Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival Gala Show

Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival returns in 2026 and culminates in a raucous Gala show at Theatre Severn.

The festival will run from the 8 -12 July at various venues across Shrewsbury and will feature the usual line-up of top comedians to keep you entertained. More VERY exciting announcements are coming soon…

Your confirmed Gala line-up for 2026…

SCOTT BENNETT TO RETURN AS MC
Scott Bennett is a stand-up comedian and writer who is ‘without doubt live comedy’s best kept secret’ according to The Evening Standard newspaper. He made his debut on Live at the Apollo in 2021 and has also appeared as a regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Likely Dads and Elephant in the Room with Sarah Millican.

LOU SANDERS
Lou Sanders is one of Britain’s most original comedians. She recently starred in the first series of Last One Laughing UK (Prime), co-hosted Mel Giedroyc’s Unforgivable (Dave), and is a previous Taskmaster (Dave/C4) champion. Lou has toured her live shows to packed houses across the world and regularly receives rave reviews. She has also been named a top comedian to see by publications including The Guardian, The Scotsman, The List, The Mirror and the Evening Standard.

IGNACIO LOPEZ
This Spanish/Welsh comedian based in Cardiff has been Branded Spain’s Best Export by the Spanish Embassy and Office of Culture in the UK. Ignacio has appeared on TV shows including Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Comedy Central Live, and more. As well as hosting on TV, headlining top comedy clubs all over the U.K and Europe, Ignacio writes sketches, sitcoms, and used to tweet a lot.

ESTHER MANITO
An Arab Essex girl who will challenge every single preconception of what that means. As seen on Live At The Apollo (BBC), The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV), Hypothetical (Dave) and heard on: BBC Sounds Russell Kane’s Evil Genius, co-hosting Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack Unplugged, and BBC’S Breaking the News. Esther’s hour #NotAllMen won best show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2021.

MORGAN REES
This softly spoken Welsh comedian boasts a densely packed arsenal of impressive one-liners and hilarious short stories. Morgan has appeared on BBC Radio 4 in the prestigious finals of the BBC New Comedy Award. He was also a runner-up in So You Think You’re Funny 2017, and a finalist in Chortle Student Comedy Award. Tour Support for Fern Brady, Rhys James, Jayde Adams, Nigel Ng and Paul Chowdhry.

BERRYS
Proud sponsors of the Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival Gala