Hen & Chicken

Theatre: Alone Together: A Night of Monologues
2025-12-09 20:00 - 22:30 UTC | Hen & Chicken Studio
Alone Together: A Night of Monologues brings a vibrant mix of performers to the stage, each with something bold, funny, heartfelt, or unexpected to share. From intimate confessions to powerful character pieces, this one-night event celebrates the magic that happens when a single voice fills a room…and everyone listens.
Join us at the Hen & Chicken, Southville, on Tuesday 9th December at 8pm for a showcase of original monologues that spotlight the talent, humour, and heart of our community. Whether you’re a writer, performer, theatre-lover, or simply curious, come be part of a night that proves we’re never truly alone when we share our stories.
Presented by Clandestine Theatre, created as part of our weekly workshops for non-professional performers: Theatre Shed Sessions
Directed by Sophie Cottle
Guest Direction from George Nichols & Tom Brennan
Workshop Assistant Axel Bode

Talk: The History of Witchcraft in Popular Culture
2025-12-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Why do witches have such a strong pull on our collective imagination? Are they simply bewitching caricatures, or is there something more metaphysical that drives their continuing popularity?
From the printed engravings of the 15th century to the images created by AI in the 21st century, witches continue to occupy a place in popular culture. They feature in art, literature, theatre, music, and film, and many more.
Dr Julia Phillips will examine the role of the witch in popular culture, from its earlier depictions to the present day. Discover why this figure has remained so compelling, and how it has continually evolved to embody the fears, values and hopes of each generation. Expect a lively journey through history, myth and gender, and leave with a fresh perspective on one of culture’s most enduring icons.

Dr Julia Phillips is Hons 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.

Theatre: Wednesday Night Improv: Christmas Special Triple Bill!
2025-12-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Chicken Shed
Wednesday Night Improv’s monthly show continues with a CHRISTMAS SPECIAL triple bill packed with quick wit, bold characters, and stories made up on the spot.
Join us for a midweek comedy boost featuring three of Bristol’s sharpest improv acts – each one creating a brand-new show right before your eyes, all inspired by audience suggestions.
[1] COSMIC PUDDLE
Cosmic Puddle – making the everyday ✨whimsical.✨ Narrative 2-prov from two of Bristol’s most improvisers – David Puck and Jack Greenwood. This show will feature a super secret special guest in Jack’s place – who will it be???
[2] LAST DAY ON EARTH
The first graduate house team of legendary improv night Parent’s Basement take a location from the audience and proceeds to take us on a journey through improvised sketch and character comedy.
Featuring performers from: This Is Your Musical, Up The Antics & After Dusk: The Improvised Twilight Zone, Last Day on Earth have travelled all over the country with their chaotic, hilarious comedic style and consistently deliver premium laughter.
[3] PRESSURE COOKER: THE IMPROVISED RESTAURANT SHOW
Pressure Cooker whisks you into the chaos of a fictional restaurant where chefs, customers, and kitchen staff are all played by a dynamic ensemble. Using YOUR stories as ingredients, our performers cook up hilarious, unpredictable scenes every night. From meltdowns to menu mayhem, it’s comedy served hot and fast.
“Pure Comedic Alchemy” – Bristol 24/7
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Whether you’re a seasoned comedy fan or just curious about what happens when performers make it all up as they go, this is a perfect night to dive into Bristol’s thriving improv scene. Expect laughter, surprises, and something completely different – every single time.
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Part of the Wednesday Night Improv series – We’re on the second Wednesday of every month! Details here: https://linktr.ee/wednightimprov

