The Big Smoke Variety Show

Silly Season: Explore with Your Mind!

This week’s Silly Season episode is bold, rich, and possibly a bit risky. Back in the Comedy Café Mark Silcox takes the spotlight with tales of his latest obsession: gold trading. Kate Sharp and Alex Farrow join in as we debate financial wisdom, summer side-hustles, and whether pursuing security is ever truly secure. It’s a silly, spirited, and slightly speculative conversation about where your mind goes when your sunhat’s on and your common sense takes a holiday.
In Parish Notices, our Summer Correspondent Morgan sends us out with a final creative mission: grab some sidewalk chalk and turn your neighbourhood into an open-air gallery. Then, we meet Lydia Wood, profiled in The New York Times, who set out to draw every single pub in London. What started during lockdown has become a full-time tribute to the emotional architecture of the city — turning beer-soaked buildings into sketched love letters. Explore with your imagination, and you might just map out meaning where you least expect it.
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Links
sketching pubs article
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(00:50) Comedy Café
(19:30) Parish Notices
(23:36) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins
 

Silly Season: Explore with Your Feet!

Welcome to another Big Smoke Silly Season! This week in our Comedy Café, we stroll into deeper waters. Alex Farrow takes centre stage in a thoughtful chat about the meaning of summer, the philosopher’s mindset, and the timeless role of the fool in society. Joined by Kate Sharp and Mark Silcox, we riff on Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and how some people can make anything a fish!
In Parish Notices, our Summer Correspondent Morgan encourages you to try a new path, find a muddy puddle and see what wildlife you can discover. And we head outside London to join the rising tide of Gen Z hiking groups, like Overground and Dykes Who Hike, highlighted in The Financial Times. These aren’t just walks — they’re joyful, sober, social movements reclaiming nature as a place for community, healing, and new friendships. So put down your phone — and pick up your walking shoes.
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Links
walking groups article
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(00:50) Comedy Café
(20:36) Parish Notices
(25:07) Outro 
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins

Silly Season: Join In!

This week’s Big Smoke mini-episode is like a perfectly pulled cortado for your ears — short, sharp, and slightly sweaty. Stand-up comedians Kate Sharp, Alex Farrow, and Mark Silcox return for a slightly damp but deeply funny session at the Comedy Café, focused around Kate’s caffeine habits, medication mishaps, and the sweaty truths of summer. From towelling methodology to microphone hygiene, it’s a gloriously soggy ode to showing up, sweating it out, and having a laugh in the mess of it all.
In Parish Notices, our Summer Correspondent Morgan gives us another top tip: don’t just sit there — join in! From spontaneous bandstand performances to silly summer classes, connection begins with saying yes. We also meet the Yarn Bombers of Hertford, featured in The Times, a group of mostly retired rebels who sneak out at 4am to dress their towns in colourful knitted toppers. What started as a festive prank has grown into a nationwide act of joyful resistance — and a powerful reminder that mischief and community go hand in hand.
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Links
Yarn Bombers article
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(00:50) Comedy Café
(17:55) Parish Notices
(21:54) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins
 

Silly Season: Jump In!

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show — and to our Summer Silly Season! While the team takes a well-earned break until September, we’re serving up mini-episodes to help you make the most of summer, starting with Jump In! This bite-sized audio macchiato features some of London’s funniest stand-up comedians — Kate Sharp, Alex Farrow, and Mark Silcox — who pop into the Comedy Café for iced coffees, heatwave hacks, and a guessing game about the true price of staying cool in the capital.
In Parish Notices, our Summer Correspondent Morgan shares her top summer tip: don’t wait for perfect timing — jump in now! And we spotlight Stephen Peel, whose mission to taste-test over 120 fish and chip shops across Britain became a national headline in the BBC. From deep-fried Mars bars to vinegar-splashed stories, his journey led him home to Green Lane Chippy in Leigh, Greater Manchester — proof that sometimes the best treasure is just around the corner.
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Links
fish and chip tasting tour article
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(00:50) Comedy Café
(17:08) Parish Notices
(21:48) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins

