Historian to take part in stand-up comedy challenge

Kevin Schürer (pictured), Professor of English Local History in our School of History and lead genealogist in the discovery of King Richard III, has been announced as one of the contenders in a stand-up comedy challenge in Leicestershire.

The 2016 Stand Up Challenge, launched by Big Difference Company, the people behind Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival will see eight brave individuals take to the stage to perform their first ever five-minute stand-up comedy routine.

The would-be comedians will receive training and support from a professional comedian who will also help them to write and rehearse their material.

Professor Schürer said: "Surely this can’t really be too different from lecturing – both share about equal probability of being incomprehensible, enlightening and entertaining.”

The final will be held on 2 November, as part of the Leicester Business Festival, and all money raised on the night will support the work of Big Difference Company, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the UK.