It’s never too late to start a new career path, even when it’s stand up comedy.
Kevin Daniel, a Scotsman living in Leicester, didn’t do his first comedy spot until he was 52, but this year he’s doing his first full show at Leicester Comedy Festival, and it’s so popular he’s added a second date. We caught up with him to chat about his new show and all things comedy.
How would you describe your comedy for anyone who hasn’t seen you before?
I am a storyteller and observational comedian, I tell stories that are all based on things that have happened to me or my family or things about the world that I observe and think are amusing or confusing or point out the silliness and absurdities of life.
You got into comedy quite late, what inspired you to first get on stage?
I didn’t do my first comedy spot until I was 52. I know I look great, thanks. I have been a huge fan of comedy my whole life and have always loved live comedy in particular. Watching a show at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2019 there was a flyer on my seat advertising a stand up comedy course run by local comedian Jason Neale. I said to my wife, “I think I might give this a go” and she said “but youre not funny” so I went anyway just to try and prove Mary wrong lol.
What was the hardest thing when starting out?
The hardest thing starting out is the hustle to get gigs and then its having the drive and persistence to keep going when you are doing lots and lots of gigs miles away from home in strange towns ands cities in little backrooms of pubs all over the UK for absolutely no money, on a weekday evening, sometimes to little or no audience. Sometimes its just the other acts and maybe a pub dog if your lucky.
What has been your favourite gig you’ve ever done?
That’s a hard one to pick I am coming up to 450 gigs now (yes I am still counting) which in the grand scheme of things is nothing at all really but there have been some really special gigs among them. If you are going to insist I pick one, then id have to say my favourite gig so far was at the Blackpool Comedy Station, Comedy Club. It was my first time performing at a “proper” specifically designed comedy club and I loved everything about it, the atmosphere, the lighting, the audience, everything about it was just so well set up and professionally run, it was pretty nerve wracking but it felt like a huge milestone to play a set at a club like that.
What is the best thing about Leicester Comedy Festival?
The fact that there is live comedy on in venues all across the city and the county every day/night for three weeks its just amazing. There is something for everyone whether you want to see a big name TV star, or take a punt on some newer acts like me. You can see all sorts of comedy too from improv comedy to one liner comics. From musical comedy to story tellers, there is literally something for everyone. Don’t forget the kids comedy festival shows too, comedy for the whole family. We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep, so make sure you grab a brochure or go online to see what shows are happening when. You never know you might see a comedian you’ve never heard of and then if they make it big in 4 or 5 years and end up a big TV star and you’ll be able to say “oh them, I saw them when they played that coco’s chuckle café in Leicester back in 2024”.
You’re probably not allowed to have favourite venues, but do you have one?
Why are you doing this to me, there are so many amazing venues across the city, from Firebug, to The Black Horse to Big Difference? I guess I would have to say the basement at the Real Ale Classroom which used to be Manhattan 34 is my favourite. Only because its so special to me. Its where my show is this year and its somewhere I’ve performed at lots over the last three Leicester Comedy Festivals. I even did naked comedy there in 2020 but lets not talk about that.
Who is the best person you’ve performed with?
Now that’s a very subjective question but I am definitely not picking one its too difficult. However I will answer based on who my own personal favourite comedians are that I have been lucky enough to share a stage with. So I’ll say, Scott Bennett, Paul Tomkinson, Rosie Jones, Justin Moorhouse, Chris McCausland, Laura Lexx, Ian Stone and Terry Alderton. All absolutely brilliant and if you’ve never seen them live you need to fix that pretty quick.
Which other comedians would you recommend people see during the Festival?
OK there are so many and I’d obviously recommend any of the ones I’ve mentioned previously, but let me suggest some of the newer acts or perhaps less well known comedians. Check out these funny folk if you can. Jason Neale, Alex Hylton, Jack Campbell, Sarah Johnson, Jacob Nussey, Louise Atkinson, Kevin Hudson, Autumn Unwin, Tal Davies, Samantha Day, Mark Row, Kevin Finn, Tom little, Danny Clives and Jon Wagstaffe
Tell us in 5 words why we should come to your next gig?
People can find out where I am gigging by following me on Instgram, X, Facebook, TikTok by just searching for Kevin Daniel Comedian. But in five words I’d say you should come and see my next gig because… Laughter’s good for the soul.
Kevin is performing his debut show, “What’s the worst that can happen?” at The Real Ale Classroom on Friday 16 and Wednesday 21 February. Tickets are free but you can reserve your space online via the Comedy Festival website.