRIS: LOOK AT ME, DON'T LOOK AT ME

Performing is a way of totally removing yourself from a crowd by ensuring all their attention is focused on you, and I think that's interesting. Look at me. Don't look at me. 'An absolute idiot... Simple, silly and screamingly funny.' - Fest 'Fastidiously avoids boring or obvious choices and excels at being unselfconsciously daft.' - TVBomb 'A cult comedy legend.' - Dead Cat Comedy Weirdos. Channel 4. Dave. ITV2. BBC Radio 4. ACMS. etc. www.joznorris.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, INSTALLATION DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Juliet Meyers

JULIET MEYERS IS JEKYLL AND HYDE (WORK IN PROGRESS ) We all have a flipside. Juliet Meyers (Writer on Sarah Millican TV Prog and 8/10 Cats) is both 'lovely' and 'nasty'. Expect doglovin', storytellin', wordplayin', mischief-making Juliet AND 'the other one' (who's less eager to please and pussy foots less). 'Devilish... on the edge' **** (Scotsman) 'Laugh-out loud funny.. off the wall ideas..a show that resonates' **** (Chortle) 'Insightful and delightful' (GQ) (Part of The Kayal all-dayer) SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 16:40 (17:40) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Melton Theatre present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

JUST ANOTHER TICK IN A BOX?

2016 saw the sad passing of Victoria Wood and Caroline Aherne, both seen (by the public & media) as national treasures for their comedy work. They alongside the like of French and Saunders, Jo Brand and company seemingly heralded a new era for females in the industry. Why then are we seemingly reliant on quotas on panel shows, mixed bills and support slots to introduce a receptive comedy audience to a female comedian? As part of Beyond a Joke. www.meltontheatre.co.uk DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre Auditorium

Time: 12:00 (14:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 33

Just The Tonic present

JUST THE TONIC COMEDY CLUB WITH DOC BROWN Quality night of stand up. Doc Brown, star of 'Derek', 'Life on the Road' with David Brent. Seen on 'Live at the Appollo', a rare chance to see him live. Garrett Millierick 'Gently satirical and quietly insightful... there isn't a dull moment' THE SKINNY. Leo Kearse ' seriously good. Quick, funny, smart and... hilarious' The Scotsman. Matt Richardson, 'may be full of self-confidence but he's got broad appeal to back up the cockiness' The Guardian www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 22

JUST THE TONIC COMEDY CLUB WITH JOHNNY VEGAS Johnny Vegas hosts a night of stand up. Every time Johnny comes to Just the Tonic it is always madness. This show will sell out. Also on the bill is Paul McCaffrey, one of our favourite stand ups on the circuit. Star of TV's 'Impractical Jokers'. He has supported Sean Lock on a national tour and done many Edinburgh solo show. At time of going to print we are also waiting for Lucy Porter to be confirmed. Please check www.justthetonic.com www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 22

Just The Tonic present

JUST THE TONIC COMEDY CLUB WITH TOM STADE 4 of the best acts on the comedy circuit: Tom Stade - as seen on Live at The Appollo, McIntyre's Roadshow etc -- 'STADE DELIVERS QUALITY SATIRE, INTELLIGENT, PASSIONATE, CRACKINGLY FRESH AND VERY, VERY, FUNNY' Scotsman The Noise Next Door 'Hilarious... superior kind of chaos' The Daily Telegraph Darius Davies 'near faultless and original set, which would not look out of place on Live At The Apollo.'Scotsgay Phil Ellis - total loon. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Map Ref: 22

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

Time: 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £15

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Yippee Productions Ltd present

JUST THE TONIC'S THURSDAY NIGHT COMEDY Just The Tonic has been putting on comedy shows in the East Midlands and Edinburgh for almost 20 years. This thriving monthly comedy club books the best of the established, and the up-and-coming comedians on the circuit. 'Consistently boasting the most interesting line-ups in the country' The Times www.justthetonic.com/loughborough-comedy/ MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 28

CKP

JUSTIN MOORHOUSE: PEOPLE AND FEELINGS A little slimmer but still as 'belly laugh funny' Manchester Evening News - everyone's favourite northern charmer is back and better than ever. After touring last year's triumphant 'Destiny Calling' of which The Guardian said 'the amount of first-rate comic craft that goes into his deceptively simple routines is worthy of admiration' he's had a think about people. And feelings. 'Moorhouse charms the pants off the crowd' Sunday Times www.justinmoorhouse.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £15 (£12.50)

Map Ref: 43

Tim FitzHigham presents

KARMA SUTRA-TACULAR: VALENTINE'S DAY SPECICAL It's Valentine's Day and what better way to spend the evening than with a good book? Or how about the greatest book on love ever written? The Karma Sutra is the world's leading book of love & lust. Join multi-award winning Tim FitzHigham as he returns with his sell-out hit stand-up show. Come, watch, laugh and most of all have the most fantastic Valentine's night ever. 'gut bustingly funny' The Scotsman ***** 'a national treasure' Chortle ***** www.fitzhigham.com DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 37

Heroes of Fringe

KAT BOND: LOO ROLL One of life's fighters Kat Bond (BBC Radio 4, Channel 4 'Blaps' , BBC 2 The Agency, BBC 1 Call the Midwife) brings her characters to Leicester. One half of 'sublime' duo That Pair ***** Broadway Baby plays several characters in order to find her family who left her in a bin. Her only friend/prop is a Loo Roll. Off beat brilliance... .beautiful skits and bonkers characters' **** The Times. www.pbjmgt.co.uk/artists/kathryn-bond SOLO SHOW, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

KATE FOX: THE WRONG STUFF

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Kate Fox doesn't want to be middle class, or to have a Hollywood body. Does this make her incredibly weird or incredibly normal? This show contains material from her first Radio 4 comedy series 'The Price of Happiness' and from the upcoming second series. **** 'Funny and endearing with a cynicism that cuts through the whimsy.Sunday Telegraph **** Hilariously self-deprecating' Three Weeks. 'Funny, quirky and a wonderful writer'. Sarah Millican www.katefoxwriter@me.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:20) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

KATE LUCAS: NEW STUFF After a smash hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, winner of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Kate Lucas is back to workshop new material. 'A true musical genius' (Ed Fest Mag) 'Belly laughs and wide-eyed did-she-really-say-that horror' (Fest Magazine) www.utcartistmanagement.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 UTC ARTIST MANAGEMENT PRESENT...

KATE LUCAS: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO KATE LUCAS? On a particularly dull Tuesday afternoon multi-award winning musical comedian Kate Lucas thought she was moments from death. Following a smash hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe, join this deliciously dark rising star as she dissects her final thoughts. Expect an hour riddled with what not to say, what not to think and how not to behave. Winner of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2014. www.utcartistmanagement.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

Dead Cat present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

KATE MCCABE: STUFF AND NONSENSE

Kate McCabe is affable as hell. She used to live in America. Now she lives here. Watch a creeping British cynicism try to get the best of her tireless American optimism. Which will win? Or will both traits kill each other halfway across the Atlantic? Come and find out. 'Delivers strong material with aplomb'--Three Weeks 'Just a goddam delight'--Manchester Wire' www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

KATHARINE FERNS: IN STITCHES

WORLD PREMIERE

Funny storytelling show from Canadian comedian on learning to laugh about the visible and invisible scars of surviving domestic violence and mental illness plus some feminism for comic relief. 'Observant and witty' ****TVBOMB Audience Reviews: 'An incredible story that will make you laugh when you probably want to cry! This woman is amazing!'-Mariana 'Sad, uplifting, courageous, funny, horrific, mind blowing! Unforgettable brilliance!'-Corin www.katharineferns.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

KATIE MULGREW: THIS GUY Stand up comedian Katie Mulgrew's new show about just trying to be a great guy, guys. Am I right, guys? Guys? GUUUUUUYS?! ****Fest ****The Skinny ****Gigglebeats www.katiemulgrew.co.uk

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Getcomedy present

KEITH FARNAN: BAD SOCIALIST Irish comedian Keith Farnan (Michael Mcintyre's Comedy Roadshow) has performed several shows at festivals around the world about the perilous state of society, without ever asking what he's done to improve things himself. 'Brilliant, thought-provoking and laugh out loud funny' Time Out ' - part of the Kayal All-Dayer. www.keithfarnan.com SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

KEN DODD Ken Dodd's hugely successful career now spans over 60 fun-filled years. Come and enjoy his famous 'Happiness Show' and you'll be absolutely discumknockerated (that's Knotty Ash for 'over the moon') by a truly tattifelarius (fun-filled) evening of laughter and songs. Ken Dodd is a multi-award winning entertainer who loves nothing more than entertaining theatre audiences, don't miss his fun-filled Happiness Show for all. www.demontforthall.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Map Ref: 10

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

Time: 19:00 (23:00) Entry: £19

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 KEV'S KOMEDY KITCHEN

REGIONAL PREMIERE

'The underground hit of the Edinburgh Fringe' Huffington Post. Seasoned comedian Kevin Dewsbury hosts a new TV cookery show with special guests, exciting recipes and a few surprises. Kevin has written and performed critically acclaimed solo comedy shows in the past. Now, with the popularisation of food, he's here to combine the ingredients of comedy and cookery. There'll be something to tickle everyone's taste buds. Produced by Will Hutchby. THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 16:00 (16:55) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 22

KEV'S KOMEDY KITCHEN: SECOND HELPINGS - WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

The underground hit of the Edinburgh Fringe Huffington Post. The team who cooked up Kev's Komedy Kitchen in 2016 return with a work in progress show. More culinary demonstrations, celebrity guests and food based challenges in this live television recording. Joining Kevin is everybody's favourite producer Will Hutchby. And there may be an appearance from unlikely Italian chef Michelli Newalli! www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:45 (20:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

Barnstormers Comedy

KEVIN PRECIOUS: WORK IN PROGRESS Work In Progress: Former RE Teacher; School Based Anecdotes; Humanism; Philosphy of Religion; God-Shaped Hole... that sort of thing. Part of the Kayal all-dayer. www.kevinprecious.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:20) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

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

KIERAN BOYD - WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

Kieran Boyd presents a work-in-progress show. It will probably consist of his strongest new material mixed with some of the best bits from last year's Edinburgh show, Egg. At the time of writing it's September 2016, so your guess is as good as mine. 'Impressively funny... Terrific material' (Scotsman) He's the one who played all the girl parts in Fringe sketch veterans WitTank. 'Masterful' (Sunday Times) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

Show And Tell in assocation with United Agents present

KIERAN HODGSON: MAESTRO Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Nominee 2016 & 2015. Following a sell-out tour and Radio 4 adaptation of last year's show Lance, Kieran returns with a violin and a story about trying to find love when you're the kind of loser who writes classical music instead of playing football. 'A whip-smart, intensely personal paean to following one's heart - in which the next big laugh is never more than a semiquaver away' ***** The Telegraph www.showandtelluk.com CHARACTER, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 43

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 KING STREET COMEDY WITH ADAM HESS

King Street Comedy is back for a second year, and this time plays host to the fantastic Adam Hess, star of 'Live From The BBC' and 'Drunk History'. Adam has written for TV shows including BBC Two's Russell Howard's Good News and appeared in BBC One's Count Arthur Strong. He regularly contributes to the award winning Dave podcast and has supported David Baddiel on tour. Limited seats available; tickets must be bought in advance. www.adamhess.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: 54a King Street (aka Nigel's Cafe)

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £4 (£3)

Map Ref: 63

Laugh á Little / PBJ Management present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN: HYSTERICAL WOMAN

Chortle Award-nominated comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean performs her inadvisably ambitious debut hour, tackling genetics, gender and being a comedian who happens to be a woman. Also, she sticks her white, middle class nose into racial inequality. (I know, it has nothing to do with her, but she won't be told.) Join her for an hour of whipsmart stand-up that's as funny as it is clever - or turn up to see if she commits an accidental hate crime. www.kiripritchardmclean.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 20:45 (21:45) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 51

Laugh á Little / Electric Talent present

KNIGHTMARE LIVE - THE GAME HAS CHANGED Enter, stranger! Knightmare Live is back with a brand new concept and offers YOU the chance to wear the iconic helmet of justice and play the dungeon. For 2017 the game has changed. Every show is different, every room holds a new challenge. Don the Helmet of Justice and hold up the Eye-Shield, how long will you last? The critically acclaimed comedy stage adaption of the cult TV classic is now bigger and better than ever. www.knightmarelive.com CHARACTER, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:30 (21:20) Entry: £15 (£13)

Map Ref: 51

CKP present

WORLD PREMIERE

KWAME ASANTE: OPEN ARMS

Kwame Asante's debut show sets out to be a careful deconstruction of opening-up, vulnerability and acceptance. It does have the tendency to quickly descend into the neurotic ramblings of a single black doctor living and working in the West Midlands. People still seem to enjoy it though. Come with open minds and be welcomed with open arms! Chortle Comedy Award Winner & 'Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year' Nominee. Part of the Kayal all-dayer. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Kyle D Evans

REGIONAL PREMIERE

KYLE D EVANS: 'BORN TO SUM'

Who'd've thought pop culture and mathematics were such good friends? That musicians from Dylan to Drake were dropping maths references into their tunes? Enter folk mathematician and 2016 Famelab winner Kyle Evans and his trusty guitar, here to take you on a comedic musical tour through some unexpected parallels between maths & pop. Come prepared for a fun night for maths enthusiasts and novices alike. www.kyledevans.com SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 23rd - 21:00 (22:00) | 24th - 22:15 (23:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 14

Laughing With LOROS

LAUGHING WITH LOROS AT MELTON THEATRE Last year LOROS held its first ever comedy show inside the walls of the Hospice. This year Laughing With LOROS takes funny fundraising on tour to Melton Mowbray for a very special show. This comedy fundraiser will see some of the festival's best comedians hit the town of pork pies for a show you won't want to miss. Comedians to be announced. Each year LOROS provides free care and support to over 2,500 patients and their families. www.loros.co.uk/laughing MIXED BILL, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre Auditorium

Map Ref: 33

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £15

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 LAUGHTER AT LOROS An evening of charitable chuckles featuring 2014's English Comedian of the Year - Jack Campbell. Jack is a DMU graduate turned professional comedian who appeared as last year's Laughter At LOROS host and impressed so much, they asked him to headline this year's show. Joining Jack will be Leicester lad and new dad, Phil Drew returning to his hometown to host the show, and 2016 New Acts of the Year finalist, Thomas Rackham. www.loros.co.uk/laughter

MIXED BILL

DATES:

Venue: LOROS Hospice

Time: 20:00 (21:45) Entry: £13

Map Ref: 27

Andrew Roach Talent present

WORLD PREMIERE

LAURA LEXX IN LEICESTER!

Laura Lexx returns to Leicester with all the energy you'd expect. Strap in - she's had some new ideas. 'an avalanche of clever quips, shrewd observations and more heartfelt, down-to-earth honesty than you could expect from an hour of comedy... superb material, brilliant delivery and irresistible personality... she successfully combines the comedy with real heart - a sure-fire sign of a Fringe success.' TV Bomb. Part of the Kayal all-dayer lauralexx.weebly.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (18:55) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

United Agents

LAUREN PATTISON: REET PETITE - A WORK IN PROGRESS A finalist in this years BBC New Comedy Award and one of the brightest young talents on the Northern comedy scene, Lauren's beginning to make her presence known across the country. Fresh from performing at Latitude & Leeds Festival, &supporting Katherine Ryan on tour, this baby faced comic is one to watch out for. 'Sharp writing' (Guardian). 'A solid act' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Star of the future' (The List). 'You. Are. So. Funny' (Katherine Ryan) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

LEAVES WITH A D

REGIONAL PREMIERE

In Si's debut show you can watch him recount bizarre scenarios from his life, whilst questioning everything he thinks about, from people's misunderstanding of primary school level grammar, to why Goldilocks is probably not somebody that you want to be friends with. All the while bemused and amused by his own fears and neuroses. www.sideaves.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

LEE HURST - COMEDY SHOW NO.9 Lee Hurst, one of Britain's most-loved comedians, is back with an all-new show for 2017. Having earned his stripes over twenty years ago as a circuit comic and one of the best telly warm-up men in the business, Lee was quickly promoted to being a regular face on comedy panel shows including They Think It's All Over (he was a team captain) and Have I Got News For You, which is how he became a household name. www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1678 SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £16.50

Map Ref: 60

Jokes on Us present

LEE PEART: THE LIBERATION OF THE BUTTERFLY Escaping his hometown of Grimsby, Loose Women and Jeremy Kyle Show warm-up man Lee Peart feels like he's been liberated. A delightful, fun, and sassy romp through growing up, striving for perfection, and pleasing others; The Liberation of the Butterfly explores the psyche of this hotly tipped performer. 'He kicks the night off in audacious fashion!' (Manchester Evening News) www.leepeart.net SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Leicester Fridge proudly present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: A QUESTION OF SNORT The pub quiz with a difference returns for a third year of general knowledge-related buffoonery. Score points for correct answers, and get extra points for funny answers! A team of comedians will be on hand to provide extra laughs and there will be bizarre prizes aplenty, so gather together a team and spend your Sunday afternoon improving your general knowledge (or at least having a good laugh). £1 per team member to take part. www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 16:45 (18:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 48

Leicester Fridge proudly present

LEICESTER FRIDGE: BATTLE FOR LEICESTER Teams from 4 of Leicester's regular comedy nights go head-to-head in our third annual comedy bunfight, to see whose is the funniest night out in Leicester. It's up to the audience to decide who walks away with the coveted Battle for Leicester trophy, made from the rubble of the demolished City Council offices. 'Battle for Leicester showed the breadth of talent there is in Leicester's thriving comedy scene all year round' - Leicester Mercury www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (23:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

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 LCF16, Naked Comedy is back! Male and female comedians will face their biggest fear and take to the stage 'au naturel' to raise money for LOROS hospice. Like 'Leicester Fridge' on facebook for line-up announcements. Advance tickets only - no door sales. Not for the easily offended! www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 23:30 (00:45) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 31

LEICESTER MERCURY COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR Now in its 23rd 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 competiton. In aid of Big Difference Company. Registered Charity 1135167 www.comedy-festival.co.uk DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 19:30 (22:15) Entry: £16 (£14)

Map Ref: 60

LEO KEARSE: I CAN MAKE YOU TORY

WORLD PREMIERE

Sick of sanctimonious leftists lecturing you about global warming, Jeremy Corbyn and sexism? Award-winning comedian Leo Kearse slaughters these sacred cows with razor sharp wit and shows that it's right to be right wing. 'A giant of the art' - Chortle; 'Kearse is seriously good. Quick, funny, smart and to the point... hilarious' - The Scotsman; 'Very funny, occasionally shocking but edgily likeable and happily endearing' - THE LIST **** www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:05) Entry: £5 (£6)

Map Ref: 22

LINDSEY & IAN'S INCREDIBLE IMPROV ADVENTURE Dress up, sing-along, suggest ideas for a fantastic new story and play a round of 'Catch the Lobster' with award-winning comedians Ian Hall and Lindsey Warnes Carroll. Sit back and relax or delve into a bottomless box of props and wigs and join in the fun.

WORLD PREMIERE

CHILDREN'S, IMPROV DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Map Ref: 25

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

Time: 14:00 (15:00) & 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £4

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 LLOYD GRIFFITH IS A KEEPER This year Lloyd travelled the world, met Messi, fell in love, turned veggie. Jokes! Songs! Less flirting! (probably). 'FIFA: Quest for the best' (Sky Sports), Soccer AM (Sky 1), Rugby's Funniest Moments (Sky 1), Sweat The Small Stuff (BBC Three) 'A Lovely beardy face' Sunday Times. 'A lovely, fresh, genuine hour of stand-up, with a good few surprises thrown in' (British Comedy Guide) www.lloydgriffith.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 43

United Agents present

WORLD PREMIERE

LLOYD GRIFFITH WIP

Lloyd Griffith: WIP A work in progress from Grimsby's sexy frontman, Lloyd Griffith. The chubby funster returns to his favourite Leicestershire city to try out some ideas. You love him and he loves you. You might have seen him on tv or on the internet; come and see the lad sweat in person. Jokes, flirting, probably a song. 'A lovely, fresh, genuine hour of stand-up, with a good few surprises thrown in' (British Comedy Guide) DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

Mercure Leicester - The Grand Hotel present

LOCKED IN A ROOM WITH... Hundreds of stand-up comedians will pass through Leicester in February, and many of them will stay with us here at Mercure Leicester - The Grand Hotel. We've chosen a 'special' few to keep here just a bit longer than they would like... Come and spend some quality time up close and personal with a festival act in this very exclusive show. Advance booking required. www.mercureleicester.co.uk DATES:

Venue: Mercure Leicester

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 34

LOREN O'BRIEN: OKIE DOKIE Loren was described 'to become one of the biggest female comedy acts of this year' by the SUNDAY TIMES. But all she really wants is to become the first female president of the United States of America. Guess she should probably start paying more attention to politics. 'A performer with immense personal charisma. Her talent is clear.' CHORTLE 'This woman is remarkable... the funniest you've ever seen.' BROADWAY BABY **** www.lorenobrien.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 22:30 (23:25) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 14

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

LOST VOICE GUY - SUPERHUMAN?

