Hen & Chicken

Talk: The History & Endurance of Witchcraft with Dr Julia Phillips
2025-03-05 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | Hen & Chicken Studio
The traditional stereotype of the witch as an ugly old woman who harms others using supernatural means has a strong hold within the popular imagination, but in modern society other types of witches have emerged, including those who use supernatural means to benefit others, those who follow a nature-based neo-pagan religion, and those who resist the imposition of patriarchal structures and hierarchies.
From among this complex environment of different understandings of witchcraft emerged Modern Pagan Witchcraft, also known as Wicca, in the 1950s. It has been described as one of the fastest growing religions in Western civilisation and it is the only religion that Britain has given to the world. Social media channels abound with specialised groups for witchcraft and Wicca, with numbers measuring in the millions for Facebook and Instagram, and in the billions for views on TikTok. Most YouTube videos relating to Wicca have hundreds of thousands of views, ranging from guides for beginners to advanced discussions. But is it just a trend? Or is there more to the modern revival of witchcraft?
Join Dr Phillips in this enchanting talk to examine beliefs about witchcraft from the witch trials of medieval Europe to its modern expression in the 21st century. Discover the key influencers from 19th century Britain who helped witchcraft endure from its shadowy past to emerge re-born into public awareness in the 1950s.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm – come down early to grab a bite to eat!

Dr Julia Phillips is Hon Senior Research Associate and lecturer at the University of Bristol. She received her PhD for her research examining how witches and witchcraft were featured in newspapers in Victorian Britain. Her work has been published in books, academic journals, and popular magazines, and she is a regular presenter at conferences and events. Her primary research interests are the study of witchcraft in the 19th century and the development of modern Pagan Witchcraft in the 20th/21st centuries.

Comedy: Matt Forde END OF AN ERA TOUR
2025-03-02 16:00 - 19:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, THIS 4PM MATINEE SHOW HAS BEEN ADDED AT THE HEN & CHICKEN. THE EVENING PERFORMANCE TAKES PLACE AT TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRES.

Finally, the UK has a new government. That can only mean one thing: new people to take the piss out of.

Leading political comedian and satirist Matt Forde (British Scandal, Spitting Image, The Last Leg) makes this his personal mission

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Jarred Christmas & Guests
2025-03-01 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Jared Christmas featuring Elliot Steel & compere Clint Edwards

Stand Up For The Weekend is our flagship weekly comedy show from The Comedy Box, featuring top circuit headliners and guest acts plus incredibly funny and engaging comperes who host the show. A choice of table seats, reserved row seats and unreserved row seats are available to book online.

Headliner: JARRED CHRISTMAS
New Zealander Jarred Christmas has a unique style that deftly mixes gags with storytelling. He has a dynamic onstage persona and the ability to improvise and roll with anything that’s thrown his way, making his comedy sizzle with originality.
Full of passion and charisma, Jarred takes the audience on a hilarious thrill ride of laughs and gasps with an edge of anger that manifests itself in his incredible rants against the small things in our lives. His confidence leaves the audience secure in the knowledge that they are in capable hands. His material is strong and distinctive, drawn from life experience and random happenings.
Jarred’s unique and larger than life persona has won him fans across the country, proving him to be one of the most likeable stars on the circuit. His energetic storytelling has earned him a whole host of accolades including a Chortle Award and has catapulted him to the forefront of our TV screens in shows such as Mock The Week (BBC2), Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC2) 8 out of 10 Cats, (Channel 4), Argumental (Dave), One Night Stand (Dave) and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief (BBC 1). His radio credits include Act Your Age (BBC Radio 4), and Flight of the Conchords (BBC Radio 2).

