
Comedy / RIOT ACT
RIOT ACT: Bristol’s newest monthly open mic cabaret club night
Bristol’s newest monthly open mic cabaret club will be holding a special Halloween edition in the suitably atmospheric splendour of The Mount Without on October 28.
RIOT ACT will be a curated blend of poetry and comedy underpinned by a clear mission: “a monthly celebration of joy and togetherness for people of all ages in the face of the many forces which stand to make our lives more miserable and divided day by day”.
Seeking to support live venues while also providing a salve to mental health, a mixed bill of comedians, poets, musicians and clowns will perform in a “an act of joyful joint resistance”.
is needed now More than ever
The night was conceived and organised by Bristol poet Samuel L Cohen, aka Wax Lyrical, who was the 2023 Womad Slam Poetry Champion.
“My mission is to celebrate the people of our city and their stories across all mediums of telling them,” he says.
“I’ve met so many amazing performers in the last few years who don’t get the exposure that they deserve; so I’ve set up the monthly RIOT ACT events to redress the balance.”

Robin Ince – photo: RIOT ACT
The October bill will be headlined by veteran comic, actor, broadcaster and co-host of the Radio 4 smash-hit podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince.
He is joined by stand-up poet, Edward Tripp, “West Country comedy powerhouse”, Cerys Nelmes, and “North Bristol’s very own microphone miscreant MC”, Rob C.
In deference to the season, participants and audience members alike will be invited to come in their finest and spookiest garb, with the best dressed winning a pair of tickets to the November event.

Poet and comedian Edward Tripp pictured at Pynes House, near Exeter, Devon – photo: Jim Wileman
RIOT ACT: The Halloween Spectacular with Robin Ince is at The Mount Without on October 28 at 7pm. Tickets are available at www.headfirstbristol.co.uk. For news and future events, follow @riotactshowtime.
All photos: RIOT ACT (main photo: Samuel L Cohen)
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