WORLD PREMIERE

In a world where Paralympic athletes are labelled as 'superhumans', Lost Voice Guy ponders if just being allowed to park closer to Tesco earns him that title. After all, what exactly is so super about walking like a zombie, sounding like a posh version of Robocop and literally not being able to use Siri. BBC Radio New Comedy Award winner, Lost Voice Guy presents his work in progress show. 'A very funny guy.'- Ross Noble www.lostvoiceguy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Dead Cat present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

LOU CONRAN - I LOVE LOU C

(I'm in my dressing gown eating boiled eggs, hang on) Right, imagine visiting your favourite spinster Aunty/Friend/woman of independent means, no one dares ask about her living situation, she's a touch eccentric but always has a comedy story and comedy character for every situation, well, that. This is a work in progress show. www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

Heroes (PWYW) in association with Mick Perrin Worldwide Artist Management

WORLD PREMIERE

LUCA CUPANI: MORE CONFESSIONS

Italian, Catholic, hypochondriac, the man who was too funny for his home country and moved to the UK tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in these intimate semi-serious confessions. A work in progress, that mixes new material with excerpts from his latest Edinburgh show. 'Funny and fresh and so, so moreish... See him now' (Kate Copstick, Scotsman) So You Think You're Funny? 2015 Winner SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

LUCY PEARMAN: WIP AND A CABBAGE 'Traditionally, unmarried girls were sent into the veg garden to choose the 'perfect' cabbage' (Anon). Lucy Pearman brings a bit of harmless and relaxing nonsense to Leicester with some work in progress and an elusive cabbage. 'Brilliantly playful... marks Lucy out as something rather special.' (Laugh Out London) 'Lucy Pearman is so very endearing to watch and an integral feature of pioneering new comedy in a big way.' (Funny Women) SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 14:20 (15:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

DAA Management in association with Glorious Management present

LUCY PORTER - WIP Lucy Porter's new show Cartwheels is an exhilarating, celebratory hour. In it Lucy discusses first love, biscuits and Cary Grant amongst other subjects. A firm favourite on TV and radio Lucy has appeared in the latest series of QI, The Unbelievable Truth, The News Quiz, The Now Show and Insert Name Here. 'Impeccably punchlined anecdotes' The Telegraph. 'A delight from start to finish' The Herald. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 22

Heroes at The Criterion present

WORLD PREMIERE

LUCY THOMPSON & THOMAS RACKHAM AS THE TOADSHOW

The highly anticipated debut show from Leicester based sketch comedy duo Lucy Thompson, nominated for 'Best Debut' at Leicester Comedy Festival 2016, and Thomas Rackham, NATYS 2016 Finalist www.facebook.com/thetoadshow SKETCH, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

LUCY THOMPSON: SHAKE IT OFF

WORLD PREMIERE

Following on from last years best debut nomination, Lucy Thompson returns with her new show ' Shake it off '. A story about how the most unexpected things in life can make it a little bit sweeter. ' The feel good show of the festival ' - Heroes ' Funny Bones ' - Chortle

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

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

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

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 LUKE MCQUEEN: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Luke McQueen has previously been a bit of a niche act but this time he promises he has something for everyone. He guarantees everyone in the audience one laugh. If he manages to get round everyone with a bit of time left there may be an opportunity for a second laugh towards the end. 'Daring, original and innovative' **** (CHORTLE) 'A grand-master of chaos' (Edinburgh Evening News). SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

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

The Heroes present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MADAME SEÑORITA: THE EXPECTOR

Seductive horror clowning from Spanish Señorita ****5 STAR SHOW (Tv bomb) Madame Señorita:`The Expector´ premieres at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017! TOP MOST UNIQUE SHOW at Edinburgh 2016 (comedy.co.uk) A combination of fear and fun, sexiness and madness, and a totally captivating experience. A twisted exploration of female empowerment inside a surreal, musical Spanish fever dream. You´ll definately come back for more. www.paulavalluerca.wordpress.com CABARET, CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 19 - 15:30 (16:30) | 20/21 - 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Corrie McGuire for ROAR Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MADDY ANHOLT: WORK IN PROGRESS

Following the success of 'Rent Girl', at the Edinburgh Fringe, character comedienne Maddy Anholt visit Leicester with this brand new show. Maddy delves into a surreal world of characters with 'effortless transformation... ' (The British Comedy Guide). 'Catch her before she's lost to TV... ' **** (Chortle) as seen on BBC's Sunny D, a regular voice on TalkSPORT and a new Radio 4 pilot in development, Maddy Anholt is one to watch! www.maddyanholt.com DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

MAJOR LABIA

WORLD PREMIERE

Graduates and associates of the BAFTA award-winning Television Workshop, Major Labia offer an amusing look at society's treatment of women, and the absurdity of modern life through sketches, character comedy and silly songs. Expect a frank frolic about life, love and labia. Audience reactions include, 'A bit too rude, really' - one of our Nans, and our friend's mum dropping the C bomb - big up your bad self, Deidre. #laughyourvagoff SKETCH DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 37

Spot On George

MAKE 'EM LAUGH 2 A stunning exhibition of showbiz caricatures, created by TV Times & GQ illustrator George Williams, focussing on the theme of comedians of the UK's stage and screens. Inspired by a display of luvvies at Brighton's Colonnade Bar, this is the second instalment of characters, all of whom will be household names and instantly recognisable. www.caricatures-uk.com EXHIBITION, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: ALL DAY Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 60

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 MARK COOPER-JONES: GEOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING

Mark (Radio 4, BBC3, Russell Howard's Good News, member of WitTank sketch group) staunchly argues the case for the often discredited subject of Geography. As a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and former teacher of the subject, Mark is all too familiar with the Geography stereotypes, & does nothing to refute them. But he does offer a laugh-packed, geeky, educational hour of comedy that'll leave you regretting giving up Geography for GCSE. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:25) Entry: £7.50 (£6)

Map Ref: 43

Hero's Of The Fringe

MARK DEAN QUINN Mark Dean Quinn returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with his show called Mark Dean Quinn about trust, ice creams and buckets. There are no jokes. The show lasts 50 minutes. Everyone gets sweets. Brilliantly deadpan (Chortle) **** (The Skinny) People were laughing for some reason (Broadway Baby) ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

PBJ Management

MARK DOLAN: LIFE HACKS Do you find life complicated? Is your day taken up remembering passwords, charging your iPhone and unsubscribing from adult websites, some of which involve men in period costume? Mark Dolan's here to help with his hilarious new stand-up show. There are no big promises here, except that this show will change your life, improve your looks and enhance your hair's natural shine. 'Fantastic' **** (Metro). 'Consistently funny' **** (Independent). DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

MARK SIMMONS: WHATEVER YOU WANT, I COULDN'T GIVE A TOSS This show is for people that like jokes. Lots of jokes. Silly Jokes, daft jokes, naughty jokes. If you do not like jokes you will not like this show. If, however, you do like staring at tall, skinny, ginger people for an approximate running time of 55 minutes, then come along and stick your fingers in your ears. 'Master of one liners' (one4review *****) 'A talented comic with an artisan's grasp of joke-writing' (Chortle ****) marksimmons.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:20) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

So Comedy by arrangement with Troika present

MARK SMITH: OLD SMUDGE Mark Smith (Russell Howard's Good News) brings his Edinburgh 2016 show to Leicester. Expect to hear him cram as many funny, stupid and potentially dangerous observations into the show as possible on topics as diverse as bowling, going bowling, and do you like bowling? There's also a couple of dick jokes. In a nutshell then, something for everyone. 'Twice as funny as your average stand up' **** (Mirror). 'One to Watch' (Independent). www.marksmithcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

Impatient Productions

MARK WATSON: A WORK IN PROGRESS Completely new material from a suitably nervous Mark Watson. This will be the first time he's ever done this show. It's not even a show yet. So although he has five stars from the British Theatre Guide, who said 'a raucously funny set, one of the best this year', you shouldn't really pay too much attention to that. Come if you want to see the first inkling of a show emerge from a lot of faffing about. ***** from many reviews BUT NOT FOR THIS SHOW markwatsonthecomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £10

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

MARLON DAVIS: IN STITCHES (WORK IN PROGRESS)

After suffering a traumatic life changing experience, how will this effect happy-go-lucky Marlon Davis? The funny man returns to Leicester Comedy Festival to share some unforgettable tales. As seen on Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live (BBC3), Fake Reaction (ITV2) and Roasting Katie Price on Safeword (ITV2). 'A compelling storyteller whose anecdotes carry the elusive stamp of urban authenticity' Scotsman. www.marlondavis.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

MARNY GODDEN: WHERE'S JOHN'S PORRIDGE BOWL? MARNY GODDEN: seasoned lunatic Marny Godden arrives with a 'sublimely silly show' (Times). Pure, joyful idiocy from one of comedy's most loved buffoons. Featuring a ragtag collection of characters including an prancing pup, a clog-wielding prophet and a toothless twit. All wallies, mugwumps and fellow idiots are welcome to join in the hunt for John's porridge bowl. ***** (ThreeWeeks). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** (Scotsman). ***** SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Crooked Hand Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MASSIVE NUMBER 2

A one act comedy by Paul Gosling. Set in 1986. An aspiring songwriter is in at the deep end on her first day at Scrote Records - a struggling independent label with just one genuine pop star on the books. Can she save the day and write them the hit record they need to survive? From the team that brought you Magic Number 6 (Edfringe 2013), Canvas No 9 (Edfringe 2016) and the Monochrome Spy movie (2015).' THEATRE DATES:

Venue: Little theatre

Time: 20:00 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: TBC

Crooked Hand Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MASSIVE NUMBER 2

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 23rd - 21:30 (22:15) | 24th - 18:30 (19:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

MATT FORDE: IT'S MY POLITICAL PARTY (AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO) Following the UK's most important referendum until the next one, Matt Forde celebrates why it's great/awful that we're in/ out of the EU/UK/NATO/whatever the hell happens next. As seen on The Royal Variety Performance 2015 (ITV), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), Mock the Week (BBC Two), and Question Time (BBC One). 'A first class comic' (Guardian). 'Highly engaging, inherently funny... an ability to ad-lib laughs out of thin air' (Chortle.co.uk) www.mattforde.com

ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 43

NCF present

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT GREEN: NEW SHOW

The Best New Show Nominee returns to Leicester with a new show bursting with new jokes, new ideas and absolutely no nudity. It's a Sunday afternoon for God's sake. It's work in progress, so who knows what will be in it? There will probably be a story about getting a massage on holiday. That's a good one. 'Really funny' **** (The Scotsman) 'Classic stand up expertly delivered' **** (Broadway Baby) As Part of the Kayal All-Dayer. www.mattgreen.org SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 15:20 (16:20) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 DC Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

MATT HOLLINS: LE8 STATE OF MIND

How does where you come from affect who you are and your outlook on the world? Who cares? Come and see LE8's own Matt Hollins, he's hilarious. 'Slick professional' - Leicester Mercury, 'Shambolic' - West Midlands Comedy Forum, 'Strikingly Original' - Chortle. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

MATT WATTS: PLAYLIST

WORLD PREMIERE

Playlist is a one-man storytelling show about music, our relationship with it, and our relationships with each other. Matt Watts uses his voice, looped sounds, sampled music, and his iPod, to tell some whimsical stories. www.playlistshow.co.uk

STORYTELLING, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £6 (£4.50)

Map Ref: 1

MATTHEW HIGHTON'S THE MAGIC WAS IN OUR HEARTS ALL ALONG

WORLD PREMIERE

Ever go on a long journey only to find at the last minute the magic was in you all along? Yeah, we've all been there. Matthew Highton, director of the Chortle and Leicester Comedy Festival nominated Weirdos Collective, ('making us laugh at very strange things' Independent) brings to you a new hour of silliness. Expect lunancy. 'Highton has the storytellers gift' Chortle 'Wonderful Surrealism' The Gurdian 'Facinating' Time Out Critics Choice www.matthewhighton.co.uk ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

MAXINE JONES: NOW WE ARE 60

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Suddenly Maxine is 60. Young people apologise if they swear in front of her. Time's going so quickly it seems like bin day every day. But a whole new world awaits. Maxine has taken four shows to the Edinburgh Festival and featured on BBC Woman's Hour. Her half-hour special was broadcast by RTE. The show played to full rooms in Edinburgh and has sold out Irish theatres. 'Audience loved it' Buxton Review 'Outstandingly funny' entertainment.ie www.maxinejonescomedy.com

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 10th - 20:00 (20:50) | 11th - 18:30 (19.20) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 17

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

Daniel Nicholas/ Megazone

MEGAZONE PRESENTS: COMEDY TAG Megazone and Daniel Nicholas, bring an hour of laser tag with a twist! You'll be allocated to a team lead by upcoming and established comedians, as you battle it out together to win. With free laser tag games to be played after the show also, what better way is there to spend a Thursday night? www.megazoneleicester.co.uk IMMERSIVE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Megazone Leicester

Map Ref: 32

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £15

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Daniel Nicholas/ Megazone

MEGAZONE PRESENTS: LASER LAUGHS Leicester's own Laser Tag centre Megazone and Daniel Nicholas have joined forces to bring you an hour of hilarious comedy from 2 upcoming and established comedians, with free laser tag games to be played after, what better way is there to spend an Thursday night. www.megazoneleicester.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Megazone Leicester

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 32

Oh my goodness! Look, it's...

WORLD PREMIERE

MICHAEL BRUNSTRÖM: PARSLEY

Surrealist Michael Brunström presents his newest capers and stunts in a show inspired by the popular kitchen herb parsley. Expect oddness, songs, foliage, whimsical melancholy and sauce. An unforgettable hour from the most joyfully experimental comic in the UK. Winner of the 2015 Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality. 'Never to be forgotten comedy. Go.' **** The Scotsman 'Artistic genius.' **** The Skinny 'Visionary artist.' Chortle www.michaelbrunstrom.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

MICHAEL STRANNEY PRESENTS WELCOME TO BALLYBEG 2016 Chortle Best Newcomer Nominee, 2015 New Act the Year, and BBC New Comedy award Finalist Michael Stranney, invites you as his character Daniel Duffy, as he tries to boost dwindling tourism in the isolated community of Ballybeg. Come explore the bizarre people and places that make up this odd, Northern Irish village and join Daniel, as he attempts to convince you to come visit his beloved hometown. 'A Delight' Chortle ****threeweeks ****Edfest CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Chris Quaile in association with CKP present

MICKY & HELEN'S WORK IN PROGRESS Micky Overman - Winner, Max Turner Prize 2016 Helen Bauer - As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra An hour of comedy from two up-and-coming comics, Micky Overman ('a keen comic mind' - Chortle) and Helen Bauer ('Bauer is so funny' - NPR Berlin) about life and all their feelings, which they're super excited to share with you. In 2016, Micky was a finalist in Funny Women with Helen reaching the Regional Finals. Both were Semi Finalists in SYTY Funny. MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 14

Old Man Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

MICKY P KERR: LAY-Z

Comedian, musician, and social commentator, Micky P Kerr, has been tipped for stardom. This, however, is unlikely to happen because Micky suffers from laziness. In fact Micky is so lazy his agent had to write this. In Lay-Z, Micky has fused together music, spoken word and comedy with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. Kerr has been described as the bastard son of John Cooper Clarke. Kerr has also been described as an utter pain in the arse. www.mickypkerr.com SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

Jokes On Us present

MIK ARTISTIK'S EGO TRIP Electric Comedy Phenomenon Mik Artistik returns to Leicester Comedy Festival with a jam-packed performance at The Soundhouse. But who is Mik Artistik? The daddy. Artist, poet, comedian, musician. He's sixty and he knows it. He's Irish but speaks with a Leeds accent. Catch him in this Pay What You Want show. www.mikartistik.com DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

100

Time: 21:15 (22:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 MIKE DROP: THE ADVENTURES OF A ONE MAN BAND

WORLD PREMIERE

Michael Dryburgh hasn't always been an award nominated up and coming comedian. He was once a musician who accidentally became a one man hip hop group playing in front of 1000's of people. In telling his origin story he mixes his amiable standup comedy with impressive live looping music.

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 21:15 (22:05) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

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: Duffys Bar

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 14

MILO MCCABE: TROY HAWKE

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Homeschooled by an overly nostalgic mother, Troy confronts the 21st century as if waking from a 1930's time capsule... with insightful and hilarious consequences. 'One of the best comedy acts this year (2016)... a show that will outgrow its venue in no time' Ed Fest Magazine**** 'Undeniably funny' Chortle.co.uk **** 'Perfectly worded jokes' BroadwayBaby.com **** www.milomccabe.co.uk CHARACTER, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 37

Leicester Fridge proudly present

MINI FRIDGE: HANNAH SILVESTER - COMEDY FOR WHIPPERSNAPPERS Hannah Silvester has been acting like an idiot for quite some time. She is a resident comedian at the Laughing Sole Comedy for Kids at the Midlands Art Centre in Birmingham and has performed kids' comedy at the Glasgow Stand and Edinburgh Free-Fringe Festival. This year Hannah has decided to bring a stand-up comedy show to the ankle-biters of Leicester, and she's invited a few of her fantastically funny friends to join her on stage. For ages 5 + www.hannahsilvester.com/comedy-for-kids CHILDREN'S, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 13:30 (14:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 1

Leicester Fridge proudly present

MINI FRIDGE: KIDS' COURT After successfully administering justice last year, Kids' Court is back! Parents sit in the dock, in the court where the kids are in charge! With the 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 the audience helping to decide whether they're guilty or not. Ages 7+ www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 1

Leicester Fridge present

MINI FRIDGE: THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SHIRLEY As 'Shirley', storyteller and award-winning comedy performer Lindsey Warnes Carroll invites you to be part of something spectacular. Make things, dress up, dance and help to make Shirley's dreams come true in this interactive, participatory performance workshop. Back by popular demand, this is the first & original instalment of Shirley's escapades. Join in and be part of an original comedy creation. Suitable for age 3+ www.facebook.com/LeicesterFridge CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Map Ref: 1

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

Time: 11:00 (12:15) Entry: £5

101

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 MIRANDA KANE - CROSSBONES (WIP) Crossbones Graveyard: last resting place of The Winchester Geese. Miranda Kane tells the story of the women who were prostituted by the church and buried in unconsecrated ground, as well as many others like them throughout history. This is a funny, fascinating tour of the past's most infamous sex-workers, with tales the history books would prefer to keep on the top shelf... 'Kane is a thoroughly engaging raconteur and exuberant host' The List www.mirandakane.co.uk

SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 (£3.50)

Map Ref: 17

Graham Milton and Lindsey Warnes Carroll present

WORLD PREMIERE

MISSION IPSWICH IMPOSSIBLE: CRUISIN' THRU THE 80S

Do you love Tom Cruise films? Have you ever thought erotically about small towns in East Anglia? Have you ever wondered how it would feel to combine the two? Well, if you have, then there's something wrong with you. And there's something wrong with us too, because we've made a whole damn show about it! We'll bring the baby oil, cocktail shakers and dodgy accents. You bring an open mind and a desire to stamp your feet at 80s rock classics! ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 11th - 20:00 (20:55) | 24th - 21:30 (22:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

RBM Comedy / TripleCeePee

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MITCH BENN - DON'T FEAR THE REAPER

It's been a morbid time for 'the country's leading musical satirist' (The Times); he's turned 46 - over the hill by anyone's standards - his personal life is in turmoil, and his childhood heroes are dropping like flies. At times like these, a man feels the Reaper creeping up on him... But is death anything to fear? And is it really the end? (Yes. Yes, it is, sorry!) Mitch confronts his - and YOUR - mortality with hilarious consequences. www.mitchbenn.com SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 15

Dead Cat present

MOLLAND & SULLIVAN - FREEDOM OF SPEECH Nothing will remain sacred when the 'bombastically liberal' Rick Molland (ThreeWeeks), meets the 'shamelessly shocking' Sully O'Sullivan (The Australian Times) in this stand-up comedy face off where low blows aren't just legal, they're encouraged. 'demonstrated no subject ought to be off-limits if handled intelligently and originally.' The Scotsman 'Hard-hitting, no-holds-barred comedy' Edinburgh Evening News www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

MORE COFFEE COMEDY CLUB WITH CARLY SMALLMAN Come down to More Coffee Co. this festival to witness 'the most exciting female act in the country' (CQ) strut her stuff. Carly Smallman, star of ITV2's 'Viral Tap' and BBC2's 'The Rob Brydon Show', heads to Melton to share some her 'outspoken joility' (The Telegraph) with the locals. A total sell-out in 2016, so get your tickets early! www.carlysmallman.com SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: More Coffee Co.

