£20,000 towards fringe events

Leicester Comedy Festival has received a £20,000 grant to create more shows for older people.

The money, from a charity called the Baring Foundation, aims to ultimately establish an ‘older people’s comedy fringe’ at the annual event.

The festival already runs a Silver Stand Up competition for comedians aged over 55, and will be showcasing some of the best former contestants in a gig at this year’s event. There will also be a number of performances specifically aimed at  older people.

Founding director of Leicester Comedy Festival, Geoff Rowe said: ‘When we set up the festival in 1994, there seemed to be a general view that live comedy was for young people but we have always tried to be as inclusive as possible with the events and projects we work on each year.  

‘Happily, the perception that live comedy is aimed at young people has changed over the years and we hope our work will continue to change this perception.’

Published: 22 Jan 2020