EQUALITY & DIVERSITY: THE JOKE'S ON YOU

The 18th annual Leicester Comedy Festival is in full swing. Having pored over the programme from cover to cover, back to front and upside downn to choose who I want to see, I thought it might be a bit of a laugh (can you see what I did there?) to list those acts who are taking on topics that fall within the accepted range of equality and diversity issues. Any old comic can make a joke about, or venture into territory related to equality and diversity issues. And we know that lots of old comics relied on such jokes as their stock-in-trade - not always after a fashion that would go down well today. I'm not a big believer in "political correctness" so don't make the mistake of thinking I'm doing this little exercise from that perspective, faithful reaader. On the other hand, I don't hold with shock for its own sake.

In my humble opinion, just about everything is fair game for comedy - just about. I have my own limits, of course (even the most liberal-minded of us do) and, having attended lots of shows at previous comedy festivals here and elsewhere, and wallowed in shows at all times of the ay and night on Dave, Comdy Central etc, I've been taken up to those limits and a little bit beyond.

The performers and shows I've listed below is a purely personal selection of distinctive performers or themed shows that foreground equality and diversity issues: equality strands, protected characteristics - call them what you will. But like all good examples of storytelling and performance - comic, romantic, tragic, however we wish to categorise them -  they're about people, by people, for people.

So think of this as a sort of E&D sampler, a mini tour round the Comedy Festival. How many of the "protected characteristics" can you spot in the following list (some of whom, at time of posting, you've still got time to go and see)?

BrightSparks Comedy Asylum
A comedy cabaret presented by members of BrightSparks Arts in Mental Health Group, Hosted by Rob Gee, the show will feature sketches, stand up, songs, poetry and all sorts! The evening will be held in a relaxed atmosphere with free food, providing an opportunity for mental health service users to come along with family and friends. Free to mental health service users and their families and friends!
Venue: Fabrika Independent Arts Centre; Sat 19 Feb, 1900

Funny Women
Funny Women present an afternoon of fantastic female comedy featuring winners and finalists from eight years of Funny Women Awards. Hosted by Rachel Parris, runner up in the 2010 Awards: "An elegant perfomer with rich witty numbers", Chortle. Plus learn from the experts - Funny Women present their Stand Up to Stand Out workshop.
Venue: the Y; Sat 19 Feb, 1330 & 1500

Gay Comedy Night
The Y's programme for this year's Leicester Comedy Festival gets underway in fine style with A Gay Comedy night. Prepare to be entertained by a host of top comedians at the start of what promises to be over two weeks of quality humour at the Y.
Venue: The Y; Fri 04 Feb, 2000

Gujarati Comedy Night
Gujarati style ... Entertaining Leicester's diverse community with hilarious sketches will touch the hearts of all the family. Based on everyday situations these extraordinary characters tell stories of traditional thinking in modern times where east meets west. The miscommunication and in some cases total lack of understanding will keep you roaring with laughter all the way home and leave you wanting more.
Venue: Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre; Sat 19 Feb, 1900 & Sun 20 Feb, 1500

Kev Orkian: Illegal Tour
Kev Orkian is an Armenian immigrant who speaks little English and is desperately trying to stay in the K to fulfil his one love ... playing the piano. Think Jools Holland meets Borat. Kev Orkian will have you on the floor with his hilarious anecdotes and routines.
Venue: Highlight; Wed 16 Feb, 2000

Laurence Clark: Spastic Fantastic
Laurence Clark reclaims the word "spastic" in this highly acclaimed show. "Close to the bone and very funny ... makes Chris Morris look lightweight" The Scotsman. As seen on BBC1, BBC2, BBC4, ITV1 and C4. ****The Scotsman ****Chortle ****The List ****Metro. Topped shortlist magazine's Britain's Ten Funniest New Comedians.
Venue: Phoenix Square; Fri 11 Feb, 2000

Liz Bentley: Crash Bash Trash

Liz shares her observations and experiences of being a writer, poet, musician, mother and therapist with multiple sclerosis. This intimate and comical show from one of the quirkiest voices on London's spoken word scene combines stand-up comedy, music and performance poetry in an anecdotal, conversational style
Venue: Embrace Arts; Thu 10 Feb, 2000

Paul Sinha
Pual Sinha has spent much of the previous decade garnering rave reviews for his self-deprecating tales of his life as a GP, lovelorn gay bachelor, quiz fanatic and social coward. This year, he doesn't want to discuss turning 40, because he has bigger fish to fry. A racist called him a racist. Paul would like to fight back. As seen at the Festival preview show and heard on BBC Radio 4's News Quiz.
Venue: Embrace Arts; Sat 19 Feb, 2000

Quincy: Religiously Funny
Does the church need a new marketing plan? Can Islam squash the beef with the Danish? And is the Jedi a force to be reckoned with? Award-winning comedian Quincy hits the stage with engaging satire, "laugh-out-loud funny" Broadway Baby, "a serious case of the warm and fuzzies" three Weeks "the entire room hangs on the big man's every line" The Scotsman. As seen on BBC3 and Comedy Central.
Venue: Kayal; Sat 12 Feb, 1830

Will You Marry Me?
The mehndi is applied, the barhaat are raring to go and the family are all ready to weep as the bride waves goodbye! Will You Marry Me takes a step into family values and traditions within the Pakistani culture and the Asian community. A Leicester Comedy Festival first and for one night only!
Venue: Midas Cafe Bar; Sat 02 Feb, 1930