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 35

Doggett & Ephgrave present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MOSTLY DAVID EPHGRAVE

The back end of comic duo Doggett & Ephgrave turns the spotlight on himself for an hour of solo stand-up. Don't worry: he hasn't heard of them either. The comedian, actor, blogger and pauper uses a projector, a laser pointer and a mic to navigate us through the minutiae of his awkward, awkward life. 'David Ephgrave is as smooth as they come' (BBC). 'Natural entertainer' (View From the Gods). 'Wonderfully innovative comedy' (Broadway Baby). www.mostlydavidephgrave.blogspot.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

102

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 17

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER'S DANDY VALENTINE

Join Mr B for a very special Chaptastic Valentines day special. Mr.B began his Chap-Hop career in the summer of 2007 when he decided to bring elements of his previous incarnations (UK rapper, jump-up breaks producer, banjolele maverick and dandy) together and create the new genre of Chap-Hop. Since then he has travelled the world. Don't miss what will be the Dandiest Valentines in town! www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1676 MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £12

Map Ref: 60

Sheep Soup present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MRS GREEN DOES BINGO!

Mabel Green is a forgotten singer-songwriter from the golden era of soul and Motown. This senior citizen has left her home grown marijuana in her council flat in Basford and come to Leicester Comedy Festival for one thing and one thing only... BINGO! Come and join Mrs Green for some songs, games and maybe a prize or two... Fresh from the hit show 'Mrs Green' by Sheep Soup (***** Metro / ***** Ed Fringe Review / **** Scots Gay Fringe). www.sheepsoup.co.uk DATES:

Venue: Queen of Bradgate

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 7

Jokes On Us

REGIONAL PREMIERE

NAOMI COOPER: KERFUFFLE

A self-proclaimed mess with the immune system of a naan bread, Naomi side-steps her friends' preference for marriage, mortgages and babies to address her personal penchant for whisky, napping and endless denial. 'A comedy badass. Naomi Cooper is funny: know that.' - Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) 'Accomplished, well-honed storytelling. This comedian is one to keep an eye out for.' ***** - Remotegoat www.naomicooper.net SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Dead Cat present

NATHAN CASSIDY - THE MAN IN THE ARENA Award-winning comedian Nathan Cassidy explores bravery in a volatile world. Do one thing every day that scares you - Nathan tries this - will you?! Are any of us brave? What does bravery look like? Nathan's most challenging show to date - he'll show you what's he's no good at, what scares him, and he'll ask you to be brave. The world is screwed, and the way to fight back is not through division and criticism but through bravery! www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

NATHAN CATON: WORK IN PROGRESS

Nathan Caton (as seen on Live At The Apollo & Mock The Week) comes off the back of his hugely entertaining Straight Outta Middlesex tour to deliver an hour of new material for your enjoyment. Caton, known for delightfully blending personal anecdotes with his social commentary, is a rising star who's not to be missed, so catch him now before the show hits the rest of the UK and you can say you saw him here first. www.nathancaton.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 43

Jokes On Us/Nathan Willcock

WORLD PREMIERE

NATHAN WILLCOCK - STATE OF THE NATHAN

Nathan Willcock, Chortle Student Comedian runner up, brings a show to Leicester. It's going to be really funny. It'll most likely feature jokes loosely weaved around the themes of success, being a millennial, love and our current political situation. He will also probably mention a textile designer from the 19th century. 'Slick and Silly' - Steve Bennett, Chortle 'Spot-on political jokes' - Arts Awards Voice SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 31

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

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

103

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 NAZ OSMANOGLU: WORK IN PROGRESS

WORLD PREMIERE

The loud and bearded one from sketch group WitTank, previews his new stand-up show. Naz has starred in BBC3's Flat TV, Plebs (ITV2), Drunk History (Comedy Central), Bull (UKTV) and CBBC's Horrible Histories. 'Buckets of wit and charm' (Telegraph). 'Particularly magnetic' (Guardian). 'A blistering hour of ultra-confident comedy' (ShortList). 'Inspired original material, a sharp sense of humour and star potential' (Metro). www.nazosmanoglu.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

Pegasus Comedy Reborn

NEVER BEFORE SEEN AGAIN Richard Wright is back! I mean he never went away and you don't know who he is and he's never even been to Leicester... but he's back! The biggest comeback you've never heard of! That's the Wright kind of show. The Richard Wright kind of show. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Comedy Store Management proudly present

NICK DIXON: OVERTHINKING OUT LOUD In what he is already calling his 'stunning debut hour', Nick Dixon (from Comedy Central, supporting Tom Stade, and a Go Compare ad) unleashes his relentlessly over-analytical inner monologue to tell how he went from being an unemployed loser living in a studio flat, to suddenly having a fiancée, a proper house, and even a job, all while maintaining a fundamental sense of anxiety and dread about daily life. Should be LOLs. www.nickdixoncomedian.com SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

NICK REVELL - GLUTEN-FREE JESUS: 7 EASY STEPS TO MINDFULNESS, WEIGHT-LOSS, ETERNAL BEAUTY, SPIRITUAL DETOX, UNTOLD RICHES AND DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT. Nick Revell brings his sell-out 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show to Kayal and Leicester Comedy Festival. A true, surreal love-story about what happens when radicals, billionaires and gods collide. 'go and see this master of his art, & indeed, Comedy as genius. A True Master Class!' Mumble (5 stars) SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 19:20 (20:20) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Nicole Henriksen

REGIONAL PREMIERE

NICOLE HENRIKSEN - TECHNO GLITTER PENGUINS

Award-nominated alternative Australian comedian, Nicole Henriksen, makes her Leicester debut with Techno Glitter Penguins, a fresh serving of her trademark high-energy-absurd-fun-times. It's an all over body experience that will enrich your soul and bring new meaning to your life. Best Comedy Nominee - Fringe World Festival - 2015 ***** -TheatreReviews.co.uk ****1/2 -The West Australian **** -Fest nicolehenriksen.com/ ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

NIGEL NG AND NICO YEARWOOD: RUSH HOUR

Inspired by the best buddy cop movie ever made, Nigel and Nico have decided to recreate that Chan-Tucker chemistry by doing a half-hour of standup each. Nico Yearwood - 'Instinctive likeability and an appealing spark in his natural performance.' - Chortle. Nigel Ng - 'Natural funny bones... as slick as they come' Chortle (Winner Amused Moose Laugh Off 2016 and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Finalist 2016) nigelngcomedy.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

104

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 44

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 TripleCeePee present

NORMAN LOVETT - ENTERTAINING MOANER Norman Lovett may be best remembered as Holly the computer from Red Dwarf but he has made a name for himself as an incredibly talented standup comedian. Now he is about to play some dates around the UK after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe with his back to basics stand-up show Entertaining Moaner. He played the original Comedy Store many times and even supported the Clash, one of the personal highlights of his career. www.normanlovett.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

OLAF FALAFEL AND THE CHEESE OF TRUTH

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Olaf Falafel, the subject of over 75 million views on Vine, brings his hour show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Expect nonsense as we journey through a year in the life of an idiot where the only winners are stupidity and silliness. 'Olaf Falafel is an idiot, and wouldn't have it any other way' (Steve Bennett, Chortle.co.uk). 'Skilfully delivered absurdist musings' (ThreeWeeks). Olaffalafel@virginmedia.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

PANELBEATERS WITH JASON MANFORD

WORLD PREMIERE

Welcome to comedy's Hunger Games. Three top comics enter, only two shall leave. The action is overseen by ringmaster Jason Manford but it is the Grim Reaper who is the ultimate judge. Prepare yourself to witness a no-holds-barred fight for the funny. There are no winners, only survivors. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 16:30 (18:30) & 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 22

PARKIN & DEANS PRESENT... BENJI TRANTER & THE WELL ADJUSTED INDIVIDUALS A candlelit evening of music and good humour, hosted by Dave Parkin & Doug Deans, introducing dynamic South-London songwriter Benji Tranter & The Well Adjusted Individuals. Taking a lighter spin on the grim business of living, Benji's original, off-beat songs, hot from Edinburgh Fringe Festival, offer humour and poignancy, concern noisy neighbours, vending machines, emotional turmoil, a utopian hipster cafe, handbags and launderettes! MUSICAL, THEATRE https://www.facebook.com/events/1210541958987893 DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:00 (23:00) Entry: £8 (£5)

Map Ref: 1

PAT CAHILL: DOTT Welcome to DOTT, a boxset of optimistic bollocks from Pat Cahill (Nominee Best Show LCF 2016). Will he go behind the candelabra for you? Let you peak inside his velvet curtains? One thing's for sure, from start to finish he'll mean well, and no matter what happens, you can bet your life he'll enjoy it! 'Delicious, silly and surreal underbelly' (Leicester Mercury). 'True star quality' (Evening Standard). **** Time Out SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

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

Map Ref: 44

Laugh á Little / Vivienne Smith Management present

PATRICK MONAHAN - THAT 80S SHOW It's the 1980s and Patrick's Irish-Iranian family arrives in Teesside escaping from the Iran war. Patrick reminisces about being an immigrant to the UK in this unique stand-up show full of the joy that Festival goers have come to know of this real Festival favourite! Directed by Phil Nichol. 'A great comic!' (Broadwaybaby.com). **** 'A spellbinding narrative... delightful, impressive and very funny' **** (Scotsman). www.patrickmonahan.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Map Ref: 51

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

Time: 20:45 (21:45) Entry: £10 (£8)

105

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Kosher Bacon Management present

PAUL 'SILKY' WHITE: INDOOR FIREWORKS Paul 'Silky' White brings his sold-out Edinburgh Fringe hit, Indoor Fireworks, to Leicester adding both of the best songs and jokes he has written since. ALL of the best songs and jokes he has written since. A British Comedy Guide Top Tip of the Fringe. Always playful, often musical, each and every show is different with this veteran of the international comedy circuit. 'supremely talented' **** Broadway Baby ***** Three Weeks **** The Herald www.kosherbacon.co.uk/artist/silky SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 9th - 21:00 (22:00) | 11th - 21:45 (22:45) Entry: 9th - £4 | 11th - £5

Map Ref: 55

Laughing with LOROS present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL CURRIE: CATZINMYMOUTH - WORK IN PROGRESS

This is a new more 'honest' absurdist 'work in progress' by comedy artist Paul Victor Currie. An hour long piece of non sequitur free form stream of consciousness and very silly voices. A little more will be revealed than in his previous 3 shows, this will delve into his many broken relationships caused by his on going battles with mental health and manic depression since the age of 11. It'll be a f**king laugh a minute, just you bloody wait. www.mrpaulcurrie.com CLOWN, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

TripleCeePee present

PAUL CURRIE: FFFFFFFMILK! Come and get your surreal on, wipe all reason on the doormat before you crawl on hands and knees inside the mind flume of Paul Currie and get ffffffffmilky! 'Currie is unique, outstandingly charismatic and utterly original. A new standard has been set for the Fringe' ***** (Skinny). 'My favourite show of the comedy Fringe' (Stewart Lee). ***** Arts Award Voice, The Skinny & One4Review ****1/2 Shortcom **** The Times www.mrpaulcurrie.com CLOWN, CABARET DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £9 (£7)

Map Ref: 15

Glorious Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL F TAYLOR: LOOK, A DISTRACTION!

Join the award winning and brilliantly ridiculous Paul F Taylor for a work in progress hour. Expect surreal one liners, flights of fancy and other words. 'a barrage of twisted one-liners absurd in origin and delivery, that keep surprising, and tickling the audience.' Chortle 'Taylor is a comic maverick' Three Weeks www.what-the-f.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

PAUL FOOT'S GAME OF DANGERS Paul Foot pits two teams against each other, discussing a series of real-life, perilous, yet bizarre situations and attempting to work out which of Paul's unusual items will save them. The results? Surprising and true! The consequences for the losing team? Devastating. '... something akin to the Darwin Awards meets Cards Against Humanity' (Leicester Mercury) www.paulfoot.tv ALTERNATIVE, GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 37

PAUL FOOT: 'TIS A PITY SHE'S A PIGLET This year Professor Ketchup and his camembert piglet join forces as Paul tackles the big issues such as terrorism. Plus, Ant and Dec, immigration, X factor and breakfast. 'Sublime, original and brilliant' (Independent). 'Surreal, unique and over all too quickly, he's the only Paul Foot available at the Fringe' **** (EdFestMag.com). 'Utterly outlandish, but beneath layers of absurdity is Foot's sharp eye for satire' **** (Time Out). www.paulfoot.tv ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

106

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £13.50

Map Ref: 43

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Off The Kerb present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL MCCAFFREY

Star of Impractical Jokers (BBC3) As seen on Russell Howards Good News (BBC3) Stand up central (Comedy Central) and as heard on TalkSport, Absolute and BBC Radio 2. A Brand new stand up show from one of the best stand ups working in the UK today. In the last 6 months McCaffrey has supported Sean Lock on his UK tour and written on TV shows such as Unspun on Dave and 8 out of 10 does countdown on Channel 4, and now he's back in Leicester. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 22

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL MCCAFFREY: WORK IN PROGRESS

Star of Impractical Jokers (BBC3). As seen on Russell Howards Good News (BBC3), Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) and as heard on TalkSport, Absolute and BBC Radio 2. In the last 6 months McCaffrey has supported Sean Lock on his UK tour and written on numerous TV shows such as Unspun on Dave and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown on Channel 4, and now he's back at Leicester Comedy Festival. 'Born to be a comic' The Scotsman www.paulmccaffrey.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

Paul Richards

WORLD PREMIERE

PAUL RICHARDS: ONE MAN AND A BOX

One Man and a Box is Paul's most ambitiously simple show to date: touring throughout the UK with just a small box drum for company - indeed, the box will also double up as his suitcase, the show is void of any props or comfort blankets, resulting in a masterclass in stripped-back storytelling, stand-up and comedic theatre. The show will inevitably end up at the Edinburgh Fringe, Paul's spiritual home in August. www.someplaysbypaulrichards.co.uk MUSICAL, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

LU Arts present

PAUL SINHA: POSTCARDS FROM THE Z LIST Paul returned to solo shows after a four-year, self-imposed exile during which real life had taken over. Looking back, life as a travelling single gaysian delivering lefty, liberal jokes was quite straightforward. Now he has to juggle the responsibilities of being an uncle, being in an actual relationship for the first time in twenty years, and being that bloke, from that quiz, in that poorly-fitting white suit. It's not easy. www.paulsinha.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: LU Arts

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 29

Laughing with LOROS / RED Comedy present

PAUL SINHA: WORK IN PROGRESS Since Paul Sinha's acclaimed 2015 show, Postcards from the Z List, life has not been straightforward. On the one hand, Paul likes to maintain a state of cheerful default optimism. On the other hand, he really likes Prince, David Bowie, his EU passport, and not getting dumped. He is determined that optimism will prevail. 'A faultless hour... bloody hilarious' Broadway Baby 'Beautifully crafted' Fest Winner: Rose D'Or Radio Comedy www.paulsinha.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 15

Comedy Store Management proudly present

PAUL THORNE: THIS MONTH'S APOCALYPSE Throughout History every generation has thought that they would witness the end of the World. They were wrong. We will. Using a brilliant mix of stand-up, music and selectively offensive tirades, Thorne takes a sideways look at modern evil. From bigots to bankers and the seven deadly sins. In a World falling apart, where Celebrity and Money are the new Gods, he offers just one solution: Laugh, before it's too late! www.paulthorne.co.uk DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Map Ref: 37

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

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

107

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Laughing with LOROS present

PAUL TONKINSON: THE FULL TONKS Direct from supporting Michael McIntyre on his UK Arena tour, audiences can now experience the full Tonks phenomenon with a full solo show. 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: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 15

Fluid Thinking & Pete Otway present

PETE OTWAY: SIX YEARS FROM THEN Best Debut Show Nominee Leicester Comedy Festival 2016. Pete Otway is a multi award-nominated comedian. Some time before all that he'd broken up with the girl he was meant to be with and got back with her a long time later. This is the story of the things that happened in-between. Join this BBC New Comedy Award finalist for a heart-warming and funny show with bits about love, friendship, youth and nosebleeds. www.peteotway.com DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Fluid Thinking & Pete Otway present

PETE OTWAY: WORK IN PROGRESS Following a nomination for Best Debut Show in 2016 and a hugely successful run at Edinburgh Fringe, join BBC Comedy Award Finalist Pete Otway as he returns with a brand new hour of stand up. 'Devastatingly funny' Chortle www.peteotway.com DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Glorious Talent present

PETER BRUSH: DREAMS WITH ADVERT BREAKS When Peter was a child he used to dream about time travel, magic, playing football for Wales, anything was possible (he's not welsh). What an idiot. Now he dreams about his car being stolen, council tax, and recently had one dream which was an advert break for home insurance. Today's dreams may be more realistic, but he sometimes wishes he was still that idiot. 'an hour of killer gags, one after another with no let up in quality.' Fest www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

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

Map Ref: 22

NCF Comedy/Peter Dobbing present

PETER DOBBING - BLAST Brand new show from the upbeat and enthusiastic armchair futurologist Peter Dobbing. 'Combining a frenetic energy with sharp wit and a relaxed likeability' Bristol 247, 'Wonderful energetic and entertaining' Irish Examiner, 'Brilliant' **** Three Weeks. As seen on BBC3 and BBC Radio 4 Extra SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 23

Heroes of Fringe present

PETER FLEMING & LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT LARRY: HAUNTED VIDEOTAPE

WORLD PREMIERE

New character comedy from the archives of Tom Burgess & Zoë Tomalin. Retired children's TV pioneer Peter Fleming gives a dusty presentation of his legendary BBC programmes. Then the bloated corpse of 1990s TV star Light Entertainment Larry is resurrected for your entertainment. 'A great piece of alternative comedy' - **** The Skinny. 'Geeky, charming... not to be missed' - **** London Pub Theatres. As seen on BBC2 and heard on BBC Radio Wales. CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

108

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

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 PETER'S SECRET SHOW

We've put on a special treat for all you pizza lovers! For just £5 you can see a line-up of great festival acts in one of Loughborough's quirkiest venues. The catch is, you won't know who... you'll just have to trust us... you know we've got good taste. Book a table & come early if you want a pizza! TICKETS FOR THE SHOW MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE www.peterpizzeria.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria: Loughborough

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 38

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

Chuckle Busters present

PHIL COOPER & SAM SCHÄFER Two comics from the thriving South West scene split an hour of whimsical observations and offbeat anecdotes. Phil Cooper's tales of bizarre social interaction are always a treat to watch and his charming and witty persona can weave hilarity from seemingly mundane topics. Sam Schäfer is a truly unique act whose low energy, self deprecating style blends perfectly with exquisitely crafted gags and beautifully structured real life anecdotes. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Chuckle Busters @ Queen of Bradgate

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

Map Ref: 7

PBJ Management present

PHIL ELLIS IS ALONE TOGETHER (BUT MOSTLY ALONE) After the success of his Foster's Award-winning hit show Funz and Gamez, Phil Ellis (north Manchester's most reliable comedian) returns with a brand new hour of padded out fun. Prepare to be underwhelmed as Phil attempts to do an entire show alone. This time he's letting audiences see the real him as he regales you with embellished tales and discusses how even the most bitter of divorcees can find happiness. 'A massive underground hit' (Scotsman) www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 22

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

PHIL JERROD: SNAKES AND LADDERS (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Phil Jerrod's third debut show isn't written yet. But so far seems to be about how it's still worth trying to be happy, even though everything's patently terrible. 'Insightful, despairing wit ****' - The Scotsman | 'Razor sharp timing ****' Ed Fest Mag | 'Casual brilliance' The Guardian | 'A very funny hour of stand-up **** Broadway Baby' | 'Definitely one to watch' The List www.philjerrod.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 43

Heroes of Fringe

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PHIL KAY: LAUGH & DEATH

Come on a storytelling adventure with Phil. Remember: the follow through begins on the way to the clubhouse, guys... 'Willing to treat each gig as a one-off event' (Guardian). 'It's easy to get lost in Kay-world, it's the close proximity to such high energy levels, emotionally charged and visceral storytelling' (Herald, 2015). STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

109

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Glorious Management present

PHIL NICHOL - WORK IN PROGRESS Well, it does what it says on the tin. New ideas, old ideas made to work, a song or two and an attempt to get 'that difficult 21st show' to work. Come celebrate a man who is yet to be celebrated. 'Phil Nichol is a born entertainer... Phil is a multi-faceted performer meaning he can do everything from musical comedy to one-liners, storytelling, characterisation, black comedy, blue comedy -- you name it.' The Scotsman 5 STARS www.philnichol.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

