Festival Celebrates Adrian Mole Anniversary

Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival are helping to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the publication of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 ¾ with a special project.  The people of Leicester are being encouraged to join with comedians and performers and contribute to a new diary focusing on the mythical character called “Lester”.  “The Secret Diary of Lester, aged 13 ¾” has been launched as part of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival which takes place from 3-19^th February.  Special diaries have been placed across the city of Leicester and the public are being encouraged to contribute entries each day throughout January.  A special Facebook page has also been set up so people can contribute online.�
The final diary, documenting the life of Lester across the first month of the year, will be performed in a special live performance on Tuesday 7^th February at 10.30pm.  Further details are available by visiting www.comedy-festival.co.uk
In 1982 The Falklands War began and ended, Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was released, Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge was born, and one of the greatest diarists of our time made his first diary entry: Adrian Albert Mole.  This year sees the 30th anniversary of the multi-million copy selling, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾.  Author Sue Townsend has been a patron of Leicester Comedy Festival since 1996 and last appeared at a festival event in 2007.

Festival organisers have created the mythical Lester character as a tribute to the brilliant Adrian Mole.  Lester lives in the city and has an annoying 8 year old sister called Shantelle, a cat called “Cat” and a corn snake called “Giles”.  His best friends are Raj, Monica, Aisha and Jodi and his hobbies include Ju Jitsu, skateboarding and swimming.
Festival Director Geoff Rowe said: “we’re really looking forward to receiving some great entries from members of the public.  The entire diary will be compiled from the entries we receive and will then be performed as part of the festival.  Entries can be as silly, serious or imaginative as people want to make them!”

Diaries can be found in cafes and venues across Leicester city centre including Embrace Arts, The Belmont Hotel, BBC Radio Leicester, Leicester City Council New Walk Centre and The Exchange Bar.

Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival (3-19 February 2012) is the longest running comedy festival in the UK, having been set up in 1994.  The festival runs for 17 days across almost 60 venues and the full line up is available from www.comedy-festival.co.uk

Past acts have included Roseanne Barr, Jo Brand, Paul Merton, Jack Dee, Dave Gorman, Tony Slattery, Rory Bremner, Barry Cryer, Alan Davies, Jeremy Hardy, Bill Bailey, Garth Marenghi, Rhona Cameron, Ross Noble, Lee Hurst, Johnny Vegas, Simon Day, John Shuttleworth, Daniel Kitson, Rich Hall, Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Russell Brand, The Mighty Boosh, Dara O’ Briain, Simon Pegg, Lee Mack, Dave Spikey and Harry Hill.

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