The much-loved Chippenham Comedy Festival is back for another year, bringing three full days of comedy brilliance to town from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th July 2025 at The Barn at the Old Road Tavern.
Organised by Chippenham Comedy Club, this independent festival has become a bit of a cult favourite in the local arts calendar – and with this year’s line-up, it’s easy to see why.
Whether you’re into clever wordplay, punk rock storytelling, quirky characters or observational gold, the 2025 festival offers a cracking range of acts, with some names you might recognise from the national circuit – and some rising stars honing their craft before heading to the Edinburgh Festival.
What’s On?
Friday 4th July
7:00pm – Marc Burrows: The Britpop Hour
A multi-media stand up celebration of one of British music’s most iconic and enduring moments, marking 30 years since the Blur vs Oasis chart war.
8:15pm – Sam Michael: The World’s Oldest Man
What advice did the Guinness World Records’ Oldest Man have for Sam Michael and how did it change his outlook on life? Sam Michael’s debut solo hour show, World’s Oldest Man hilariously explores feeling older than your years (even in childhood!) and nostalgically looks back on those just-missed adventures of ‘youff’ whilst trying to relive them (before it’s too late!).
9:30pm – Harriet Dyer: Easily Distra…
A new blancmange of whimsy from the somewhat fizzy mind of Harriet Dyer featuring hot topics such as wearing a wetsuit on a bus, jaunty social commentary on why couples don’t talk to each other anymore, and trying to get a cow to lick the top of your head.
Saturday 5th July
2:15pm – Robin Ince: Ice Cream for a Broken Tooth
This new show mixes poetry and happy stories about the things that have made life delightful, from Doctor Who and horror movies, to the camaraderie of protest marches and and his love of dishevelled cemeteries. Robin is a multi award-winning comedian and host of the The Infinite Monkey Cage on Radio 4.
3:30pm – Cerys Bradley: Queer Tales for Autistic Folk
You find a mysterious door that you have never seen before. Do you open it? If yes – buy a ticket to see this show. If not – why not?
4:45pm – Gav Webster: The Gathering of the Gav
Expect sardonic jokes, dark observations, surreal one liners and epic grandiose yet simultaneously dumbed down set pieces.
6:00pm – Ian Murphy: Middle Class Hero
Middle Class Hero is Ian’s attempt to chart his working class Liverpudlian roots to the middle-class world he now finds himself in, without the need for being frisked on a regular basis.
7:15pm – Eddie French: Four Sooths: A Prediction Panel Show
You never know what’s going to happen. Well, we do. Join Eddie French and 3 of their friends to find out what’s going to happen. These Four Sooths will reveal what popular culture will hold in the coming weeks and months to give some reassurance to you all. The guests for this show are Andrew O’Neill, Katie Mitchell and Wil Hodgson.
8:30pm – Katie Mitchell: Spine Hygiene
A very silly show about a serious pain in the back. After a minor back injury, Katie has become obsessed with spines. How they work, why they hurt, and why the only ones making sense are two rats from IKEA. Marvel as she accepts that things dropped on the floor no longer exist! Watch her beloved yoga mat gather dust, for your entertainment!
9:45pm – Andrew O’Neill’s History of Punk
Stooges to Pussy Riot, Amebix to X-Ray Spex. A full-volume love letter to punk from cult comedian behind A History Of Heavy Metal. Punk’s not dead! ‘A masterclass’ (Lee Dorrian, Napalm Death).
Sunday 6th July
1:30pm – Kev Mud: Homeless Sex Biscuit
Ex homeless addict, now caravan dwelling comedian based on the Cornish cliffs..pulling comedy from hard hitting subjects such as homelessness, addiction, power and suicide. Whilst celebrating of the many pitfalls of modern working class life, Kev uses his obscure mind to highlight rarely spoken about issues and prove that humour can be found anywhere
3:00pm – Nate Kitch: Something Different!!!!!!
A brand new show – it’s sort of about Charlatans, Voices & a Rasputin book that, as it stands, I haven’t read.. but ultimately it’ll be fun and I’m looking forward to showing it to you.
4:30pm – Sooz Kempner is Ugly
A brand new show about beauty, ageing, trolling and Barbra Streisand. When the world seems ugly it’s hard to feel beautiful, not like when you’re seven and Final Score is on and nothing has ever felt more beautiful because what follows is Big Break, the Generation Game, Noel’s House Party and then either Only Fools and Horse or Birds of a Feather. How can WE find beauty in these very unattractive times?
6:00pm – Jessie Nixon: Don’t Make Me Regret This
Jessie Nixon is putting her life on the line for this show. Or at least her livelihood/self-esteem. She’s ripped out her heart, covered it in glitter and squirty cream, and offered it to you, still beating. Don’t make her regret it. If you’re mentally ill, a lapsed catholic, queer, occasionally distraught, too smart for your own good or have ever cried in a changing room: this is for you.
7:30pm – Matt Richardson: Brash
Being loud, brazen and a little bit lairy was all Matt needed to propel himself onto the comedy circuit aged 18 and be presenting national telly by 22. But he suddenly finds himself in his 30s, settled down in the countryside, and trying his hardest to not make rude jokes. It’s not going as well as he’d hoped…
Hosted by Wil Hodgson
It wouldn’t be the Chippenham Comedy Festival without local legend Wil Hodgson as host. Will is a non-binary English comedian. They have lived in Chippenham their whole life and began performing comedy in 2003.
Tickets & Useful Info
Tickets for individual shows are available, but if you’re planning to see a few acts, the day and weekend passes offer good value.
You can find the full schedule and book your tickets via the official site:
chippenhamcomedy.co.uk/festival-2025
Note on seating: It’s first come, first served, with standing space at the back. If you need to reserve a seat for accessibility or mobility reasons, just drop an email to:- chippenhamcomedy@gmail.com.
As with all live events, the line-up may change – keep an eye on the Chippenham Comedy Club social media or the website for updates.
This festival is a great example of how Chippenham’s independent scene continues to thrive. If you love live performance, grassroots arts, and supporting something a bit special – get yourself down to the Old Road Tavern and be part of it!
