By Harry Rogers
Leicester comedy festival is back with one of its strongest line-ups to date as it celebrates its 23rd birthday.
Romesh Ranganathan, Sarah Millican and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here runner-up Joel Dommet are just some of the many acts involved at this year’s event.
Throughout February, comedians of all calibres will be performing across 23 city venues in a bid to get Leicester laughing.
Geoff Rowe, festival founder and director, said: “Our main message is for people to take a punt and go and see someone they don’t know in a venue they’ve not been to before.
“I think the festival has become part of the DNA of Leicester.”
Festival fan Amy Goss with her tickets outside FirebugThe occasion has expanded massively since its first year and now hosts more than 800 events which will be attended by 100,000 people.
A new festival hub has also been introduced this year in Jubilee Square, where people are welcome to ask questions and buy tickets to shows.
This year’s event will also see an exhibition of King Richard III, and a one-off show suitable for children.
Mr Rowe added: “The idea is that every year there are new events and things happening within the festival.”
Will Poole, a student at De Montfort University, who attends the festival every year, said: “I always make sure that I go and see at least one act because there is always a fantastic atmosphere.
“I love discovering new talent and I feel like this festival exposes people who go on to perform on some of the country’s biggest stages.”
You can find tickets, the full line up and further information at www.comedy-festival.co.uk.
