Comedian Matt Forde puts a positive spin on politics and health in new stand-up show Defying Calamity touring to Sheffield

Political comedian and satirist Matt Forde is touring his new show, Defying Calamity, which is about finding positivity in life despite all the evidence to the contrary in politics and his own health.

Matt will share his wit and wisdom at Sheffield Steamworks on June 6, 2026 on his biggest live tour to date.

Matt Forde will perform his new stand-up show, Defying Calamity, at Sheffield's Steamworks on June 6, 2026.

placeholder image — Matt Forde will perform his new stand-up show, Defying Calamity, at Sheffield's Steamworks on June 6, 2026.

He is renowned for bringing Parliament to life through his Matt’s Political Party podcast which has included lively debate with powerful figures including Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Alastair Campbell, Gordon Brown and Gary Neville. The podcast has amassed more than 11 million downloads and earned multiple nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards.

Diagnosed with bone cancer in 2023, Matt had the base of his spine removed and had to learn to walk again. During recovery, Matt attempted to interview a party candidate from all 650 constituencies before polling day in 2024.

Since learning to walk again, Matt returned to work on his acclaimed Political Party, British Scandal and Down The Dog podcasts, alongside hosting Absolute Radio’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Show. He has has written and voiced characters for Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV) including Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. His final challenge was returning to the stage with The End of An Era Tour which went nationwide.

Matt’s live shows have garnered praise from critics. Mark Wareham of the Mail On Sunday wrote: “Flying the flag for satire…succeeds in seamlessly weaving together the personal and the political in a meaty hour of impressions, gags and reflections. Forde is brilliant…so much to admire here. But you come away admiring the man as much as the performer.”

Tickets to see Matt’s live show, Defying Calamity, in Sheffield cost £25, available from www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Sheffield/The-Steamworks/Matt-Forde/41295029