The Big Smoke

The Better Part of Valour

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! Today’s episode, “The Better Part of Valour”, takes us into the unexpected world of Ukrainian cricket—a story of courage, community, and resilience in the face of war. Our guest, Jonathan Campion, journalist and author of 'Getting Out: The Ukrainian Cricket Team’s Last Stand on the Front Lines of War', shares his first-hand account of Ukraine’s quirky cricket history and how its players became unlikely heroes during Russia’s 2022 invasion. It’s a story that proves bravery can emerge in the most surprising places.
In addition to Jonathan’s inspiring story, this episode offers an eclectic mix of entertainment to bring the community together. We have Latin jazz from Bob Morgan and Diego Laverde Rojas, whose music is guaranteed to captivate. True to Big Smoke tradition, we also have engaging games, including “Stump the Room”, where audience members challenge each other with impossible crosswords, and “Hat Tricks”, an interactive segment filled with cricket trivia as we get to know our audience, sponsored by Hatopia. Our Victorian Parlour Game of the week is 'Smells', simple to prepare with just a blindfold and a variety of scents, this game always promises plenty of laughs and surprises.
Our next show, “Christmas Cheese and Reindeer Games!” on December 13th, is a festive celebration filled with cheese tasting, music, holiday stories, and lively Christmas parlour games—all in support of Babylon Migrants Project. Don’t miss this mouth-watering evening with cheese specialist Emma Young. Get your tickets here and join us for the ultimate holiday gathering!
Some of the proceeds from our live recording went to Ukraine Charity, you can find out more about their work here.
Follow us on Instagram @thebigsmokevariety, and don’t forget to rate us 5 stars on your podcast app! Thanks to Sacred Grounds Cafe and Hatopia for supporting this event. 

A Fatal Exit

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! Today’s episode, “A Fatal Exit”, delves into the spooky lore of the Tower of London and its iconic ravens, just in time for Halloween!
Our guest is none other than former Ravenmaster and current Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London Christopher Skaife, author of The Ravenmaster — named ‘London book of the year’ by the Evening Standard. Join us as Chris recounts his years caring for these extraordinary birds, weaving humour and history with eerie legends of life in the Tower. Discover why legend insists that, should the ravens ever leave, the kingdom will fall into ruin…
Adding an unforgettable musical element, we’re thrilled to welcome Amyas, the historical music duo Emily Baines and Arngeir Hauksson, known for their mastery of period instruments. From eerie to enthralling, their music brings the historical spirit alive.
We’ve also got a lineup of exciting autumnal games to celebrate Halloween in style! First, it's, Stump the Room, a crossword-inspired challenge to test your brainpower. Then, Trick or Tune, where contestants must try to lie to our host or identify some live performed musical clues. Our parlour game of the week is Ring My Gourd—a glowing, pumpkin-themed ring toss to keep the autumn spirit going! Perfect for any spooky gathering, these games promise fun, friendly competition, and all the festive vibes.
Our next show, “The Better Part of Valour”, on November 8th, features Jonathan Campion, author of Getting Out: The Ukrainian Cricket Team’s Last Stand on the Front Lines of War, sharing the remarkable story of Ukraine’s heroic and quirky cricket history. Plus, enjoy award-winning stand-up from Daisy Roberts and Latin Jazz by Diego Laverde Rojas and Bob Morgan! Get your tickets here!
Follow us on Instagram @thebigsmokevariety, and don’t forget to rate us 5 stars on your podcast app of choice! Thanks to Sacred Grounds Cafe for hosting us.

The Freestyle Mind

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “The Freestyle Mind”, we dive into how we can harness our thoughts to find stillness, flow, creativity, and inspiration in the midst of modern chaos.
First up, we have Arti Lal, a seasoned meditation teacher and co-ordinator of the Inner Space Meditation Centre in Covent Garden. For over 35 years, Arti has been inspiring individuals to make space for quiet reflection and mindfulness. She leads us in a guided meditation, helping us explore how to find calm amidst the noise of daily life.
Next, joining us is Kate Sharp, an incredibly witty comedian and writer based in London. With a clever conversational style and a knack for observational humour. Kate is a rising star in the UK comedy scene and she brings her unique blend of humour and charm to the show. 
Finally, we’re joined by LeeN, a master of ceremonies and freestyle rap artist known for his electrifying performances and socially conscious freestyles. Touring with beatboxing champion Beardyman, LeeN is an artist whose improvisational skills shine in live settings. 
But the fun doesn’t stop there! We’ve got a new Victorian Parlour Game for you to enjoy and 3 new contestants for a fresh round of Hat Tricks, where contestants battle it out to win fabulous prizes from our sponsor, Hatopia.
Our next show, “A Fatal Exit”, features former Ravenmaster Christopher Skaife and historical musicians Emily Baines and Arngeir Hauksson. You can find tickets here!
Follow us on Instagram @thebigsmokevariety, and don’t forget to rate us 5 stars on your podcast app of choice! Thanks to Sacred Grounds Cafe for hosting us.

