Leicester festival gets under way

The line-up for 2009 includes 2008 if.comedy winner David O’Doherty and best newcomer Sarah Millican, as well as Tim Minchin, Clive James, Rhona Cameron, Count Arthur Strong, Barry Cryer, Ed Byrne, Ivan Brackenbury, Jimmy Carr and Mark Watson.

The Gilded Balloon is running a major venue at the festival, its first venture outside the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time, with several shows a day including its infamous Late N Live stand-up night.

Festival director Geoff Rowe said: ‘We’re much bigger this year: new venues have popped up and existing venues have upped their game and number of shows.

‘As always there are big names to watch and enjoy, smaller shows where you can catch the stars of the future and various ways you can get involved and have a go.

‘We’re worked hard with our promoters to keep ticket prices low – lots of events are free or under a fiver.’

Chortle will be at the 16th Leicester Comedy Festival all next week – culminating in the Chortle Comedy Quiz for pub quiz fans on the afternoon of Sunday February 15. Check out our microsite at www.chortle.co.uk/leicester for all the latest news and reviews.

Published: 6 Feb 2009