Director stands down 30 years after founding the event

Geoff Rowe is to step down from the Leicester Comedy Festival, which he founded in 1994.

He will be quitting as director after next year’s 30th anniversary event, and said: ‘Thirty years is a long time to sustain and develop an independent festival – there aren’t many like us in the UK.  

‘I hope I get a chance to thank everyone who has played their part before I take my final bow.  I’m very much looking forward to new adventures in the future.’

Rowe set up the annual event with fellow students on the arts management course at De Montfort University. Over the years, it has hosted thousands of comedians – including 800 events this year – and is a major milestone in Leicester’s cultural calendar. Initiatives such as the National Pun Day make national headlines, too, and four years ago a sister event. the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, was launched to run at the same time.

In 2013, Rowe was awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to comedy.

He said: ‘I have had the most amazing time over the years, and the incredible privilege of working with some fantastic comedians, and people from the UK live comedy sector.  

‘I'm really proud of the community we have developed, of people who love British comedy and work so hard each February to deliver our festivals.The last few years have been enormously difficult since the pandemic hit, and I’ve been blown away with the support we have received.

‘However, after 30 years of Leicester Comedy Festival, and five years of The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, I think it’s time for me to leave the stage, and hand the microphone over to the team and trustees of Big Difference, [the charity which runs he festivals].’

Of the 30th anniversary festival, which will run from February 8 to 26, he added: ‘I do have specific ideas for events to help mark the birthday, but we need a bit more time before we can announce these.’

Martyn Allison, chair of the Big Difference trustees added: ‘Both the city and the wider UK comedy community can be justifiably proud of what Geoff has achieved over the last 30 years and the legacy he has created but we always knew that at some stage Geoff would want to step down and move on and we have been planning for a sustainable and exciting future.

‘We are pleased Geoff will be around to help us celebrate 30 years in style, and we wish him luck in whatever he chooses to do next.’

The charity recently also launched its own year-round venue, The Big Difference, in what was formerly known as The Cookie.

Published: 28 Apr 2022