Shrewsbury's biggest comedy night of the year has a familiar face at the helm. Organisers have confirmed that Scott Bennett will return as master of ceremonies for the Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival (SICF) gala show, taking place on the evening of Sunday 12 July 2026.
A Festival Favourite Returns
If you caught last year's gala, you'll already know why this is welcome news. Bennett has become a firm favourite with Shrewsbury audiences, and festival director Beth McGowan made clear the decision was an easy one.
"Scott was just brilliant as our MC last year and as a firm favourite of comedy lovers in Shrewsbury, it made sense to invite him back again. We have secured three class acts so far, with yet more to follow!"
Who Is Scott Bennett?
If you haven't come across him before, Scott Bennett is a stand-up comedian and writer who The Evening Standard called "without doubt live comedy's best kept secret." He made his Live at the Apollo debut in 2021 and has since become a regular guest on BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Likely Dads, and Elephant in the Room with Sarah Millican.
During the 2020 lockdown, he launched Stand Up from the Shed, a weekly live-streamed topical comedy show broadcast from his garden shed. The show went viral, picking up national press coverage and features on Sky News, BBC News, and BBC Five Live. His tour dates now sell out as soon as they go on sale.
The Line-Up So Far
Joining Scott Bennett on the night will be Ignacio Lopez and Esther Manito, with the organisers promising more acts still to be announced. The gala show is the headline event of a festival that spans several venues across Shrewsbury throughout the day.
About SICFest
Now a well-established fixture in the town's calendar, SICFest has built a reputation for mixing big names with exciting up-and-coming talent. Over the years the festival has welcomed the likes of Greg Davies, Joe Lycett, Russell Kane, Flo and Joan, Adam Rowe, Troy Hawke, and Thanyia Moore.
Recent audiences have also enjoyed sets from Abandoman, Lindsey Santoro, Paul Smith, Tez Ilyas, Cally Beaton, and Mick Miller, covering everything from polished headline acts to Edinburgh-fresh work-in-progress shows.
Beyond the laughs, the festival has a track record of supporting local and national causes. In 2023 it raised funds for Shelter, in 2024 for Severn Hospice, and in 2025 the chosen charity was Lingen Davies, supporting people affected by cancer across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid-Wales.
Tickets
Tickets for the gala show on 12 July are priced at £39.60 (including booking fee) and are available now through the Theatre Severn box office on 01743 281281, or online at the link below.