Explore the politics of the witch trials and powerful witch imagery in Sylvia Plath’s poetry. Followed by Q&A. Sylvia Plath is best known for her novel The Bell Jar (1963) and her emotive, striking poetry. She grew up in Massachusetts, close to Salem, a place closely linked to the history of the witch trials. During...
Wednesday Night Improv returns to the Hen & Chicken with two halves of unscripted comedy — all made up on the spot, all inspired by your suggestions. Expect quick wit, bold characters, and the kind of laughter that only happens when nobody knows what's coming next (including the performers). ## FIRST HALF ## Comedy Games,...
Get ready for a full day of music, fun and feel-good festival vibes at the Bristol Ukulele Festival 2026! Join us on Saturday, 11th July, from 12:30pm right through to midnight for a joyful celebration of all things ukulele. Across two large performance spaces, you’ll find an exciting mix of beginner and advanced workshops, live...
Acclaimed Australian songwriter Les Thomas brings his 2026 UK tour to Bristol for an intimate performance at the Hen & Chicken, joined by the fabulous Anya Pailthorpe. Blending folk, Americana and poetic storytelling, Thomas writes songs filled with humanity, memory and hard-won compassion. His music has been praised for its intelligence, authenticity and emotional depth,...
Born of the voices of past lives and baptized in the dust bowl dirt, the Gothic Americana music of the Heathen Apostles harkens back to a bygone chapter of American history. Using contrasting influences such as Bauhaus, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and The Pogues along with Howlin’ Wolf, Loretta Lynn (the band covers...
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, and charm as award-winning comedian and singer-songwriter Boothby Graffoe teams up with internationally acclaimed Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione. “Wot Italian?” is an hilarious and heartfelt collision of Graffoe’s sharp wit and whimsical storytelling with Forcione’s virtuosic guitar mastery. This show promises a mix of brilliantly crafted songs, laugh-out-loud banter, and...
EXTRA DATE DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND Podcasting cult hero. Following his record-breaking Waterslide tour, Jamie Hutchinson is back with Can My Mate Come? He’s Sound. — a brand-new hour of unfiltered mayhem, questionable logic and emotional chaos held together by takeaway boxes and blind optimism. Waterslide was a “masterclass in self-caricature” (British Comedy Guide). Now Jamie returns....
We are thrilled to welcome The Alan Fletcher Band back to Bristol this September, performing songs from their Americana/Country Music catalogue. Alan Fletcher may be best known for his 31 year (and counting) tenure on Neighbours, but lately it’s his talent and passion for making folk and Americana music that has been delighting audiences at...
A show so entertaining you can scarcely believe it. Written and performed (both!) by a man in crisis, desperate to find meaning in life. As technology makes life easier, where do we find value? What is stand-up comedy for? Buy a ticket and find out, let me amuse you like you’ve never been amused before,...
Singer-songwriter Joe Martin, returns to the Hen & Chicken this September. 21st century troubadour Joe Martin is deservedly gaining attention on both sides of the Atlantic seeing him play shows around the UK, Europe and legendary venues in Nashville, Tennessee. His musical journey has seen him collaborate with some of Nashville’s top songwriters including Johnny...
Star of Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, QI, Richard Osman's House of Games & Comedy Central Live; Ignacio Lopez returns with perhaps his most ambitious and pretentious project yet. Nada is the captivating comedy experiment which sees Spain’s Best Export create a brand new, completely unique and blisteringly funny stand up show...
What?! Mark Thomas has been ‘standing up’ for 40 years? Impossible!! But how old does that make you…? Alas it is true; one of our oldest surviving alternative comics celebrates 40 years at the mic. So, here’s what he has done so far in numbers; performed comedy for 40 years, won 8 awards for performing, 4 for...
