The Leicester Comedy Festival, partnered for a fourth year by TV channel Dave, runs from February 4 - 22. It is the oldest comedy festival in England. This year there will be over 50 venues delivering hundreds of shows across the 19 days.
Among the big names appearing are Milton Jones, Dylan Moran, Simon Amstell and Jimmy Carr. Mark Watson, Nina Conti, John Shuttleworth, Mark Thomas, Sara Pascoe, Josie Long and Nick Helm will also be stopping off in the city with their latest shows. Stewart Lee will be dropping in with a preview of material from his next BBC2 series and James Acaster will be roadtesting his next live show. As well as familiar names from the UK comedy circuit there will be a special appearance from Sean Kelly, the star of the US TV show Storage Hunters.
There will also be a number of special events. Here is just a selection.
A Tribute to Sir Norman Wisdom: The late legend was a patron of the Festival and will be remembered in an exhibition curated by his son, Nick Wisdom. As well as 57 framed pictures it will include instruments such as his saxophone and clarinet and handwritten scripts. The first day of the festival would have been Wisdom's 100th birthday.
Euroversity Challenge: A new show, presented by Dave, described as 'a mash up of the Eurovision Song Contest and University Challenge'. A top team of international comedians battle it out for the title of 'Cleverest Nation in Europe'.
The UK Pun Championships: Lee Nelson hosts the second year of the competition which takes the format of a 'rap battle' but for puns.
Hotel D'Comedie: The return of this site-specific stand-up event, with intimate gigs in numerous hotel rooms.
Comedy in the Dark: The show that does what it says on the tin. Eco-friendly stand-up with the lights out.
Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year: The annual new act competition. Recent winners include Josh Widdicombe and Seann Walsh and Johnny Vegas is another former champ.
Silver Stand-Up Competition: A competition involving new and experienced comedians with only one rule – entrants must be over the age of 55.
Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival runs from the 4th to 22nd February 2015. To find out more click here.
For a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets and accommodation courtesy of Dave enter here.