PICK OF THE FEST A total sell-out in 2016, 'Pick of the Fest' returns to Curve theatre with a handpicked selection of festival favourites. This year's stellar line-up includes Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee, Dane Baptiste (Live at the Apollo, BBC2), the 'brilliantly clever, honest & utterly engaging' Josh Howie (As Yet Untitled, Dave) & the internationally acclaimed comedian and TV quiz buff, Paul Sinha (The Chase, ITV). More acts to be announced. www.comedy-festival.co.uk DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (21:15) Entry: £12 - £16

Map Ref: 9

Melton Theatre present

PICK OF THE FEST Not sure what to see at the festival? We've taken away some of the pain of looking through all the 750+ shows with this jam-packed evening. Featuring the 'fabulously boisterous kiwi' Jarred Christmas (Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats) and the star of BBC Radio Four's The Now Show, Mitch Benn, 'the country's leading musical satirist' (The Times). More exciting acts to be announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk www.meltontheatre.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Melton Theatre Auditorium

Time: 19:30 (21:50) Entry: £14 (£12.50)

Map Ref: 33

PBJ Management

PIERRE NOVELLIE IS COOL PETER Groovy! Woah! Pierre Novellie is not cool but he is trying. Is it cool to be depressed? Is it cool to have read an 800-year-old poem about magical, vaginal ventriloquism? Come and see! Appearances include BBC Radio 4's The Rest is History, Channel 4's Comedy Blaps, 4oD's Taxi Gags, and BBC Three's Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live. 'Hilarious' (Sunday Times). 'The dawn of a major talent' (Guardian). SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

PONTOON

WORLD PREMIERE

People say things like, I saw Louis C.K and he was great. Or, I saw Stewart Lee and he was really clever. Dont know about you, but I'm not hearing the word... funny? People coming to my show will say, I saw multi-award winning comedian Stu Woodings and it was awful. Really bad. But I'll tell you what, I've never laughed so much in my life. Rubbish, but utterly hilarious. CLOWN DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:15 (21:00) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

Proper Funny Comedy present

PROPER FUNNY LAUNCH PARTY SELLING OUT for the last 2 years running, the 'Proper Funny Launch Party' is back to kick the Comedy Festival off with a bang! The evening includes sets ranging from previous Festival Award Winners/Nominees to some of the very finest emerging acts, all seamlessly held together by Jason Neale. Don't miss out: it's sure to be 'Proper Funny! www.jasonneale.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

110

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

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Story Pocket Theatre present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

PUB QUIZ FOR KIDS WITH PATRICK MONAHAN

A brand new family fun quiz unlike anything you have seen before. Hosted by one of the UK's favourite stand-ups, this quiz will go where no quiz has gone before. You may not learn very much general knowledge but you'll definitely find out a thing or two about the people sitting near you! So prepare for fierce competition, lots of laughs and very few prizes. 'It's current, funny and deliriously energetic.' (Broadway Baby) www.patrickmonahan.co.uk CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 14th - 15:30 (16:45) | 24th - 16:30 (17:45) Entry: £8.50 (£6.50)

Map Ref: 37

Kevin and Chris are

WORLD PREMIERE

PUNCHLINING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT

Leicester comedy lightweights, Chris Phillips and Kevin Hudson, go head-to-head over 12 5-minute rounds in this one hour debut show. Expect to hear about stuff you can see from space, park running, Simon and Garfunkel, and how many seagulls it takes for you to win the lottery. All proceeds from the show go to Soft Touch Arts, community arts heavyweight of the East Midlands. MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Soft Touch Arts

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 41

Kevin and Chris are

WORLD PREMIERE

PUNCHLINING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 4

PUNEL SHOW Ever pundered what shows like Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, QI or Never Mind The Buzzcocks would be like if they were just puns? Punder no longer. Darren Walsh (BBC iWonder, Dave's Joke of the fringe) and Mark Simmons (The Mirror's Joke of the Fringe, Seann Walsh tour support) join forces to present the Punel Show: A new panel game focused on puns and general silliness ***** 'This is a masterclass in fast paced puns' - Bunbury Magazine www.marksimmons.co.uk

GAME SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 21:00 (21:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

QUIRKY TOURS An alternative walking tour exploring little known facts about the city. Expect to hear about Leicester's music and entertainment scene with added comedy facts and tales. Discover the city's free thinking roots and more unusual car parks. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Tour ends outside Curve. EVENT, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Newarke Houses Museum

Time: 14:30 (16:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 36

RACHEL FAIRBURN & CHRIS WASHINGTON Join Rachel-(NATY's and English Comedian of the Year finalist 'A charming and sweet but doom-laden Mancunian'-Chortle) and Chris -(Jason Manford tour support 'Hilarious Stories'-Hull Daily Mail) as they try out brand new material. Some of it may go in their 2017 Edinburgh shows. Some of it may go in the bin. Come along and help them decide. ALTERNATIVE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Map Ref: 48

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

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

111

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Dead Cat present

WORLD PREMIERE

RACHEL FAIRBURN - OH HI, JUST ME

Join Funny Women and NATYs finalist Rachel as she tries out brand new material. Some of the jokes in the show are so new that as she writes this blurb she hasn't even had the inspiration for them yet. 'Darkly hilarious wunderkind' The Skinny www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

NCF Comedy

RACHEL PARRIS: BEST LAID PLANS Rachel returns to her hometown with her award-nominated musical comedy show about not having it all. With her trademark catchy comic anthems and 'endearingly frank and funny' standup, the show is about about starting again, weddings, the housing market, children called Tristram, breakups, not going to the Gym, orgasms and Wolf from Gladiators. It's very upbeat. 'tears of laughter - beautifully crafted and performed' - ****** Guardian rachelparris.com SOLO SHOW, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:35) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Dead Cat present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RAHUL KOHLI - NOT SO CHUBBY BROWN

Geordie; Rahul Kohli is back with his much anticipated second hour following on from his critically acclaimed debut hour: Newcastle Brown Male. A look back at the political, topical events of the year all from this young Newcastle Brown's perspective. While flirting with the offensive, the dark (of course, look at his skin), and turning his back on political correctness, Rahul Kohli is the Not So Chubby, Brown. www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

A Rush of Laughter present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RAHUL KOHLI: NEWCASTLE BROWN TALES

Following on from his critically acclaimed solo show: Newcastle Brown Male, Rahul Kohli brings an hour unlikely anything else: an hour of true life stories based on his drunken adventures: From being pissed on by a tiger, nearly killed by a firebreathing dragon, and running his own dictatorship at the age of 13, come and see the confessional of the year. Top Pick of the Fringe - BBC Radio 4, Huffington Post, The Skinny STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

RASPUTINS LUNCHBOX PRESENTS... CALLY BEATON

REGIONAL PREMIERE

The Rasputin's Lunchbox Presents series has included comedy legends such as Simon Munnery and Richard Herring, as well as sharing a bill with Stewart Lee. Now the musical trio team up with comic Cally Beaton for a high energy, chaos-filled hour of songs, jokes, dancing, and lots of uplifting stupidity. Would you like to mock a turtle dove? Can music solve the housing crisis? Come and see! An hour of your life you'll never get back. In a good way. callybeaton.com

SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

READY STEADY JAMES Award-winning stand-up from Birmingham's 248th most influential tweeter. As heard on the News With Jokes podcast. ****1/2 (ThePublicReviews.com). 'The most enjoyable hour' (BBC). 'Shows scant regard for the hackneyed conventions of stand-up' (Scotsman). jamescookcomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

112

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

Map Ref: 31

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Jokes On Us present

REAL TALK The worlds changing guys, things are getting real heated. We can't just run around in a vest top getting all our politics from Lorraine Kelly and Heat magazine. Apparently. All new comedy panel show. Join Aaron Twitchen (BBC Radio 4) and his guests for for a not so-serious look at the serious things in life. Cheapest news going. Even cheaper than the metro. 'Positive, fun, feel-good... probably the best free fringe show I've seen' Scotsgay. www.iloveaaron.co.uk GAME SHOW, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 20:45 (21:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

Future Cycles presnet

RED LIGHT COMEDY CLUB We're back! Check out our new shop on Market St and treat yourself to some wheelie-good laughs... OK... we'll leave the comedy to the professionals... this 'being funny' is pretty tyre-ing anyway! Join us for a fantastic mixed-bill line up every Saturday of the festival, a pop-up bar & only a few bike puns! Acts includes Paul Currie, Lynn-Ruth Miller, Kevin Hudson & other festival favourites. Bar profits to Leicester Wheels For All. Free bike park. DATES:

Venue: Future Cycles

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 16

Glorious Management present

RHYS JAMES Rhys James brings an hour of comedy to Leicester which you won't have seen, unless you have. Some of it will be proven gold, some gold in waiting and some Leicester exclusive. Rhys is a big boy now who has been on Mock The Week and Russell Howard's Stand Up Central. His last show was one of the best reviewed of the fringe in 2016 officially. 'Destined for great things' Guardian. But he's also funny now, not just in the future. And fit. rhysjames.co.uk DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5 (£4)

Map Ref: 43

Show And Tell present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RICHARD GADD: MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO

Edinburgh Comedy Award 2016 Winner & Total Theatre Award 2016 Nominee - Richard Gadd - brings one of the most memorable, genre-busting performances in years with the undoubted hit show of the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A stand-up routine that goes to the depths of who he is - and what it means to be a Man. 'Raw, intense and heartfelt. This show marks Gadd out as a mercurial talent' **** The Independent www.showandtelluk.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £12 (£11)

Map Ref: 43

RICHARD HERRING: THE BEST Richard Herring, King of the Edinburgh Fringe, Metro columnist and the UK's Podfather (RHLSTP, AIOTM) picks his favourite routines from his 12 one-man shows and crams them into 60 minutes for your delectation. From his deconstruction of the genealogy of Christ to him proving that racists are less racist than liberals, via some of the best knob jokes in the business. Will your favourite routine make the cut? www.richardherring.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ O2 Academy

Time: 19:00 (20:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 45

Mirth of Forth Comedy present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

RICHARD PULSFORD: PHRASES READY

Returning to Leicester with his 3rd solo show, UK Pun Championships 2016 runner up Richard Pulsford has his comedic phrases honed and ready - described by Chortle as 'strong material' and The Guardian as containing some 'ruthlessly economic nuggets'. 'Delivered a number of puns I wish I had thought of myself' - Gary Delaney. 'Richard's experience shone through as he delivered a series of solid top quality puns' (Gigglebeats). www.richardpulsford.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 31

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

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

113

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 PBJ Management

RICHARD TODD 'How much happier the man who believes his native town to be the world than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow.' so said Dr Frankenstein to himself, in his head, after making a botch job of building a man. Richard concurs. Fresh from the bath, flibbertigibbet Richard Todd blurts out his 2017 Fringe show, a show no greater than his nature allows. 'An inventive comic thinker' (Chortle). 'A smart surrealist' (Independent). DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

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

Map Ref: 14

Dead Cat present

ROB MULHOLLAND - I'M NOT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, BUT IF IT'S LOOKING FOR ME I'M NOT HARD TO FIND

WORLD PREMIERE

An unflinchingly honest, whiskey-soaked tale of a reckless man searching the wreckage of his life for some kind of meaning or purpose or laughter. The debut full-length show from the multi-award-winning star of 2016's Champion of Comedy. SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk DATES: 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Time: 20:00 (20:50)

Venue: BrewDog

Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

The Cookie Presents

ROBIN INCE IS 48 TODAY Why take the night off when you can celebrate your birthday by shouting your jokes at people? Robin Ince is in semi-retirement. This will be his first solo gig for 6 months. He has some new ideas. He'll say them, then eat some cake. www.robinince.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 43

Roger Swift

ROGER SWIFT'S PUN-O-MATIC The Pun-O- Matic does what it says on the tin. One man with a powerpoint screen and A LOT of crazy props who's firing out endless streams of crazy puns. Silly alert! Expect wordplay! DO NOT expect stories, observations or witty anecdotes and don't expect a theme; just an hour of bad jokes! If you like Tim Vine, Milton Jones or Stewart Francis you'll love this show. DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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

Map Ref: 57

RORY O'KEEFFE: MONOGLOT Join affable funnyman Rory O'Keeffe as he tries to learn a new tongue, explores why we never say what we mean, and asks whether men and women really do speak different languages (spoiler alert: they don't). 'Thoughtful and self-aware, some of the better stand-up you'll see at this year's Fringe' **** Broadway Baby 'Make no mistake: this is a downright clever show.' **** Edinburgh 49+3 'You'l be laughing every time!' **** Mumble www.roryokeeffecomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:05) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 23

Everards Tiger present

ROSE & CROWN ROARS WITH LAUGHTER We're back to Roar with Laughter for a 2nd year! You'll recognise this year's host from 'FIFA: Quest for the best' (Sky Sports), Soccer AM (Sky 1), Rugby's Funniest Moments (Sky 1) and Sweat The Small Stuff (BBC Three). Lloyd Griffith is 'a lovely, fresh, genuine' comedian 'with a good few surprises thrown in' (British Comedy Guide). More acts announced on www.comedy-festival.co.uk. Includes a free pint of Tiger. www.roseandcrownthurnby.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Rose & Crown

114

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 56

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ROSE MATAFEO - WORK IN PROGRESS

Rose is a stand up comedian from New Zealand (the country your cousin visited last year and said was 'stunning') who has recently moved to 'England'. After the success of her debut show 'Finally Dead' in Edinburgh, Rose has decided to continue down this precarious and financially unstable career path. Come see her perform a new hour of comedy/have a small breakdown. As seen on 'Have I Got News For You' and 'Funny Girls'. ***** The Telegraph twitter.com/Rose_Matafeo SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

Heroes of Fringe present

WORLD PREMIERE

ROUSHA BROWNING: HOUSE PARTY

Rousha Browning brings a new character laden show to Leicester Comedy Festival. It's the weekend, and it's time for a house party! Visual and Visceral characters created & performed by Rousha will be attending this fun & energetic show of frivolity. Glad rags on, turn the stereo up, spill some red wine on the beige carpet (Beige is boring and needs a splash of colour!) Let's get the party started! www.heroesoffringe.com CHARACTER, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Delphine Manley presents

WORLD PREMIERE

RUSSELL HICKS: FROM THE HEART

70% improvisation, 30% stories about illicit drug use, and Christian Scientists. All Heart. With more characters than a Pynchon novel pouring out of the head of Russell Hicks, this show promises to be one hell of a trip. russell hicks.co.uk IMPROV, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

JAMJAR present

SAJEELA KERSHI - SHALLOW HALAL Comedian Sajeela Kershi is an agnostic in agony, sitting very firmly on the faith fence. She's had enough of Koran hijacking extremists, Dawkins spouting atheists and finger pointing social media to last a lifetime! Can #hashtags really save humanity or just stoke up Armageddon? Struggling to understand your place in the 21st century? Keep Calm and Carry On to this critically acclaimed show. ****BroadwayBaby ****ThreeWeeks ****One4Review SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

JAMJAR (Jews and Muslims joined against racism) present

SAJEELA KERSHI: SHARIA'S L.A.W (LITTLE ASIAN WOMEN) WIP A work-in-progress from multi-award winning comedian Sajeela Kershi, celebrating the kick ass women in all our families. Those that stood the test of time despite obstacles via their faith, family, culture or the times they lived in. Sometimes we need to visit our past to understand why we are the way we are today. So Who's YOUR heroine? 'Smart, funny with a mischievious glint' - TIMES 'Hugely talented, divine diva' Time Out SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

Heroes of Fringe present

WORLD PREMIERE

SAM & TOM: UNRECTIFIABLE

The debut show from anarchic, lo-fi sketch gods Tom Burgess ('blankly sweet... coldly psychotic' - Chortle) and Sam Nicoresti ('However' - The Skinny). As heard on BBC Radio Wales. 'Delightfully unusual... it's little wonder Sam & Tom are fast establishing such a stellar reputation' - The Skinny. 'Comedic brilliance' **** - Three Weeks. 'Utter insanity' **** - Inter:Mission. Winners: So You Think That's Funny? SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

Time: 20:15 (21:05) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

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

115

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Laugh á Little / Show and Tell present

SAM FLETCHER: DAFTWERK Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and CBBC star, Sam Fletcher, presents his usual heady blend of jokes, lo-fi showbiz flair, idiotic theatrics and some genuine (sort of) magic tricks. 'An uplifting hotch-potch packed with content... put simply no other show has made me smile so much this year' **** The Independent. 'A total pro' **** The Times www.sam-fletcher.com SOLO SHOW, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 51

Love Muffin Productions

SAMANTHA PRESSDEE: BACK TO BASICS (WIP) A bitter sweet tale of political awakening. With nothing left to lose but everything to fight for Samantha followed Russell Brand onto the frontline of the revolution - a council estate in Barnet. An adventure through the Neverland of anarchy where squatters, families and activists unite in a battle to cover basic needs. There's no place like home. 'The most endearing political activist I have ever met' (Kate Copstick, The Scotsman) www.samanthapressdee.co.uk STORYTELLING, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

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

Map Ref: 17

Love Muffin Productions

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SAMANTHA PRESSDEE: SEXTREMIST

An action barbie with a plastic cock, who's sick of being treated like a toy, invites you to join the sexual revolution! Sextremist is like a Ted Talk, only topless - with jokes. Dress code: tops optional. #FreeTheNipple. 'The most uninhibitedly entertaining proponent of female empowerment you will see' (Kate Copstick, The Scotsman) 'Hits a rich vein of dark humour, nicely crafted jokes with sharp timing.' (The Times) www.samanthapressdee.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £8 (£5)

Map Ref: 17

SANDRA HALE: SELF HELPLESS! Sandra will help you hide your true self and be the self that everyone wants to see. You will learn the art of manipulation with very little effort and no conscience. And whilst after seeing this show you will still have low self esteem, you won't care! Sandra is a 60+ people pleaser and attention seeker and wants to share her wisdom with you, not out of generosity; she just wants the publicity.

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 17

SARAH JOHNSON: REMINISCE

WORLD PREMIERE

Middle age hasn't crept up on Sarah Johnson, it's rushed up and smacked her in the face. Big hair and shell suits in the 80's, unemployable in the 90's, where has the time gone and how did she end up here? 'Hilarious, common as muck and reminds me of my mum.' - Man from Cradley Heath 2016 www.sarahljohnson.co.uk/home SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

United Agent & MHA Talent present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SARAH KEYWORTH: DADDY'S GIRL

Sarah Keyworth wants to be a dad. Simply because a seven year old boy once told her women can't be dads, and she is not above writing an entire comedy show in order to prove a seven year old wrong. Sarah returns to LCF with a show that will leave you feeling as though she could be your father as she forgets your name, misses your birthday and forgets your name. 'Charming' - The Independent 'The funniest of bones' - Shappi Khorsandi www.sarahkeyworth.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

116

Time: 21:00 (21:50) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 48

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 SAY WHAT YOU LIKE: COMEDY, RELIGION AND OFFENCE

What are the roles of comedy in shaping discussions about religion? What are the relationships between comedy, religion and free speech? How far is too far for religious comedy? These questions, and more, will be hotly debated by a panel of comedians, public figures and academics. This is one lively debate not to be missed! Come along and have your say! As part of Beyond a Joke. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

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

Map Ref: 37

SAY, WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

WORLD PREMIERE

Ever wondered heard a comedian say something horrific you didn't agree with, but they made it funny? Ever wondered how they made it funny? Let's find out together as a 4 comedians bring a 'big idea' they couldn't make work and see if they can turn it into funny. 'Brave enough to be offensive, with a number of insane anecdotes. Shades of brilliance lurk here'- THREE WEEKS paulsavagecomedy.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

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

Map Ref: 23

Dead Cat present

WORLD PREMIERE

SCARLET SOHANDSOME - WERK IN PROGRESS

UK's leading Drag Queen/Comedian comes to Leicester Comedy Festival for ONE NIGHT ONLY. She's worked alongside the biggest names in Drag including: Bianca Del Rio and Michelle Visage. Join her for an hour of high-octane hilarity featuring lip-syncs, glitter and her unique brand of razor-sharp stand-up. 'Barbed comments up her lacy sleeves' Broadway Baby // 'Devilishly dark' Huffington Post // 'A fucking pro' ScotsGay www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

SCHOOLS' SHOWCASE Young people of Leicester have a variety of takes on the world. Our show brings young people from across the city together to share their comic ideas and performance skills.