‘It’s Like Ice Cream’ with Balloon Pilot Robin Batchelor

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we’re taking to the skies — and far beyond — with a celebration of whimsical, surprising, and deeply human modes of travel.
First up, we pop to our local, where the ceiling’s low but our questions are sky-high. This week’s Pub Quiz? A History of Basket Cases.
Then, Kevin meets legendary hot air balloon pilot Robin Batchelor to explore the history, his daring exploits, and the sheer joy of ballooning. From flying presidents and movie stars, to championing the heritage of flight in all its glory, Robin offers a delightful conversation packed with storytelling, adventure, and just the right amount of hot air.
After all those airborne antics, it’s time for our Parish Notices. This week, we explore modes of travel that don’t just move you — they connect you. From float planes to rickshaw rides, penny-farthings to tall ships, Kevin shares some of the most unique ways people around the world move with meaning — and what they reveal about our need for each other.
Feeling queasy from all that movement? Better book in with our resident GP… Dr. Quack returns with another historical deep-dive into medical madness. This week’s treatments include urine mouthwash, mouse-based wart remedies, and the slightly overzealous use of a hot poker. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll be glad you live in the modern age.
And don’t miss our Victorian Parlour Game of the week — Catch the Sausage — a competitive meat-based spectacle that’s perfect for your next summer BBQ.
Want more?
Visit thebigsmokevariety.com to sign up for our free newsletter.
Don’t forget to follow the show, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a little lift.
Until next time — float free, travel weird, and we’ll see you soon in The Big Smoke.
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Links
British Balloon Museum and Library
British Balloon and Airship Club
Harbour Air seaplanes
Rickshaw article
Penny Farthing article
Cutty Sark the historic tea clipper 
Clipper Stad Amsterdam
Dr. Quack’s historical medical procedures
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(01:30) Pub Quiz: A History of Basket Cases
(02:30) Interview with Robin Batchelor
(45:02) Parish Notices
(53:28) Dr. Quack
(1:02:46) Victorian Parlour Game: Catch the Sausage
(1:05:06) Pub Quiz Answers
(1:07:13) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins
Dr. Quack written and performed by Jolyon Coy
The British Balloon Museum and Library is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
 

Queer as Folklore with Sacha Coward

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we’re celebrating Pride from every angle—through folklore, resistance, and the hidden treasures history leaves behind.
First, Kevin sits down with Sunday Times bestselling author Sacha Coward to explore Queer as Folklore—a book that traces the hidden queer history in myths, monsters, and stories we’ve told for centuries. From the otherworldly deep sea in The Little Mermaid, to the far away aliens in Star Trek, Sacha reveals how folklore has always been a home for the in-between, the beautiful, and the feared.
In our Parish Notices, we look beyond our borders at the state of LGBTQ+ rights around the world—where Pride is both celebration and defiance. From Malawi to Thailand, East Timor to Washington DC, we spotlight the brave acts of visibility that remind us: connection can outshine ignorance. Kevin also shares a personal reflection on The Laramie Project and the true story of Matthew Shepard—an example of how stories, spoken aloud and repeated, can echo outward to help create a better world.
Then, fan favourite Sean Clark the Mudlark returns with a treasure plucked from the River Thames just in time for Pride: a gleaming copper farthing from the reign of King James I—Britain’s first openly queer monarch. Four hundred years later, his story re-surfaces.
Sign up for our free newsletter at thebigsmokevariety.com.
Don’t forget to subscribe, share the show with a friend, or leave a quick review—it really helps us grow.
Until next time—stay proud, stay curious, and we’ll see you soon in The Big Smoke.
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Links
Queer as Folklore Book 
Thailand Marriage Equality Article
Budapest Pride Article
Australians Cancel Travel to USA Article
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(1:30) Sacha Coward Interview
(1:03:15) Parish Notices
(1:06:56) Reflections on The Laramie Project 
(1:15:52) Sean Clark the Mudlark’s Latest Find
(1:20:08) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins

