2014 line-up announced

Leicester’s comedy festival has announced its 21st line-up, with 650 events across 17 days, including a new yearly session in which a comedy figure gives their impression of the state of the industry.

Alexei Sayle will deliver the first of the I Say: Annual Comedy Conversations, talking about how the stand-up scene has changed over the past two decades.

In another special session, Jason Manford – a former winner of the festival’s comedian of the year title –  will talk about his comedy career, from collecting glasses to TV fame.

The festival – again backed by digital TV channel Dave – also runs a Silver Stand Up competition for comedians over 55, and will this year also launch the UK Pun Championships, in which established comics will vie for the new title.

Bob Slayer, who ran an alternative Heroes Of Fringe venture at Edinburgh this year will be taking over a restored Victorian chapel for the duration of the festival to host Heroes at Hansom Hall, promising ‘groundbreaking and riotous nights of storytelling where utter chaos will reign’.

And a new charity gala show at Leicester Cathedral will celebrate the comedy song, including Noel Coward, Spitting Image, and Monty Python.

Stand-up shows over the course of the festival, which starts on February 7, include offerings Russell Kane, Sean Hughes, Shappi Khorsandi, Tony Law, Richard Herring and Rich Hall. While returning special events include Comedy in the Dark, Hotel D’Comedie, Comedy Blind Date and Old Folks Telling Jokes.

  Geoff Rowe, founder and director of the festival said: ‘Our 2014 festival is going to reinforce Leicester’s position as UK city of comedy.  We’ve worked hard to ensure our 21st year is packed full of top stand ups and unique events, which you simply can’t see anywhere else.’

Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival will launch with its usual preview show at De Montfort Hall, next year taking place on January 10. And the following day, Just The Tonic is hosting a marathon second preview, with 21 acts.

Published: 25 Nov 2013