CABARET, CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Regent College Studio

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £3

Map Ref: 40

Fluid Thinking present

WORLD PREMIERE

SCOTT BENNETT: SMIRK LIFE BALANCE (A WORK IN PROGRESS)

A brand new work in progress stand up show from Amused Moose Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee and circuit favourite Scott Bennett. Scott's life is chaotic; He's a dad, a husband, a born worrier but he's still trying to follow his dreams. In the follow up to his award winning debut 'About a Roy' Scott will be battling with the pressures of everyday life, looking at the things that make us who were are and trying to formulate his winning strategy. www.scottbennettcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

SCOTT CAPURRO

WORLD PREMIERE

''If you thought comics like Ricky Gervais pushed boundaries then nothing will prepare you for Scott Capurro. Having won the coveted Perrier award in 1994, the San Franciscan comic has gone from strength to strength while refusing to sell out, making each show more uncompromising than the last. He is, in my opinion, the bravest and funniest comedian on the circuit.' GQ Magazine www.scottcapurro.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £8

117

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Gilded Balloon present

SCOTT GIBSON: LIFE AFTER DEATH This show tells the story of the three weeks that changed Scott's life forever. On returning from a stag weekend in Blackpool, Scott's brain exploded. He had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage, so he did what any self respecting Glaswegian man would do and went back to bed for 4 days. A darkly hysterical, inspiring show, delivered with the trademark filthy charisma that Scott is known for. 'A natural gifted storyteller' - Frankie Boyle www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 18:15 (19:15) Entry: £8 (£6)

Map Ref: 22

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCKS DO SHAKESPEARE Earth's funniest footwear return with a new hit show of songs, sketches, socks & violence, taking on The Bard Of Avon himself. Howl at their Hamlet, roar at their Romeo & Juliet, and peer into their Coriolanus. Plus all the usual satirical nonsense from the Two Gentlesocks Of Verrucca. ***** 'Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous' - Brighton Argus May 2016 ****½ 'Make you glad to be alive' - Sound & Vision August 2016 kevfsutherland.wix.com/falsettosock SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 18:50 (19:50) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 23

The Improlytes present

SCRIPTLESS IN SEATTLE Fall in love again! Scriptless In Seattle is the improvised romcom, the show that's never the same twice. Created entirely from audience suggestion, we tell a brand new love story with hilarity guaranteed. The most enduring of film genres hits the stage. Inspired by you, improvised by us, Scriptless In Seattle will leave your heart racing, your tears jerked and your sides well and truly split. IMPROV, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 15:30 (16:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 37

SEAN KELLY - LIVE! ALL IN FAIR WARNED!! See the star of Storage Hunters UK and Celebrity Storage Hunters in his full stand-up comedy show. As well as a TV presenter and an auctioneer Sean Kelly is also a hugely experienced stand-up comedian. He ran his own comedy club in San Diego for eight years performing alongside some of the biggest stars in American comedy. Come and hear Sean's hilarious tales of his crazy life and stories from the set of Storage Hunters. www.seanbrandonkelly.com DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 9th - 19:30 | 10th - 19:30 & 21:30 Entry: £12 (£10)

Map Ref: 37

MHA Talent present

SEAN MCLOUGHLIN - KAMIKAZE There's panic on the streets. Terrorists, politicians and Kardashians have made the human race hell-bent on it's own self-destruction. Luckily, Sean McLoughlin (the misanthrope's misanthrope) has been hitting the self-destruction button his whole life and might just have the experience to get us all through this fog... 'The best comedian you haven't heard of yet' - Mark Watson 'A terrifically intense, eloquent hour of comedy' - Independent www.seanmcloughlincomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 43

Heroes Of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

SEAN MORLEY: EARNED HELPLESSNESS

Hi(!) & Wow! It's me! Top lad Sean Morley. Here I am with some of the biggest best jokes, really ready to smash the gig, raise the roof, raze the venue and salt the Earth. I am Sean Morley and none may travel in my wake. As heard on BBC Radio 2, 4 & 4 Extra. 'Giddily hilarious. And he told not one joke' (Vibrations Magazine) 'Setting the bar for alternative comedy' (Our Favourite Places) 'Brilliant' (Broadway Baby) SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

118

Time: 16:40 (17:30) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

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

Off The Kerb Productions present

SEANN WALSH - ONE FOR THE ROAD The Lie-in King returns with a brand-new show! However dishevelled he may be, the Foster's Comedy Award nominee is also one of the best comics in the country. With a keen observational mind, Seann can spot the absurdity in everything & convert it to perfectly delivered stand-up comedy. You might have seen Seann on TV, but he's something else live - pacing the stage, working the room & reducing crowds to hysterics. www.seannwalsh.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Loughborough Town Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 28

Just The Tonic present

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

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 20:30 (22:30) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 22

Laughing with LOROS present

WORLD PREMIERE

SEYMOUR MACE... ERM... ?

Your guess is as good as mine. All I'm sure of is it'll be new. Honestly, it could be great, it could be shit. It'll probably be both depending on who you are because some people think I'm fantastic and others think I'm a massive arsehole so, y'know; come along if you want but don't be disappointed if it turns out to be not what you were expecting. God I'm good at self promotion! www.seymourmace.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 15

Nik Coppin presents

SHAGGERS: VALENTINE'S SPECIAL The hugely popular show at comedy festivals and theatres worldwide returns for yet another Valentine's special in Leicester. A number of comedians bring you hilarious tales and jokes based around that most noble of all pastimes - shagging. 'The perfect way to close a night at the festival' (5 stars) - Melbourne Comedy Festival. 'Utterly hilarious' (4 1/2 stars) - Perth Fringe www.shaggerscomedy.com MIXED BILL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 22:45 (23:45) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 43

Shakespeare Martineau present

SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU (COMEDY) CURRY CLUB Join Shakespeare Martineau for hilarious comedy, amazing food and serious networking for the region's professionals. Featuring a very special guest! For further information please contact Sonal Malvi - sonal.malvi@shma.co.uk

DATES:

Venue: Chutney Ivy

Map Ref: TBC

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

Time: 12:00 (14:15) Entry: INVITE ONLY

119

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 POD Comedy

WORLD PREMIERE

SHALOM ALAIKUM - THE COMEDY INTIFADA

Jay Islaam and Moses Ali Khan are two miserable misanthropes from the Midlands who are cynical about everything. From politics to pop culture, from religion to romance, there's no part of the human experience they respect or enjoy. Award-winning comedy for adults ONLY. Definitely not for the faint-hearted or the easily offended. www.jayislaam.com SATIRE, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

Off The Kerb present

SHAPPI KHORSANDI: OH MY COUNTRY! FROM MORRIS DANCING TO MORRISSEY Shappi is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of her arrival in Britain. She's reclaiming patriotism, sending a love letter to her adopted land. Please don't come if you're a skinhead (though naturally bald folk are welcome). 'She has plenty to say, and says it with pointedness and potency.' The Guardian

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 22

SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA SHARMA... ... COMEDIAN!!! Mickey is a comedian and he's proud! watch his evolution from an indian student to a British comic. www.mickeysharma.com

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

MPM Production

WORLD PREMIERE

SHAZIA MIRZA - NEW SHOW

Shazia Mirza's new show is about Lies, Lies and more Lies. Read it, see it believe it! The Truth is so 1980's no one wants to hear it anymore. People want to hear a lie repeated so often that it suddenly becomes a truth; 'Obama is the founder of ISIS!', 'Vote out and all these brown faces will be gone in the morning!', 'Bowie is not really dead, I saw him in Greggs in Brixton last week'. Oh, and don't you dare wear more than dental floss! www.shazia-mirza.com SATIRE, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 17:50 (18:50) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 19

TripleCeePee present

SHEEP SOUP: THE INVENTION OF ACTING Sheep Soup (Metro*****) in association with Nottingham's BAFTA award-winning Television Workshop is back with a brand new sketch show. Three humans discover The Invention Of Acting, and the possibilities are endless. Expect offbeat original sketches mixed with unique musical comedy, in the raucous and inimitable style of Nottingham's Sheep Soup. The show joins Leicester Comedy Festival following a UK tour and run at Ed Fringe 2016! www.sheepsoup.co.uk SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 17:15 (18:15) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 15

SHIRLEY AND SHIRLEY: NOT JUST A ONE NIGHT STAND The stars of the hit BBC Radio 4 show 'Sketchorama' bring you their latest instalment of uproarious characters, ranging from sex robots and dysfunctional couples to YouTube sensation, Lady Lewisham. Shirley & Shirley (Joanna Carolan and Pascale Wilson) are without doubt the best Irish-palestinian, British-Surinamese double act on the circuit today. www.shirleyandshirley.com SKETCH, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Curve

120

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 9

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Lindsey Warnes Carroll and Heroes present

SHIRLEY'S SUPER SMASHING SUNDAY FUNDAY CLUB Join the loveable Shirley in this interactive performance suitable for all ages. Perform, make things, listen to silly stories, sing-along and be part of something unique. Join the Shirley crew and play a part in helping Shirley to re-create one of her favourite music videos. Audience members always leave with a smile on their faces: 'pure genius, totally interactive', 'it was a total delight'. Make Sunday a funday Shirley-style. CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:00 (14:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Lindsey Warnes Carroll presents

WORLD PREMIERE

SHIRLEY'S VELVET CURTAINS

Join the courageous Shirley Rentokill in this, her first full-length comedy show for adults. Shirley will comfortably blend an old-school cabaret vibe with her unique take on entertainment, involving the audience every step of the way. Games, chat and her latest Sweet Shop Shurlesque will all combine for a truly top-notch evening of never-seen-before Shirley Schizzle. Take a peek behind Shirley's Velvet Curtains and have a night like no other! ALTERNATIVE, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 20:00 (21:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 1

Glorious Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

SHORT & CURLY: YOUNG AT START (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Short & Curly are back looking as fresh and youthful as the day they were born. Bursting with youngness. Can you keep up the pace? They are the original pace makers! 'It's completely hilarious and amazing.' Broadway Baby **** 'This double act throw everything at it... they keep us laughing consistently throughout.' ThreeWeeks **** 'Their work teases the crazy side we are encouraged to mask as adults out of hiding.' Define Arts ***** www.shortandcurlycomedy.co.uk SKETCH, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

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

Map Ref: 43

Funhouse Comedy

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? 12 comedians battle it out in comedy's answer to X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent. Each act gets two minutes and then the audience judges with their red and green cards vote on whether to keep them on or send them home! Lots of fun and laughs. Compere is Nottingham's master of mirth and merriment, Spiky Mike. www.funhousecomedy.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £6

Map Ref: 23

Firebug present

WORLD PREMIERE

SILENT COMEDY

Silent Comedy takes the concept of a silent disco, and applies it to a comedy night. The audience don headphones and performers compete head-to-head, simultaneously, for their attention. Featuring the 'properly hilarious' Chris Betts, and award winning stand-up Ahir Shah ('Burning passion at his fingertips and the gags to back up his fire' ***** List). MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:00 (22:00) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 15

SILLY SAUSAGE Lovdev Barpaga returns this year with his stupidly hilarious new show 'Silly Sausage' full of crazy stories along with his old fashioned jokes, promises of a belly full of laughter. 'The 21st Century Asian Ken Goodwin' - (Steve Bennett). He is definitely 'A feel good comedian in the finest tradition' (Chortle) 'One of the most brilliant daft comics you'll ever see' - Joe Lycett SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 31

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

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

121

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 SILVER STAND UP FINAL 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' Alexi Sayle. In aid of Big Difference Company registered charity 1135167. If you would like to enter the competition please call us on 0116 261 6812 MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 18:00 (19:00) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 37

SIMON CAINE: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST PLACEBO My life is a constant search for emotional and electrical outlets, if you can relate this show is for you. Simon Caine brings his 2nd hour show as a work-in-progress to Leicester. The show doesn't massively have a theme, which in itself is the theme. SimonCaine.co.uk

WORLD PREMIERE

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

HIM OFF THE VIZ

SIMON DONALD - SATISCRAPTORY SATISCRAPTORY: Descriptive of something of a poor, but adequate standard, eg. BBC local radio, McDonald's food. 'Former Viz man, as funny with a microphone in his hand as he was with a pencil' Guardian 'Superb inventive comedy' Stage 'Cerebral filth' List 'Gloriously improper' Skinny www.simondonald.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Show And Tell present

SIMON MUNNERY: STANDING STILL Multi award-winning comedian Simon Munnery offers up a new stand-up show. An opening to die for, seven wry observations, a tone poem, four fresh skits and two new commandments. 'Simon Munnery is as bold and brilliant as ever' ***** The Scotsman; 'A genuine innovator in the land of the samey, and an annual must-see for any comedy connoisseur' The Guardian; 'An avant-garde comedy god' **** Time Out www.showandtelluk.com ALTERNATIVE, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £12 (£11)

Map Ref: 43

Little Monster Productions present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SIMON WARNER'S VIVA HYPNOSIS

'Incredibly Funny! SG Fringe. 'Redefining Comedy Hypnotism' British Comedy Guide. Get ready to be transported to the hypnotic glitz & glamour of Las Vegas where YOU can be the star of the show! Fully loaded with dancers, lights, full-stage projections, music & of course, high-impact, hilarious hypnotic humour! 'If you have ever wondered what it's like to be hypnotised on stage then this show is one of the best chances you'll ever get.' SGFringe www.vivahypnosislive.com CABARET, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (21:30) Entry: £14.50 (£10.50)

Map Ref: 60

SLEEPING TREES: WESTERN? WESTERN is a sordid tale, from the sandy depths of the Wild West. Follow unlikely hero Harry Sudds as a simple trip to the town bank quickly descends into the worst day of his life. Before he knows it he's confronted by native Indians, talking wasps and one of the most majestic tumbleweeds ever seen in the west. With a rip roaring live musical score. 'a blockbuster hour of cleverly scripted fast laughs and energetic comedy' ***** The List www.thesleepingtrees.co.uk DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

122

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £8 (£5)

Map Ref: 1

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 SMURTHWAITE ON MASCULINITY

Left-wing, highbrow, feminist, atheist comedian Kate Smurthwaite finally takes on the issue right at the very heart of women's rights: men. And she's taken 'getting inside the subject' to a new level - performing the whole show in drag as her male alter-ego Milo Standards! From the cage fighting to dating, the football terraces to the House of Lords, Smurthwaite will be asking what men in the 21st century are up to and more importantly - why?! www.katesmurthwaite.co.uk

SATIRE, SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:10 (21:10) Entry: £8 (£7)

Map Ref: 23

In Aid of the Leicester Drama Society

WORLD PREMIERE

SOOTY & CO

Mr Slater has put Richard in charge of 'Slaters Got Talent ' but nothing is going to plan! Sooty's magic tricks turn very messy and Sweep's escapology act has him all tied up. Maybe Soo and her tap dancing will save the day? Expect magic, music and mayhem with buckets full of audience participation. A spectacular treat for Sooty Fans old and new - plus a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show. www.thesootyshow.com CHILDREN'S, MAGIC DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 11:00 (12:20) & 14:30 (15:50) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 51

Jokes On Us present

WORLD PREMIERE

SPACE TRAVEL & HIP HOP

The follow up to 2016's MIND RATS, comedian David Anthony Wood's new show is a collection of stories of love, occult ritual, space travel and/or hip hop. www.dabwood.com STORYTELLING, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

SPINAL TAP WITH A LIVE BAND Midlands Movie's presents a screening of the legendary mock-rock-umentary Spinal Tap. Transforming Firebug in to the set of the movie, and accompanying the film with a live band (including stand ins for all the original Tap drummers).

DATES:

Venue: Firebug

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

Map Ref: 15

Standard Issue Magazine present

STANDARD ISSUE IN CONVERSATION Join a line-up of Standard Issue Magazine's brilliant contributors, including founder Sarah Millican alongside other women from across comedy and the media chatting about funnies, feminism and more. Previous panellists include Dawn French, Sara Pascoe, Emma Kennedy, Isy Suttie and Roisin Conaty* *line-up subject to change. As part of Beyond a Joke. standardissuemagazine.com DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:45 (19:45) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 15

STELLA GRAHAM: SUNDAY ROAST

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Rib tickling stand-up with all the trimmings. Coventry born Stella Graham returns to Leicester and fights to contain a gobby, aggressive inner self, watch the battle commence with hilarious consequences, with all the charm of a rusty mousetrap. 'If you're a TV executive, drop what you're doing and go see her now' The Skinny. 'Fun and original... ..and, crucially, funny' - Broadway Baby www.stellagraham.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Map Ref: 43

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

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

123

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 So Comedy present

STEPHEN BAILEY: NATION'S SWEETHEART Fresh from appearances on ITV2's Safeword, Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother's Bit On the Side & It's Not Me, It's You, and supporting Katherine Ryan on her UK tour, 'Guilty pleasure' (Daily Record), Stephen Bailey wants to talk! In this debut tour he is tackling the art of conversation with stories of dating disasters, family lunacy and celebrity put-downs. www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

Avalon Promotions present

STEVE BUGEJA: UNPRONOUNCEABLE Steve has a bag for life, he remembers it every single time. That's not even his best chat up line and only the third coolest thing about him. BBC New Comedy Award winner, as seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central and heard on Radio 4. 'A polished hour of plentiful jokes and compelling storytelling' (Scotsman). 'Puts gags front and centre of a compelling narrative' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Big laughs and gentle pathos' (Guardian). www.stevebugeja.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £9

Map Ref: 43

STEVE BUGEJA: WORK IN PROGRESS Steve Bugeja, as seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central, Radio 4's Fresh From The Fringe and BBC 3's Top 10, presents a work in progress show. Steve is writing a new stand-up show and will be testing out new jokes and stories. Some will be great, some won't. His previous two solo shows have gained a combined twenty 4/5 star reviews. Come along and help him create the next one. 'Big laughs and gentle pathos' - Guardian 'Hilarious' Fest www.stevebugeja.com

SOLO SHOW

DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

STEVE VERTIGO: STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF ANTS Steve Vertigo's first solo show sees him on a surreal journey from being born the tallest baby in the hospital to being implicated as a serial killer, and the family guidance that got him there.

