Leicester Stands-Up History
Back in 2005, Leicester Stands-Up was conceived in an attempt to provide a performing platform for new emerging local acts. The comedy circuit was growing and more and more people were starting to do stand-up. There were plenty of new performers looking for stage time in Leicester fresh from workshops run in the city from 2002.
The first Leicester Stands-Up shows were performed during the 2007 Leicester Comedy Festival. The room above a city centre pub was transformed into a mini-theatre by Anthony King and a series of 9 shows ran throughout the 10 days of the festival. Notoriously, this type of event has struggled to gain audiences for all of the shows but there were five complete sell-outs and no cancelled performances. Each night, the audience were treated to a series of new local acts hosted by an experienced MC at a cost of £7, in comparison to many shows that featured only one act for a similar price.
Leicester Stands-Up scooped two awards that year. “Best Venue” and “Best Contribution to The Festival”.
Shows continued to run throughout 2007 and in October and November heats were held for The Midlands Stand-Up Competition. (A competition for new acts held at the same city centre venue). At the 2008 Leicester Comedy Festival, we organised 10 shows including the final to the competition which could have sold out twice in the 70 seater venue. The remaining 9 shows were again 7 Acts for £7 and this time featured experienced and professional guests from the national circuit, topping and tailing the show.
Later in 2008, the original venue became untenable and Leicester Stands-Up ran only occasional shows at various other venues but remained ‘ticking over’ until a suitable venue could be found to relaunch.
After meetings with Highlight Comedy Club (formerly Jongleurs) in Granby Street, a series of shows was agreed for the 2011 festival with the addition of the return of The Midlands Stand-Up Competition. The heats for the competition were held in October and November and the semi-finals are being held this January. See www.standupcentral.co.uk for details and tickets.
The regular shows lined up for this years festival include visits to five venues outside of the city centre. In addition to the regular shows there is also a Stand-Up Comedy Workshop (see “Workshop” Page) and a lunchtime special, Leicester versus The Rest Of The World (see shows).
The regular shows follow the format of several acts and have a mix of newer and more experienced performers providing unbeatable value and giving an audience a chance to see different styles of comedy in one full length show. Also, unlike many events, the price is the price when you book through the “no booking fee” channels. (So, UP Yours Ticketmaster!)
