February Gig Guide: Leicester Takeover

Picture of Tash Snaith

Tash Snaith

After what feels like a thousand days of January, February is finally here, which means 5pm sunsets, the end of dry Jan (if you were partaking), and maybe an emerging secret admirer or two… This month there’s loads of comedy happening, whether you want to visit the 31st annual Leicester Comedy Festival, celebrate LGBT+ history month at a queer comedy night, or get the giggles at a brand spanking new central London comedy venue, we’ve got it all here.

1. LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL

FUNNY WOMEN LEICESTER SPECIAL

BRIDGING THE GAP

New this year, Leicester Comedy Festival’s charity arm Big Difference has launched a new scheme Bridge The Gap, aimed at supporting comedians to perform at the festival, making it more accessible. Bridge The Gap are kicking off the festival with a showcase featuring new voices in comedy, including: Alex Gibbon, Caroline Madds, Crudi Dench, Mark Nicholas, Rachel Baker and Shawn Uyosa, hosted by Festival Patron Sikisa.

KATHERINE RYAN: BATTLEAXE

MARJOLEIN ROBERTSON: O

2024 NextUp Award nominee Marjolein Robertson brings her acclaimed comedy show to Leicester this month, which looks at discovering her health condition and understanding menstrual health through humour, and sometimes slapstick gags, with some Shetland folklore thrown in for good measure. Don’t miss!

SARA BARRON: WORK IN PROGRESS

Fantastically funny and characteristically snarky Sara Barron (Edinburgh Award nominee, various telly and podcast credits that I can’t fit in here) brings her newest work in progress show to Leicester this month, with new jokes and stories to make you chuckle. What can I say, you’ll just have to go and see it.

LIL WENKER: BANGTAIL

2. VARIETY SHOWS

ACID’S REIGN

CHUMPS COMEDY

At Soho’s newest comedy venue; Underbelly Boulevard Soho, you can catch this top notch monthly comedy night hosted by Amy Annette. Line up for February includes Tom Davis and Janine Harouni, more TBD. Definitely not one to miss.

3. FUNNY WOMEN EVENTS

Funny Women events in Leicester this month!

Stand Up To Stand Out here! Saturday 8 February @ 2:00 PM

The Glitter Project Mentoring here! Sunday 9 February @ 10:00 AM

The Glitter Project Open Mic here! Sunday 9 February @ 1:00 PM

No images owned. All images owned by Katherine Ryan, Leicester Comedy Festival, Marjolein Robertson, Sara Barron, Lil Wenker, Acid Reign, Chumps Comedy, The Queer Comedy Club

Check these out

From the Funny Women Team
Get notified when registration opens

Comedy Shorts Award Entry Requirements

The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.

Funny Women NextUp…Comedy Shorts Award

Are you a budding Director? Producer? Screenwriter? Are you collaborating with friends to make a funny video? Then we are looking for YOU!

If you have a short film or sketch that you think is hilarious, then enter your work for our Comedy Shorts Award to be in with a chance of winning some life-changing support and mentoring from comedy professionals.

WHAT KIND OF FILM ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

A 1- 6 minute film that can take the form of anything comical. It’s a great opportunity to show us your creative flair and have fun!

WHO CAN ENTER?

This award is open to all women filmmakers and content developers. The film must be an original narrative created, produced and devised by a woman, or women, although male cast and crew members are allowed.

ARE THERE ANY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MY FILM?

Yes – we require all films to be 6 minutes or under, to be entirely original dialogue, to not feature brand logos and most importantly, to only use music with the written consent of the performer and/or publisher either personally or via the PRS system https://www.prsformusic.com/ .

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH MY FILM?

We will broadcast selected entries on our Funny Women YouTube channel and social media (so keep an eye out) and the top 10 finalists’ films will also hosted on a dedicated Funny Women Comedy Shorts Awards page on our website. We will also broadcast the final 3 entries as part of the grand final night.

HOW IS IT JUDGED?

Films are judged for production, concept, delivery/performance, creativity, writing and overall funniness. The top 10 films are then viewed by an independent judging panel of top television and film industry professionals who will choose one overall winner and two runners up. The final three will be invited to attend the grand final in London on the 23rd September.

WHAT CAN I WIN?

2021 Funny Women Awards Prizes

The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.

If you need further information please contact us here