SOLO SHOW, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 24th - 21:00 (21:50) | 25th - 20:30 (21:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

STEWART LEE: CONTENT PROVIDER After four years writing and performing his TV show Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, Content Provider is Stewart's first brand new full-length show since the award-winning Carpet Remnant World. 'Lee remains one of the best stand-ups in the country'**** Metro www.demontforthall.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £22

Map Ref: 10

STILL VALID: AN EVENING WITH MJ HIBBETT (AND STEVE) MJ Hibbett (and Steve) return for their NINTH year at Leicester Comedy Festival with songs and stories from 'Still Valid', MJ's critically acclaimed (though not exactly chart-bothering) new album about the joys and otherwise of being middle-aged. 'An hour of uplifting comedy, interspersed with very funny songs' - Everything Theatre www.mjhibbett.com MUSICAL, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

124

Time: 19:00 (20:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 STUART GOLDSMITH: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

What do you get the audience who has everything? Globe-trotting podcast-champ Ole Poppa Goldsmith rolls back into towLook. Let's be real. It's currently October and I've got one joke about baby food and a thing about fist-bumping an octopus. That's it. I'm absolutely sure I can do it again. But watching me implode will also be a fun hour. 'Makes it look easy' (Chortle) www.comedianscomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 13:15 (14:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

Chambers Touring present

STUART GOLDSMITH: COMPARED TO WHAT Fresh from appearances on 'Russell Howard's Stand Up Central' (Comedy Central), 'As Yet Untitled' (Dave) and a month of packed houses at the Edinburgh Fringe, Stuart Goldsmith presents a new hour of funny, not entirely about becoming a parent. The host of the 'Comedian's Comedian Podcast' (over 6 million downloads) 'Endlessly riveting' (Guardian) 'Makes it look easy' (Chortle) www.comedianscomedian.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

SUE PERKINS LIVE! IN SPECTACLES! Join Sue in a laughter-packed evening, based on her hilarious Sunday Times No. 1 best-selling memoir Spectacles, full of sparkling wit, tall tales and a user's guide to Mary Berry. Sue is best known for being one quarter of double act Mel and Sue. Oh, and apparently she used to do some cake show on BBC1. 'Warm, crisp and beautifully layered - like its author, Spectacles is a complete delight.' Independent on Sunday www.demontforthall.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £22.50

Map Ref: 10

Lakin McCarthy present

SUSAN CALMAN It's Susan Calman's tenth year in comedy and she's back with a brand new show. You may have seen or heard her on shows like QI, HIGNFY, News Quiz, Listomania or Mock the Week, now you have the opportunity to see her in person, life size if you will. For information Susan is taller than a borrower but shorter than the average thirteen year old child. Ninety minutes of comedy that you will enjoy if you're over 16. SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (21:15) Entry: £16

Map Ref: 9

Gein's Family Giftshop / Goose / Kiri Pritchard McLean present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

SUSPICIOUSLY CHEAP COMEDY

After multiple sell-out London shows featuring Daniel Kitson, Boy With Tape On His Face, Mark Watson, Tim Key, Bridget Christie, James Acaster, Robin Ince, Max & Ivan, Sara Pascoe and more; Gein's Family Giftshop and Goose bring their night of Suspiciously Cheap Comedy to Leicester Comedy Festival. A new material night featuring top notch acts, all for the suspiciously cheap price of £5/3. suspiciouslycheapcomedy.com MIXED BILL, ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 18:45 (21:45) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 15

TALES FROM WALES

REGIONAL PREMIERE

'Two of the fastest rising stars of the Welsh comedy scene' (standupforcomedy.co.uk) bring their 'very funny' (The Sprout) debut hour to Leicester Comedy Festival. Sharp observational conedy 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 benefits of playing hours of Subutteo as a child... Not to be missed! ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Map Ref: 25

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

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5 (£3)

125

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Laugh á Little / Vivienne Smith Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

TANIA EDWARDS: THEY COME IN THE NIGHT (WORK IN PROGRESS)

Having recently supported Katherine Ryan on her sell out tour, Tania Edwards brings her new show to Leicester. Selected as James Acaster's top Edinburgh comedy picks for The Guardian, Glamour Magazine's top female comedians to see at the Festival and The Mirror's top 5 jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe, 2015. Tania Edwards is a comic (BBC1, Radio 4), and writer (BBC 2 - Mock the Week, Après Ski, Channel 4 - Stand Up For The Week, Twit of the Year. www.taniaedwardscomedy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Little Theatre

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £7 (£5)

Map Ref: 51

Don't Go Into the Cellar

TEA WITH OSCAR A chat show with a difference! Join Oscar Wilde as he interviews leading celebrities of the Victorian era, recounts a story or two and invites his audience to get 'Caught in the Act'! Brought to you by Don't Go Into The Cellar! Theatre Company - the British Empire's finest practitioners of top-notch Victorian entertainment! www.dontgointothecellar.com THEATRE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Time: 20:00 (21:40) Entry: £10 (£8)

Map Ref: 25

TEASING THE FUNNY BONE: A SEMINAR (FOR PROFESSIONALS, AMATEURS AND ANYTHING IN BETWEEN)

WORLD PREMIERE

The Bad Clowns present the first of it's kind, a professional seminar based on the secrets behind manufacturing the chuckles. Listen, laugh and most importantly learn your way to the top of the comedy world with help from their top tips! Sell-out at the International Youth Arts Festival 2014 www.badclownscomedy.com

SKETCH, THEATRE

DATES:

Venue: Grays@LCB Depot

Time: 24th - 20:00 (20:55) | 25th (18:30 - 19:25) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 17

TERRY ALDERTON'S ALL CRAZY NOW Following the success of his critically acclaimed radio show 'Terry Alderton's All Crazy Now'(Radio 4) and a year spent on Albert Square Terry felt it was time time to go back out on tour. Star of numerous smash hit Edinburgh shows and national tours in as well as appearances on 'Live At The Apollo' (BBC One) Michael McIntyre's Comedy Road Show' (BBC One), 'Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live' (BBC Three), Dave's 'One Night Stand' www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1680 SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:00) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 60

UTC Artist Management present

WORLD PREMIERE

TEZ ILYAS: A WORK IN PROGRESS

Fresh from a sell out run and spectacular critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, Tez Ilyas returns to Leicester to workshop new material. 'Radiantly entertaining' | The Times. 'A vital discussion of some of the most difficult issues facing this country' | The Telegraph. Star of his own comedy series Tez Talks on BBC Radio 4, The Chris Ramsay Show (Comedy Central), Virtually Famous (E4), The Now Show (BBC Radio 4), Safe Word (ITV2). tezilyas.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 19:45 (20:45) Entry: £6 (£5)

Map Ref: 37

Consignia present

THE ABRIDGED DAPPER ELEVEN HOUR MONOCHROME DREAM SHOW

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Phil Jarvis, Andy Barr, Nathan Willcock and newcomer Jason Bridge's dreams merge in a post-apocalyptic Britain. An underground hit of the Edinburgh Fringe comes to Leicester. Comments from previous audience members include 'Funny on so many different levels' 'I think I blacked out for a bit... lets never speak of what happened in that room again' 'I don't normally handle raw beef, but I did for this show' 'Best joke about a towel at the fringe' ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

126

Time: 22:45 (23:45) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 19

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 HD Management resent

THE ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING MYSTERIES Alasdair Beckett-King is a legendary comedian, in that there is little historical evidence he exists. But he does exist. He's an award-winning stand-up comedian bringing his debut solo show to Leicester Comedy Festival. Come and see it, please. | 'One to Watch' - Time Out | 'Delicious writing and exceptional observations' - Chortle | 'A bold and fresh comedy voice' - The Stage | As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra. www.abeckettking.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

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

Map Ref: 55

THE BOOK OF NORTHERN: THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE NORTH WEST, TOLD IN UNDER ONE HOUR

REGIONAL PREMIERE

The North West historical comedy sketch/mime/musical show returns to Leicester Comedy Festival after a sell out run at the Greater Manchester Fringe. This year it's bigger and better 'It was fresh, funny, and one of the best shows I had seen at the 2016 Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.' - Quay News July, 2016. 'They have a great comedy partnership on stage' Casting Networks International SKETCH, MUSICAL www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

The Comedy Agency present

THE CLEAN (AS POSSIBLE) COMEDY SHOW Come and watch three top comedians from the festival clean up their act! Two (or more) of the circuit's best loved comedians will be joining host Tony Vino (**** The Scotsman) in an event that even your Grandma will enjoy - unless she's got a potty mouth! Every year, the show is a fixture at Leicester Comedy Festival and has a critically-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival too. Stand-up comedy with a 12A certificate. www.thecomedyagency.co.uk ALTERNATIVE, CHILDREN'S DATES:

Venue: Central Baptist Church, Leicester

Time: 19:30 (21:30) Entry: £6 (£4)

Map Ref: 6

THE COMEDY ASYLUM A comedy performance that is the culmination of twelve comedy workshops, facilitated by Rob Gee, involving mental health service user members of The Comedy Asylum. We promise you a horrific nightmare of ghoulish goulash and fiendish infidels playing in the night, with free food and accessories. Supported by The Big Lottery Fund, Leicester Comedy Festival, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicestershire Partnership Trust and BrightSparks. www.attenborougharts.com SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

Time: 19:00 (21:30) Entry: £3

Map Ref: 1

The Galton Agency present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE DEATH HILARIOUS: THE SCUM ALWAYS RISES

Welsh, working-class firebrands The Death Hilarious are a sketch-centric comedy duo. Witness their award-nominated clutch of spiteful, twisted personas: Creole exorcists, apelike weirdos, a homemade sex robot as well as their own personal demons. This will be a work in progress show. They never sleep, these boys. They are dancing, dancing. They say that they will never die. SKETCH, CHARACTER DATES:

Venue: Duffys Bar

Time: 22:30 (23:25) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 14

The Kelso present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE DUMB CANADIANS

Dylan Gott and his pretty boy pal John Hastings are festival veterans! One of whom won the Montreal Comedy Fest Homegrown Comedy Competition and the other was a finalist in the Stand up and Bite Me Competition. They have both gotten 69 stars from your mom. They are dumb. They are Canadian. They love you!!!! www.thekelso.co.uk DATES:

Venue: The Kelso

Map Ref: 50

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

Time: 19:15 (20:15) Entry: £5 (£4)

127

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 THE ELVIS DEAD

WORLD PREMIERE

Cult classic horror movie Evil Dead 2 reinterpreted through the songs of Elvis. What else could you possibly need to know? Leicester Comedy Festival 2016 Best Debut Nominee Rob Kemp, returns with something a bit (actually, rather a lot) different. If you like these two things separately... why wouldn't you like this? (Work in progress) MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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

Map Ref: 57

Honky Bonk present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE ESTABLISHMENT

Dan Lees and Neil Frost as two quintessential English gentlemen from a bygone era struggling to hold on to their whimsical world of cricket, tea and secert arms deals. 'Another much-needed chapter in our national legacy of lampooning the powers that be, building on Peter Cook, the Pythons and The Fast Show. You can imagine this going down very well indeed at the Palladium or the BBC.' **** THE STAGE **** THE SKINNY ***** MUMBLE COMEDY www.neilfrostcomedy.com SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE DATES: 08

14 .15. .16.

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion Map Ref: TBC

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

Lindsey Warnes Carroll presents

THE EVEN MORE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF SHIRLEY Come along and join in the fun with this highly immersive sequel to the sell-out show The Further Adventures of Shirley. Create your own superhero and assist Shirley in her numerous quests. Make things, watch, dance, sing and be part of something spectacular and truly unique; with the un-stoppable, un-flappable, fantastic and family-friendly Shirley. Suitable for all ages. CHILDREN'S, INTERACTIVE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

Everards Tiger present

THE FAIRFIELD INN ROARS WITH LAUGHTER A top night of side splitting comedy in this great pub. There'll be a top line comics from the UK circuit, plus special guest headliners. Check out the website for the full listings visit www.everards.co.uk. www.everards.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Fairfield Inn

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 49

THE FIREBUG COMEDY POP QUIZ A special comedy festival version of Firebug's Pub Quiz, hosted by very special guests to be announced. www.firebugbar.co.uk

GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: Firebug

Time: 21:00 (22:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: TBC

Avalon present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE HARRY AND CHRIS SHOW

World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker teams up with BFF/Jazz Musician Chris Read. After a debut sell-out run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016, they are bringing their brand of poetry, music, love and laughter all around the country. 'A combination of catchy hooks and breathtaking verbal ingenuity makes this a winning hour... The quality and quantity of laughs on offer is generous, the tone unapologetically feel-good.' - **** BroadwayBaby SPOKEN WORD, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: Firebug

128

Time: 16:00 (17:00) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 15

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Jokes On Us present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE HOLEY TRUTH

From being raised as a Scientologist in New Zealand to the peculiar realities of sexuality, Reading Comedy Festival New Act of the Year 2015 Jake Howie is looking for his own holy truth. From an overzealous mother to meeting the man of his dreams, Jake explores the search for his truth with an engaging vibrancy and an irreverent naughtiness. But what is the holy truth? Is it Jesus? Is it love? When searching for the truth, you come across holes. SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

THE INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Malta are the countries represented in the first international stand-up comedy show where learning isn't a purpose. It's just a lot of jokes with an accent. Radu Isaac 'simultaneously sweet and dark' - Chortle, Dimitri Bakanov ''Dark, charming and never far from a quality punchline' - Mike Manera, Picadilly Comedy Club, Steve Hili 'Perfect' - Arts Awards Voice. Part of the Kayal all-dayer MIXED BILL, SPOKEN WORD DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 14:00 (15:00) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

THE JUST US LEAGUE PRESENTS MARVELED The Just Us League (Gary Tro & Javier Jarquin) attempt to perform as many of a certain film studios superhero films as possible, in under an hour! There'll definitely to be the Iron ones! There'll almost definitely be the Cap ones! You'll probably see the god of thunder at some point! Who smash?? WE SMASH!! And then the one where they're all together! SKETCH, THEATRE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

Time: 21:00 (21:55) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 48

PETER Pizzeria present

THE LATE NIGHT COMEDY CLUB Fancy some late night laughs in the festival's quirkiest venue? Of course you do... A mixed bill of great festival acts all performing under the watchful eye of George Rigden, one of the best hosts on the UK comedy circuit. Line ups to be announced. www.facebook.com/PeterPizzeriaLeicester MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

Time: 22:00 (23:00) Entry: £6.50 (£5)

Map Ref: 37

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR: UPROAR! Witness the astonishing comedy sensation LIVE! The Noise Next Door are causing a commotion with their fourth nationwide tour - an anarchic evening of side-splitting jokes, jaw-dropping characters, and mind-blowing songs. Join the quickest wits in comedy as they transform audience suggestions into a fantastic, fresh new entertainment experience every single night. As seen on BBC1, BBC3, ITV1 and ITV2! As heard on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 4! www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1675 DATES:

Venue: The Y

Time: 20:00 (22:30) Entry: £15

Map Ref: 60

Dead Cat present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE NOT SO LATE SHOW

The UK's finest (and possibly only) live alternative comedy spoof TV chat show. An evening of special guests, sketches, short films, music and pure, unadulterated fun. Join your hosts Ross Brierley and Joshua Sadler, plus a handful of stand up comedians, dead celebrities, talking babies and more, as they take the late night chat show format to its illogical conclusion. www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk GAME SHOW DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Map Ref: 4

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

Time: 21:30 (22:20) Entry: £5

129

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 THE PLEASANT REVOLT From the plague pits and pitchfork mobs to the Houses of Westminster, Donna Scott explores obscure bits of history that no one can remember in an absurd jaunt through the subterranean annals of history as she takes a baffled yet joyfully comic look at social justice through the ages. Armed only with silly poems can she take on the establishment? Unlikely... 'Eloquently delivered... worth seeing' - Comedy Cow. www.donna-scott.co.uk HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: Leicester Guildhall

Time: 15:00 (15:40) Entry: £3

Map Ref: 25

THE PURPLE POUND IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS Heard of the Grey Pound? The Pink Pound? What about the Purple Pound? Unlock the potential spending power of disabled people. What does access really mean? What can it do for your business? Whatever size your comedy festival venue - this is for you. Positive attitudes and small changes can help you tap into a market worth billions! Everyone welcome. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. As part of Beyond a Joke. DISCUSSION DATES:

Venue: Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL)

Time: 13:30 (14:30) Entry: FREE

Map Ref: 26

The Rat Pack Productions Ltd

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE RAT PACK PRESENTS... WHO FRU IT?!

Top comedians and the tomato-chucking craziness that is Who Fru it?! - have you ever wanted to throw a tomato at a comedian?! Now's your chance! 'Classy stand-up show. Laid-back, cheesy, joyful fun and a wonderfully friendly vibe' Time Out. Multiple Time Out Critics Choice, West-end and Edinburgh sell-out and critically acclaimed show from the Festival's best comedians. You all get one tomato! Use it wisely! www.theratpack.co.uk for line-up. www.theratpack.co.uk MIXED BILL, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 23

THE SAME FACES PRESENT: IMPROV SMACKDOWN 2017

WORLD PREMIERE

The UK's ultimate improvised comedy tournament! Tom Young will host/referee, as the Improv Smackdown returns to Leicester for a second year. Eight of the country's best improvisers will go head-to-head, in a bid to be crowned Improv Smackdown Champion 2017. The line up is still TBC at time of going to press, but the 2016 Champion, Tom Lawrence, will be back to defend his title against seven new challengers. Full line-up on our facebook page. www.thesamefaces.co.uk

IMPROV

DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 18:00 (20:30) Entry: £7.50

Map Ref: 55

THE SAME FACES: IMPROVISED COMEDY The Same Faces are Leicester's foremost improvised comedy group, returning to the festival for a fourth consecutive year. They perform short-form improvisation - similar to 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' - creating brand new sketches, jokes, and songs before your very eyes, and based on your suggestions! Line-ups vary, but regulars include Tom Young, Allan Smith, Mike Brown, and Dave Gotheridge, with many other potential guests. www.thesamefaces.co.uk IMPROV DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 18:00 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

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?! www.comedy-festival.co.uk DATES:

Venue: Ssshhhh it's a secret!!

130

WANT TICKETS?

Time: 18:00 (22:00) Entry: £30

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Laughlines present

THE SITCOM EXPERIENCE - BASIL & CO Laughlines return to Curve to perform 'Basil & Co - The Sitcom Experience', a live situation comedy dining experience which unfolds in real time and is a parody of 'Fawlty Towers'. The cast, who look like Basil, Sybil and Manuel, have a specific skill set which enables them to listen, respond and interact with the audience in a live, fully inclusive and immersive dining experience. CABARET, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:15 (20:45) Entry: £39

Map Ref: 9

Laughlines present

THE SITCOM EXPERIENCE - EDMUND AND QUEENIE The Laughlines cast perform 'The Sitcom Experience', a live situation comedy dining experience which unfolds in real time. A hilarious evening of pure theatrical, improvisational comedy and caricature. The cast, who look like Edmund, Baldrick and Queenie, interact with the audience in this comedy-packed performance, full of all the slapstick humour you'd expect of a Laughlines Comedy Dining Experience. CABARET, IMMERSIVE DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:15 (20:45) | + 14:00 (15:30) on 18th Entry: £39

Map Ref: 9

Everards Tiger present

THE STAR & GARTER ROARS WITH LAUGHTER Two nights of side splitting comedy in this great pub. Each night will feature a top line of comics from the UK circuit, plus special guest headliners. Check out the website for the full listings follow on Facebook, search 'stargarterwigston' or Twitter search @starand_garter MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: The Star & Garter

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 58

Neil Davidson presents

REGIONAL PREMIERE

THE THERMOS MUSEUM

The Thermos Museum is a comedic but edifying experience. Seven suitcases unfold to reveal astonishing displays. The exhibits are presented in themed tableaux, such as 'Thermos at War' , and 'Flasks of the World'. Visitors are escorted around the museum by the Curator, whose digressions seem to takeover from the actual flask information. Soon, Truth becomes very blurred... Look out for the Museum across the city centre & inside festival venues. www.comedy-festival.co.uk EXHIBITION, HISTORICAL DATES:

Venue: City Centre

Time: ALL DAY Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

THE UK PUN CHAMPIONSHIPS A total sell out for the past 3 years, The UK Pun Championships arrives at its new home De Montfort Hall. Celebrating the great British pun with contestants from across the UK. 'A pantomime atmosphere.' www.chortle.co.uk www.demontforthall.co.uk EVENT DATES:

Venue: De Montfort Hall

Time: 19:30 (22:00) Entry: £8 - £20

Map Ref: 10

Heroes of Fringe

THEA-SKOT MAKES SOME SHIZZ UP Following her recent 5-star smash hit Edinburgh Fringe shows, Alison Thea-Skot explodes a work in progress high-octane, chaotic character comedy. Come and enjoy this bag of crazy, fun shizz. WE HAVE A GOOD TIME YES. As heard on BBC Radio 4. 'Brave, silly, a little bit unhinged and very, very funny' ***** (Funny Women). 'An arresting spectacle' **** (The Scotsman). 'Fun, loud and slightly bonkers... ..a rollicking show' **** (Arts Award). www.alisontheaskot.com CHARACTER, SKETCH DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Map Ref: 19

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

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

131

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 TIERNAN DOUIEB - HAPPILY MISERABLE, MISERABLY HAPPY

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Work In Progress: 'Very friendly but fiercely political' (Time Out) comedian Tiernan Douieb considers if ignorance is indeed bliss, and if so, surely he shouldn't know that. He tries to work out what anyone wants, and ultimately, if they actually deserve it. Some new satirical gags and nonsense musings, with some old ones thrown in for good measure. 'One of Britain's leading satirists' - Buzzfeed 'Cheeky, affable and politicised' - Metro www.tiernandouieb.co.uk SOLO SHOW, SATIRE DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

KEEP UP TO DATE #onlyjoking

For all the latest news and gossip from this year’s festival you can... Subscribe to our newsletter via www.comedy-festival.co.uk

Like us on Facebook Leics Comedy Festival

Youtube Leicester Comedy Festival

TIFF STEVENSON: SEVEN 'Seven' is inspired by a gig Tiff did in David Lynch's nightclub in Paris last year, just one month before the Bataclan attacks. Tiff explores our need to make huge worldwide impactful events about us, delving into morality, modernity, vanity, mental health, film reboots & clouds. tiffstevenson.co.uk

DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 18:30 (19:30) Entry: £8

Map Ref: 43

Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM ALLEN'S WORK IN PROGRESS

The posh voiced, acerbic son of ordinary Bromley brings you a new hour of hilarious anecdotes and observations. Stories about the things you've experienced, just told through haughtily refined eyes. He's better than you. Or at least he thinks he is. He's 33 and he still lives with his parents. As seen on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, The Great British Bake Off's Extra Slice, Live at the Comedy Store and The John Bishop Show. www.tomindeed.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 17:00 (18:00) Entry: £7 (£6)

Map Ref: 43

TOM GOODLIFFE'S COFFEE RUN Award-winning comedian Tom Goodliffe has been turning coffee into jokes at comedy clubs from Newbury to New Zealand and writing for BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz. Now he's brewing up his brand new show all about coffee! History, culture and and an epic quest to visit all of the cafes on the London Specialty Coffee Map in one day! 'Charming, intelligent wit' (ThreeWeeks). 'Wickedly insightful and instantly likeable' (Fest). Work in progress. www.tomgoodliffe.co.uk

SOLO SHOW, STORYTELLING

DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

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

Map Ref: 31

TOM LITTLE AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE Two years ago, Tom Little won Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year at this very festival. He was also a BBC Radio New Comedy Award finalist, not at this very festival. Now he returns with material that's partly about astronomy, partly about needlework but mainly about neither of these two things. There will also be support from two of the very best acts that could be persuaded to do it. 'A brilliant, loudly awkward set.' - Gigglebeats. thisistomlittle.wordpress.com ALTERNATIVE, MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