Music: Alex Clarke/Eddie Gripper Quartet
2025-02-27 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
The Be-Bop Club presents The Alex Clarke & Eddie Gripper Quartet
After a short stint of gigs in 2023, the quartet reunites for a swift, heavy hitting UK tour of hard-bop and feel good swing. As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 & 2022, Alex Clarke is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a variety of styles, Alex’s sound is steeped in the tradition of swing and bebop, “leaving the listener captivated by every phrase and nuance” (Jazz Views).
Having “already garnered comparisons with the greats” (Jazzwise) after the release of his debut album ‘Home’, Eddie Gripper has been rapidly establishing himself as another young contender on the national jazz circuit. He has worked as a performer, promoter and producer alongside top musicians in his field, including Huw Warren, Iain Ballamy, Laura Jurd, Alex Merritt and Yuri Golubev. As a composer, he has collaborated with Welsh folk artist Angharad Jenkins in a handful of projects, exploring the various aspects of folk, jazz and contemporary classical traditions.
Nick Kacal is a bassist originally from Trinidad who has lived in London and Manchester but is now residing in South Wales. After studying with Tony Hougham, the principle bass of the Covent Garden Opera, he moved to London and has played as a sideman on the scene playing predominantly jazz and acoustic folk, occasionally touring to places such as Cape Verde, France and Spain. He formed his own group, Guerillasound, releasing a CD in 2008 and touring successfully in Japan.
Alex Goodyear is a UK based drummer, bandleader and composer. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019, he has returned to Berkshire and has become a regular of the UK Jazz scene, working with artists including John Law, Simon Spillett, Iain Ballamy, Sam Crockatt, Alex Merritt, Steve Fishwick, Greg Abate, Jake McMurchie, Denny Ilett, Alan Barnes, Huw Warren, George Cooper, Rebecca Nash, Libor Smoldas, Nick Malcolm, and Henrik Jensen.

Comedy: Melanie Bracewell ATTACK OF THE MELANIE BRACEWELL
2025-02-26 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Fresh off a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run, Melanie Bracewell is taking her show Attack of The Melanie Bracewell around the UK! This is a story of revenge. A story of justice. Mostly, it’s Melanie’s signature style of goofy, punchline-heavy comedy that has earned her sell-out shows all around the world. But also the revenge bit.
You may have seen Melanie Bracewell on Taskmaster NZ or in the credits as a writer for Time Bandits (Apple TV), now is your chance to catch this multi-award-winning comedian live. She promises she won’t attack you.

Talk: The Psychological Games We Play: A relationship communication codebook
2025-02-24 19:00 - 21:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Eric Berne, the founder of Transactional Analysis in the 1960s, was fascinated by the repetitive behavioural patterns we often fall into in our relationships. He called these patterns “psychological games”—cycles of interaction that leave us feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or hurt. Despite being coined decades ago, these concepts are still powerful tools today for understanding our relationship dynamics. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why am I back here again?”, this talk is for you!
In this talk, we’ll delve into the concept of psychological games, exploring different models that help us identify and understand these recurring patterns. We’ll look at real-life examples of games we might play—from the milder ones we joke about to friends, to the more destructive patterns that can lead to divorce, job loss, injury, or even legal consequences. Most importantly, we’ll discuss how recognising these patterns can empower us to make different choices and shift towards healthier, more fulfilling outcomes.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm – come down early to grab a bit to eat!
Speaker bio:
Nikki Millard is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist, TA Trainer and Supervisor. She has a private practice in North London, and is the Head of Programme for the Diploma/MSc training in TA Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute in London. Nikki specialises in working with the dynamics of relationships, understanding how our past experiences may impact our present, and offers psychotherapy and supervision to individuals, couples and groups. She has a corporate background prior to training as a psychotherapist, and is experienced at working with organisations to implement change programmes.

Music: Adam Guerrero in concert
2025-02-23 19:30 - 23:00 | Chicken Shed
Adam, from Seville in Spain, comes to the UK for the first time to promote his third CD of self-composed songs and tunes. Expect an evening mix of blues, ragtime and folk mixed in with Spanish and spaghetti western influences and a hint of pink Floyd …. With superb musicianship ….Intrigued?
Tickets are priced so you can come and see and hear for yourself!

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Lindsey Santoro & Guests
2025-02-22 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Lindsey Santoro featuring Erich McElroy & compere Jack Campbell

Stand Up For The Weekend is The Comedy Box’s weekly flagship comedy show live at the Hen & Chicken. It features top circuit headliners and guest acts, as well as incredibly funny and engaging comperes who host the show. Online booking is available for table seats, reserved row seats, and unreserved row seats.

Headliner: LINDSEY SANTORO
Naturally effusive and full of giddy joy, Birmingham’s Lindsey Santoro has emerged as one of the most original female voices to come out of the West Midlands and is one of the best hidden gems on the comedy circuit.

