Seeking punsters, newbies and the over-55s

The Leicester Comedy Festival has opened applications for its raft of annual showcases. 

Comedians can now apply to enter The UK Pun Championships, Silver Stand Up Competition and the Circuit Breakers development programme,

The UK Pun Championships is open to any pun-based comedian living in the UK who are able to make the live final on Monday February 10 in Leicester – a rap battle style event hosted by Jason Byrne

Silver Stand Up Competition is for comedians aged over 55, with the final taking place on Thursday February 20, hosted by Barbara Nice. 

Union JACK Radio’s Circuit Breakers helps comedians who are just starting out perform at the festival. It is open to comedians from across the UK who don’t currently have a manager or agent nor a full hour long show,  and will involve with performances during the festival. 

For the first time  producers will also be organising a London Circuit Breakers showcase, which will be at The Bill Murray on March 18. The Circuit Breakers programme receives funding from members of the public who donated money via crowdfunding.

Geoff Rowe, founding director of Leicester Comedy Festival, said: ‘We’re really proud of the support we give new and emerging talent and it is really important for us to ensure the festival is as welcoming as possible to comedians from across the UK

‘Our competitions are a crucial part of this and we know new and emerging comedians value being part of the biggest comedy festival in Europe.

‘Each year we are inundated with applications for our competitions and we look forward to hearing from acts who want to take part.’

Full details about how to enter are available here. The deadline for all competitions is Wednesday December 4 at midday.

Published: 12 Nov 2019