132

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 37

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 Off The Kerb Productions present

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM LUCY: WORK IN PROGRESS

Join 2016's Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year as he tests material for a new show. Tom Lucy is one of the youngest professional comedians in the UK and has supported the likes of Jack Whitehall, John Bishop, Rob Beckett and Shappi Khorsandi. 'Watch him live and you'll understand the excitement' The Guardian www.tomlucy.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Cookie Comedy Club @ The Globe

Time: 19:30 (20:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 44

Short circuit

WORLD PREMIERE

TOM SHORT & JACK GLEADOW: NORTHERN SOULS

Tom Short and Jack Gleadow have won a multitude of awards which have stemmed from their northern roots. Jack being a Hull boy and has been described as a throw back to the cabaret scene of old with a brand new twist and modern outlook and Tom is a Salford Lad not cool enough to be let in the club, He has a conversational style which draw people in and a sharp with that keeps audiences on their feet. www.facebook.com/tomshortcomedy ALTERNATIVE, EVENT DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

CKP present

TOM WARD: WORK IN PROGRESS Following his critically acclaimed debut show Sex, Snails and Cassette Tapes, join BBC Radio New Comedy Award Finalist Tom Ward for a Work in Progress towards a brand new show. As seen and heard on Comedy Central, Radio 4 and Channel 5. 'Enigmatic, charismatic, systematic, hydromatic... Staggeringly impressive and refreshing' ***** Herald www.tomwardvoice.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Comedy Store Management proudly present

TOM WRIGGLESWORTH: GREATEST HITS & NEW BITS Expect elegant storytelling courtesy of one of the finest and most original comics in the UK. Sony Award Winner, Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee, Chortle & Time Out Award winner and Star of Radio 4 and BBC 2. 'MAGICAL STORYTELLING... A RARE TALENT... HYSTERICAL & ACCOMPLISHED' ***** Time Out 'A GIFT FOR COMIC STORYTELLING' Telegraph ... This show is part of the Kayal all-day event. www.tomwrigglesworth.co.uk SPOKEN WORD, SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 19:20 (20:20) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

TOM YOUNG'S EXPERIMENTAL HAPPINESS

WORLD PREMIERE

This is Tom's seventh solo show at Leicester Comedy Festival; the last three (TY's Got Issues, TY's A Work In Progress, & TY's Lacking Confidence) have had quite glum titles; maybe it's time Tom tried being happy for once? But can comedians really be happy, or do they need a little bit of emotional turmoil in order to see the funny side? Come & join Tom, as he spends an hour trying to work out what his version of happiness looks like. www.tomyoungcomedy.co.uk SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: The Regent Sports and Social Club

Time: 20:30 (21:30) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 55

A Rush of Laughter present

TONY BASNETT ALWAYS LANDS ON HIS FEET SOLD OUT SHOW LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2016, NOTTINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL 2015 and MANCHESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2015 Tony Basnett survives on good fortune. Join the Harrogate Comedian of the Year,Comedy Central Student Competition and World Series finalist for his work in progress debut show before his luck runs out. 'He makes naturally funny look effortless' Patrick Monahan 'undoubtedly funny' Gigglebeats www.tonybasnett.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Map Ref: 23

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

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

133

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 TONY LAW: A LAW UNDO HIS-ELF WHAT WELCOME In A Law Undo His-elf What Welcome, Tony Law is closer than ever to nonsense nirvana. Behold the comedy event horizon. Without a hint of a joke, this powerful show has achieved a sort of comedy which aims at making no sense at all and yet, and yet, and yet it means everything. Every dog damned thing ever. Science called and they want their goal back. Law has burst the net. You will feel sick with awe. You will barf wonder. www.mrtonylaw.com ALTERNATIVE DATES:

Venue: The Cookie

Time: 21:30 (22:30) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 43

Heroes Of Fringe

WORLD PREMIERE

TWONKEY'S CHRISTMAS IN THE JUNGLE

Winner of the 2016 Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality .'Mr. Twonkey's blood type is joy and I am delighted to say he is highly infectious.' Kate Copstick The Scotsman.His conniving manager Toe Peak Pines has sent Twonkey over Christmas to the Iquitos Fringe deep in Peruvian jungle. 'It's a proudly eccentric show.' Steve Bennett Chortle. 'Dark demented comedy' ***** The Stage. 'The thing is: its brilliant' **** Broadway Baby twonkey.blogspot.co.uk CABARET, PUPPETRY DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Unidentified Flying Improv present

WORLD PREMIERE

UFI UNSTOPPABLE POPPABLE

Unidentified Flying Improv, a group of award-winning comedians and performers, seek to entertain you with their fabulous, fully made up on the spot show. Come and marvel at the verbal dexterity, the musical annihilation and the comic agility as UFI improvise their way out of a fun-packed paper bag. Featuring classic games from shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway? and others. IMPROV, MUSICAL DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

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

Map Ref: 57

VINCE ATTA: LOOPZILLA

REGIONAL PREMIERE

'An unstoppable force! Like an intravenous shot of adrenaline!' (Steve Bennett, Chortle) Vince Atta's long-awaited debut sees unique loop skills combine brilliantly with natural stand up and characters. It really is quite a show! 'One of the circuit's most promising acts' (The Guardian) 'A double strength of musical talent and comedic genius' (The York Press) www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall

Time: 21:15 (22:15) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 22

Heroes

VIV GROSKOP: ANCHORWOMAN Following her five star, sold-out 2016 Edinburgh show Be More Margo, BBC Radio 4's Viv Groskop presents her latest work-in-progress. Anchorwoman is a show exploring exactly why the news is so annoying at the moment. 'Wonderfully witty' -- Time Out. 'Relaxed, charming, completely compelling' -- Chortle. 'Very funny' -- Omid Djalili. www.vivgroskop.com SOLO SHOW, EVENT DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

Time: 16:40 (17:30) Entry: £5 (£3)

Map Ref: 19

WARWICK COMEDY SOCIETY STAND-UP SHOW A mixed-bill of the best stand-ups from Warwick University, featuring two Chortle Student Comedy finalists - Warwick Comedy Society has some of the brightest young talent in the Midlands. 'All who performed were very witty and responded well to my frankly awful heckling. 5 stars out of 5.' - Audience Member, Edinburgh 2016 warwickcomedysoc.co.uk MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

134

Time: 17:30 (18:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 WARWICK REVUE SKETCH SHOW The Warwick Revue are back with their 'best of' show, featuring the best sketches the troupe have ever done. 'The glorious exception to this tiresome mediocrity... The best student sketch show.' (EdFringe Review 2015) www.warwickcomedysoc.co.uk/warwick-revue

SKETCH DATES:

Venue: The Soundhouse

Time: 17:15 (18:15) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 57

WAX COMICAL SHOWCASE Showcasing talent from across the festival, with a TV Headline act. The Noels Arms celebrates the BIG WEEKEND in Melton Mowbray in style with a special event held together by Melton Mowbray's home grown comedy talent, Jon Pearson

MIXED BILL, EXHIBITION DATES:

Venue: The Noels Arms

Time: 20:00 (23:00) Entry: £5 advance or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 54

Dead Cat present

WORLD PREMIERE

WAYNE CARTER: GURRRLL

Wayne Carter tackles everyone from his family, friends, celebrities and everyone in between. 'Consistently hilarious and perpetually bizarre' (Edfringe review) will this, 'friendly and surprisingly approachable' (chortle) bearded gay in a dress show you how the world really is? www.deadcatcomedy.co.uk DATES:

Venue: BrewDog

Time: 20:00 (20:50) Entry: £5

Map Ref: 4

Anthony King presents

WORLD PREMIERE

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT FOR?

Anthony is back and asking why people do things and why people question people who do things like it's any of their business. There will be some surreal moments and maybe the odd song but mainly it will be about why people do things and whether it's good or bad and should they continue or stop. This is part of the Kayal 'All-dayer'. Anthony is also doing his, open to all ages, 1000 Years Show at Leicester's Guildhall throughout the festival. www.akstandup.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Kayal

Time: 20:40 (21:40) Entry: £7

Map Ref: 23

Everards Tiger present

WHITE LION ROARS WITH LAUGHTER This 17th century pub brings you some 21st century laughs in the form of comedy festival favourites Ahir Shar ('burning passion at his fingertips and the gags to back up his fire' (***** List)) and the Leicester Mercury Comedian Year nominated (and junior doctor) Ed Patrick (**** Threeweeks). More exciting acts to be announced; check www.comedy-festival.co.uk Includes a free pint of Tiger. www.whitelioninn.com MIXED BILL DATES:

Venue: White Lion

Time: 19:00 (20:15) Entry: £10

Map Ref: 62

WILL DUGGAN EXPANDS ON AN IDEA (WORK IN PROGRESS) Join Will Duggan (from Fosters Award Winning Funz and Gamez and BBC3 and Radio 4) as he has a little think about all the big things in his head and then talks about them at your face. (Work in Progress)

SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Map Ref: 31

"A programme bursting with variety" daily mirror

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

135

EVENTS

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 WILL SEAWARD: MAGNIFICENT BASTARD

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Will Seaward has decided to become a supervillain and is attempting to take over the actual world, live at Leicester Comedy Festival. For real. Tremble ye innocents! Nothing can stop him! Nothing! Ha ha ha ha HA!! WARNING: AUDIENCE MAY BE DEVOURED 'Part Brian Blessed, part Oscar Wilde, part crazed Victorian music hall MC' The Telegraph 'Will Seaward makes pure comedy gold' Fest 'utterly absurd and belly achingly funny' Three Weeks www.willseaward.com

EVENT, INTERACTIVE

DATES:

Venue: Heroes @ The Criterion

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

Map Ref: 19

Reduced Shakespeare Company and Seabright Productions present

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S LONG LONG FIRST PLAY (ABRIDGED) Acclaimed stars of the West End stage, the Reduced Shakespeare Company, are back with another barnstormingly irreverent and breathtakingly hilarious celebration of our cultural heritage - as seen through the eyes of three Americans wearing trainers. In a better-late-than-never nod to the Bard's 400th anniversary, the bad boys of abridgement present this 'new' play by the man himself, as discovered in a Leicester car park! www.reducedshakespeare.com DATES:

Venue: Curve

Time: 19:45 (21:15) Entry: £18

Map Ref: 9

YOUR HERO ALEXANDER BENNETT

WORLD PREMIERE

Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds? Alexander Bennett has always thought of himself as a streetwise Hercules, and will attempt to answer these questions, and more. Look, it's a very funny young man shouting his way through his new show. It'll be good. 'Witty, weird and dark: at the spearhead of a wave of great new comics' HARRY HILL **** THE STAGE www.alexanderbennettcomedian.com SATIRE, ALTERNATIVE

DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 22:30 (23:30) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

YURIKO KOTANI: WORK IN PROGRESS Winner of the BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2015 and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2016 nominee Yuriko Kotani (Time Out's One to Watch) brings you a work in progress show. As seen on Russell Howard's Stand Up Central. 'leftfield rising star' - Time Out

STORYTELLING DATES:

Venue: The Exchange Bar

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

Map Ref: 48

ZAHRA BARRI: TALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN Zahra's a bit like the country of Turkey, in that she's a mix of Eastern and Western culture, and also she is a bird. A fun look into Eastern and Kanye Western Culture. 'Terrific' Venue Magazine As heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Radio 2 BBC New Radio Comedy Award Semi Finalist 2015 www.zahrabarri.com SOLO SHOW DATES:

Venue: Manhattan 34

Time: 16:45 (17:35) Entry: FREE or Pay What You Want

Map Ref: 31

CKP present

REGIONAL PREMIERE

ZOE LYONS: LITTLE MISFIT

Zoe hits the road with a brand new show for 2016 after a year that has seen her appear on Live at the Apollo (BBC2), The John Bishop show (BBC1) and win the Chortle Best comic award. You might also recognise her from Alan Davies as Yet Untitled, and her regular stints on Mock the Week and The News Quiz. Not bad for a girl who has never really felt part of the gang. 'Lyons has what it takes to delight any crowd' The Guardian www.zoelyons.co.uk DATES:

Venue: PETER Pizzeria

136

Time: 19:00 (20:50) Entry: £14 (£12)

Map Ref: 37

WANT TICKETS?

. .

visit www comedy festival co uk or call 0116 456 6812

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Since the festival began in 1994, we have worked hard to ensure as many people can take part and enjoy it as possible. We want to make sure the annual event remains “a pretty broad grin” (The Guardian) and we actively work with partners to enhance the programme with a series of performances & projects. This year we are proud to present:

“La ug hin g F it”

Brig ht

SOME OF OUR CURRENT PROJECTS INCLUDE: BrightSparks For a number of years we have worked with award winning group BrightSparks to present the annual Comedy Asylum showcase. This year we’ve developed the partnership and are joining up mental health service users who have taken part in projects run by Liverpool Comedy Trust who will be popping down to join the BrightSparks group for their show at Attenborough Arts.

Schools’ Showcase Each February we team up with Regent College to present the best up & coming comedians from schools from across Leicester. The show brings young people from across the city together to share their comic ideas and performance skills and improve their creativity, confidence, imagination and presentation skills.

Beyond A Joke In recent years we have developed our seminar and discussion programme and it’s now a key part of the annual festival. The discussion events are aimed at people who want to delve a little deeper into issues linked to contemporary comedy. Topics this year include disability and comedy, accessibility, religion and offence and the history of Leicester Comedy Festival.

healt hy livi ng

g Tra in in

in n in g pe op le m u n ity clow co m

da y

en u p

y ou r d

a y!

Silver Stand Up This unique comedy competition showcases comedians aged over 55, who compete for the prestigious 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” Alexi Sayle. Past winners have included Marc Lucero, Shelley Bridgman & Ed de Cantor.

Loving Laughing We’re thrilled to be continuing our Loving Laughing project, which was awarded a national British Council award following the pilot in 2016. Young people from primary schools across Leicester will hook up with young people from schools across Europe to explore what makes each other laugh. Huge thanks to Mayflower Primary School (Leicester), All Saints CE Primary School (Coalville) & De Montfort University.

These projects are some of those produced in partnership with Big Difference Company, registered charity 1135167. Less than 5% of our income comes from public subsidy. If you wish to support us, please visit www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

It might be em

ba rra ssi ng but it’s fu nn y!

It’s a “Fu nn

y Ol d Wor

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

ld”

Ha vin g a bla

137

138

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

WANT TICKETS?

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

Roar With Laughter Tour Dates Poster.qxp_Layout 21/10/2016 14:21 Page 1 Leicester Comedy Festival1 2017

EVERARDS TIGER PRESENTS

ROAR WITH LAUGHTER TO U R DAT E S 2 0 1 7 BLACK HORSE - AYLESTONE 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th February BULLS HEAD - WHETSTONE Thursday 9th February BLACK DOG - OADBY Friday 10th February ANCHOR - HATHERN Friday 10th and Friday 24th February STAR AND GARTER - WIGSTON Saturday 11th and Saturday 18th WHITE LION - WHISSENDINE Thursday 16th February ROSE AND CROWN - THURNBY Friday 17th February CRICKETERS - AYLESTONE Friday 24th February FAIRFIELD - WIGSTON Saturday 25th February For tickets & show details visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk

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

139

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

facebook.com/o2academyleicester twitter.com/O2AcadLeicester instagram.com/o2academyleicester youtube.com/o2academytv

Fri 11th Nov • £25 adv

Sat 26th Nov • £12 adv

Sat 12th Nov • £13 adv

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Ten, playing the album in full plus a best of set

James Acaster: Represent

Wed 30th Nov • £14 adv

Sat 18th Feb 2017 • £12 adv

Shed Seven

Pearl Jam UK

This Is Madchester Club Night with special guest BEZ

Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club

The Wailers Tue 15th Nov • £16 adv

Sat 10th Dec • £19 adv

Ricky Warwick

Reef

+ Vice Squad

Wed 14th Dec • £20 adv

Thu 17th Nov • £8 adv

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas

Purson

Fri 18th Nov • £11 adv

Antarctic Monkeys Sat 19th Nov • £26.50 adv

PIL

JAMES ACASTER

THU 16, FRI 17 & SAT 18 FEBRUARY 2017 Mon 20th Feb 2017 • £11 adv

Sundara Karma Alex Horne & The Horne Section

By the Rivers

ALEX HORNE & THE HORNE SECTION

Sat 21st Jan 2017 • £12 adv

Vant

Special Kinda Madness

Tue 22nd Nov • £16 adv

Slaves

Sat 21st Jan 2017 • £13 adv

The Hunna

Wed 23rd Nov • £12 adv

Lanterns on the Lake

THU 23 FEB 2017

Wed 8th Feb 2017 • £15 adv

Richard Herring

Thu 24th Nov • £20 adv

Alabama 3

Definitely Mightbe

Arcades

James Acaster: Reset

Thu 23rd Feb 2017 • £15 adv

Sat 17th Dec • £10 adv

Sun 20th Nov • £8.50 adv

Sat 26th Nov • £10 adv

Galactic Empire The Twang

Natty

Steve-O (Jackass)

Thu 15th Dec • £10 adv

Fri 16th Dec • £14 adv

Sat 19th Nov • £12.50 adv

Fri 25th Nov • £18 adv

Blossoms

Sat 3rd Dec • £15 adv • 9pm Doors

Sun 13th Nov • £21 adv

Fri 25th Nov • £11 adv

Fri 17th Feb 2017 • £12 adv

RICHARD HERRING

THE BEST

Sun 2nd Apr • £20 adv

Chris Ramsey SUNDAY 2ND APRIL 2017

WED 8TH FEB 2017 Thu 16th Feb 2017 • £12 adv

James Acaster: Recognise o2academyleicester.co.uk University of Leicester Students’ Union, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH • Doors 7pm unless stated Venue box office hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm • No booking fee on cash transactions ticketweb.co.uk • wegottickets.com • seetickets.com • gigantic.com

140

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Vote Reach for

LESS GREY MORE FLAVOUR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE LONGER LASTING BETTER LOOKING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. reachmarketing.co.uk // 0116 233 5565

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

141

FEATURE

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

For more information visit

WWW.LEICESTERARTSFESTIVALS.ORG.UK or look us up on

@LEICSARTSFESTS

142

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

WE MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE We design and deliver a range of events and projects which improve the lives of people in Leicester, Leicestershire and across the UK. These include: • Leicester Comedy Festival

• Sing Leicestershire!

• Make Me Happy

• Silver Stand Up

• Old Folks Telling Jokes

• Loving Laughing

• Schools’ Showcase

• Beyond A Joke

These projects are some of those produced by Big Difference Company (registered charity 1135167). Less than 5% of our income comes from public subsidy. If you wish to support us, please visit www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

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

143

144

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

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

£8.00 AN INTERVIEW WITH ROMESH RANGANATHAN

ASK THE INDUSTRY LIVE – MIDLANDS PROMOTER SPECIAL

Saturday 11th February Grays at LCB Depot

Sunday 12th February Curve

Saturday 18th February 1.00 - 2.15pm PETER Pizzeria

1.00 - 2.00pm

FREE

IT’S MY PARTY

Exploring the link between comedy, humour and politics

Sunday 12th February

1.00 - 2.30pm

PETER Pizzeria

FREE THE PURPLE POUND IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS Unlock the potential spending power of disabled people

Friday 10th February

1.30 - 2.30pm

Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living

2.00 - 3.30pm

PAY WHAT YOU WANT adv. £5.00

JUST ANOTHER TICK IN A BOX?

FREE

Discussing comedy and gender

SAY WHAT YOU LIKE: COMEDY RELIGION AND OFFENCE

Friday 17th February Melton Theatre

Sunday 19th February 12.30 - 2.00pm PETER Pizzeria

IS IT OK?

12.00 - 2.00pm

FREE

Looking at representations of disability in the media

Friday 24th February

IS THAT COMEDY?

FREE

What happens when stand-up meets other art forms?

1.30 - 2.30pm

Leicestershire Center for Integrated Living

Sunday 12th February

I SAY - THE ANNUAL £5.00 COMEDY CONVERSATION WITH JANICE CONNOLLY Wednesday 22nd February 5.30 - 7.00pm Vijay Patel Building

STANDARD ISSUE IN CONVERSATION

£10.00

Saturday 11th February 6.45 - 7.45pm Firebug

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

3.00 - 4.00pm

PETER Pizzeria

“One of the big events on the UK comedy calendar” the guardian

145

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

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. This year we are working with Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living to organise a couple of discussion events exploring ways in which the festival can become more accessible for people with disabilities. Check out the listings pages for information about these.

