Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival (4 – 22 February 2015)  has launched the brochue for its 19-day 2015 event.  The festival’s 22nd year will be its biggest yet, with a record breaking number of comedians and special events taking over more than 50 city venues.

Geoff Rowe, founder and Director of the festival said “Our 2015 festival is going to make the lure of Leicester in February even stronger for comedy fans across the UK.  There are so many brilliant acts coming to the festival, audiences will be spoilt for choice. This year is packed full of top stand ups and unique events, which you simply can’t see anywhere else.”

Partnered for the fourth year by Dave, Europe’s longest running comedy festival will present a programme that includes exclusive events, festival favourites, veterans of the comedy circuit, award winners, nominees and about-to-break-through-to-the-big-time talented young whippersnappers you can (smugly) tell everybody you saw first.

Steve North, General Manager of Dave said: “It’s fantastic to continue our relationship with the Leicester Comedy Festival, and with a swanky new logo too.  We are very excited about the line up this year, it’s a schedule sure to guarantee laughs and we have some brilliant Dave sponsored events in there too.”

Highlights for 2015 include Milton Jones, Johnny Vegas, John Thomson, Dylan Moran, and Jimmy Carr. The festival will pay homage to its original patron comedy genius Sir Norman Wisdom with an exhibition curated by his son, Nick Wisdom. As well as 57 framed pictures there will be reminders of legendary Norman’s musical talents on show, with instruments such as his saxophone and clarinet displayed. There will also be some handwritten scripts and other personal reminders.  The exhibition opens on Wednesday 4th February which would have been Norman’s 100th birthday.

Further highlights will include shows from winner of Foster’s Best Newcomer Alex Edelman, Brendon Burns, Christian O’Connell, Foster’s best newcomer nominee Dane Baptiste, Felicity Ward, Foster’s Panel prize winner Funz And GameZ,  Foster’s Best Newcomer nominee Gein’s Family Giftshop,  Foster’s Best Comedy nominee James Acaster, Joe Lycett, John Shuttleworth,  Josie Long, Foster’s Newcomer nominee Lucy Beaumont, Lucy Porter, Luisa Omielan, Mark Thomas, Mark Watson,  Nick Helm, Nina Conti, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2012 winner Romesh Ranganathan, Foster’s Comedy nominee Sara Pascoe, Seann Walsh,  Simon Amstell, Stewart Lee, and Tony Law. American comedian Sean Kelly, star of the hit Dave show Storage Hunters, will be making his UK debut in Leicester prior to a UK tour.

Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival has a tradition of creating unique events and competitions, from the long running Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition to the search for the best Silver Stand Up. 2015 sees the return of the UK Pun Championships, presented by Dave and hosted by Lee Nelson. Taking for the format of a ‘rap battle’ topics are picked randomly on the night and competitors then take it in turns to pun about the topic. Described by Chortle as “an annual comedy fixture” with “a pantomime atmosphere; hits are cheered, misses are groaned.” Last year’s winner Darren Walsh, went on to take part in the O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships in Austin, Texas. 

Also new for 2015, Dave presents Euroversity Challenge.  A top team of international comedians vie for the title of Cleverest Nation in Europe!  A mash up of the Eurovision Song Contest and University Challenge, expect madness and mayhem, music and mirth ... and possibly the odd question (probably very odd) all vaguely controlled by Ahir Shah. Will their Starters for Ten be Nul Points? This is Leicester calling ....!

Returning festival favourites will include:

● Comedy in the Dark: This innovative show is a homegrown festival creation which has gone on to delight audiences with the lights out all over the country. Senses are heightened, language takes on new life and laughter sounds even louder in the dark.

● Hotel D’Comedie: Another original festival creation which has audiences checking in year after year; this intimate site-specific comedy experience at Hotel Maiyango. 

● Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year is an annual sell out. This 21 year old competition, judged by the comedy industry cognoscenti, consistently identifies the stars of tomorrow. Previous winners include Romesh Ranganathan, Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford, Rhod Gilbert, Josh Widdicombe & Seann Walsh.

● Secret Comedy Tour is another consistent festival sell out. Can’t decide what to see? Take a chance and book your place on the tour to see three shows in one night. Tickets must be booked in advance.

● Old Folks Telling Jokes is another Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival concept which has enjoyed success at the festival and beyond, including a riotous run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2014, showcasing the skills of the funniest fogies around.

● Silver Stand-Up Competition returns as Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival continues its search for the UK’s best seasoned stand-up talent, in association with Silver Comedy. Entry is for both new and experienced comedians strictly over the age of 55. The competition grows each year; previous winners have been featured on BBC Breakfast News, Saga Magazine and Sunday Times Culture Magazine.

● Comedy Heaven is the spectacular finale show for Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2014, in aid of Amnesty International and Prostaid. Some of the best acts of the festival gather to raise money for good causes and see the festival out in style.

● The complete programme is available now www.comedy-festival.co.uk

● All ticket enquiries: 0116 242 3595