Live Jazz: Jonathan Gee Trio SW
2025-12-11 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
We’re very excited to present pianist Jonathan Gee, one of the UK’s finest players with an international reputation including many European tours and frequent trips to New York. He is perhaps best known to the Bristol audience for some of the most memorable nights at the legendary Albert Inn, where he appeared many times with saxophonist Ed Jones and trumpeter Damon Brown. He visits as part of a short SW tour facilitated by Devon based bass player and sculptor Marcus Vergette.
Jonathan is one the most prolific and imaginative composer-pianists operating today, with a succession of ever-enticing bands and projects with world class line-ups from Europe and the USA. Aside from his own bands with which he has recorded 8 albums, he has also worked closely with Bobby Wellins, Claire Martin and Tim Whitehead, Pharoah Sanders, Mark Murphy and Art Farmer. With Tony Kofi he co-founded the Monk Liberation Front, whose legendary performances of the complete Thelonious Monk catalogue have led to award-winning recordings. He has performed in groups comprised of leading musicians from France, Finland and Italy, and a fantastic trio emerging from the hothouse of the New York jazz scene featuring Joseph Lepore and Nasheet Waits which has packed out Dizzy’s at Lincoln Centre.
Marcus Vergette, musician, bell-maker, sculptor, was born on the banks of the Mississippi river in Southern Illinois. He grew up in the UK. Much of his recent work involves making large bells (up to 3 metres high) in bronze, – his Time and Tide Bells. These are hung in specific locations around the coast and rung by the action of the sea at high tide. The first was installed at Appledore, Devon, in 2009. Subsequent sites range from Trinity Buoy Wharf, on the Thames, to the Outer Hebrides. Marcus is an accomplished double bass player and composer, and has played in projects led by UK jazz legend Mike Westbrook over the past two decades.

Comedy: MRS SMITH 1, 2, 3, EYES ON ME!
2025-12-12 20:00 - 22:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Mrs Smith is back with a brand-new show; 123, Eyes on Me!
Ever wondered what your teacher was thinking?
Let Facebook’s Mrs Smith enlighten you!
Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher in an ordinary school until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a stand-up comedian.

123, Eyes on Me! is the follow up to her sell-out show of 2023 that debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe.
“Mrs Smith transforms the stage into a classroom of laughter and nostalgia“

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Christopher Hall
2025-12-13 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Christopher Hall featuring Alex Kitson & Robin Morgan

Stand Up For The Weekend is our flagship weekly 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: CHRISTOPHER HALL
A rising star in the comedy world, Christopher Hall is known for his quick wit and infectious energy. With a knack for finding humour in the everyday – he is effortless on stage. Bursting with charismatic stage presence and natural comedic timing, and an ever growing fan base, Christopher Hall is undoubtedly one to watch, poised to leave a lasting mark on the world of comedy.

During lockdown, Christopher took to Instagram and TikTok and started releasing a series of sketches; he has built up an impressive following and a number of characters that have become known across the world. Since then, Christopher has taken his comedy and his charm on to the stand-up circuit and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with sell out shows as well as appearing on ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show. Following the UK success of his first debut show, Christopher took his show Self Helpless to Australia to tour the country and festivals down under.
“Big laughs and charisma” The List

Foreign Language Comedy (Spanish): ARDILLAS EN MI CABEZA
2025-12-14 21:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
Me llamo Alex Ayres y a los 31 años me diagnosticaron con TDAH.
Llevo 4 meses haciendo este show en formato de WORK IN PROGRESS y ahora la tengo como show, y con un titulo que explica bastante como me siento con el TDAH: ARDILLAS EN LA CABEZA.
ARDILLAS EN LA CABEZA es mi nuevo show de Stand-up:
Si sabes quien soy, guay. Desde que me han diagnosticado con TDAH he podido llegar a entenderme a mi mismo un poquito mas. El show va a tirar un poco por este hilo. Soy ingles. No uso acentos muy bien cuando escribo. Ñí úsó lá grámátícá bíén támpóco. Que te jodas.
Naaaa, vente, sera muy risa.

My name is Alex Ayres and at the age of 31 I was diagnosed with ADHD.
I’ve been doing this show for 4 months in the format of WORK IN PROGRESS and now I have it as a show, and with a title that explains a lot how I feel with ADHD: SQUIRRELS IN THE HEAD.
SQUIRRELS IN THE HEAD is my new Stand-up show:
If you know who I am, cool. Since being diagnosed with ADHD I have been able to understand myself a little more. The show is going to pull a little by this thread. I’m English. I don’t use accents very well when I write. Ñí úsó lá grámátícá bíén támpóco. you.
Naaaa, come on, it will be very laughable.

