SketchFest: A New Festival Celebrating Sketch Comedy Arrives in London
A brand new festival entirely dedicated to the vibrant art of sketch comedy is set to launch in London this month, offering two full weeks of original live performances. SketchFest represents an exciting collaboration between two renowned fringe venues: the Canal Café Theatre in Little Venice and the Hen and Chickens Theatre in Islington. This initiative aims to bring together a wide array of comedy talent from across the United Kingdom.
Diverse Line-Up and Festival Programme
Audiences can expect to see a broad spectrum of sketch shows, featuring both up-and-coming comedians and well-established performers. The festival boasts a diverse and impressive line-up that includes sketch groups and double acts such as Biscuit Barrel, Finlay and Joe, Chaos Theory, The Supermalts, Forced Rhubarb, Next Level Sketch, Canker Blossoms, Frog Bone Trom Bone, and The Tiny Umbrellas. Additionally, the festival will welcome special appearances from notable performers including Justin Edwards and Dan Tetsell.
Every show in the programme is scheduled to run between 50 and 60 minutes, with each act presenting entirely original material crafted specifically for this event. The festival will officially commence with a special launch event at the Hen and Chickens Theatre on Monday, March 16, before the full programme begins in earnest.
Competitive Judging and Awards
Throughout the festival, competing acts will be assessed during their performances by dedicated programming teams from both host venues. Each act will be scored based on five key criteria: writing quality, performance excellence, originality, audience response, and overall award worthiness.
At the Canal Café Theatre, the judging panel will consist of artistic director Emma Taylor alongside head programmer and festival producer Cicely Halkes Wellstead. Meanwhile, at the Hen and Chickens Theatre, the panel will include artistic director James Wren and members of The Pros from Dover. Adding to the prestige, special guest judge Kevin Eldon, known for his work on Brass Eye, I Am Alan Partridge, and Inside No9, will join the panel for the SketchFest 2026 Grand Finale.
This grand finale is scheduled to take place at the Canal Café Theatre on Sunday, March 29. During this event, the three strongest acts from the preliminary heats will deliver final 20-minute performances. The judging panel will then select winners for several awards: SketchFest 2026 Sketch Act of the Year, The Canal Café Theatre Choice Award, The Hen and Chickens Theatre Choice Award, Best Individual Sketch, and Best Character.
The overall winner and recipients of the venue awards will be presented with trophies. Furthermore, the overall winner will receive a £100 cash prize along with valuable mentorship support to aid in their professional development.
Celebrating Venue Heritage and Future Talent
SketchFest also serves to celebrate the rich history and significant influence of its host venues. The Canal Café Theatre has been the home of NewsRevue, the world's longest-running live comedy show, since 1984. This venue has played a crucial role in launching the careers of celebrated performers such as Catherine Tate, Lee Mack, and Eddie Izzard.
Similarly, the Hen and Chickens Theatre has long been recognized as a creative incubator for new comedy and theatre. It has supported early performances from acclaimed artists including The Mighty Boosh, Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, and Sarah Millican.
By highlighting the creativity and dynamic energy of contemporary sketch comedy, SketchFest aims to provide a vital platform for the next generation of performers. This festival not only showcases current talent but also honours the legacy of these iconic venues that have shaped the comedy landscape.
