DECEMBER COMEDY LISTINGS

Here we go then - the final listings of 2012, and what a cracking year it's been! Now I know it's brass monkeys out there, but don't let that stop you getting out and seeing the great comics that Leicester's venues have lined up for you. After all, if the Great Comedian in the Sky had intended us to stay in and watch telly every night, he wouldn't have invented warm clothing and taxis! (Alternative punchline: he wouldn't have invented drivel like 'I'm a Celebrity...'). Read on, folks...

Sat 1st - Barbara Nice, Mike Wilkinson, Stuart Goldsmith, Nick Page @ Just the Tonic

Sun 2nd - Daniel Sloss, Kai Humphries @ Just the Tonic

Mon 3rd - DMU Comedy Society Open Mic Night @ The Cookie Jar
Tue 4th - Big Value Auditions @ Just the Tonic

Wed 5th - Ship of Fools Comedy Showcase @ The Looking Glass
Fri 7th - Shaggers Christmas Special @ The Cookie Jar
Fri 7th / Sat 8th - Ian Cognito, Paul McCaffrey, Carey Marx, Darrell Martin @ Just the Tonic

Tue 11th - Laughing Cows feat Jen Brister, VG Lee, Maureen Younger @ The Red Tent
Wed 12th - Nibbles with Giggles @ Entropy
Wed 12th to Sat 15th - John Robins, Steve Harris, Carl Donnelly @ Just the Tonic

Fri 14th - UFI: Unidentified Flying Improv @ Curve
Sat 15th - Bottle Rocket Xmas Special feat Arthur Smith, Boothby Graffoe, Gareth Richards, Tom Deacon, Matt Richardson @ The Y Theatre

Tue 18th - Lions Eat Ice Cream @ The Looking Glass
Tue 18th - Philberto, Gareth Richards, Romesh Ranganathan, Darrell Martin @ Just the Tonic
Wed 19th - Imran Yusuf @ The Y Theatre
Wed 19th - Ship of Fools Comedy Club @ The Looking Glass
Thu 20th - Gary Delaney, Matt Kirshen, Philberto, Darrell Martin @ Just the Tonic

Fri 21st - Phil Nichol, Gary Delaney, Philberto, Darrell Martin @ Just the Tonic
Sat 22nd - Philberto, Phil Nicol, Sam Avery, Tim Clark @ Just the Tonic

Mon 31st - Ivan Brackenbury, Wes Zaharuk, Phil Nichol, Darrell Martin @ Just the Tonic

So there you go - as usual email, fb or tweet at me if you have anything to add to the listings.
Cheers!

SPECIAL OFFER - Free Tickets to Just the Tonic tonight

Got another special offer for you lucky, lucky people courtesy of those audience-gannets over at Just the Tonic. They're offering FREE TICKETS for tonight's show to Leicester Comedy Scene followers once again, using the promo code LEICESTERCOMEDYSCENE when you book online at their website
http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-Comedy/shows/thursday-29-nov-2012/914/

As I mentioned yesterday, tonight's acts are "circuit mainstay Junior Simpson, Norway's finest dry wit Daniel Simonsen, former Chortle newcomer award winner Diane Spencer and compere Darrell Martin". Can't actually believe I've just quoted myself. How very lazy, (or 'meta', as the kids call it these days).

It's free! Book tickets! NOW!!

Keep Giggling 'Til the Weekend - four shows in the next 2 days

Okay so we're all buzzing about the comedy festival, but remember that's over two months away, so for the meantime, what's on in the next few days to keep us giggling?