Theatre: All Wapped Up
2025-12-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Get ready for a festive treat! All Wrapped Up brings together exceptional performers of all ages for a dazzling collection of Christmas songs and seasonal showstoppers.
This sparkling family show is full of fun, laughter, and festive cheer — the perfect way to unwrap the joy of Christmas. Join us this Christmas for a holiday tradition not to be missed!

Theatre: All Wrapped Up
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio

Live Jazz: The Text Messengers Play The Messengers
2025-12-18 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
Last year’s Christmas Special was such fun we thought we’d do it again, but with a few differences – alto sax player Luke Annesley who performed last year is off with the John Wilson Orchestra, providing an opportunity to invite the remarkable trombonist Raph Clarkson to step in.
For much of the 1970s and 80s Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers featured a trumpet, alto sax and tenor sax front-line, but prior to that in the mid to late 1960s the band included either Freddie Hubbard or Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax and Curtis Fuller on trombone, so this year we’re attempting to recreate the sound of the band from this period.
Trumpeter Andy Hague has been presenting occasional sextet gigs under the Text Messengers name for a number of years, but the nod to Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers has more been due to the three horns front line rather than the repertoire. However, Andy has now amassed sufficient arrangements actually performed by the Jazz Messengers that the band can now present a full programme of Jazz Messengers classics, covering several eras of Art Blakey’s legendary group with compositions by Benny Golson, Bobby Timmons, Wayne Shorter and Bobby Watson.
Tenor saxophonist Dan Newberry has become a favourite of Bristol audiences in recent years with his hard blowing yet melodic style. He is now living here having completed his Masters at the Royal Welsh College in Cardiff. Dan has recently been playing with epic funk band Hungry Hungry Hippos alongside trumpeter Gary Alesbrook and guitarist Alex Hutchings.
Trombonist Raph Clarkson moved to Bristol a few years ago, and has had a great impact on the city’s jazz scene, working frequently in projects alongside bassist Riaan Vosloo. An acclaimed composer and arranger, Raph has been an integral part of the UK jazz scene for two decades, gaining recognition for adventurous album releases such as Soldiering On, Resolute, and This Is How We Grow. Clarkson’s writing for the exciting 15-piece orchestra Dissolute Society draws on many genres, from jazz to progressive rock to classical music, but is ultimately defined by the artist’s strength of character and imagination.
Pianist Jim Blomfield is of course one of the mainstays of Bristol’s jazz scene. He has backed countless big name guest soloists and released two albums of his own music which blend jazz with electronica and contemporary music influences. He is also well known as one of the UK’s finest salsa pianists and appears in many Latin ensembles, including recently touring with Cuban band Asere.
Bassist Riaan Vosloo recently gained a doctorate, and is well known as a performer, composer, producer and educator. He has composed music for TV and films and has production credits on albums by Jamie Cullum and Gregory Porter. He is currently course leader for the MA in Popular Music Practice at BIMM Bristol, and has previously taught at Birmingham Conservatoire.
Drummer Ryan Thrupp recently graduated with a First from the Royal Welsh College jazz degree course and besides his jazz activities plays with funky festival favourites Cut Capers and appeared on live BBC TV from Glastonbury 2023 with afro-beat balafon player N’famady Kouyaté.

Music: Gee Baby I Love You - A Winter Warmer.
2025-12-19 21:00 - 23:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Bristol’s favourite Soul / Funk / R’n’B band – the full 8-piece line-up performing their repertoire of classics.
Dance your way into the Festive Season.

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with Alun Cochrane
2025-12-20 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Alun Cochrane featuring Javier Jarquin & Jeremy Flynn

Stand Up For The Weekend is our flagship weekly 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.

Award-winning Alun Cochrane has appeared on numerous TV shows over the many, many years he has been a professional stand up comic, including his own show on BBC Radio 4, Alun Cochrane’s Fun House. He was also the co-host of The Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio, for which he received an Arqiva Award nomination for Best Newcomer. The show also won a Sony Award for Best Entertainment Programme.

