Applications for Circuit Breakers at Leicester Comedy Festival Open

Applications for Leicester Comedy Festival’s Union JACK Radio Circuit Breakers development programme open on 25th November. New and emerging comedians from across the UK are encouraged to enter for the opportunity to gain support and a guaranteed spot to perform at the 2022 Leicester Comedy Festival.

Union JACK Radio Circuit Breakers, which has been running since 2018, is a programme designed to help comedians develop their careers with the support of Leicester Comedy Festival producers. Each February, eight comedians from across the UK are selected from applicants to benefit from the programme and will perform at the Union JACK Radio Circuit Breakers showcase, on 11th & 12th February 2022.

Unlike some composite promotional events, the performers In Circuit Breakers shows are paid for their performances, like any professional gig. Leicester Comedy Festival will arrange transport and accommodation and in addition to the chance to perform for the festival audience, the comedians will have their photos taken by acclaimed photographer Andy Hollingworth to use in future promotion.

“I’m really proud that over the years the festival has become a really supportive place for comedians to learn and develop what they do. Feedback from our audience has shown that a significant number also value this part of the festival and we are responding to this by launching our Circuit Breakers 2022 programme. It’s really important that we continue to support new talent, perhaps more so now than ever before.”

Geoff Rowe BEM Founding Director Leicester Comedy Festival

Leicester Comedy Festival is produced by registered charity Big Difference Company and one of the charity’s aims is to support new and emerging comedians. Leicester Comedy Festival has long history of supporting new talent via projects such as Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Silver Stand Up, The UK Pun Championships as well as the annual Awards Ceremony. These projects have helped to launch the careers of comedians including Romesh Ranganathan, Johnny Vegas & Jason Manford.

Leicester Comedy Festival is a great showcase for performers from across the UK and beyond, bringing audiences into the city from around the UK and abroad. Circuit Breakers offers an opportunity for newer acts to benefit from taking part in the longest running comedy festival in the UK with access to new audiences.

“Comedy is a core part of Union JACK Radio, where we play the Best of British music and comedy, and we are eager to support and encourage new talent. We are therefore delighted to support Circuit Breakers again at the Leicester Comedy Festival, which sets out to shine a light on the comedy talent of tomorrow.” Dick Stone, Head of Progamming, Union JACK Radio

Union JACK Radio Circuit Breakers 2022 will also be streamed to comedy fans across the world with official Leicester Comedy Festival Streaming Platform NextUp.