Leicester Comedy Festival Blog

So we’ve reached the final day of the festival, and I’d like to take the opportunity to answer the question that everyone has been asking me for the last week or so, the question that has seemingly been on everyone’s lips – “aren’t you all comedy-ed out yet?” The answer to that one is a resounding NO!

To put it in perspective, when I found out a show I was due to be seeing tonight was cancelled, my initial reaction was “oh, that’s a shame.” Then, the very next thought was “hang on, this means I can go to Comedy Heaven instead!” One quick internet ticket-purchasing transaction later, and Bob’s yer uncle. More comedy!
 
There have been a lot of highlights of this festival for me, and they’ve kept on coming right until the end. Only a couple of nights ago Tony Law invited the crowd at Bowies on a wierd and wonderful trip into his world (and you really should go there if you have the chance, it’s demented), and the night before that Patrick Monahan managed to warm the freezing Guildhall audience up entirely using charm alone – and in a Guildhall first, even got some crowd surfing going on…
 
The other question that people have asked is “what are you going to do when it’s all over?” Well, I’m going to have an early night or perhaps spend an evening somewhere other than a bar I reckon, but what I’ll be doing is keeping an eye out for gigs in the city and supporting them (i.e. turning up and having a laugh). So many comedians and promoters I’ve spoken to have mentioned the wonderful amount of comedy that we have going on in Leicester, and there will still be great stuff happening outside of the festival. Enjoy!
 
TTFN,
 
B

You’ve read what some of our judges think; here’s another one:

So here we are, the finishing line is in sight and inevitably the thoughts start turning to “what the hell am I gonna do when the festival is over!”

I must admit to not knowing exactly what to expect when I started out on this adventure, sitting in the City Rooms for the official launch a couple of weeks ago, but what a fantastic experience it has been so far. It is fair to say that every show has had memorable moments, although not always for the right reasons!

 The best shows have been those where after the first 5 minutes I’ve sat there wondering what the hell I’m doing there but by the end of the show they have totally turned me around and I don’t want the show to end. Take a bow Nick Helm in particular. Although after sitting through his show I view trees in a totally different light than I used to (you had to be there). The only negative to that show was the fact that I never got a Jaffa Cake (again, you had to be there!).

 The whole festival has been memorable. I’ve listened to comedians in total darkness. Been a Dog Wrangler and wrangled a Dog (very well I might add), watched in awe as a comedy show became a political debate, listened to tales of accidental engagements (you know who you are) and even been heckled by another member of the audience!

 The best part of the whole judging process though has to be the great bunch of people I’ve met. Yes, take a bow my fellow judges. Different people, different personalities, different backgrounds. Brought together through a common desire to laugh. What better way to meet new friends.

There are still a few more days to go and more to look forward to. I can’t wait.

 Craig

“Well I didn’t think that I’d be sat here writing this after opening night, safe in the knowledge that not only did we sell out our show, but that we had to turn people away! Hi, I’m Sam, and as well as being the president of the University of Leicester’s theatre group, LUTheatre, I also help run a fortnightly evening of theatrical sketches called Proteus. The idea of Proteus first came about as a way to get as many students involved in the theatre as possible; the basic idea being that we meet every two weeks, and then rehearse a series of self-penned sketches before performing them to the general public. This has culminated with an invitation to perform at this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival, at the wonderful Crumblin’ Cookie on the High Street.

Organising over 40 performers for a show has, at times, been a bit of a logistical nightmare, but the help that we have received from the organisers of the Comedy Festival, especially Andy Leitch (whose patience towards my childlike questioning makes Mother Teresa look like an impertinent goat) has made the whole process a joy. The feedback for our show, which ranges from a musical about waiting for the bus to a murder investigation involving Paddington Bear and the Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been extremely positive, and for me the highlight so far has been the wide demographic of our audience; theatre can be somewhat of a clique, and so it was especially rewarding to see many people from the wider Leicester community.

I am confident that the relationship between Leicester University and the Comedy Festival will continue to blossom, and I am already looking forward to next year where we hope to host a number of events at our brand spanking new Student’s Union.”

Sam Illingworth

The comedy festival is going from strength to strength!!! I’ve enjoyed a variety of acts from one man stand ups like Paul Sinha to comedy sketch shows like Pappy’s and Wittank, I’ve enjoyed musical acts by Topping and Butch and contemporary comedy dance acts like the New Art Club which did an absolutely fabulous show about the cassette ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ from 1983!
 