Lindsey enjoyed remarkable success at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, winning Next Up’s Biggest Award in Comedy for the most outstanding show at the Fringe and also earned an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nomination for her critically acclaimed debut sell-out show Pink Tinge.

Lindsey recently made her hilarious TV debut on Mel Giedroyc’s: Unforgivable (Dave), Comedy Central Live and The Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2). Other credits include Ch4’s The Joy of Missing Out and The Elephant in the Room with Sarah Millican on BBC Radio 4.

Music: Jenny Don't and The Spurs
2025-02-21 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Tickets available from 2nd September
Based in Portland, Oregon in the US Northwest, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have spent over a decade building a reputation as hardworking and musically-driven stalwarts of the Country Western scene. Despite facing challenges – singer Jenny had vocal surgery in 2019 and drummer Sam Henry was lost to cancer in 2022 – they have remained resilient and fully committed to their musical journey. With a fierce DIY ethos, they have independently released the majority of their output (three albums, ten singles) on their own label, cultivating a vast international following via extensive tours across Europe and Australia/New Zealand, as well as performances in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Mexico.
The group most recently attracted attention with their album ‘Fire On The Ridge’, a collaboration with the Fluff and Gravy label that topped the Alt Country charts and earned excellent reviews in the UK, where they toured in 2023. The year also saw them win the coveted ‘Outlaw Group of the Year’ award at Dale Watson’s Ameripolitan Award Ceremony held in Memphis, plus they joined Charley Crockett for multiple dates on his US tour before captivating audiences at the Out On The Weekend Fest in Melbourne, Australia.
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs remain committed to pursuing their passion and have today released a brand new album, ‘Broken Hearted Blue’, while also issuing a video for its title song. The songs ‘Unlucky Love’, ‘Pain In My Heart’ and ‘You’re What I Need’ have all been released as singles prior to album release, as well as a strictly limited edition 7” single coupling album opener ‘Flyin’ High’ with ‘War Cry!’, a non-album instrumental cover version.
The band went down a storm at festivals in Spain (Hurecasa), Holland, Germany (Static Roots) and Belgium (Sjock) in July 2024, and will tour mainland Europe in the autumn. Having toured the UK in 2023, including a set at Ramblin’ Roots Revue, new dates for February 2025 will be announced soon.

Comedy: Conner Burns - 1994
2025-02-20 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
From one of the most exciting emerging new stars in the UK’s live stand-up scene,1994 is Edinburgh native’s Connor Burns third solo hour. A prolific joke writer, his Scottish-level cynicism and self-deprecation punctuates a disarmingly relaxed persona and an intelligent, razor-sharp wit.
Connor’s burgeoning reputation as “one to watch” was cemented at the 2023 Fringe when he sold out his entire run two months before the festival started. An additional 9 shows (2000 seats) were added – which also sold out, with audiences even queuing for returns. The Daily Record called it when they wrote: “Just like seeing your favourite band for the first time, being at a stand-up show when you know they are about to hit the big time is an equally big thrill. And this Edinburgh Festival Fringe will be the chance to have that feeling watching local boy Connor Burns become the next big comedy act out of Scotland.”
In addition to being in demand at the UK’s top comedy clubs and his solo touring career taking off, Connor has opened for Larry Dean in the UK and for Daniel Sloss in the UK, Australia as well as at the premiere show of 2023’s New York Comedy Festival. He performed a solo run of Vertigo off-Broadway in NYC and filmed the show for release, closed the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala at the Sydney Opera House, and even taped a Just For Laughs set in the landmark venue. Connor will tour globally throughout 2024-2025.
We are delighted to welcome Connor and his new show to Bristol’s Hen & Chicken Studio. If, like us, you love live stand-up, then we recommend you check out this fantastic comedian and budding superstar early days – while you can still get a ticket!

