FESTIVAL AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED!!

As those involved in the festival have been slowly catching up on sleep and trying to restore some sense of normality to their lives, the merry band of festival judges have been deliberating and arguing the toss over which shows and venues deserve special recognition at the festival awards ceremony later this month. The nominations were unveiled earlier today, and there are some pretty surprising choices!

Nominated - Leanne Mckie reprised her role as local crooner 'Eng'
 in Barbara Steele's Wheels of Steel

Obviously I'm delighted to see my good friend Leanne Mckie's epic 2 hour cavalcade of mentalness Barbara Steele's Wheels of Steel nominated for Best Show, alongside Francesca Martinez and newly-crowned Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Romesh Ranganathan amongst others. Spunky young kiwi Rhys Mathewson is up for Best New Show in a strong field including local songster Anthony King and TV regular Charlie Baker.

Bottle Rocket Comedy have to defend their Best Promoter title against strong newcomers Just the Tonic, who also contest the Best Large Venue award with big boys De Montfort Hall, Curve and The Y Theatre. Best Small Venue holders The Crumblin' Cookie face stiff opposition from Dave's Curry House and Kayal (bit disappointing to not see Firebug or the Looking Glass in there really, but I guess not everyone can be nominated).

Dancing About Architecture -
Russell Howard and Jon Richardson talk comedy

Mark Olver has to be a strong contender for the Contribution award, having brought so many stars onto the stage for his fascinating Dancing About Architecture chat shows, and I wouldn't know where to start picking a winner in the Best Community Project category, coz they're all brilliant!

The awards ceremony takes place on Monday 11th March at the City Rooms. Here are the nominations in full:

Best Show:
Barbara Steele’s Wheels of Steel
Francesca Martinez – What the *** is Normal?
Nish Kumar – Who is Nish Kumar?
Paul Currie – The Sticky Bivouac
Romesh Ranganathan – Rom Com

Best New Show:
Anthony King - Not Normal
Brett Goldstein - Contains Scenes of an Adult Nature
Charlie Baker - Work in Progress
Geoff Norcott - Farewell Shiny Suit
Lee Ridley - Voice of Choice
Rhys Mathewson

Best Promoter:
Bottle Rocket Comedy
Curve
Just the Tonic
The Y

Best Venue (over 200 capacity):
Curve
De Montfort Hall
Just the Tonic
The Little Theatre
The Y

Best Venue (under 200 capacity):
Dave’s Curry House
Kayal
The Belmont Hotel
The Criterion
The Crumblin' Cookie

Contribution to Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2013:
Andy Hollingworth & East Midlands Trains
Demon FM
Maria Jeppersen
Mark Olver

Make Me Happy community project:
DMU Square Miles Smiles
I Love Apex
Old Folks Telling Jokes
Regent College
Rob Gee