The festival atmosphere has been really uplifting as venues have regularly been filled to capacity with families and friends enjoying the shows together. Last night was hillarious seeing one man act out the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy!!! Don’t worry, It didn’t last 9 hours like the film, he managed to complete the task in just over an hour! – I was exhausted by just watching him! I’ve even been inspired to start reading the book!!! Ha ha!!!!
 
Blog later!!!
 
Roo! x

Good grief, I thought we’d escaped the snow this year but it seems the Comedy Festival is destined to have at least a little dusting. At least we have 17 whole days of comedy joy to warm our freezing cockles as we jet in between venues like busy judging bees. And busy I’ve certainly been; so much so I’m rather tardy to the blogging party. Oopsy, sorry.

Since I’ve lived in Leicester I’ve always been aware of the festival and have booked up to see numerous comedians over the years. But this year, not just because I’m actively involved, there’s a real sense of size to the festival and an excitement amongst the crowds. The festival is just growing and growing! Not only do we have a mammoth 17 days of funny, the word seems to be spreading and I know people making journeys from London and ‘up North’ just to see what the Leicester Comedy Festival is all about. Perhaps the Festival will be even bigger next time? Though I can only imagine what Geoff would say to me for suggesting he take on a bigger workload…

I’ve seen some wonderful, confusing, ‘colourful’ and downright weird acts so far. Being asked to eat a banana onstage by Doktor Cococolamcdonalds has probably been my most memorable moment so far and his act is going to continue to haunt my dreams for years to come I feel.

Coming up next time: actual comments about actual acts I’ve seen. Not just waffle.

C

Well, we’re halfway through the 2010 Leicester Comedy Festival so I thought I’d let you know how the Running Joke has been going.  The vital statistics are that I have run 35 (and three quarters) miles and visited 23 venues from Swallowdale Primary School in Melton Mowbray to the Crumblin’ Cookie at on the High Street.

As you’ll have noticed it has been BITTERLY cold.  I’ve had to tailor my running kit for warmth and visibility rather than style.  I look like an explosion in a high-visibility paint factory.  I rather unfortunately gatecrashed a wedding at the Belmont dressed like that. Oh dear.

The reception I’ve received at the venues as I lumber up has been mostly good (although pretty much without exception everyone has looked at me like I am barking mad).  Special mention must go to Regent College and Countesthorpe Village Hall for the warmth of their welcome and for making me feel special.  I also got to have my picture taken with the legendary Tuba from Travelling by Tuba (insert your own “massive horn” gag here).

Running every day is not advisable for elite athletes (which I am emphatically not) so I’ve had pretty sore legs, especially my hamstrings, the last couple of days.  I now have two rest days so hopefully that will at least subside when I continue.  And I might actually get to watch some comedy.

I have three city centre runs next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, taking in ten venues over the three nights so do please look out for me in my neon pink gear and give me a wave.  Or better still some money.  Thanks to all those who have sponsored me so far for Prostaid and Amnesty International.  Do please keep the pledges coming to:-

www.justgiving.com/runningjokeprostaid

www.justgiving.com/runningjokeamnesty

I’ve recovered somewhat since my last post on this page, and having realised that we’re over halfway through the festival, I’m now just looking forward to seeing as much great comedy as I can for the next week.
 
On the subject of great comedy, Marcel Lucont and Dan Antopolski put on a fantastic show at the Belmont Hotel on Friday for the first of the Comedy In The Dark shows. It seems somehow odd to say that Marcel’s gallic ”charm” makes him perfectly suited to performing in the dark, but that’s by no means an insult! Following him was a difficult task, especially as the darkness was making some of the audience terribly giddy (or perhaps it was the gallons of wine they’d been troughing, who knows?), but Dan totally pulled it off. If only we could have seen where the aisles were, I daresay we may have been rolling in them at his “Mouse of Commons” routine.
 
Dan Antopolski is on again at Level 1 this coming Friday, with tickets apparently at a fiver which is the biggest bargain of the festival in my opinion. While I’m recommending things, on Wednesday if you fancy treating yourself to a musical double bill, go see James Sherwood at Bowies for some intelligent and wry musical observations, followed by the great Barry Cryer on at the Musician shortly after, performing comedy songs along with Ronnie Golden. Yep, that’s right. Barry Cryer, gigging at the Musician. Hands up who thought they’d ever see that?!
 
