Leicester Comedy Festival celebrates its 30th year in 2023 and returns with a stellar line-up of comedians between the 8th and 26th February. Applications for its trademark public-facing competitions; The UK Pun Championships and Silver Stand-Up as well as the Circuit Breakers comedy development scheme are now officially open.
The three competitions have been a mainstay of the festival – Europe’s largest and longest-running comedy gala – for many years and the 30th anniversary year promises to be a particularly memorable one for the festival. Founder Geoff Rowe will also bid farewell to the event, as this anniversary year also marks his departure from the festival. Comedians performing at the various venues in 2023 include Chloe Petts, Colin Hoult, Darren Harriott, Adele Cliff, Fern Brady, Gary Delaney, John Kearns, Ignacio Lopez, Richard Herring, Ahir Shah, Sophie Duker, Josh Pugh, Emmanuel Sonubi and Sarah Keyworth.
Now entering its tenth year, The UK Pun Championships celebrates the great art of the British pun, with contestants entering from all over the UK to compete in a battle that takes place in a real boxing ring, surrounded by a boisterous live audience. The final will take place on 13th February 2023 - #UKPunDay; a day that champions puns and word play and the very brainchild of Leicester Comedy Festival.
The Silver Stand-Up competition is an annual comedy contest, open to any comic, established or up-and-coming over the age of 55, it was launched in 2012 and has now been one of the highlights of the festival for over ten years. 63-year-old Nik Hill took the crown last year and scooped the £500 prize after beating tough competition from 14 other contestants.
Leicester Comedy Festival’s Circuit Breakers puts a spotlight on new and emerging comedians from across the UK. Aspiring comics are encouraged to enter for the opportunity to gain support and a guaranteed spot to perform at the 2023 festival. The scheme, which has been running since 2018, is designed to nurture and develop comedians’ careers. Each February, eight comedians from across the UK are selected to benefit from the programme.
Applications for all competitions will close on Sunday 4th December and the successful participants will be announced the before Christmas
To enter The UK Pun Championships, Silver Stand-Up and Circuit Breakers, please head to: www.comedy-festival.co.uk
