SHREWSBURY INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL GALA

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… (so far!)

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.

“At times, it’s like Victoria Wood has taken the mic” Radio Times