Jo Brand, Arthur Smith, Hal Cruttenden, Milton Jones, Lost Voice Guy, Phil Nichol, Ivan Brackenbury and Eshaan Akbar have all helped raise thousands of pounds to support Leicester Comedy Festival and the registered charity that produces it, Big Difference Company. All the acts took part in fundraising shows and events for the festival, which runs until Sunday 23rd February 2020.
Leicester Comedy Festival is a not for profit event, which aims to celebrate British comedy, and support new and emerging comedians. Big Difference Company works throughout the year to “broaden the grin” (The Guardian) started during the festival, by producing projects and activities with communities across Leicester & Leicestershire. Donations can still be made by visiting www.comedy-festival.co.uk
Milton Jones and Lost Voice Guy were interviewed by Festival Founding Director Geoff Rowe on stage in front of an audience during the festival period. The events built on past interviews with comedians including Johnny Vegas, Tom Allen, Romesh Ranganathan and Sarah Millican. Jo Brand headlined a comedy show at De Montfort Hall, which featured Arthur Smith, Hal Cruttenden, Ivan Brackenbury, Eshaan Akbar and Phil Nichol. Proceeds from the ticket sales go towards sustaining the festival, and the community programme.
In 2020 the community programme has included projects aimed at improving health and wellbeing, work with children and young people and refugees and asylum seekers. The festival has also produced 2 performances in Leicester residential care homes, with comedians entertaining residents and staff. There was also a performance at the Leicester city centre AGE UK building, with Mrs Barbara Nice entertaining over 100 older people.
Geoff Rowe said “Whilst the festival continues to grow and develop each year, we need continued support to keep the thing going, and engage with as many community groups as possible. We have always worked on the basis that the festival is important to the national comedy community, but is also important to the local community here in Leicester and Leicestershire. Lots of the community work we produce goes largely unnoticed but I firmly believe it’s part of the reason why we have sustained what we do for close to 3 decades. Without the support from comedians we wouldn’t be able to continue so we’d all like to say a massive THANK YOU to all the acts who performed for free this year and helped raise such a large amount of money. All the money raised will go back into developing what we do in the future.”
Leicester Comedy Festival features over 850 shows and events, in a record breaking 92 venues across Leicester & Leicestershire. Headline acts for 2020 include Johnny Vegas, Stewart Lee, Shappi Khorsandi, Fascinating Aida, Paul Sinha, Josie Long, Jason Byrne, Tony Slattery, Angela Barnes, Griff Rhys Jones, Andy Parsons, John Shuttleworth, Dane Baptiste, Rhod Gilbert, Mark Steel, Flo & Joan and Reg D Hunter.
The festival is supported by a range of local and national organisations, including Leicester City Council, Union JACK Radio, De Montfort University, The Baring Foundation, Everards Brewery, Sturgess Motor Group, Red Monkey Play, Highcross and East Midlands Railways.