Borders, Politics, and the State of the World

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we’re tracing lines—political, personal, and poetic—as we examine how borders, behaviours, and the body shape our place in the world.
First, Kevin speaks with political journalist and bestselling author Jonn Elledge, whose book A History of the World in 47 Borders explores how the lines drawn through history continue to define our present. From colonial maps to the Canada–US border, Jonn unpacks the strange power of straight lines—and what they reveal about war, power, and human invention. 
Then, in our Parish Notices, we unplug from the algorithm and ask: how are people breaking digital habits to reconnect with the real world? From phone-free hikes to London’s rapidly growing Offline Club, we share ideas—and stories—from those reclaiming their attention, one notification at a time.
Next up, it’s a new Neuro Nugget from our in-house brain-whisperer Archie. This week, he explores interoception—the science of feeling your own body—and how tuning into your heartbeat, breath, or muscle tension might be the key to emotional wellbeing.
And finally, poet Nehassaiu deGannes returns with three mesmerising pieces. Through memory and the rhythm of water, she draws us into deeper stillness—rooted in history, and the ground we stand on.
For a peek behind the scenes and more info on our fantastic guests, sign up for our free Periodical at thebigsmokevariety.com.
Thanks for listening. We’ll see you soon—in The Big Smoke!
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Links
Jonn Elledge in The New Statesman
Jonn Elledge's Substack Newsletter
‘A History of the World in 47 Borders’
Guardian - Phone Detox Article
Business Insider - Phone Free Trek Article
Economic Times - London ‘Offline’ Nights Article
The Offline Club
Learn more about Archie's work
Nehassaiu's Book of Poetry
Maple Leaf Answer
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Chapters
(00:00) A note from Kevin
(1:29) Intro – Today’s Episode
(2:57) Maple Leaf or Make Believe
(4:16) Jonn Elledge Interview
(49:26) Parish Notices
(54:32) Archie’s Neuro Nugget
(56:29) Nehassaiu deGannes Poetry
(1:06:29) Maple Leaf or Make Believe Answer
(1:07:39) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins
Thank you to Kieron, Maddie & Andy for their contributions

To Gazeth Upon the Navel

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week’s episode is a little different. We’re turning inward and asking—as King Lear put it—“Who is it that can tell me who I am?” It’s time for a bit of productive navel-gazing.
So today, the mic turns around. Our assistant producer, Adam Wright, puts host Kevin Bennett in the hot seat as we explore the origins of this delightful circus we call The Big Smoke. From childhood curiosities to theatrical obsessions, it’s a revealing conversation about the twists and turns of a life in showbiz, and what makes this variety show tick.
Then, after all that introspection, we felt it fitting to book a check-up. So it’s off to visit our resident GP in this week’s comedy sketch… Dr. Quack. 
Only problem? Dr. Quack is currently on trial for medical malpractice. This historical parody sees him defend his treatment of the Earl of Kent. Let’s just say: you may want to reschedule any future appointments you have with this particular medical professional.
And finally — we introduce you to the very first Victorian Parlour Game Kevin ever played. It’s called Poor Pussy and it’s every bit as silly as it sounds. 
Thanks for joining us — whether you’re curled up on the sofa or crawling on all fours.
We’ll see you next time… in The Big Smoke!
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Links
The Earl of Kent’s Story
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Chapters
(00:00) What is a Podcast?
(05:01) Intro – Today’s Episode 
(06:30) Kevin Bennett Interview
(52:20) Dr. Quack
(59:25) Victorian Parlour Games
(1:02:16) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins
Dr. Quack written and performed by Jolyon Coy

