Two special shows left this year at JTT

Nobody's at work, everybody's either drunk and already sick of mince pies, or grinding their teeth and elbowing fellow last-minute shoppers in TK Maxx - it's an unmistakably British Christmas!
For those of you who make it through to this evening without being locked up for drunkenness or shopping rage, Just the Tonic have one more Christmas show tonight, featuring Phil Nicol, Philberto, Sam Avery and Tim Clark.

Obviously there's nothing to laugh at over Christmas itself, as we all silently and solemnly contemplate the birth of Jesus for three days. Fact.
But there is one more comedy show to be squeezed in before 2013 slaps us sharply upside the head, and that's the Just the Tonic New Year's Eve extravaganza starring the multi-talented Phil Nicol, anarchic physical comedian Wes Zaharuk, compere/owner/keeper of the booze Darrell Martin and headliner Ivan Brackenbury - the most inappropriate hospital radio DJ you've ever heard, and one of the funniest acts I've seen all year. His set is an absolute barrage of delightfully wrong gags and I can't think of a better way of seeing in the new year.

Right, that's me finished for 2012 - a massive 'thank you' to everybody who has visited and subscribed, liked, shared and retweeted my posts, and an equally massive 'thank you' to all the performers, promoters, venue owners and staff that have put so much effort into keeping us muggles entertained all year - we are quite literally not worthy. See you in January folks!

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!!

Russell Kane and booty-shakin' tunes at JTT this weekend

Get down to Just the Tonic this Friday to see TV favourite Russell Kane delivering witty and intelligent stand-up that promises to challenge our notions of masculinity. He's being supported by Steve Royal and  compere Darrell Martin, and the comedy is followed up by Club Faith, JTT's new booty-shakin' club night. Promising an eclectic mix of Motown, northern soul, funk, ska and rock'n'roll, the folks I know who went last week said it was well worth checking out.
Back to the comedy, and JTT's Saturday line-up features Danny McLoughlin, Matt Forde, Steve Royal and Lloyd Griffith.
As usual head to http://www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy/ for tickets and details.

THIS WEEKEND: Andrew Lawrence and 'four for a fiver'

Well wouldn't you know it - another weekend is creeping up on us with all the subtlety of Gary Glitter in full 70s glam outfit, which means more big-name comedy shenanigans in our fine city.

Just the Tonic play host to Gary Delaney (not to be confused with fellow funnyperson Rob Delaney), Chris Martin (not to be confused with the singer from Coldplay) and Adam Staunton (not to be confused with former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland footballer Steve Staunton, not that you would). Tickets are a jolly reasonable £5 for Friday evening (Darrell Martin compering) and £6 on Saturday (Jim Smallman). Get 'em here: http://www.justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy/

Meanwhile, over at Embrace Arts on Saturday, everyone's favourite ginger-haired, Pasquale-voiced misanthrope Andrew Lawrence will be sharing his skewed view of the world as part of his 'Best Kept Secret in Comedy' tour. The Embrace website appears to be a tad broken at the moment so call 0116 252 2455 to book your ticket. Lawrence is a unique performer and Chortle describe his latest show as "filled with his usual brand of miserable, splenetic ranting delivered with typically explosive rhythm". Check out this clip for a locally-relevant example of his impressive ranting skills: http://vimeo.com/39797447

"What's that then Ted?" - Ardal O'Hanlon live at Just the Tonic this weekend

This weekend, Just the Tonic is playing host to the one and only Ardal O'Hanlon, best known as 'lovable eejut' Father Dougal McGuire in legendary sitcom Father Ted. Of course he's probably sick of just being remembered as Dougal so many years after the show finished in 1998, but that doesn't stop it being fantastic that he's here to perform for us as a stand-up, which was his profession pre-Ted. Chortle describes him as a "charming storyteller", prone to "surreal flights of whimsy", so get your tickets from http://www.justthetonic.com/Leicester-comedy/shows/saturday-14-apr-2012/688/ for your chance to see a real comedy legend tonight. Also on the bill are cheery yet frantic Liverpudlian Simon Bligh, as well as the dark and mischievous Carey Marx, and as always the evening is compered by JTT founder Darrell Martin.