Festival line-up revealed
BIG NAMES OF COMEDY HEADING TO THE CITY
LEICESTER Comedy Festival has launched its 2020 programme, promising more venues, more talent and more unique events than ever before.
In total, more than 1,600 performers will take to about 90 stages for more than 800 shows.
Big-name acts include Jo Brand, Stewart Lee, Milton Jones, Shappi Khorsandi, Fascinating Aida, Paul Sinha, Josie Long, Jason Byrne, Tony Slattery, Angela Barnes, Griff Rhys Jones, Andy Parsons, John Shuttleworth, Dane Baptiste, Rhod Gilbert, Mark Steel, Flo & Joan, Arthur Smith and Reg D Hunter. Leicester Mercury
This year, the festival is working Comedian of the Year Competition, with Time To Change, The Samar- Loving Laughing, Comedy itans, De Montfort University and Heaven, Silver Stand Up and Leicester charity Lamp, to pro- Laugh Term Comedy School all duce a mental health guide to the return. festival, aimed at ensuring per- Festival director Geoff Rowe formers, comedians, promoters, said: “Leicester Comedy Festival venue staff, volunteers and 2020 is going to be massive and audiences have a positive we’re incredibly proud to launch time. the huge programme.
The UK Kids’ Comedy “We’ve always said we Festival returns for its would launch Leicester Comedy second year, as does Festival 2020 on October Union Jack Radio’s Circuit 30; no ifs no buts. We Breakers, a programme have kept our word so supporting fortunately I won’t new and have to go and die in emerging comedians. a ditch. “We’re delighted
Favourites the we can continue to UK Pun Championships, grow and develop the event in so many ways, and continue to claim the crown of the biggest comedy festival in the UK.
“We’re also thrilled to be continuing The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, featuring loads of shows and activities.
“This unique sister festival was launched in 2019 and it went so well, we’re bringing it back to entertain and inspire young people to get into live comedy, either as audience members or performers.
“Both the festivals only work because of the support we continue to receive from acts, comedians, promoters, agents, venues, business partners and, of course, audiences.
“The past 26 years have been a blast and we’re so looking forward to continuing the fun in 2020.”