Swindon Arts Centre is promising to blow away the winter blues this February with a packed programme that turns a standard night out into something far more memorable.
From sharp stand-up comedy and live music to one-off talks and theatre, the Old Town venue has lined up a month that mixes household names with distinctive experiences you won’t find anywhere else locally.
Comedy fans are well catered for, with a run of performers from across the UK circuit. Darren Walsh brings his quick-fire wordplay and visual gags, while Jordan Gray — winner of the NextUp Biggest Award in Comedy — delivers a bold, boundary-pushing set. Ria Lina, familiar to many from Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You? and Mock The Week, also makes an appearance, alongside US-born comedian Russell Hicks, whose energetic style has made him a regular on British stages.
Music takes centre stage too. Swing From Paris will transport audiences back to the jazz clubs of mid-century Europe with their all-string blend of Gypsy swing and Parisian jazz, inspired by the sounds of the 1930s through to the 1950s. For those who prefer their live music louder, Limehouse Lizzy return to celebrate the legacy of Thin Lizzy and frontman Philip Lynott with a full-throttle tribute show.
February’s programme also offers plenty for those looking to try something different. Mountaineer Simon Yates brings tales from the world’s highest and most hostile environments, mixing adventure with humour and insight. Film fans can celebrate a century of Laurel and Hardy with Celebrating 100 Years of Laurel & Hardy, hosted by silent film specialist Neil Brand, complete with live piano accompaniment.
Local talent is also firmly in the spotlight. Writer, storyteller and performer Dee Taylor-Thompson presents extracts from The Mind of a Narcissist, a show that sold out at the Edinburgh Festival in 2023 and later enjoyed an off West End run in 2024.
Rounding out the month, Chocolate Theatre brings Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Come From Away to Swindon for the first time. The production tells the true story of the small Canadian town of Gander and the thousands of airline passengers diverted there when US airspace closed on 11 September 2001.
Located in Old Town, Swindon Arts Centre is a 200-seat venue known for its varied programme, spanning comedy, concerts, drama, musical theatre, exhibitions and community productions.
Full details and tickets are available via the Swindon Arts Centre website.