Alun Cochrane is a master at observational comedy, an expert in storytelling and uniquely able to to gather material from anywhere he wanders in mind or body.
“Cochrane’s on-stage persona is allied to a real craft and creativity in his writing, yielding results that satisfy both the comedy purists and those who simply want big belly laughs on a night out” The Guardian

BS3 Santa & Sven
2025-12-21 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-21 16:30 - 17:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Santa & Sven are very excited to be returning to Hen & Chicken with their magical Christmas show again this year.
I don’t know if you know, but filling the stockings of every child in the world in just one night is a HUMONGOUS undertaking. It requires planning, team work, dedication and – of course – a sprinkling of Christmas magic. These last few years Santa has taken to recce-ing ahead of the big drop to help Christmas Eve run as smoothly as possible. He brings with him Sven the reindeer handler, his excitable and talented Snow Elf.
Together, they’re hoping to shave valuable seconds off their busy Christmas Eve schedule by gathering crucial stocking location and roof landing intel ahead of time. Are you up to the challenge of helping our festive heroes with their quest? Get a peek into their enchanting world, see Sven play with his favourite snow elf circus toys, enjoy a Q&A with Santa and more. They’ll also answer the big questions of the Santa story and show glimpses of their Christmas magic. Come and see why they’ve been selling out venues from Tobacco Factory Theatres to Soho House and beyond! Guaranteed to bring a sense of fun, mischief and anticipation to all.
Strictly limited run – only one date in BS3!
Created and performed by Stewart Wright with Ben Kirby

Comedy: THE END OF THE YEAR SHOW with MARK WATSON and GUESTS
2025-12-27 20:00 - 23:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
The End Of The Year Show is an opportunity to get out of the house, flat or caravan in the post-Christmas/ pre-New Year period, and enjoy a brilliant night of top level stand up comedy featuring one of the best acts in the UK.

Mark Watson is one of the UK’s most successful comedians, the winner of the Panel Prize at the Edinburgh Fringe (where he has been one of the biggest-selling acts over the past twenty years), as well as Best Show at the Adelaide and Sydney Comedy Festivals, multiple Chortle Awards – including a Legend of Lockdown, in 2021, for his online work – Time Out Comedian of the Year and quite a lot more.

His many TV credits include Taskmaster, Live At The Apollo, QI, Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You and The Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls. He is also a very familiar voice on Radio 4, where his series ‘Mark Watson Talks A Bit About Life‘ has been a popular fixture for more than fifteen years. He has also appeared on Breaking the News, Franke off the Radio, and Unspeakable. Mark is one-third of the cult YouTube phenomenon No More Jockeys, which has had well over nine million views since it began in 2020. He currently presents the World Snooker Tour’s podcast with sporting legend Stephen Hendry.

Not only a stand-up, Mark has also written eight novels: Bullet Points (2004), A Light-Hearted Look At Murder (2007), Eleven (2010), The Knot (2012), Hotel Alpha (2014), The Place That Didn’t Exist (2016) Contacts (2020) and One Minute Away (2025). With Oliver Harud he co-authored a graphic novel, Dan And Sam, which was optioned by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and is now in development with Universal.

“A genius-level comic doing what he does best… it’s magical to watch and just so funny” Time Out Melbourne

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with PAUL McCAFFREY
2026-01-10 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Paul McCaffery featuring Thor Stenhaug & Jessie Nixon plus compere Jeremy Flynn

Stand Up For The Weekend is our weekly flagship comedy show 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: PAUL McCAFFREY
Paul McCaffrey is an award-winning comedian and headlines at the biggest comedy clubs in the country, shining with his totally natural, utterly unique storytelling which is never anything less than gut-bustlingly hilarious. He has performed critically acclaimed Edinburgh shows as well as at major music festivals: Reading, Leeds, V Festival, Bestival and Latitude.

Paul has performed two solo tours of his own, Suburban Legend in 2018 and Lemon in 2020 and 2021.

In 2019 he debuted on the flagship BBC stand-up show Live At The Apollo, and has previously starred in BBC Three’s Impractical Jokers and Russell Howard’s Good News, Comedy Central’s Stand Up Central, Channel 4’s 50 Funniest and CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework.

An accomplished radio presenter and guest, Paul has been heard on: talkSPORT, Absolute’s The Alternative Vote and Rock n Roll Football with Rob Beckett and Russell Kane’s Whistle-Stop Tour on BBC Radio Two.

