Comedy Crimbo presents

Tue 20th December, 2011 @ 10:57am by fd2d

Buying Christmas presents is always enjoyable, but let’s be honest, it’s never easy. Christmas to me is all about saying thank you to those who have made my year a great one; I love giving something back, and showing them how much they mean to me, but finding the right gift can be tricky to say the least. Granted, a pair of socks is a lovely present- after all, who wants cold feet in winter? But this year I would like to be able to give my mum, my brother, or my nan, a gift that they can remember for many years to come, and one that will open them up to a whole new share of memories. This is where Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival (DLCF) comes in.

Coming to Leicester on 3- 19 February 2012, the biggest comedy festival in Europe is back and bigger than ever, boasting shows from the likes of Dave Spikey and the ever- popular Sarah Millican. Such performances will no doubt be side- splittingly funny, but have you ever thought about going to any of the smaller, more personal gigs? It is all well and good deciding that going to see one of the headliners of DLCF would be an ideal gift for a loved one, but I can highly recommended to you that, instead, you take a trip to the Embrace Arts centre and check out one of the more intimate performances they are putting on across the festival.

Located on Lancaster Road, just on the edge of the University of Leicester campus, the arts centre is offering nine extremely varied performances throughout the 16 days, with everything from humorous art exhibitions, to sketch shows, right through to comedy music performances. Gillian Garratt, the centre’s Marketing Manager, says that “Its welcoming 120-seater performance area, art studios, extensive exhibition gallery and bright foyer space enable people to engage with the arts as audiences, performers and learners” and it is this sense of engagement that really makes it stand out to me.

The centre plays host to a great mix of shows, from the inspiring and thought- provoking ‘BALL and Other Funny Stories About Cancer’ brought to you by Brian Lobel, the amusing and energetic ‘Phillipa and Will Are Now In A Relationship’ as a romantic tale based on the social- networking site Facebook, and the extremely awe- provoking ‘Worbey and Farrell: Well Strung!” whereby two sets of hand take to the piano for an hilarious performance never to be forgotten. These are just a few examples of what Embrace Arts has to offer us for DLCF, and just imagine how special it could be to experience such shows with a loved one, in such an intimate venue.

With tickets from as little as £5*, treat someone to an evening of laughter! With a fully- stocked café within the centre itself, why not enjoy a glass (or a bottle) of wine beforehand and watch some of the most talented and entertaining individuals perform only ten feet away. This Christmas, give a gift with a difference: whilst the socks you bought them might have holes in them by then, you can look forward to spending some quality time together in February.

Emma Kempson

*fiVer scheme open to current holders of UK university cards and NUS members

www.embracearts.co.uk

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