Music: Dave Jones Quintet
2025-02-20 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
The Be-Bop Club presents the Dave Jones Quintet
Spring 2024 saw the Dave Jones Quintet touring to mark the occasion of Dave’s 60th birthday, performing a mixed programme of Dave’s original compositions alongside those of Kenny Garrett. The tour included a return visit to London’s Pizza Express Soho, where the band had recorded their live album back in 2023. Other performances have included Birmingham Jazz, Black Mountain Jazz, Narberth Jazz, North Devon Jazz, Bristol Jazz Festival, Swansea Jazz Festival and Aberjazz Festival. Tonight’s set will include a couple of pieces from Dave’s Crime Scenes and Subterfuge library music album freshly arranged for the quintet line-up and never previously performed live.
Dave also composes music for TV, and has had numerous placements of tracks in productions in the US (‘The Big Bang Theory’, ‘The Today Show’, The US Open Golf Tournament), in Japan (NHK news and current affairs), and the UK (‘University Challenge’, ‘Location, Location, Location’, ‘Alan Carr’s Adventures with Agatha Christie’, and many others).
“Scintillating horn interplay that mixed fire with subtlety, qualities that Jones also brought to a sparkling piano solo” (JazzMann, live review 2023). “Solid and deep-delving swing, especially when the band switched straight into fifth gear, as on ‘Chief Blackwater’ “ (Jazz Journal, live review 2023).
Saxophonist Ben Waghorn is one of Bristol’s finest players with a national reputation – he has worked in London’s West End and on many pop, TV and film recordings. He has been involved in a range of projects with Keith Tippett, including ‘Tapestry’, a piece written by Keith for two saxophone quartets and the BBC singers, the quartet ‘Work in Progress’ and The Keith Tippett Octet. He can also be heard on recordings with Geoff Eales and Dave Stapleton [Slowly Rolling Camera]. Ben has also recently performed with the BBC Big Band and played in Singapore with the London Concert Orchestra.
Trumpeter Andy Hague is well known as leader of his own quintet, Double Standards quartet and Horace Silver tribute Silverado. He also frequently appears at the club on drums.
Bassist Ashley John Long is revered for his astonishing technique, and alongside his jazz career has a growing reputation as a contemporary classical composer.
Drummer Mark Whitlam is one of Bristol’s busiest musicians, and has worked with major jazz names such as Andy Sheppard, Iain Ballamy and Jason Rebello. He is also a Senior Lecturer at BIMM Music College. Mark composed much of the music for neo-soul band We Are Leif and also contributes electronics to band Michelson Morley alongside his acoustic drums..

Comedy: Richard Blackwood LIVE
2025-02-16 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Richard Blackwood brings his jam packed hour of pure heavyweight punchlines and anecdotes. Get set for a night that’s not just comedy – it’s a rollercoaster of laughter, stories, and a sneak peek into Richard’s incredible 30-year journey.

Celebrating three phenomenal decades in the game, Richard Blackwood got us laughing on the Real McCoy, has conquered MTV, owned Top of the Pops, graced the sets West End Theatres, EastEnders and Hollyoaks, and showcased his culinary chops on MasterChef.

A true British icon, his diverse experiences add layers of humour and depth to a night you won’t want to miss.
Don’t sleep on this exclusive comedy event. Tickets are flying off the virtual shelves, and you definitely want in.

Catch Richard Blackwood : Live for an evening of laughter, storytelling, and an intimate look into the world of a seasoned industry pro.

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Steve Bugeja & Guests
2025-02-15 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Steve Bugeja featuring Abigoliah Schamaun & Adam Beardsmore
Stand Up For The Weekend is The Comedy Box’s weekly flagship comedy show live at the Hen & Chicken. It features top circuit headliners and guest acts, as well as incredibly funny and engaging comperes who host the show. Online booking is available for table seats, reserved row seats, and unreserved row seats.
Headliner: STEVE BUGEJA
Steve Bugeja is one of the circuit’s most exciting comedians. Steve hosted the BBC Radio 4 series Economics with Subtitles and has made numerous appearances on TV shows including The Russell Howard Hour (Sky One), Love Island: Aftersun (ITV2), Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) and Zoe Ball on Saturday (ITV1).

Making a name for himself internationally, Steve has twice been invited to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, appearing on Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow (ABC1) and on Comedy Up Late (ABC1).

A prolific writer, Steve was a key member of the writing team for The Russell Howard Hour (Sky One) and for Iain Stirling’s CelebAbility (ITV2) and has contributed material to Mock the Week (BBC2), 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4) and BBC Radio 4.

Steve won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2013 and has since performed numerous Edinburgh Fringe shows and national tours.

Comedy: Rob Newman WHERE THE WILD THINGS WERE
2025-02-13 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Rob Newman’s epic stand-up show goes from cave paintings to car-free cities, by way of Imperial Rome’s chariot ban, Rapper’s Remorse, and the dance steps of Homo Ergaster.