“McCaffrey simply has funny bones” The Shortlist

TALK: The Psychology of Cats with Dr Jon Bowen
2026-01-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Worshipped & domesticated by us for over 10,000 years, learn what modern science says about what goes on inside the mind of a cat! With Q+A.

What do cats need to keep them happy? What are the rules cats expect us to follow when we interact with them? Why do cats ask for attention but then sometimes object when we stroke them? Where do cats go and what do they get up to when they leave the house? How have cats learned tricks to secretly manipulate us to get what they want? These are just some of the questions we’ll answer in this wide-ranging talk about the secret lives of cats.
Jon Bowen is a veterinary surgeon who has been working with dogs and cats with behaviour problems for more than 25 years. He runs the behavioural medicine referral service at the Royal Veterinary College, where he also lectures on behaviour, and he has published research papers and book chapters on a diverse range of subjects including normal and problematic cat and dog behaviour, the social support people get from their pets, and the welfare of pets. He is a regular speaker at international meetings.

Theatre: Wednesday Night Improv
2026-01-14 19:30 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
Wednesday Night Improv’s monthly show continues in 2026 with a triple bill packed with quick wit, bold characters, and stories made up on the spot.
Join us for a midweek comedy boost featuring three of Bristol’s sharpest improv acts – each one creating a brand-new show right before your eyes, all inspired by audience suggestions.
[1] JAZZ POLICE
American-style longform improv comedy troupe from Bristol. Explore the world of improv through a hilarious compilation of scenes and bits as these masters of wit take one word and turn it into a show. Jazz Police have performed at multiple comedy festivals including the Edinburgh International Improv Festival and the Birmingham Comedy Festival.
“Damn near perfect improv” – The Glasgow Improv Theatre
[2] THE GROUNDHOGS
The Groundhogs are an improv-sketch group that will take a recent conversation you had with a loved one and show you every single way it could have gone. Hilarious, unpredictable, often cartoonish, and occasionally poignant, The Groundhogs are staples of the Bristol Improv scene for a reason.
[3] PRESSURE COOKER: THE IMPROVISED RESTAURANT SHOW
Pressure Cooker whisks you into a fictional restaurant where a dynamic ensemble brings the chefs, customers, and kitchen chaos to life. Using your stories as ingredients, our performers cook up hilarious, unpredictable scenes on the spot. From meltdowns to menu mayhem, it’s comedy served hot and fast.
Winners of the 2025 Bristol Improv Gauntlet | “Pure Comedic Alchemy” — Bristol 24/7
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Whether you’re a seasoned comedy fan or just curious about what happens when performers make it all up as they go, this is a perfect night to dive into Bristol’s thriving improv scene. Expect laughter, surprises, and something completely different – every single time.
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Part of the Wednesday Night Improv series – We’re on the second Wednesday of every month! Details here: https://linktr.ee/wednightimprov

Jazz: Craig Crofton - The Music Of Wes Montgomery
2026-01-15 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
Craig Crofton – tenor sax, Matt Hopkins – guitar, Anders Olinder – organ, Ian Matthews – drums
The renowned saxophonist Craig Crofton returns to the Be-Bop Club for an unforgettable night of music celebrating the life and work of the legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, with Matt Hopkins in the hot-seat emulating the great man.
Craig Crofton is an Anglo-American sax and flute player who has lived in the UK for over 20 years and has built up a great reputation for the power and visceral excitement of his playing. A protégé of Marcus Printup (Lincoln Center Orchestra) he has come to develop a unique sound of his own that stands out in many musical settings. Craig has featured with artists like Kasabian, Lack of Afro, Haggis Horns, Nitin Sawhney, This is The Kit, Mr Benn, Chris Monkey and is at the forefront of popular Bristol bands Phantom Ensemble, Baila la Cumbia, Dockside Latin Orchestra, Radio Banska and Dub From Atlantis to name a few.
The melodic and inventive guitar playing of Matt Hopkins has been featured in groups as stylistically diverse as Andy Sheppard’s Hotel Bristol, Emily Wright & The Royals and the Hopkins-Hammond Trio. He also takes the lead role in the “Music of Pat Metheny” project alongside pianist Dave Newton. Matt is also known as an instructor and educator, specialising in jazz improvisation.
Pianist and organist Anders Olinder is originally from Sweden, but has been based in Bristol for many years. Despite his Bristol home he actually plays frequently in London with big names in the world of jazz and funk such as Dennis Rollins, Tony Remy, James Morton, Tony Kofi and Byron Wallen. He has also toured extensively with Glenn Hughes [Deep Purple].
Whilst drummer Ian Matthews began his career on the Bristol jazz scene he is of course internationally known for his work with stadium filling rock band Kasabian.

