The Chippenham Comedy Festival is back – bringing the Edinburgh Fringe to Chippenham with some brilliant stand up shows.
Chippenham Comedy Club are putting on a whole weekend of comedy acts with the chance to watch individual shows or you can book a weekend pass and see it all!
Most of the acts will be performing their ‘work in progress’ shows for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival so you’ll be getting to see their new work before everyone else.
All shows take place in The Barn at The Old Road Tavern (entry via the Beer Garden). Each show will have a mixture of seating and standing room – seats are on a first come, first served basis. If you have any accessibility needs, please do not hesitate to contact Chippenham Comedy Club in advance – chippenhamcomedy@gmail.com. Local caterers, Nourishers, will be providing food to purchase.
All tickets are available from www.chippenhamcomedy.co.uk. Individual shows are £7 each or you can grab a bargain by buying a Weekend Ticket and save yourself £17.
7pm Sam Michael & John Matthews: Cister Act
Sam Michael & Jon Matthews bring their new work-in-progress show to The Chippenham Comedy FestivalA vaguely political comedy show dissecting British life and culture over the past few years from two very different perspectives. From pandemics, partygates and shagging politicians to FIFA, cricket and Love Island; no stone is left unturned! Yes, it’s another topical show from two CIS white guys… just what we need, eh!
Jon Mathews: “Punchlines you can feel smart for getting” – ChortleSam Michael: “Hilarious” – BBC Radio
8.30pm Juliette Meyers: Passport Face
A brand new and work-in-progress show from the wonderful Juliet Meyers, writer for Sarah Millican, 8 Out of 10 Cats and lots moreComedian Juliet Meyers (writer on Sarah Millican’s Radio 4 show) went to India to trace her roots. She unleashed smug sex therapists and furious monkeys. She irritated her travelling companion and nearly died twice. Contains history, culture shock and a cringeworthy poo story.
‘Smart and very funny’ The Independent
‘Stand-up as it should be.’ Three Weeks
10pm James Dowdeswell: Beers of a Clown
James Dowdeswell, as seen on “Russell Howard’s Good News” and “Ricky Gervais’ Extras” shares his passion for the funny side of Beer.
James was born and brewed in a West Country pub. He is the author of “The Pub Manifesto: A Comedian Stands Up For Pubs” published by CAMRA.
“I have known James for 20 years and his pub stories are the stuff of legend.” – Russell Howard
“A real master of the comedian’s craft.” – Chortle
Saturday 2nd July
5pm Jo Caulfield: Here Comes Trouble
“Here Comes Trouble “ is Jo Caulfield’s new stand up show. It’ll be funny. Of course it will. Relax and buy a ticket, I know what I’m doing. If you’re the sort of person who wears a “ Be Kind” T- shirt then this show is not for you.
Jo has been seen on numerous TV shows including:
Mock The Week, Have I got News For You, The Royal Variety Show and Richard Osman’s House of Games. She has also had several of her own comedy shows on Radio 4 as well as guesting on The News Quiz, Breaking The News, The Unbelievable Truth and Just A Minute.
Award-winning viral sensation Sooz Kempner (Best Newcomer Musical Comedy Awards, Funny Women Variety Award Winner, Broadway World Best Comedy Show Nominee) got a PlayStation, the first adult console, in 1998 and finally felt grown-up. But is she? Growing up in a stand-up show for anyone who remembers the 90s and had big dreams as a kid. Suitable for gamers and non-gamers alike!
“A new wave of comedy” The Guardian
“Incredible… it shouldn’t work but it really, really does” The Independent
“Brilliant” LA Times
Comedy Central Top Shows of the Fringe 2018
**** from Fest, Broadway World, Chortle, Edinburgh Reporter and The Stage
7.45pm Katie Mitchell: She FestersFantasy, escapism, stand-up comedy. She Festers is an increasingly unhinged whirlwind of characters, storytelling, and actual good ‘n’ proper jokes, like what they had in ye olde days. It’s silly, it’s heartfelt, it’s got Vlad the Impaler. It’s a heck of a show that you won’t wanna miss.
Katie Mitchell was runner-up Rising Star at the 2019 Midlands Comedy Awards and has supported Andrew O’Neill on tour.
‘A bottomless well of whimsy, with immaculately crafted jokes, and a delivery that could sell the weirdest jokes to the rowdiest audiences’ (Blizzard Comedy)
9pm Andrew O’Neill: We Are Not In The Least Afraid Of Ruins; We Carry A New World In Our HeartsAndrew O-Neill brings their acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe 2019 show to The Chippenham Comedy Festival 2022 – at long last!
Nonbinary whirlwind and star of Radio 4’s Damned Andrew does a show about hope.
Comedian, barber, barstool philosopher – Chippenham’s cult-favourite, award-winning, genderqueer punk storyteller makes his long-awaited return to the Fringe with a brand-new show. As seen on Russell Howard’s most recent Netflix special.
“The most charismatic of storytellers. A sort of urban warrior on behalf of all those who don’t fit in” (The Scotsman).
“It may not be everyone’s cuppa but believers know that he remains one of the most original and consistently funny performers in the UK” (The Guardian)
Sunday 3rd July
A charming, silly exploration of life as three young women try to work out what the hell is going on.Jessie Nixon – BBC New Comedy Award Semifinalist 2021, Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Finalist 2021 and Funny Women’s “One to Watch” Jessie Nixon is an upcoming comic delivering dynamic and erudite jokes with the confidence and sincerity of a drunk girl in a Wetherspoons toilet.
Dani Johns – Born and bred Bristolian Dani Johns is described as a “smart, clever pocket rocket of a comedian” whose “sassy delivery captivates every audience member”. Dani is an instantly likable act with an impressive and increasing list of accolades (BBC New Comedy Award, Funny Women Stage Award, Komedia Bath New Act of the Year Award).
Millie Haswell – The ‘people’s princess of Bristol comedy’, Millie Haswell is a rising star on the scene. Bringing a unique voice that is as morally dubious as it is flirty and charming, watching her is like being chatted up and held at knifepoint all at once. 2021 Bristol Smoke and Mirrors Gong Show winner, 2021 BBC New Comedian of the Year awards nominee.
7pm Joe Wells: I am AutisticA show about being proud of your weird brain.
Joe is not a “person with comedy”; he’s a comedian. Nor is he a “person with autism”; he’s autistic. His video Having a Brother Who is Not Autistic went viral, with over 2 million views.
He has supported both Frankie Boyle and Alexei Sayle.
‘Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian’ (Guardian).
As seen on BBC Two’s Ouch! Storytelling Live, BBC Three’s Quickies and Dave’s Comedy Guide to Life. Writer for Have I Got News For You.