Swindon’s comedy scene has just taken its biggest leap – and it’s heading straight for the Bowl.
On Sunday 1st June, the ever-growing Swindon Old Town Comedy Club will host its largest show to date as part of this year’s Old Town Festival. In partnership with South Swindon Parish Council, the grassroots comedy gang is bringing some of the biggest names in British stand-up to the much-loved Old Town Bowl – including headline act and local lad, Ivo Graham.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the club, which began just two years ago upstairs in The Hop Inn on Devizes Road as “Hop Comedy”. Back then, it was a modest open mic night run by Swindon-based comic Sam Michael and co-founder Michael Kohlweg. When Michael departed for the glitz of LA, Sam relaunched the night under its current name – with a blend of rising amateur talent and tried-and-tested professionals working on fresh material.
Since then, Swindon Old Town Comedy Club has packed out the Christ Church Community Centre, brought in names like Tom Rosenthal, Abi Clarke, Fiona Allen, and only last month saw Dom Joly headline its annual charity show at the Old Town Beer Festival, attracting a 200-strong crowd.
This latest event is something else entirely.
For the first time, Swindon Old Town Comedy Club has been asked to take the reins on the festival’s comedy proceedings – and they’re going big.
The Bowl will play host to Matt Bragg (fresh from supporting Ricky Gervais on his world tour), Alexandra Haddow (BBC, Comedy Central), and Paul Hilleard, the newest winner of the BBC New Comedy Award, who caused quite a stir with his riotous appearance on Comic Relief 2025. Holding the whole thing together is Sam Michael himself, who recently supported Al Murray on tour.
Speaking ahead of the event, Sam said: “It’s been an honour bringing a professional but affordable comedy circuit to Swindon. Being asked to bring Swindon Old Town Comedy Club to the Bowl is a huge milestone – and I’m incredibly grateful to South Swindon Parish Council for their backing.
“When I first moved here eight years ago, there wasn’t much of a comedy scene at all. People said there’s not much going on in Swindon – and I have to admit, they weren’t wrong. I had two options: sit and moan about it, or actually do something. Luckily for me – and unluckily for my wife – I chose the latter.”
Whether you’re a die-hard Taskmaster fan or simply someone after a cracking night out, Comedy at the Bowl promises to deliver big laughs in a unique open-air setting. The event is expected to draw a large crowd, so advance booking is highly recommended.
️ Tickets are priced from £18.00 and are available at: https://southswindon-pc.gov.uk/event/comedy-at-the-bowl-2/