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with ROGER MONKHOUSE
2026-01-17 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Roger Monkhouse featuring Jenny Collier & Jack Campbell.

Stand Up For The Weekend is our flagship weekly comedy show 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: 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.
“His laconic delivery shields an engaging persona and an enquiring mind” – The Guardian

Talk: The Psychology of People Pleasing
2026-01-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Join us as we explore what people pleasing is, what drives it, and how to begin to break free. Followed by a Q+A.

Do you struggle to say no? Take on too much? Put everyone else’s needs before your own? If fear and guilt are stopping you from living the life you want, people-pleasing could be the reason why.
In this talk, psychotherapist Hannah Paskin will break down people pleasing – helping you identify the signs, understand how it shows up in your work, relationships, and daily life, and learn practical techniques to say no with confidence and let go of guilt.
Speaker bio:
Psychotherapist Hannah Paskin is a Recovering People Pleaser who really gets it. She runs her own successful full-time therapy practice Hannah Paskin Therapy in Cheshire & Online. She is known as the Straight-Talking Therapist, and her mission is to give people the answers they need to break free from fear, guilt, anxiety and more. She helps people to overcome People Pleasing, Burnout, Imposter Syndrome, Perfectionism and High Functioning Anxiety. She is an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with 15 years’ experience in the field.

Theatre: Holding Hands With Angels
2026-01-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
It’s Theatre West’s 35th anniversary and to celebrate, Bristol’s favourite new writing company is heading off to tour Latvia with the first new play they ever produced.
Holding Hands with Angels by Mike Akers is a tense, taut drama set in the hours following an audacious robbery. Two criminals wait in a safe house for further orders from their gangland bosses, with only a big bag of cash and a bottle of whiskey for company. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the only chance to catch Holding Hands with Angels in the UK prior to the Latvian tour so come along and support the company that’s produced more than 150 new plays by local writers. If you can’t make the date, you can make a donation here: https://gofund.me/9954419c6

Jazz: Jakub Klimiuk Quintet
2026-01-22 20:00 - 22:30 | Chicken Shed
Jakub Klimiuk – guitar, Kasper Rietkerk – alto saxophone, Scottie Thompson – piano, Kinzan [aka Harry Pearce] – double bass, Luke McCarthy – drums
Guitarist Jakub Klimiuk last visited in Nov 2023 and returns with a new band to promote his latest album. An accomplished London-based guitarist and composer, Jakub takes his quintet on tour with a brand new set of material, a follow-up to the critically acclaimed album
“(un)balanced”, described by The Guardian as “a rare mix of New York edginess and Scandinavian avant-jazz impressionism.”
Expect a thrilling combination of scripted forms and improvised sections, interweaving melodic compositions with adventurous sonic explorations, “music which could engage and transcend genre boundaries,” according to UK Jazz News.
The band has appeared regularly at major UK jazz venues including PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho, Vortex Jazz Club, The Verdict, and has collaborated with leading artists such as saxophonist Mark Lockheart. The quintet has also toured widely across Europe, performing in cultural hubs like Berlin and Brussels.
“The future of jazz is in safe hands” – UK Jazz News

Music: Rum-Ragged
2026-01-22 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Celtic folk, with a contemporary edge – not to be missed.
Rum Ragged, from the Eastern Canadian island of Newfoundland – take some time out from BBC’s Celtic Connections, they will be coming to Bristol as one of a select few shows.
With due reverence to their roots and a creative contemporary edge, Rum Ragged are widely regarded as the finest purveyors of a living musical tradition.
This is no run-of-the-mill folk band – this is the genuine article!

Comedy: DARREN WALSH - DO YOU LIKE PUNS?
2026-01-23 20:00 - 22:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
ʞɔǝɥ ←flippin’ heck! Witness a pun Goliath in person, as Darren Walsh brings his 8ft frame and award winning act on the road.