The Most Romantic Job in the World

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we’re packing our bags and setting off on a whirlwind journey — from London to Malawi to Canada… and then… a mystery location?!
First up, we’re joined by travel writer, photographer and community chronicler Helena Smith, whose work with Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Bradt Guides has taken her from London’s lesser-known footpaths to the sun-drenched hills of rural Malawi. With Helena, we explore how walking with purpose and travelling with care can open new ways of seeing — even in places we thought we knew.
Then, in this week’s Parish Notices, Ahmad Wonly catches up with Martin Cosarinsky Campos, Director of Breadwinners — a social enterprise that’s baking change with every sourdough loaf. Martin brings a wealth of experience from both the charity and private sectors, and his ethos is simple but powerful: “Get to know the people you fear”. Together, they explore how community is built not just through what we do, but who we do it with — one loaf at a time.
Next, we dust off another entry from our Audio Archives — this time, a peculiar Museum Audio Guide. But where (or what) is it? A riddle for your ears awaits…
And finally, Archie’s Neuro Nuggets returns with a quick, science-backed tip to bring more art into your life — and more calm to your mind. This week: how doodling could help you process emotions and reduce stress in just a few minutes a day.
Want more behind-the-scenes content, guest links, and a full breakdown of Archie’s latest nugget? Sign up at thebigsmokevariety.com for our fortnightly Periodical.
Thanks for joining us in The Big Smoke. We’ll see you in a fortnight! 
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Links 
Helena Smith
Parish Notices: Breadwinners
Archie’s Neuro Nuggets
Maple Leaf or Make Believe answer
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Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(1:24) Maple Leaf or Make Believe
(2:25) Helena Smith Interview
(44:08) Parish Notices: Breadwinners
(56:06) Audio Archives: Museum Audio Guide 
(1:09:01) Archie’s Neuro Nuggets
(1:11:10) Maple Leaf or Make Believe Answer
(1:12:44) Outro 
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Credits
Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins
Audio Archives: Museum Audio Guide written by Aidan Parker
Museum Guide played by Terry Bamberger
Dr. V Chisling played by Scott Brooksbank

Religion, Rituals, and Rubbish

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This week, we’re digging through the layers of history, ritual, and relics to uncover the surprising ways we make meaning and find home.
First up, we’re joined by Dr. Andrew Irving, Director of the Groningen Centre for Religion and Heritage, who takes us on a journey through the sacred and the forgotten. From medieval manuscripts to the relics we toss aside, he shares how ancient rituals shape our sense of connection and community. Andrew also spent time studying ancient codices in the Vatican Library, where he witnessed firsthand how sacred texts have shaped centuries of ritual.
Then, it’s the return of Sean Clark the Mudlark, who takes us to the banks of the River Thames, where a curious find links modern-day London to medieval Spain. This week’s artefact? A Pilgrim Badge Mount dating back to the 1400s, its scallop shell design bearing the mark of Saint James. But the real twist? Sean sent it back to Santiago for a blessing —over 600 years after it last made the pilgrimage!
Next, Assistant Producer Adam Wright hits the streets to catch up with our Roving Correspondent Ahmad Wonly, whose journey from Burundi to London is a story of resilience and reinvention. Whether he’s on the football pitch or in the lecture hall, Ahmad shows how to stay deeply connected to community, no matter where life takes you.
And finally, Rishi Rian brings us a Poetic Parish Notice titled ‘My Kitchen Mirror’—a haunting meditation on self-image, memory, and the strange ways we see ourselves in the everyday.
Want more behind-the-scenes content, guest links, and a chance to read Rishi’s poem in full? Sign up at thebigsmokevariety.com for our fortnightly Periodical.
Thanks for joining us in The Big Smoke. We’ll see you in a fortnight! 
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Chapters
(00:00) Religion?
(04:54) Intro
(06:00) Andrew Irving Interview
(52:38) Sean Clark the Mudlark's Latest Find
(59:26) Parish Notices
(1:06:27) My Kitchen Mirror by Rishi Rian
(1:15:08) Outro
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Credits
Hosted & Exec Produced by Kevin Bennett
Produced & Edited by Alex Graham
Assistant Produced by Adam Wright
Roving Correspondent Ahmad Wonly
'Religion?' featuring Jolyon Coy
Original music by Giles Terera
Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins