Students at work behind the scenes of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival

Students are getting first-class events experience working behind the scenes of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival.

The annual event, now Europe’s largest comedy festival, attracts thousands of people to the city.


And a team of 25 first-year Arts and Festivals Management students are getting the chance to be part of it by organising events at two of the city’s comedy venues.

They have been responsible for running dozens of shows at The Criterion pub and Duffy’s Bar in Leicester.

Stuart Keating is leading the team at the Criterion, in Friar Lane, and Grace Barraclough is running events at Duffy’s, in Pocklington’s Walk.

Both have loved the experience but admit it has been hard work: “It’s such a lot of work packed into two weeks,” explained Grace. “It’s a good experience because you have to deal with absolutely everything – for instance, we had to re-arrange a show because of the Six Nations rugby, which we had not considered!”

Each team is split into artist liaison teams, box office and front of house staff, with students taking it in turns to gain experience of each role.   

Stuart added: “We’re responsible for all aspects from contacting the artists ahead of the gig to introduce ourselves, producing promo material and seeing what technical requirements are needed.

“Comedy events is not really the area I want to work in but it is great experience because you can apply what you’ve learned but it also tests you because you have to deal with anything that’s thrown t you. It’s also good for the CV.”

The comedy festival started on 4 February and will end on 22 February.