The jokes are online: Festival to be virtual
EVENTS INCLUDE INTERVIEWS WITH HOUSEHOLD NAME COMEDIANS
LEICESTER Comedy Festival will take place next month as a ticketed onlineonly event.
Now in its 28th year, the festival will run from February 3 to 21 via NextUp Comedy.
The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival will also return on the same dates.
Geoff Rowe, founder and director of the festival, said: “We are frankly delighted to be back in 2021 with our online programme.
“The support we have received from venues, promoters, comedians and the entire festival community has been amazing and it feels so incredible to know we won’t be missing a year.
“This is the 28th anniversary of Leicester Comedy Festival and it’s really critical to us that we play our part in continuing to celebrate British comedy and support new and emerging comedians.
“The ongoing support from our main partners has enabled the festival to go on.
“Our programme for 2021 includes household names and the best up-andcoming comedians, as well as the usual mix of special events.
“We hope Leicester Comedy Festival 2021 will help put a much needed smile on people’s faces.”
Festival regular Tom Allen – star of The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Bake Off: The Professionals and Bake Off: An
Extra Slice – will be joining other wellknown comedians in online interviews with Geoff.
They will discuss their comedy careers, including highlights, and the future of live comedy.
Each lasts 60 minutes, with all proceeds going to the charity Big Difference Company, producer of the festival since 1994.
Other interview guests include Stewart Lee, Al Murray, Zoe Lyons, Angela Barnes and Ed Byrne.
Other comedians confirmed to appear as part of the festival include Lucy Beaumont, Daliso Chaponda, Sophie Duker, Eshaan Akbar, Jessica Fostekew, Olga Koch, Tez Ilyas, Tony Law, Thanyia Moore, Patrick Monahan, Ahir Shah, Ian Stirling and Felicity Ward.
Many of the festival’s trademark special events such as the UK Pun Championships and Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition have been postponed until later in the year.
The Stand Up Challenge charity fund-raiser, featuring Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, will take place in June.