Comedy / story walk
Bristol Comedy History Walk: ‘A hilarious guided tour of the South West’s coolest city’
Written and produced by local comedian and educator Angie Belcher in partnership with The Bristol Improv Theatre, The Bristol Comedy History Walk is set to offer visitors an alternative prism through which to experience the city this summer.
The free guided tour is led by a consort of six improv artists and actors, filling the twin roles of host: Dave Lovatt, Steve Huggins, China Blue Fish, Charlie Limm, Nik Howden and Charlie Bevis.
Together, through a blend of improvised, participative theatre and comedy, their aim is to regale audiences with some hilarious and lesser known Bristolian stories, revealing a whole new side to the city that promises to shock, amaze and delight in equal measure.
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The project has been funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority’s Love our High Street project, which is also behind the forthcoming WOW! Bristol street theatre Broadmead takeover weekends, curated by the Invisible Circus for four consecutive weekends in May and June.
“This show will be be a great new addition to Bristol’s walking tour landscape,” says Belcher, “and I hope it will be a magnet for tourists as well as reinvigorating the Bristol community’s interest in their built environment.”
Belcher has been specialising in the link between comedy and mental health for over 15 years.
She created the pilot for the walk during her tenure as ‘comedian in residence’ at the University of Bristol, harnessing stand-up to improve health in the city.
In 2022 she garnered international press attention for her world-first NHS Comedy on Referral programme, which uses stand-up workshops to assist people in recovery from trauma.
The Bristol Comedy History Walk (adults only; older teens must be accompanied by an adult) runs twice daily (11am and 2pm) on May 13, 20 and 27, June 1, 3, 10, 17 and 24, July 1, 6, 8, 15, 20 and 22, and August 3, 12 and 19.
The tour starts at The Nails, and ends at The New Rooms Café. It lasts 1.5 hours over mostly flat terrain; comfortable footwear advised. No pets, though guide and support dogs are very welcome.
Tickets are free (or £5 for ‘angel’ tickets – with revenue going towards related community workshops or donated to St Mungo’s), and available at www.improvtheatre.co.uk.
Advanced booking is recommended, though there may be space to join on the day, depending on availability.
All photos: Improv Theatre/Bristol Comedy History Walk
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