Leicester Comedy Festival has announced the shortlists for Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, The UK Pun Championships and Silver Stand Up contests, as well as the Circuit Breakers Development Programme.
Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year is the flagship competition of the festival. The shortlist of contestants that will compete in the competition show are: Daniel Petrie, Freya McGhee, Josephine Lacey, Mary Flanigan, Rahul Somia, Sergi Polo, Shalaka Kurup and Vittorio Angelone.
The Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award has been a mainstay of the festival since 1995, enhancing the careers of many comedians. Past winners include Johnny Vegas, Mitch Benn, Jason Manford, Kate Lucas, Rhod Gilbert, Seann Walsh and Debra-Jane Appelby, The final, hosted by rising star Sikisa, will take place on 25thFebruary 2023.
The tenth UK Pun Championships will celebrate the great art of the British pun. The shortlist of contestants that will compete in a battle that takes place in a real boxing ring, surrounded by a boisterous live audience are: Ben Emmett, Cosmic Kat, Daniel Edison, Geoff Alderman, Kat Molinari, Lee Brace, Pauline Eyre and Stevie Vegas.
The final, hosted by Jason Byrne, will take place on 13th February 2023, on #UKPunDay; a day that champions puns and word play and the very brainchild of Leicester Comedy Festival.
The Silver Stand-Up shortlist of comedians over the age of 55 that will compete for the coveted £500 prize are: Cecilia Delatori, Ian Crawford (Cutlery Safety Expert), Joe Bains, Kevin Daniel, Kevin Hudson, Matthew Baylis, Sarah Bowles and Walter Jack.
Launched in 2012, The Silver Stand-up competition has been one of the highlights of the festival for over ten years. 63-year-old Nik Hill took the crown last year. The final, hosted by Mrs Barbara Nice, will take place on 21st February 2023.
The six comedians from across the UK that have been selected to benefit from the Circuit Breakers Programme are: Adam Hopkins, Caryl Burke, Low Effort Sketches (Andy Bucks and Alice Wickersham) Melina Fiol, Roman Harris and Shalaka Kurup.
The scheme, which has been running since 2018, is designed to nurture and develop comedians’ careers, they will each have the support of Leicester Comedy Festival and a spot to perform at the 2023 festival. The Circuit Breakers showcases, hosted by Leroy Brito, will take place on 17th – 18th February 20203.
Tickets for the showcases are available on https://comedy-festival.co.uk
Leicester Comedy Festival 2023 runs from the 8th – 26th February 2023. Its patrons for 2023 will be Eshaan Akbar, Jo Brand, Sikisa and Stewart Lee, joining Tony Slattery. Rosie Jones and Michael Rosen were announced as new patrons of The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival.
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.
