COMEDY LISTINGS - March 2013

Right then - with the Festival done and dusted for another year, it's time to resume something approaching normal service in Leicester, which means firstly that comedy fans might actually be starting to enjoy some normal evenings at home; and secondly that all the comics who performed will be either relaxing in the knowledge that their new shows are coming together nicely, or nervously trying to book more practice gigs and write new material if their shows didn't fare so well. It also means once again that Leicester Comedy Scene is the only place you'll find full monthly listings of all the city's comic happenings (smug mode engaged).

Katherine Ryan

Picks of this month include panel show botherer Katherine Ryan at the Cookie this Thursday, political animal Mark Thomas at JTT, two chances to catch newly crowned Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Romesh Ranganathan, and what is apparently the last ever Lions Eat Ice Cream (sobs into cornflakes). Read on, comedy fans...

Mark Thomas gets un-political at The Y on Wednesday

Since the early nineties, Mark Thomas has forged a successful career as a humourous political activist, using comedy and fine storytelling to open the public's eyes to the multifarious hypocrisies of the rich and powerful. Numerous government ministers, large corporations and public organisations have been the victims of his pranks, rants and eye-opening exposés.

It might surprise you, then, that the focus of his show at The Y Theatre on Wednesday, should be his father. 'Brava Figaro!' is a very personal show, in which Thomas tells the story of  his Thatcherite, opera-loving, self-employed builder dad, and the often difficult relationship they shared.

The result, by all accounts, is an unusually intimate and emotional journey, so prepare to feel drained (in a good way) by the end. Tickets and more info are available at http://www.leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre-whats-on-details.php?listing=1104