Well, plenty, actually. Tonight at De Montfort Hall, Fascinating Aida perform their unique and highly successful brand of comedy cabaret, described as "Absolutely Fabulous meets Noel Coward, as sung by the Andrews Sisters".
http://www.demontforthall.co.uk/events/events.php/2012/878/fascinating-aida/

Then there's more futuristic tangential tales, atmospheric music and abstract performance posturing from Richard Peel's Megaworld on Thursday at the Crumblin' Cookie, this time joined by comedy-magic mentalist Steven P Travis. http://www.richardpeel.com/megaworld/index.html

Also on Thursday, Just the Tonic plays host to circuit mainstay Junior Simpson, Norway's finest dry wit Daniel Simonsen, former Chortle newcomer award winner Diane Spencer and compere Darrell Martin. http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-Comedy/shows/thursday-29-nov-2012/914/

And if neither of those float your boat, Thursday also sees a real variety show going on at The Y Theatre in the form of Emergency! Hosted by local comic Tom Young, it features an eclectic mix of theatre, dance, performance poetry, short film, music and comedy. Highlights this time round include a short mockumentary about Blake Incarcerated - Cleethorpes' finest spirit medium (pictured above), who is the creation of the excellent character comic Ian Hall.
http://www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1159

That should see you through to the weekend, December listings coming soon...

All Hail The Book of a Thousand Dreams

So the time has finally arrived, comedy fans - the brochure for next year's festival is on the loose! 75,000 copies are now floating around the city and county for you to take home and salivate over, then throw away the sodden mess, pick up another one and try not to ruin it with your sputum.

Obviously I'm particularly pleased to be appearing on page 101 of the brochure (right at the end of the main listings), but obviously the main excitement comes from the 500 or so shows that will be taking place across the city and beyond, in 17 days of comedic bliss - I can't wait to immerse myself in the mayhem! You can book your tickets through the venues themselves, or book multiple shows across venues at the festival website http://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/, so start booking now!

Like a vulture with a biro, I've been hungrily circling shows that I'm particularly looking forward to, and I'll be doing plenty of preview posts between now and February, giving you the lowdown on which shows I'll be seeing. I'll also try and break down the gelatinous comedy mass into bitesize chunks, with posts on which shows will suit which tastes, the best free shows for the financially pathetic (of which I am one), and there will even be a few FREE TICKETS to be won right here (as soon as I've devised a silly enough competition), so watch this space!

In conclusion:

TONIGHT: The tale of Smooth-talking Reg and the Tickled Pig

It's Friday, y'all! Time to do the Friday dance, and time to get out there and find something fun to do. Here are my suggestions, predictably comedy-centric as they are:

Smooth-talking Georgian Reginald D Hunter is on at Just the Tonic tonight. Don't be fooled by the laid-back, deep-south charm he exudes on numerous TV panel shows every week, his stand-up shows are a lot more controversial and hard-hitting, and no subject is taboo for this former drama student-turned-massively successful stand-up. As far as I'm aware, Reg is opening tonight so get there on time! Also on the bill are Pierre Hollins, Brett Goldstein and compere Matt Reed. Tickets and more info on the support acts are here: http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-comedy/shows/friday-23-november-2012/805/

If that's not your thing, get thee over to the Cookie Jar, where for just four of your British pounds will gain you entry to the first Leicester heat of national student comedy contest Tickled Pig. Hosted by loveable scamp Jack Campbell (now with added Movember face-fuzz), the line-up tonight consists of Shaun Turner, Martin England, Curtis Young, Sarah Keyworth and Reuben Williams-Smith, all performing 7-8 minute sets of original material to try and win their way through to the Regional Finals in 2013... Good luck to 'em all! More details and tickets here: http://www.thecookiejarleicester.co.uk/events/tickled-pig-leicester-heat-1-2/

Those are my suggestions for tonight - ignore them AT YOUR PERIL!!!

Bottle Rocket Christmas Special preview + Festival line-up released

It's around about this time of year when comedy fans start looking beyond Christmas and into the new year, as the line-ups for the next Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival start to circulate. The full brochure will be available in a multitude of venues very soon, and a few high-profile shows have already been publicised. 

