The brochure for Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2016 is launched today.

England's longest running comedy festival runs from February 3 - 21. The festival’s 23rd year is set to be its most diverse and inventive yet.

Partnered for the fifth year by UKTV comedy channel Dave, the festival will include the now legendary UK Pun Championships, performances from the cream of the UK comedy crop, seminars on how comedy tackles the big issues of the day, exclusive events, performances from award winners, nominees and talented young (and old) newcomers.

Highlights include Reeves and Mortimer, Johnny Vegas, Katherine Ryan, Josie Long, Steve Hall, Romesh Ranganathan and Foster’s Award Winners Sam Simmons and Best Newcomer Sofie Hagen. The festival pays homage to its original patron Sir Norman Wisdom with a play about his life, Wisdom of a Fool.

Also appearing are Abandoman, 2015 Foster’s Best Newcomer nominees Adam Hess and Tom Parry, 2015 Foster’s Best Comedy nominees James Acaster and Nish Kumar, Andrew Lawrence, Andy Zaltzman, Chris Ramsey, Dane Baptiste, David O’Doherty, Elis James, Felicity Ward, Gary Delaney, Henning Wehn, Joe Lycett, 2014 Foster’s Comedy Award winner John Kearns, Luisa Omielan and Ellie Taylor, Mark Dolan, Mitch Benn, Pappys, Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee: The Intimate Magic Tour, Richard Herring, Rob Newman, Rory McGrath, Shappi Khorsandi and Tom Stade.

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. 2016 sees the return of Dave Presents the UK Pun Championships, now in its third year, presented by Dave and hosted by Lee Nelson. Taking the format of a ‘rap battle’ topics are picked randomly on the night and competitors take turns to pun about the topic. Last year’s winner Leo Kearse is now an established performer in the stand up scene. And in celebration of the longstanding British tradition of puns, a seminar discussing the history and development of punning in the UK comes to the festival for the first time.

Further 2016 Highlights include:

Odd Couples: A show inspired by the much-loved Mr and Mrs television show, comedians are partnered and must compete to be crowned odd couple of the year.

Seminar on politics and free speech: Political comedy has undergone a renaissance in the last couple of years, with the new generation of comedians railing against the diminishing opportunities available to them, everyday sexism and the shrinking of the state that so benefitted previous generations. An event for anyone keen to find out more about how comedy can be a tool for change. 

Seminar on comedy and mental health and well-being: A discussion about performing comedy and its effects on the wellbeing of the mind, this seminar is a must for anyone embarking on a comedy career, or keen to learn more about the ‘sadness of a clown’. 

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.

● Euroversity Challenge: returns for its second year. 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). 

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

● Secret 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. 

● Comedy Heaven is the spectacular finale show for Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2016, in aid of Amnesty International, Prostaid & Big Difference Company. Some of the best acts of the festival gather to raise money for good causes and see the festival out in style.

● I Say is the annual comedy conversation, and this year features special guest Nicholas Parsons.

● Preview Show. Friday 8th January at De Montfort Hall. Hosted by Lee Nelson and with a lineup that includes 2015 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award Winner Tom Little, Nish Kumar, 2016 Foster’s Comedy Awards Best Newcomer Sofie Hagen, Kai Humphries, Jen Brister, George Rigden + special guests, this annual sell-out show offers a taster of what’s to come when the festival rolls in to town. Tickets available from 0116 233 3111.

● The complete programme is now available here. 

● All ticket enquiries: 0116 242 3595