Exciting news, comedy fans – The UK’s biggest and longest running comedy festival is finally BACK in live performance to celebrate British comedy again in February 2022.
Big Difference Company, the charity that has organised Leicester Comedy Festival every year since 1994, have released the grand line-up for the event – and we think you’re in for a treat.
The 2022 rendition will see a live performance return with a full brochure of performances and events in physical venues, as it was moved online in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Next year’s festival will be even bigger with over 560 shows and 800 performances in 64 venues across the city.
Big Difference has announced their fantastic line up of well-known comedy stars to take the mic – including Angela Barnes, Ahir Shah, Catherine Bohart, Ed Gamble and Henning Wehn, as well as Katherine Ryan, Maisie Adam, Mark Watson, Nabil Abdulrashid, Nick Helm, Pam Ayres and many more.
Leicestershire’s very own Rachel Parris, who was named the 2018 Female First’s Comedian of the year, is also set to perform. Alongside an array of popular comedians such as Ria Lina, Richard Herring, Rosie Jones, Ross Noble, Seann Walsh and several others.
Not forgetting the multi-award winning British musical comedy duo and hugely acclaimed act, Flo and Joan, are also scheduled to join the stage.
Taking place alongside the Leicester comedy festival, the UK Kids' Comedy Festival is also making a reappearance for its fourth year and is the UK’s only comedy festival for children. Over 45 shows and 75 performances will take place in 25 venues across the city and county. It will offer an enjoyable mix of family-friendly comedy acts and events to entertain the whole family.
Founder and director of both festivals, Geoff Rowe, said: “It’s bloody brilliant to be back.” Promoting live events since the age of 13, Rowe said: “The thrill I get still of seeing loads of people having a great time is fantastic. Even after three decades. My mantra of over thirty years has been that everybody has to laugh at something. One of the important things we decided early on is that the comedy festival should be as diverse as we could possibly make it.”
He explained that being online caused limited barriers. “The last 18 months have been quite tricky for us. The festival has a role to play of connecting people and giving them a good time because it’s been a rubbish year with lockdown. It’s been hard getting to this point, but we’re really excited to be back in February to bring the energy again.”
Both festivals are produced by Leicester-based charity Big Difference, that works throughout the year to provide festivals and cultural events to engage and benefit communities through comedy and laughter. An independent charity which strives to better people’s lives with humour and entertainment.
Despite the cancellation of the Leicester Comedy Festival Gala 2021 show due to lockdown, the main festival did go ahead. Though not as planned, it featured 380 online shows, discussions and events and attracted an audience of approximately 30,000 people. Comedy fans around the globe watched from as far as New Zealand, USA, Belgium, Cyprus and Sweden.
Leicester Comedy Festival also gives opportunities for new and rising talent a chance to shine. Working closely with Union JACK Radio, De Montfort University and Leicester city council, the festival aims to support and encourage those who aspire to perform, grow and advance within the comedy field.
Tickets are now available to purchase, to secure yours visit their website: https://comedy-festival.co.uk/
The two comedy festivals' brochures are also available, and the full programme will be accessible on their website.
Physical brochures can be ordered at info@comedy-festival.co.uk
For the latest updates on their performances and events, follow their Twitter accounts:
@LeicsComedyFest
@KidsComedyFest
@StandUpChal
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