Winners of Best Promoter at last year's festival awards, Bottle Rocket Comedy Club have just released their entire festival line-up, which features a plethora of acts - some well known, some less so - performing at at Firebug, the Belmont Hotel and The Y Theatre. You can check out their full festival roll-call and start booking your tickets at http://brcomedy.com/events/ - I've already started booking mine!

Whilst we're on the subject of Bottle Rocket, have you got your tickets for their cracking Christmas show yet? It takes place on December 15th at The Y Theatre, and is hosted by elder statesman of comedy and perennial Grumpy Old Man Arthur Smith. Headlining the bill is Boothby Graffoe, who combines comedy and music, best described by Stewart Lee as a "multi-talented, darkly hilarious, grade A British eccentric...A musical comedy act who is more musical than most musicians, and funnier than most comedians".

Also taking to the stage will be Gareth Richards (Frank Skinner's Absolute Radio Show), Radio 1's Tom Deacon and winner of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival Best New Show, Matt Richardson.

Tickets are £13 and it's bound to be a packed Y Theatre so get yours in now before they sell out!

http://www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1143

LCS SPECIAL OFFER - half price tickets for Doc Brown & Adam Bloom this Friday!

That's right - we've got another special offer for you lucky, lucky people...

Those good folks at Just the Tonic love you guys so much that they're offering followers of Leicester Comedy Scene HALF PRICE tickets to their Friday night show featuring Doc Brown and Adam Bloom.
Just like the offer we ran last month, all you have to do is buy tickets for the show at http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-Comedy/shows/friday-16-nov-2012/803/ and enter 'LEICESTERCOMEDYSCENE' in the Promo Codes box, and your price-per-ticket will be slashed from £9 to just £4.50 - bargain!!

Doc Brown is a former rapper who has been performing stand-up since 2007, combining improvisation and spoof raps with stories from his life, told with the charismatic delivery of a seasoned performer.
Adam Bloom has been a popular figure on the stand-up circuit for many years now, has appeared recently on Mock the Week and is described by Ricky Gervais as "one of my favourite comedians for about 10 years. He not only has brilliant lines but an intense and fragile honesty". So there you go.
Friday's bill is rounded off with some off-the-wall silliness from Howard Read - creator of animated character Little Howard, and keeping things running smoothly is your compere Tim Clark.
Not bad for £4.50 eh? Get those tickets now!

BREAKING NEWS: Reg D. Hunter to appear at Just the Tonic next Friday!

Breaking news - the coolest man in comedy Reginald D Hunter has just been booked to do an opening set at Just the Tonic on November 23. You will no doubt have seen this man in action on such shows as Live at the Apollo, Dave's One Night Stand, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, QI etc etc, impressing the fellas and moistening the ladies with his deep, bluesy southern style.

JTT are understandably chuffed to bits to have secured such a big name on such a late booking and I'm guessing this one may sell out, so get your tickets right away at http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-Comedy/shows/friday-23-nov-2012/805/

FREE Comedy Lessons for West Leicester residents!

Your friends think you're funny, right? You think you're funny too. Go on, admit it.
Secretly you fancy giving stand-up comedy a go, don't you?
You'd love to be on the bill at next year's comedy festival, wouldn't you?

Well, if you live in the west of the city, this may be the opportunity you've been looking for! De Montfort University's Mile2 project is offering free stand-up comedy courses run by real live comedians, to residents living in the Woodgate, Newfoundpool and Fosse/Tudor Road areas of the city. Not only that, but the course will culminate in a special one-off live show as part of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2013!

15 lucky residents will get regular coaching from experienced comic Alan Seaman - founder of Ship of Fools comedy club, ably assisted by Leanne Mckie - stand-up and co-founder of regular open mic night Lions Eat Ice Cream. The classses start this Thursday (15th November) at Newfoundpool Neighbourhood Centre, so if you fancy giving comedy a go, don't sit around thinking about it, just sign up now - you have nothing to lose, and it could be your first step on the way to comedy stardom!