Winner: Best Scripted Comedy – BBC Audio Drama Awards 2019
Winner: Best Comedy with a live audience – BBC Audio Drama Awards 2019

Music: Aidan Pope Quartet
2025-02-13 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
The Be-Bop Club presents the Aidan Pope Quartet
Aidan is a guitarist, composer and educator based in the midlands. During his time studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Aidan was awarded the Phil Miller solo guitar prize and was noted as having a strong improvisation aesthetic by British guitar legend John Etheridge. He has recorded with musicians such as Iain Ballamy, Emma Rawicz and John Turville, played in jazz clubs throughout Europe and had airtime on radio stations such as Brooklyn Free Radio and Jazz FM. Aidan has studied with Jonathan Kreisberg and is heavily influenced by musicians such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jim Hall and Keith Jarrett.
Pianist, composer, arranger, educator and collaborator Rebecca Nash defies categorisation. Established as one of the brightest and boldest jazz talents in the UK, she is just beginning to garner international recognition for her wide-ranging music which draws on influences from electronica, rock, drum and bass, soul-jazz, and singer-songwriters to create a distinctive personal sound full of artistry and heart. Her band, ATLAS, have become renowned for their uniquely beautiful soundscapes and released their debut album Peaceful King on Whirlwind Recordings to high critical acclaim. “At the vanguard of innovative and compelling new music” (Downbeat Magazine), this “simply stunning” (UK Vibe) record has received widespread airplay across stations including Worldwide FM, Jazz FM and BBC Radio 3’s J to Z. It was also featured on Spotify’s State of Jazz Playlist, Amazon’s Fresh Jazz Playlist, Best Jazz on Band Camp, and the Europe Jazz Network charts.
Double bassist James Owston graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2019 with a first-class degree with honours, since when he has gone on to forge a prolific career, playing with many of the UK’s most highly regarded musicians, and has led multiple projects of his own. He has played and recorded with a diverse range of musicians including Paul Dunmall, Neil Yates, Xhosa Cole, Greg Abate, Dean Masser, Jay Phelps, Lekan Babalola, Martin Speake and in 2018 was a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year award, performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis.
Drummer Matthew Holmes won the Tony Levin Drum Prize 2019 and subsequently graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2020. He has performed with Soweto Kinch, Alex Hitchcock, Tony Kofi, Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Alan Barnes, Tim Whitehead, Percy Pursglove, Ian Shaw, Arnie Somogyi, Dave Newton, Liam Noble and Hermeto Pascoal!
The programme will be a mixture of Aidan’s original compositions as well as some of his favourite jazz standards.

Music: The Jim White Trio with special guest Trey Blake.
2025-02-12 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
CRH Muisc presents Southern Gothic singer/songwriter Jim White, the narrator and tour guide of Searching For The Wrong Eyed Jesus. Jim has collaborated with Trey Blake, recording the album, Precious Bane (release date October, 2024).
The musicians will be performing together upstairs in our event space The Studio.

Comedy: Alice Fraser A PASSION FOR PASSION
2025-02-09 19:30 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
A Comedy Show About Writing A Book About Romance
Alice Fraser has fallen in love… with romance novels. She’s written a delirious love letter to the genre and now she has to live with the consequences.
If you love romance novels, or if you have no idea how anyone could love romance novels, this is the show for you.
A show that will make you laugh, cry, and rethink happily ever after.
(With a guest appearance from the reclusive, mysterious, interdimensionally successful and arguably fictional self published romance maven and online bestseller, D’Ancey LaGuarde)

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Roger Monkhouse & Guests
2025-02-08 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Roger Monkhouse featuring Tom Deacon & Clint Edwards
Stand Up For The Weekend is The Comedy Box’s flagship weekly comedy show. It features top circuit headliners and guest acts, as well as incredibly funny and engaging comperes who host the show. Online booking is available for table seats, reserved row seats, and unreserved row seats.
Headliner: ROGER MONKHOUSE

Roger Monkhouse is one of the most original and distinctive acts on the comedy scene. A consummate stand-up who employs a deadly combination of charm and menace to exert a masterful control over any audience. A highly original and quirky performer, Roger’s trademark stage-prowling style and curious, inimitable manner have established him as one of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Distinguished as a comic by his eloquence and keen eye for a fine phrase, Roger’s easy observational style is spiked by the signal flares of an accomplished gag writer. He has no shortage of first class observational material in his armoury.

