Leicester Comedy Festival announces 2023 shortlists
- New act contest Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year will take place on 25th February 2023
- The tenth UK Pun Championships is scheduled for 13th February 2023
- Silver Stand-Up, the contest for acts over the age of 55, will have its final on 21st February 2023
The Leicester Comedy Festival has announced the shortlists for the Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year, UK Pun Championships and Silver Stand Up contests, plus the Circuit Breakers development programme.
Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year
This flagship competition for the festival, which is noted for picking out future stand-up stars, will take place on 25th February 2023. Promoters have put forward the following acts to compete:
UK Pun Championships
The tenth UK Pun Championships will celebrate the great art of the British pun on 13th February 2023, #UKPunDay. The shortlist of contestants that will compete in a battle that takes place in a real boxing ring, surrounded by a boisterous live audience this time are:
Silver Stand-Up
The shortlist of comedians over the age of 55 that will compete for the coveted £500 prize on 21st February 2023 are:
Ian Crawford (Cutlery Safety Expert)
Circuit Breakers
The six comedians from across the UK that have been selected to benefit from the Circuit Breakers development programme are:
Low Effort Sketches (Andy Bucks and Alice Wickersham)
This 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 and 18th February.
Leicester Comedy Festival 2023 runs from the 8th - 26th February 2023. Tickets for shows are available via comedy-festival.co.uk