There’s no shortage of material in politics at the moment — and Matt Forde has made a career out of proving it.
The award-winning satirist is set to bring his latest show, Defying Calamity, to Swindon Arts Centre on 24 April, as part of what’s being billed as his biggest UK tour to date.
For those familiar with his work, the format will be recognisable: sharp impressions, quick-fire stand-up and a steady stream of political observation. But this time, there’s a more personal thread running through it.
The new show looks at how to find some sense of optimism — or at least perspective — in a climate where both politics and life have a habit of veering off course. It follows the success of his previous tour, End of an Era, which drew strong reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and beyond.
Forde’s reputation has been built not just on stage, but across radio, television and podcasting. He’s a writer and performer on Spitting Image, and a regular presence on panel shows including Have I Got News For You and Question Time. His podcast, The Political Party, has racked up millions of downloads, featuring conversations with figures such as Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon and Tony Blair.
What sets this tour apart, though, is what sits behind it.
During the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, Forde initially believed he was dealing with sciatica. The reality was more serious: a cancer diagnosis that led to major surgery to remove the base of his spine. Recovery meant learning to walk again — a challenge that inevitably reshaped his perspective.
His return to the stage, first with End of an Era and now with Defying Calamity, carries that experience with it, even if the delivery remains rooted in humour.
There’s no suggestion the show will turn sombre. If anything, the expectation is the opposite — that the material will lean into the absurdities of public life while acknowledging the less predictable turns of private ones.
For audiences in Swindon, it offers an evening that sits somewhere between political commentary and personal reflection — with enough bite to keep it honest, and enough humour to keep it moving.