Comedy: Paul Taylor F*** ME, I'M FRENCH
2025-02-07 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Sorry- This show is now sold out

Paul Taylor makes fun of the French and they love it. Or they tell him to f*** off back to England! After 3 sell-out bilingual world tours, Paul shares his story of being a British expat in France, this time 100% in English. Hold onto your berets!

Paul is a British comedian who has been living in France since 2009. His trademark is poking fun at the French and the French lifestyle, as well as at himself, by sharing his offbeat expat experiences, including linguistic misunderstandings and cultural mix-ups.

He made a name for himself in France by creating, writing and starring in the hit TV show “WTF France” as well as being the first comedian in France to perform bilingual stand-up shows. With over 1.5 million followers and hundreds of millions of views on social media, Paul has taken “Le French Bashing” to anozerrr leveulle!

In 2016, he released his first bilingual show, “#FRANGLAIS,” to phenomenal success. He followed it up with his second and third shows, “So British (ou presque)” and “Bisoubye”. With this trilogy of bilingual shows, Paul has captivated tens of thousands of spectators with sold-out performances in the most prestigious of venues in France and around the world.

Alongside his stage performances, Paul has also ventured into creating video content. Spotted early in his career by the French TV channel Canal+, he developed and produced the hit TV show “WTF France,” which catapulted him into the limelight. Paul’s online videos now have hundreds of millions of views, and he has over 1.5 million followers on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Music: Kieron Garrett Quartet
2025-02-06 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
The Be-Bop Club presents Kieron Garrett Quartet
Pianist Kieron Garrett has been well known on the London circuit for many years and has performed at some of the UK’s most famous venues including Ronnie Scott’s, 606 Club, the Jazz Café, Pizza Express Jazz Club and the Royal Albert Hall. He has shared stages with some of the UK’s finest musicians including Dave O’Higgins, Tony Kofi and Vasilis Xenopoulos, and has so far recorded two albums with his quartet and several with his funk group Synthonic. Now relocated to the less hectic environment of Sidmouth, Kieron has hooked up with many of the best players based in Dorset and Devon and is busy energising the jazz scene on the south coast.
Joining Kieron are Mike Sayers on sax, a really melodic player with a great alto sound, and the rhythm team of Marcus Vergette and Coach York on bass and drums. Marcus and Coach have for many years been the rhythm team powering Mike Westbrook’s Uncommon Orchestra, with which they have performed at Ronnie Scott’s and international festivals.
The set includes some bebop classics alongside some classy funk tunes from the likes of Grover Washington, Jeff Lorber and The Crusaders.

Talk: THE MAGIC OF CHOCOLATE
2025-02-06 19:30 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
We will be talking about chocolate in all it various forms, how it is sourced, how it is made, how some of it has great health benefits and some of it not, and we will have a tasting of local craft chocolate from Radeks.

Comedy: Marjolein Robertson O
2025-02-05 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
A show about the body.
Marjolein Robertson embarks on the second instalment of her standup trilogy by looking at a health condition that, left unspoken about in the past, was almost fatal. Now, shaking off the shame and armed with knowledge, Marjolein talks through menstrual health with humour and another Shetland folktale.
This time the oldest story of Shetland about the deity Sea Midder. This show is not for the faint-hearted, with 9 audience members fainting and another 18 walkouts during its run at the Fringe. However, this is not gore for gore’s sake. This show has the potential to save lives. Also: JOKES.

Talk: Autism & Women
2025-02-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Uncover why autistic women have been overlooked and the new research transforming our understanding, with Q+A.
Autism has long been seen as a condition affecting boys and men, leading to the assumption that women and girls couldn’t be autistic at all. However, recent research shows that autism often presents differently in girls and women, challenging outdated stereotypes. While the old ratio was thought to be 12 boys to every girl, new figures suggest it’s closer to 3-to-1.
This talk explores the male bias in autism research, showcasing the new knowledge about autism in girls and women that has developed in the last decade, and look at some of the support strategies which are being developed specifically to help this group with their unique experiences.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm – come down early to grab a bite to eat!