TTFN,

B

Friday 5th February was both the launch of the Comedy Festival and the first day I had managed to see Leicester in daylight; my other visits had been exclusively nocturnal. Well, early evening at least.

One week down and it’s time to pick out some highlights. This simply must be done.

Even putting shows to one side, there’s plenty going on:

- I have enjoyed watching children back-flipping on the high street in the hope of being ‘prodded’ by the giant hand on the big screen (if you don’t know what I’m referring to then you’re on your own as I can’t explain it any more clearly than that);

- a significant victory in the John Lewis quiz (largely due to my contributions, I’m sure the team would agree) accompanied by Waitrose nibbles;

- the BBC7/BBC Leicester interview-marathon with performers from the Festival (during this time, I saw someone remove a tongue piercing which was a particular high point. Of my life – not just the Festival.) in the cosy Crimlin’ Cookie;

- a burlesque-esque night at the City Rooms with plenty of people in pants and a hula-hopping extravanganza (I can only imagine the bruising);

- and Charity Shop DJ which mixed old cheese with my new moves seemlessly at the Y, which is a great venue for ad hoc karaoke!

Wherever you turn, there is something Festival-ly going-on which is providing me with much amusement between dashing from show to show.

Speaking of which: the shows! As varied in content as they are in venue! Truly something for everyone.

I’m looking forward to the middle weekend where I am convinced fatigue is about to translate into giddiness and, perhaps, jiving.

Jo

On day 7 of the festival now, and when it’s over, I’m going to campaign for some proper scientific research into the side-effects of watching too much comedy. The reason I say this is because, I’ll be honest, I think it’s starting to affect me. For the last couple of nights when I’ve gone to sleep, my internal monologue has just started telling me what I’m dreaming about in the style of various stand-up comedians. Very entertaining but still, that can’t be right, can it?
 
Whenever I do have an actual dream, it turns out to be about comedy too. The other night I dreamt I was on a guided tour of the comedy HQ – a big gleaming office in an industrial estate where all the comedians worked, designing jokes. It was Brendan Burns’ turn to man the sandwich counter at the cafeteria, and I saw him making what I thought were baguettes filled with all the usual fillings such as cheese or tuna, but on closer inspection turned out to be custard doughnuts filled with jelly tots and penny sweets. He explained to me that this was what ALL comedians eat, but normal people wouldn’t be able to handle it so I shouldn’t even try. Feel free to psychoanalyse at your leisure…
 
Oh well, at least this blog now has a dream sequence, just like every decent movie or novel does. 10 more days to go before I can book myself in for a “check up from the neck up” but don’t worry, I’ll try and hold it together til then. Wish me luck!
 
TTFN,
 
B

This is The Crumblin’ Cookie’s first year as a venue for the Leicester Comedy Festival.  Adjacent to Dominoes Toy Store we regularly host acoustic and comedy evenings, however, being involved with such a prestigious and large event seemed a little daunting when we were first approached by the festival organisers’.  Fortunately for us, the project manager, Andy Leitch has given us a lot of guidance.

Hosting events on fourteen of the seventeen days of the festival is challenging, given that we have to completely change our ground floor to accommodate 60 seats and a stage area every evening, then change it back again the next morning ready for our normal business day as a coffee and sandwich bar. 

Nevertheless we are extremely happy that we got on board!  The profile of our shop has been raised far beyond our expectations and the benefits from our involvement will in no doubt strengthen our monthly comedy nights.

It’s also very clear that the city centre has benefitted from holding the festival.  The Imaginarium & Poetry Brothel at the city rooms on Friday the 5th, hosted by Dusk 2 Dawn & Tim Grayson, was packed full of people, and it certainly enthused many of Leicester’s artistic establishments to support the event. 

We understand many of the venues had an excellent turnout on the opening weekend, as we did for 80’s Movie Flashback.  We’re particularly looking forward to welcoming all of the comedians to our venue including Dave Fulton, Jody Kamali, Joe Lycett, Andrew Ryan, Jim Brown and Leicester University’s ‘Proteus’, but particularly Northern Laughs, The Killer Show and Comedy Baby, who are all performing free events.    

Antony & Katie Hopkins