Stone Aged Wisdom

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “Stone Aged Wisdom”, we’re stepping back in time to explore how ancient skills and wisdom can still connect us to our modern world. How could learning to start a fire or forage for food be relevant in the digital age? 
We’re thrilled to welcome Memma the Cavewoman, aka Sarah Day. Memma is a Bushcraft instructor, experimental archaeologist, and ancient technologist with over 13 years of experience. She’s worked with TV survivalist Ray Mears’ company Woodlore Ltd, teaching outdoor skills and sharing her passion for prehistory. From finding her first fossil at age 5 to becoming the Head Cavewoman for Prehistoric Experiences, Memma brings history to life through her engaging workshops. In this episode, she’ll guide us through Stone Age tools, stories, and survival skills that resonate even in our fast-paced, modern lives. If you’d like to see the objects Memma discusses in the episode, visit our Instagram page.
And that’s not all! Get ready to meet Meg Hemmings, an Australian poet whose journey has taken her from small-town Spain to regional Tasmania. A former pastry chef turned copywriter and memoirist, Meg brings a unique perspective on travel, cooking, and the art of living fully.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! To round off the episode, we’re diving into some Victorian Parlour Games, because play is an instinct that connects us all, no matter the era. Today’s game is Basketball Head – a whimsical test of skill and coordination. Tune in for the laughter and chaos, and check out our Instagram @thebigsmokevariety to see how it went for us!
Join us for the next show, on October 11th!
You can read the BBC article about Memma rowing the River Thames here
A huge thanks to the sponsor for this episode, Hatopia

Heroes or Vandals?

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “Heroes or Vandals?”, we’re taking you deep into the world of graffiti, urban art, and creative expression. Right now it seems there's a new Banksy popping up on every corner, so our timing couldn't be better!
Featuring in this episode is Madeleine Pelling, cultural historian and co-host of History Hit’s After Dark. She’ll be discussing her new book 'Writing on the Wall: Graffiti, Rebellion and the Making of Eighteenth-Century Britain', offering a fresh look at how graffiti has shaped the course of history. Alongside her, we welcome Gary Means, founder of Alternative London and one of the UK’s leading experts on street art. He’ll share stories of modern graffiti and its role in representing the voices of the unheard, as well as its connection to the cultural diversity of East London.
But that’s not all! For an extra dose of humor, we’re bringing in Mark Silcox, the hilarious stand-up comedian, science teacher, and ping-pong player. 
Whether you’re a fan of Banksy or just curious about the political and social meanings behind street art, this episode is packed with insights, laughter, and surprises.
If you'd like to see some of the work mentioned in this episode, visit @perspicereartist
And if you'd like to listen to Gary's podcast episode with Jay Kaes you can find that here
Find us on Instagram: @thebigsmokevariety
Click here to come to one of our live shows!

Change in Muddy Waters

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, "Change in Muddy Waters", we bring together two remarkable guests for an evening of historical discovery, refugee empowerment, and personal journeys.
First, we dive into the world of Sean Clark, a licensed mudlark with a passion for uncovering the hidden stories of 17th-century London. Sean has spent years along the banks of the Thames, discovering unique and historical artifacts that once belonged to the city’s long-forgotten inhabitants. Sean shares his mudlarking adventures, bringing along some precious objects and revealing the untold stories of the lives that slipped into the river centuries ago. His fascinating finds give new life to the past, reminding us how small discoveries can spark big revelations.
We also welcome Anil Qasemi, Project Lead for Afghan Resettlement at USPUK. A survivor and recent refugee himself, Anil uses his experiences to empower and assist fellow refugees, offering vital information and guidance through challenging transitions. An entrepreneur and former award-winning journalist, Anil has contributed to major publications while also founding HATOPIA, an online headwear provider. His dedication to helping others rebuild their lives makes him a powerful voice in both the humanitarian and entrepreneurial worlds.
 
Find us on Instagram: @thebigsmokevariety
Click here to come to one of our live shows!
 
Disclaimer: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

Wild City, Ghost Town

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, "Wild City, Ghost Town", we bring together two outstanding guests for an unforgettable evening of urban wildlife, poetry, and community activism.
We welcome Florence Wilkinson, writer, filmmaker, and co-founder of the birdsong recognition app Warblr. Florence will share insights from her acclaimed book Wild City: Encounters with Urban Wildlife, exploring the hidden natural world of cities and the fascinating stories that lie within.
And, we dive into the captivating world of Nigerian-born poet Fuad Busoir, a rising star in the poetry scene. Winner of UniSlam 2024, Fuad’s powerful piece Ghost Town moved judges to tears, and his work consistently explores the physical and emotional spaces that shape us. As the founder of the community For Black Boys, Fuad is passionate about creating spaces for Black men to express, heal, and grow.
 
Find us on Instagram: @thebigsmokevariety
Click here to come to one of our live shows.
 

Trailer - The Big Smoke hosted by Kevin Bennett

Welcome to The Big Smoke variety show! A live recorded podcast filled with comedy, conversation and community. Join us every fortnight for a gathering of fun-filled performances, insightful interviews and all sorts of ways to connect with those around us.
Find us on Instagram: @thebigsmokevariety
Click here to come to one of our live shows.