Speaker bio:
Dr Felicity Sedgewick is an autism and neurodiversity researcher and academic at the University of Bristol. She has worked with autistic and neurodivergent people for over a decade, particularly with autistic women and girls. Her research has focused on gender differences in autism, relationships, and mental health, as well as experiences in higher education. Her projects are all co-designed with autistic and neurodivergent people, and the goal is always for her research to have a meaningful and positive impact. Working with autistic co-authors, she has written two books on Autism and Masking, and Autistic Relationships, and regularly gives talks, podcasts, and writes for national and international media.

Comedy: Ignacio Lopez - Señor Self Destruct
2025-02-02 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Spain’s Best Export(TM) Ignacio Lopez is on a mission to destroy himself, and build a better version. Leaner. Smarter. Funnier. Join the star of Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Comedy Central, QI, House of Games, & more, for a riotously funny exploration of vices, intrusive thoughts, and self-improvement.
Expect an armada of playful, wicked humour from the exotic outsider comedian, as he tries to identify his faults and how to improve. Is it worth going to the gym? Can you be addicted to technology? Do you know what happens if you give spiders drugs? Ignacio uses his razor-sharp wit, and effortless charm to tackle these questions and a bunch of other irrelevant horsesh*t.

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Garrett Millerick & Guests
2025-02-01 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Garrett Millerick is an acclaimed stand up comedian, writer and director. His unique and versatile style has led to him being in great demand on the alternative and club circuits both in the UK and internationally.

Garrett is known for his grumpy, grouchy persona who is fed up with the pretenses of the modern world, aiming his criticism at everything from the fraudulent activity of the recycling industry to growing depression inflicted by miserablist, oversharing celebrities. His shouty, ironic delivery keeps you on the edge of your seat and the crushing punchlines can leave you exhilarated as he rages against yet more societal hypocrisies.
“A virtuoso display of unforgivingly grumpy stand up delivered with fire in his soul” Chortle

Comedy: Ray O'Leary YOUR LAUGHTER IS JUST MAKING ME STRONGER
2025-01-31 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
The deadpan Ray O’Leary (Taskmaster NZ) is a big brain in an ill-fitting suit. Every time he does stand-up and people laugh, he gets stronger. Soon he will be the most powerful man in the universe. When the show ends, he’ll be able to lift a car above his head.
Fresh from a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe Festival run, the Best Show Nomination at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and 3x nominee for Best Male Comedian by the NZ Comedy Guild. Ray is a staple on Australasian television including Have You Been Paying Attention?, Thank God You’re Here, and 7 Days.

Music: Adrian Cox Trio ft.LIVE Illustration by Con McHugh
2025-01-30 20:45 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Adrian Cox Trio | Makin’ Runs | SPECIAL ft. Live Illustration with Con Mchugh
In association with the Bristol Jazz Festival
“Makin’ Runs,” the latest project by internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox, delves into alternative ragtime repertoire from the early jazz era, aiming to capture and express the timeless essence of the music.
According to legend, “Makin’ Runs” is a tune attributed to Buddy Bolden, heard by Bunk Johnson in New Orleans. The phrase symbolises Bolden’s vision for inventive improvisations whilst never repeating himself.
The trio endeavours to emulate that spirit, crafting tight yet dynamic arrangements that honour the music’s original intent, allowing ample room for improvisational fire.
The program includes compositions by Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, Barney Bigard and many more.
The trio is completed by the incredible talents of
Will Sach (double bass) & Alex “Honey” Boulton (guitar).
The fourth member of this project came through a collaboration with master illustrator Con McHugh.
Adrian had become familiar with Con’s work through his Bristol Jazz Festival offerings. His vision for the Makin’ Runs artwork was incredible and he has been instrumental in creating the feel for this project all the way through. Tonight, Con will appear in the flesh to create live imagary as the band play through their concert. This is not to be missed……