To nurture your comic talent with some true experts in hilarity, call 0116 257 7171 or email mile2@dmu.ac.uk for more details, and you can find out more about the Mile2 project here: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/the-mile2-project/the-square-mile-project.aspx

Redefining the word 'eccentric' - Paul Foot comes to town on Sunday

Hold on to your sanity - the bizarre and wonderful Paul Foot is bringing his unique take on the world to Just the Tonic this Sunday.
If you've never seen him before, prepare yourself for a performance like none you have ever seen, as he takes the most simple and obscure ideas and expands them into a surreal and erratic journey that will have you either scratching your head in bewilderment or, more likely, in fits of uncontrollable giggling.

Definitely one to go and see if you like a comedy act that is the total antithesis of mainstream observational stand-up. Foot is a consummate clown - from his Mr Bean face, bizarre haircut and 'Tomorrow's World' charity shop wardrobe, to his sporadic and unpredictable movement around the venue, as if each of his limbs has its own idea of where he should be going.
The show is entitled 'Kenny Larch is Dead', and Mr Foot (Life President of the Guild of Paul Foot Connoisseurs) will be performing for your delectation it this Sunday, so get your tickets right here: http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-comedy/shows/sunday-11-november-2012/854/

Seconds out, it's Mainstream vs Alternative on Thursday night!

Two great, but very contrasting, shows come to Leicester on Thursday evening. In the mainstream corner, the tall guy from the Inbetweeners who looks like Rik Mayall was swallowed by a fairy-tale giant, and in the alternative corner, the self styled 'King of the Chavs' and his heavy-drinking manager. Seconds out - it's Greg Davies vs Devvo & Bob Slayer!

TV comedy mainstay and lofty Leicester resident Greg Davies brings his tour show 'The Back of My Mum's Head' to De Montfort Hall. You can expect more of the sort of well-told tales, recounting all kinds of eccentric behaviour and real-life slapstick, that made his last tour 'Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog' a huge success.
Chortle describes the show as "an uproarious night of anecdotes, told by a real pro, who rather than resting on his TV laurels is cementing his position of one of Britain’s finest storytelling comedians", and Thursday's show is close to selling out, so get your tickets here: http://www.demontforthall.co.uk/events/events.php/2012/881/greg-davies/

Meanwhile over at Just the Tonic, an altogether different evening awaits, as 'the internet's funniest chav' Devvo and pint-swilling alternative hero Bob Slayer take to the stage.
None of your mainstream, TV-friendly anecdotes here. Devvo is a working class wastrel and wannabe MC, the scarily-convincing comic creation of Salad Fingers writer David Firth. Forget Lee Nelson's heavily-scripted 'White Ali G' act, Devvo's online antics are so close to the mark it's difficult for viewers to tell whether or not this is a real person.
Also appearing is former rock'n'roll tour manager and cult favourite Bob Slayer, whose act often consists of downing many pints of lager onstage and just seeing what happens... a tactic which famously ended in him crowd-surfing in a wheelie bin and breaking his neck at this year's Download festival.
To join in the mayhem, get your tickets here: http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-Comedy/shows/thursday-8-nov-2012/903/

NEWS: Leach cancels Cookie Show, Loretta appearing tonight only

A couple of bits of comedy news concerning this weekend's shows:

If you were hoping to go and see comedy lothario Jeff Leach tonight at the Cookie Jar, you can't. Jeff has had to cancel the show at short notice due to being "shaky, weak and expelling everything from my guts violently at both ends". A pleasant image for his fans, I'm sure you'll agree.

So I suggest getting yourself over to Just the Tonic instead. Troubled singer/songwriter and alcoholic, unappreciated genius Loretta Maine is headlining tonight, and the previously billed Saturday show is no longer on, so you'd best get along tonight!! Support comes from Andrew Bird, Eric Lampaert and Mike Wilkinson.
Tickets here: http://www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy/

Also, the DMU Footlights open mic night, previously billed for this Wednesday (7th Nov) is now taking place on Monday 5th Nov at The Cookie Jar.

So now you know.