ACCESS GUIDE Once again this year we have produced an access guide to festival venues. This is available to download from www.comedy-festival.co.uk or call the main festival office on 0116 261 6812. The guide gives some information about physical access to the majority of our venues. If you have specific queries or questions, please contact the venue direct. Contact details can be found on pages 147-151.

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

146

To make your visit to the festival as easy as possible you may also want to check out www.disabledgo.com which contains access details about Leicester City Centre and some venues. Further details and information can also be found in the Accessible Leicester Guide Available online at http://publications.leicester.gov.uk/accessibleleicester or copies are available to pick up from Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate.

WANT TICKETS?

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

VENUE INFORMATION PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR VENUE INFORMATION (PARKING, FOOD, BAR DETAILS). FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO BUY TICKETS, PLEASE CALL THE FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE ON 0116 456 6812. 1

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

ANCHOR INN 74 Loughborough Road, Hathern LE12 5JB 01509 646688 info@anchorinnhathern.co.uk www.anchorinnhathern.co.uk

MAP 2

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA 0116 252 2455 arts-centre@le.ac.uk www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/attenborougharts

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

BLACK DOG MAP 2 23 London Road, Oadby LE2 5DL 0116 2102 479 blackdogoadby@gmail.com www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/black-dog-oadby

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

BREWDOG 8 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA 0116 262 3566 leicesterbar@brewdog.com www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/leicester

Title: Address: Info: Web:

BULLS HEAD MAP 2 44 Victoria Road, Whetstone LE8 6JX 0116 286 4268 www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/bulls-head-whetstoneleicestershire

Title: Address: Info: Web:

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1LA 0116 255 2520 www.central-baptist.org.uk/contact

MAP 1 - D3

MAP 1 - B2 15

MAP 1 - B3 17

CHUCKLE BUSTERS @ QUEEN OF BRADGATE Address: 93 -97 High Street, Leicester LE1 4JB Info: 0116 262 3990 Web: www.queenofbradgate.co.uk

MAP 1 - A2

Title: CHUTNEY IVY Address: 41 Halford Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1TR Info: 0116 251 1889 Web: www.chutneyivy.com

MAP 1 - A3

Title:

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

CURVE MAP 1 - A3 Rutland Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1SB 0116 242 3560 contactus@curvetheatre.co.uk www.curveonline.co.uk

Title: Address: Info: Web:

DE MONTFORT HALL Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU 0116 233 3111 www.demontforthall.co.uk

MAP 1 - D3

Title: DMU ART GALLERY MAP 1 - C1 Address: Vijay Patel Building, Mill Lane, Leicester LE1 9DH Info: 0116 257 7570 Title: Address: Info: Web:

DMU CAMPUS The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7GZ 08459 454647 www.dmu.ac.uk

MAP 1 - B1

Title: DMU HERITAGE CENTRE Address: Hawthorne Building, The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7GZ Info: 0116 207 8729 Email: heritage@dmu.ac.uk Web: www.dmu.ac.uk

MAP 1 - B1

Title: DUFFY’S BAR Address: 8 Pocklington’s Walk, Leicester LE1 6BU Info: 0116 255 3316

MAP 1 - B2

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

FIREBUG 1 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN 0116 255 1228 info@firebugbar.co.uk www.firebugbar.net

MAP 1 - B2

Title: Address: Info: Web:

FUTURE CYCLES 21 Market Street, Leicester LE1 6DN 0116 242 5959 www.futurecycles.org.uk

MAP 1 - B2

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

GRAYS @LCB DEPOT MAP 1 - A3 31 Rutland St, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1RE 0116 261 6827 grays@lcbdepot.co.uk www.lcbdepot.co.uk/grays

Title: HEROES @ BOB’S BLUNDABUS Address: Outside The Criterion, 44 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN Info: 0116 262 5418 Web: www.blundabus.com

MAP 1 - B2

Title: Address: Info: Web:

HEROES @ THE CRITERION 44 Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN 0116 262 5418 thecriterion.co.uk

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

HOLYWELL HOUSE 68a Leicester Road, Loughborough LE11 2AG 01509 731894 contact@lezcopenewman.co.uk www.holywellguesthouse.com

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

MAP 1 - B2

MAP 4

147

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

MAP 1 CITY CENTRE

s Wa y A594

or ge

as tS

t E

41 W New Walk

rsi

ive

ess

t tS or

inc

ntf

Wa te

To w

Museum

ess

ck ne

ut S

Rd ty Un

PEDESTRIANISED STREETS 1

rsi

Ay le

A594

Burnmoor St

sto

ive

Wa ln

W al

inc

St k

om rr

Kin

11/61

A594

e St G

lin

R ut la nd

lv Be22

W el

13 12

n St

Quee

oW ay

r oi

on St

14 16 15

fo Ox

ton

s ill

ath am

18/19

iar

G ra nb y

Square

rlo

9 8

rd St Halfo

A47

ampt

Leicester Market

e ac ar Pl M ket r a M Town Hall

39 South

Do ver

t Pl ac e

Clock Tower

e re wt llo te Ga Ga

S ss cro

t Stree High n 43 L ll ha Guild

tone

bers

Hum

Highcross Shopping Centre

gh Hi

Vaughan Wa y

Title: Address: Info: Web:

D ykMAIYANGO HOTEL MAP 1 - A1 e 13-21 St sNicholas Place, Leicester LE1 4LD R d 0116 251 8898 www.maiyango.com

Title: Address: Info: Web:

JUST THE TONIC AT HANSOM HALL Belvior Street, Leicester LE1 6QL 0116 454 1900 www.hansomhall.co.uk

MAP 1 - B2

Title: Address: Info: Web:

KAYAL 153 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6FE 0116 255 4667 www.kayalrestaurant.com

MAP 1 - B3

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE 4A St Martins, Leicester LE1 5DB 0300 300 0900 info@kriii.com www.kriii.com

MAP 1 - A2

148

WANT TICKETS?

Title: Address: Info: Web:

LEICESTER GUILDHALL Guildhall Lane, Leicester LE1 5FQ 0116 253 2569 www.leicester.gov.uk

MAP 1 - A2

LEICESTERSHIRE CENTRE MAP 2 FOR INTEGRATED LIVING (LCIL) Address: Westend Neighbourhood Centre, Andrewes Street, Leicester LE3 5PA Info: 0116 222 5005 Email: admin@lcil.org.uk Web: www.lcil.org.uk Title:

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

LOROS HOSPICE Groby Road, Leicester LE3 6DW 0116 231 3771 info@loros.co.uk www.loros.co.uk

MAP 2

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

INFORMATION

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 ld ie kf ar

ANSTEY

MAP 2 LEICESTER/LEICESTERSHIRE

62 52

GLENFIELD

Gro by Rd

A60

A46

on R

Me lt

A46

A50

A5 63

EP ar k

l ey R d Hinck

26/59

A47

Na r

ro ug h

A563

LEICESTER FOREST EAST

A47

n ron L

to es Ay l

Saff

R ne

0 46 A5

63 3 58

GLEN PARVA

Title: Address: Info: Web:

3 LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL A56 Market Place, Loughborough LE11 3EB 01509 231914 www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

LU ARTS Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU 01509 222881 luarts@lboro.ac.uk www.arts.lboro.ac.uk

Title: Address: Email: Web:

MAGAZINE GATEWAY MAP 1 - B2 The Newarke/Newarke Street, Leicester LE2 7BY alan@deadleicester.co.uk www.deadleicester.co.uk

Title: MANHATTAN 34 Address: 34 Rutland Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1RD Info: 0116 262 8855 Email: enquiries@manhattan34.com Web: www.manhattan34.com Title: Address: Info: Web:

MEGAZONE LEICESTER 23 Gower Street, Leicester LE1 3LH 0116 253 1153 www.megazoneleicester.co.uk

Title: Address: Info: Web:

MELTON THEATRE Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HJ 01664 851111 www.meltontheatre.cloudvenue.co.uk

“A programme bursting with variety” daily mirror

MAP 4

WIGSTON 34

MAP 4 35

MAP 1 - A3 37

MAP 1 - A3

MAP 3

OADBY A6

MAP 2

A56 3

63 A5

M69

A51

46 45

MERCURE LEICESTER, THE GRAND HOTEL Address: Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6ES Info: 0844 815 9012 Email: info@mercureleicester.co.uk Web: www.mercureleicester.co.uk Title:

MAP 1 - B3

Title: Address: Info: Web:

MORE COFFEE CO. 16 Market Place, Melton Mowbray LE13 1XD 01664 560310 www.morecoffeeco.com

Title: Address: Info: Web:

NEWARKE HOUSES MUSEUM The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY 0116 225 4980 www.leicester.gov.uk

MAP 1 - B1

Title: Address: Info: Web:

PETER PIZZERIA 9 Welford Place, Leicester LE1 6ZH 0116 254 5333 www.peterpizzeria.co.uk

MAP 1 - B2

Title: Address: Info: Web:

PETER PIZZERIA (LOUGHBOROUGH) 45 Ashby Square, Loughborough LE11 5AA 01509 606505 www.peterpizzeria.co.uk

Title: PHOENIX Address: 4 Midland Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1TG Info: 0116 242 2800 Web: www.phoenix.org.uk

MAP 3

MAP 4

MAP 1 - A3

149

INFORMATION

Info: Web:

0116 255 4629 www.regent-college.ac.uk

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

SOFT TOUCH ARTS 50 New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TE 0116 255 2592 info@soft-touch.org.uk www.soft-touch.org.uk

Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE BRITE CENTRE Braunstone Avenue, Braunstone LE3 1LE 0116 299 5476 www.leicester.gov.uk

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

MAP 1 - C3

MAP MAP 1 - C3 47

MAP 2

THE COOKIE 68 High Street, Leicester LE1 5YP 0116 253 1212 info@thecookieleicester.co.uk www.thecookieleicester.co.uk

MAP 1 - A2

THE COOKIE COMEDY CLUB @ THE GLOBE 43 Silver Street, Leicester LE1 5EU 0116 253 9492 Info@theglobeleicester.com www.eversosensible.com/globe

MAP 1 - A2

Title: THE COOKIE COMEDY CLUB Address: @ 02 ACADEMY 2 Percy Gee Building, University Road, Info: Leicester LE1 7RH Web: 0116 223 1181 www.academy-music-group.co.uk

MAP 1 - D3

150

Wh a rncliffe Rd

She

A6 07

REGENT COLLEGE

WANT TICKETS?

tin ot

Title:

r Fo

oad rR ste ice Le

06 A6

d yR

06 A6

b Dal

d yR

PEDESTRIANISED STREETS

MAP 3Address: Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7LW

re Fo

oad rR ste ice Le

28 50

0 A6

2 A5138

A512

NB589

B58

idge S idge S Br t re Br t re et et 53

Wh a rncliffe Rd

t reet reet rrard St d r a Le r r r StreSett Le i i c est er Street c est e

Belton

gh am Meado Rdw Ln

04 Belton A60 Rd

tin

by er D

by er D ad

4 00 A6

t gS Kin

EYE

St Marys Way

Cha pel

Road

Road ER

St Marys Way

ton Wil

b Dal

R IV EYE

Norman Way

A6006 Norman Way

Cha pel

A6006 A6006

MAP 4 LOUGHBOROUGH Meadow Ln

MAP 3 MELTON MOWBRAY

006

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Title: Address: 4Info: Email: Web:

THE COW & PLOUGH MAP 2 Stoughton MAP 4Park, Gartree Road, Oadby LE2 2FB 0116 272 0852 cowandplough@steamin-billy.co.uk www.steamin-billy.co.uk/ourpubs/cowandplough

Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE CRICKETERS MAP 2 1 Grace Road, Aylestone LE2 8AD 0116 283 2026 www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/the-cricketers-aylestone

Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE EXCHANGE BAR MAP 1 - A3 Rutland Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1RD 0116 251 3434 www.exchangeleicester.com

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE FAIRFIELD INN MAP 2 Gloucester Crescent, South Wigston LE18 4YE 0116 278 6937 thefairfield1@hotmail.co.uk www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/the-fairfield-southwigston

Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE KELSO 8-9 Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s End, Loughborough LE11 3HA 01509 237892 www.thekelso.co.uk

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE LITTLE THEATRE Dover Street, Leicester LE1 6PW 0116 254 2266 admin@lds-mail.net www.thelittletheatre.net

MAP 4

MAP 1 - B3

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017 52

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS 0116 261 0261 info@spacecentre.co.uk www.spacecentre.co.uk

MAP 2

Title: THE NEEDLE & PIN Address: 15 The Rushes, Loughborough LE11 5BG Info: 07973 754236

MAP 4

Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE NOELS ARMS 31 Burton St, Melton Mowbray LE13 1AE 01664 562363 www.thenoelsarmsmeltonmowbray.co.uk

MAP 3

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE REGENT SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB 102 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7DA 0116 223 8006 info@regentleicester.co.uk www.regentleicester.co.uk

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE ROSE & CROWN 45 Main Street, Thurnby LE7 9PJ 0116 241 9075 roseandcrown.thurnby@outlook.com www.roseandcrownthurnby.co.uk

MAP 1 - C3

Title: THE SOUNDHOUSE Address: 28 Southampton Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester LE1 1SJ Info: 07962 261015 Web: soundhouse_leicester@hotmail.co.uk www.soundhouseleicester.co.uk

MAP 2

MAP 1 - A3

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE STAR & GARTER MAP 2 114 Leicester Road, Wigston LE18 1DS 0116 319 1626 starandgarterwigston@gmail.com www.everards.co.uk/our-pubs/the-star-garter-wigstonmagna-leicestershire

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

THE WEST END CENTRE Andrews Street, Leicester LE3 5PA 0116 222 5005 admin@lcil.org.uk www.lcil.org.uk/west-end-centre

MAP 2

Title: Address: Info: Web:

THE Y 7 East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY 0116 255 6507 www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre

MAP 1 - B3

Title: VIJAY PATEL BUILDING Address: Newarke Close, Leicester LE2 7BJ Info: 0116 257 7570

MAP 1 - C1

Title: Address: Info: Email: Web:

WHITE LION 38 Main Street, Whissendine LE15 7ET 01664 474233 info@whitelioninn.com www.whitelioninn.com

Title: 54A KING STREET (AKA NIGEL’S CAFE) Address: 54A King Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1XB Info: 01664 480234

MAP 2

MAP 3

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 2017 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

151

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

A world of opportunities

Visit us online www.leicestermercury.co.uk | Call 0116 222 4161

152

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Top Comedy Every Weekend from one of the UK’s largest clubs

AT HANSOM HALL every Friday night

DOC BROWN Garrett Millerick Leo Kearse Matt Richardson

11 FEB

every Friday night we bring you a mixed bill line up with 7 comedians from the national circuit. What a bargain.

Tom STADE The Noise Next Door Darius Davies Phil Ellis

Why buy a ticket for 1 comedian when you can see 7 for the same price.

18 FEB

SPECIAL ACT WE CANNOT NAME! Lucy Porter Paul McCaffrey act TBC

25 FEB

Other Shows includE: 10th Feb

Shappi Korsandi 12th Feb

Jason Manford in Panelbeaters 18th Feb

Funz and Gamez 25th Feb

Lucy Porter

OTHER SOLO SHOWS ARE... Friday 10th: Little Howard (adult show), Danielle Ward, Vince Atta Saturday 11th: Leo Kearse, Garrett Millerick, Barbara Nice, Hate N Live Sunday 12th: Daphna Baram, Danny Ward, Cally Beaton Friday 17th: Scott Gibson, Peter Brush, Alistair Williams

Saturday 18th: Phil Ellis, Darius Davies, Matt Richardson, Hate N Live Friday 24th: Archie Maddox, Kev’s Comedy Kitchen, Stephen Bailey Saturday 25th: Kev’s Comedy Kitchen, Jo Enright, Paul McCaffrey, Hate N Live Sunday 25th: COMEDY HEAVEN

F OR A L L INF O A ND T IC K E T S w w w.jus t t he t onic.c om // 0 3 30 220 1 2 1 2 Jus t-t he T onic L E IC E S T E R

@justthetonic

J US T T HE T ONIC AT H A nSOM H A L L , 5 4 Be lv oir S t r e e t, L e ic e s t e r, L E 1 6QL

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

153

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

CONTACT Big Difference Company, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE Registered charity 1135167

Tel: 0116 261 6812 info@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

PEOPLE FESTIVAL PATRONS:

SEAN HUGHES, TONY SLATTERY, THE LATE SUE TOWNSEND, THE LATE SIR NORMAN WISDOM OBE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Martyn Allison (Chair), Asgoo Pirbhai, Max Schurer, David Boydon, Andrew Brown, Steph Osborn, Emma Anderson. Thanks to Hilary Campton.

STAFF:

Director Project Managers Partnership Manager Finance Manager Office Manager Festival Assistant Festival Driver Roar with Laughter Stage Manager PR Manager Print design and production Print Distribution Lawyers

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Fiona Allan, Kate Bassett, Linda Grant, Kayal, Jacqui Roberts Webster, Arthur Smith, Chris Sturgess and Deb & Liz Watson Blyth.

Geoff Rowe Maya Biswas, Sam Javid, Anna Peavitt Katherine West John Symonds Beccy Street Beth Piggott Des Brennan Saskia Antcliff Anna Arthur PR anna@annaarthurpr.com Reach Marketing www.reachmarketing.co.uk SLB Distribution www.slb-leaflet-distribution.co.uk Shakespeares Martineau www.shma.co.uk

THANKS TO Dominic Shellard, Barbara Matthews, Sarah Thomson, Esther Dudley, Jit Pandya, Tony Graves, Jacqui Norton, Richard Fletcher & everyone at De Montfort University, Sir Peter Soulsby, Rory Palmer, Piara Singh Clair, Andy Keeling, Mike Dalzell, Sarah Levitt, Maggie Shutt MBE, Sarah Harrison, Helen Donnellan and everyone at Leicester City Council, John Rance, Jake Harvey and everyone at Phoenix Square, Julie Smith, Peter Leone, Adnan Ahmed, Antony Flint, Pete Mitchell & everyone at De Montfort Hall, Steve Bennett, Chris, Nikolai, Verity, Maddie, Claire & everyone at Curve, Martin Jinks, Anna Arthur & Joanna Hawkins, James, Paul, Sue, David, Peter & everyone at LCB Depot, Lucy Phillips, Jon Restell & Marisa Howes, Colin Bowles & everyone at The Little Theatre, Peter Koukoularides & East Midlands Trains, Nicola Ward, Steve, Gareth, Will, Dale & everyone at Dave, Adam, Joanna & everyone at The Y, Daljit Flora & Shakespeare Martineau, David Simms, George Oliver and everyone at Leicester Mercury, Liz Wood and everyone at The Belmont Hotel, James Conaghan & Rob Coltman at Mercure Grand Hotel, Bryan, Alison, Tom & everyone at Rowleys, Louise Grainger, Pete & Tracey Miller, Asgoo, Gary, Tracey, Akash, Chris, Owain, Paul and everyone at Reach, Aatin Anadkat & everyone at Maiyango, Michaela Butter & Attenborough Arts, Liz & Ken, Richard Bucknall, Caroline Taylor, Leicester Fridge, Kamlesh Purohit & everyone at BBC Leicester, Nik & everyone at The Cookie, Chris Perkin, Bob Slayer, Mayflower & Braunstone Frith Primary Schools, Leicester Libraries, Sharon Lockyer, Alex Hylton & Dave McGuckin, NCF Comedy, Darrell Martin, Alice Robinson & everyone at Just The Tonic, Chris Sturgess, Nichola Moore & everyone at Sturgess, Raffaele, Pasq, Monika & Peter Pizzeria, Jane Colton, Andrew Girvan and everyone at Red61, Nita Beeson & Loughborough BID, Robbie Kerr & Loughborough Town Hall, Michael Harris & Melton Theatre, Shelagh Core, Claire Cannell, Erika Hardy & Everards, Sean Kelly, Romesh Ranganathan, Janice Connolly, Flo Howard, Paul Howland, Carrie Matthews, Corrie McGuire, Russell Garnett, Jo Williams, Anthony Butler, Andy Leitch and all promoters, volunteers, venue staff and performers!

154

WANT TICKETS?

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

Leicester Comedy Festival 2017

Netflix and chill?

How about Dave and stop touching me

uktvplay.co.uk

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

I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE THE OFFICIAL STAGE TOUR Monday 23 January

BARDI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHARLIE CHAPLIN IN CITY LIGHTS Sunday 5 February // 3pm

OMID DJALILI SCHMUCK FOR A NIGHT Thursday 6 April

LEE NELSON SERIOUS JOKER Saturday 13 May

JIMMY CARR THE BEST OF, ULTIMATE, GOLD, GREATEST HITS TOUR Tuesday 13 June

0116 233 3111

demontforthall.co.uk

@demontforthall

demontforthall