Jazz: Jon Lloyd Quartet
2025-01-30 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
Since their previous visit in Feb 2023 the Jon Lloyd Quartet have released their album Earth Songs, which has been met with huge critical acclaim and has achieved close to a million worldwide track streams.
“The interplay between the quartet members is magical, instinctive… creating music of often startling beauty.” – Peter Vacher, Jazzwise magazine, 2024, **** album review
“A set which channels deep feeling with considerable power … a mood of patient exploration as beguiling as it is beautiful.” – Jon Turney, London Jazz News, 2024
Saxophonist Jon Lloyd arrived on the UK free jazz scene in the early 1990s and rose to prominence with recordings on Leo records and HatHut, and with many UK and European concerts with his quartet comprising John Law, Paul Rogers and Mark Sanders. Highlights during this period included Berlin’s FMP Festival, several Arts Council tours and the 1993 Contemporary Music Network tour with the Bill Frisell Band. Over the years Jon has embraced contemporary composition, abstract improv and jazz, but in the last decade has developed his music towards the European Jazz aesthetic, notably recording “Vanishing Points” in 2013 with Asaf Sirkis, Tom Farmer, John Law and Rob Palmer.
John Law is one of the outstanding pianists in the UK. His solo, duo, trio and quartet projects have played throughout the UK and Europe for 30 years, and has played with many of the greats of UK jazz: Asaf Sirkis, Yuri Goloubev, Andy Sheppard, Tim Garland, Paul Dunmall. His most recent projects include “Congregation” with Ashley John Long and James Mainwaring, “Re-Creations” with Sam Crockatt and “Renaissance” with Jon Lloyd and Patrick Dunn. John and Jon Lloyd have enjoyed a 30 year musical relationship, collaborating on many varied projects.
It’s first time at the club for bassist Nick Pini. Nick has an incredible CV but has been sucked in to the strange jazz vortex of Frome, so is living relatively nearby. He has worked with Laura Marling, Ethan Johns, Nick Mulvey, Tom Jones, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Seth Lakeman, Ramin Karimloo and Will Butterworth whilst keeping a keen hand in the UK’s rich and diverse jazz scene. He has also recently moved into roles as MD and in string arranging and production.
Alex Goodyear is a rising star of the drums and is rapidly gaining national and international recognition, having toured Europe and Israel in late 2022. His dynamic performances have made him a favourite at many UK jazz venues.

Comedy: Sara Barron & Guests
2025-01-25 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Sara Barron featuring Joe Sutherland & compere Clint Edwards
Sara Barron is a relentlessly honest and desperately funny comic, relating brutal and sometimes filthy truths in a warm and welcoming way.

She is an American writer turned stand up living in London. While Stateside, she wrote for Vanity Fair, published two essay collections, and earned the role of host for the hit U.S. storytelling show, The Moth. This, in turn, gave her the bug for live performance. It also introduced her to her (British) husband, which prompted an eventual move to the UK. Her work has featured most recently on The Guilty Feminist, BBC R4Xtra, and Dave Gorman’s “Modern Life is Goodish”.

After a number of years in the UK, any semblance of American positivity has been stripped away, replaced by withering British cynicism. There’s certainly more than a hint of Joan Rivers’s cold contempt as she sneers at the joyous affirmations of others.

Sara couldn’t be brassier, sassier or louder-mouthed if she tried. She parades her sex life, friendships and militant subjectivity across the stage.

Music: Daniel Kimbro
2025-01-23 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Raised on American Roots music in East Tennessee, Daniel Kimbro is a multi GRAMMY-nominated musician with more than 20 years of experience performing, recording, and writing Roots music. As an accompanist Daniel has shared stages and studios with notable artists including Eric Clapton, Jerry Douglas, John Hiatt, The Transatlantic Sessions, Sarah Jarosz, and myriad others.
While his recording credits are numerous, it is his new solo album Carpet in The Kitchen that best
epitomizes Daniel’s experience as a writer and arranger. This debut collection features stories set to lyrics and chords that evoke Appalachian murder ballads and story-songs rooted in the folk traditions of Scotland, Ireland and England. The opening track ‘Loyston’ remembers the upheaval brought by the displacement of his fellow Appalachians with the construction of the TVA dams, focusing on the inundation of the eponymous town in Northeast Tennessee. Guest appearances on Carpet in The Kitchen include Jerry Douglas on slide guitars, Mike Baggetta (Nels Kline, David Wax Museum) on electric guitar, and Jordan Perlson (Gary Burton, Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy) on Drumset.
Known to listeners across the US, UK and Canada for his work with the folk-blues trio Harley
Kimbro Lewis, Daniel continues to tour these regions with Sarah Jarosz, The Jerry Douglas Band, the Earls of Leicester and others. When time allows, Daniel can be found on bodies of water of any size with a fly rod in hand, and he is active in promoting and supporting the Conservation of these
watersheds and their colourful constituents.