From appearing on Comic Relief to his ‘Jokes on the street’ series on social media, he’s been racking up millions of views, but live is where he thrives.

Combining sound effects, videos, one-liners and improvised jokes based off audience suggestions, prepare for a comedy show like no other, bar pun.

Book now, li is two short.

WINNER – Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe
“Punbelievable” ★★★★★ – The Mirror

Comedy: Stand Up For The Weekend with TOM WARD
2026-01-24 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Stand Up For The Weekend with Tom Ward featuring Michael Odewale & Clint Edwards

Stand Up For The Weekend is our flagship weekly comedy show 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: TOM WARD
Tom Ward is a hugely in-demand comedian and voice-over artist. He has voiced commercials, documentaries, training films etc from excitable salesmen to husky women – he can do them all.
As a comedian Tom has won numerous awards which has catapulted him to acclaimed solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and guest spots on various TV stand-up shows.
His stand-up is amazingly assured and he is a unique and genuinely exciting act, oozing confidence from every pore, with quirky, original sideways looks at sex, singledom and swearing.

Tom has appeared on ‘Live at The Apollo’, ‘Roast Battle’, and ‘Stand Up Sketch Show’ as well as the LAD Bible series ‘In My Personal Space’ interviewing celebrities such as Kyle Walker, Lady Leeshurr and Jamie Laing.

He’s supported Jack Whitehall, Joe Lycett and Sindhu Vee on tour and done three solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.
“A star in the making” Time Out

Comedy: JOE THOMAS TALKING ALL THINGS THE INBETWEENERS!
2026-01-25 20:00 - 22:00
We’re talking all things The Inbetweeners at this very special event with actor/comedian Joe Thomas!

It wasn’t long after audiences were first introduced to hapless sixth-formers Will McKenzie, Neil Sutherland, Jay Cartright and Simon Cooper that The Inbetweeners became one of the nation’s best loved shows. With its endlessly quotable lines and outrageous laugh-per-second banter, the sitcom attracted record-breaking viewing figures and inspired two incredibly successful feature films.
Celebrating seventeen years since the show’s debut, Joe Thomas (aka Simon Cooper) is here in conversation all about the series and taking questions from the audience! Hearing all about Joe’s favourite Inbetweeners moments and behind the scenes misadventures, as well as its impact on his own life as an actor/comedian, this promises to be an exciting evening of humour and insight from one of the nation’s best loved young sitcom stars. We’ll also, of course, be touching on Joe’s other work, including Fresh Meat, White Gold and Taskmaster!

Joe is happy to stay around for a short while after the event and grab a quick photo with every attendee*!

*Photos to be taken with attendees own phones/cameras. Kindly note: this is a quick photo opportunity, not a Meet & Greet.

comedy: THE BRISTOL COMEDY COMPETITION 2026 SEMI-FINAL ONE
2026-01-27 20:00 - 22:30 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Bristol’s flagship comedy competition is back for a second year! Come and watch the rising stars of comedy battle it out over three heats and two semi finals to be crowned the winner of The Bristol Comedy Competition 2026.

Hosted by the “hilarious at every turn” Bristol comic Burt Williamson (★★★★ – The Scotsman), these shows promise a great night out with big laughs, surprising acts, and a whole load of comedic talent waiting to be discovered. You can expect varied line-ups, from polished acts to newer voices trying something different, all in front of a supportive crowd.

Each heat and semi-final is decided by one audience vote and two judges’ votes, so your laughter really can make the difference in who goes through.

The semi-finals will be held at an iconic venue in the Bristol comedy scene, The Comedy Box, with special guest judges to help decide who goes through to the final.

Get your tickets now for a proper night of live comedy with the rising stars you’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future.

Quiz: French Quiz Evening
2026-01-28 19:00 - 22:00 | Hen & Chicken Studio
Join us for a quiz in French in the wonderful Hen and Chicken in Southville. A few rounds on French cinema, culture and music in a a great atmosphere. There will be a prize for the winning team. There are no matches planned for that evening so parking should be easy!
You can book for a team or for yourself and we will introduce us to a small friendly team, don’t worry!
