Leicester fest seeks backers for development scheme

The Leicester Comedy Festival is calling on its supporters to help bring more new comedians to the event.

Organisers have launched a crowdfunding drive to try to cover the costs for up to eight emerging acts.

They have set an ambitious £10,000 target for their development programme, called Circuit Breakers.

Money raised will be used to cover all logistic costs for comedians to attend next year’s Leicester Comedy Festival, including transport, accommodation and marketing. Comedians chosen will also be paid ‘an industry standard rate’ to perform their shows.

Geoff Rowe, pictured, who founded the festival in 1994,  said: ’This is your opportunity to help us support and nurture comedians and, who knows, maybe find a headline act of the future. We hope you’ll get involved in Circuit Breakers and we’ll really appreciate every pledge we receive which will help use support emerging comedy.’

Further details on the crowdfunding page explain: ‘We’ve always supported emerging acts and talent and want to continue that. 

‘Circuit Breakers is… to support those acts who don’t have a full show to bring to the festival.  We know there is a lack of showcase shows at Leicester Comedy Festival and we often have to turn acts away if they don’t have full shows.  So, we’ve put together this package to support new and emerging acts.  They will get support to come to the festival, plus professional support from the festival team, as well as paid gigs. ‘

Details of how comedians can apply to receive support from the money raised will be announced towards the end of the month.

Published: 1 Aug 2017