Bristol Culture | Reveal Insights on Culture with Bristol24/7

Theatre / Reviews
Review: Matilda The Musical, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘By any metric, a theatrical phenomenon’
The international smash-hit stage show has won over 100 awards and counting
Comedy / edinburgh previews
Chuckle Busters presents eight-week season of Edinburgh Festival previews
Comics include Ahir Shah, Rob Auton, Harriet Dyer, Pierre Novellie, Sophie Duker and Spencer Jones
Books / Jen Williams
Bristol-based three-time British Fantasy Award winning author publishes new book for YA audiences
‘The Dreamless’ is the sequel to the fantasy novel ‘The Sleepless’
Art / Documentary photography
SERCHIA exhibits photographs from world-renowned longest hair contest in Lithuania
Francesca Allen’s ‘Konkursas’ is available to view until July 4

Highlights

Art / Arnolfini Arts
Arnolfini to host twin summer exhibitions from Jonathan Baldock and Polly Braden
Both collections will open on June 27 and run for three months
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Books / Bookshops
Bristol indies ready for 20th anniversary of Independent Bookshop Week
The annual celebration returns on June 13-20
Read more
Theatre / Circus
Travelling circus-inspired family comedy comes to the Dundry Slopes
Stewart Wright's ‘Circus Calamitous’ will be at the Heart of BS13 Roundhouse on June 2
Read more
Theatre / Previews
Bold new adaptation of ‘An Ideal Husband’ sets Oscar Wilde’s classic play in contemporary London
‘Scandal is trending’, we’re warned. ‘Forgiveness is optional. And perfection comes at a price’
Read more
Comedy / The John Sebastian Lightship
New monthly comedy show comes to the John Sebastian Lightship
Lightship Comedy will be inviting people aboard at June 7
Read more
Theatre / the wardrobe theatre
‘What’s not to love?’: Tom England on bringing the smash-hit ‘Notting Hell’ back to The Wardrobe Theatre for the summer
The mash-up show was a huge success when it first came to the Wardrobe stage over Christmas 2024
Read more

Music

Music / Reviews
Review: Aldous Harding, Bristol Beacon – ‘Surreal, enthralling and entirely herself’
The Beacon's main hall hosted a New Zealand double bill
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Music / Review
Review: Space Cassette, Sawmills – ‘A robot, a mushroom and an alien walk into a bar…”
Extraterrestrials let loose at a sci-fi day-rave in east Bristol
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Music / Review
Review: Kraftwerk, Bristol Beacon – ‘Like a mythical experience’
The group dropped in on their multimedia tour
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Music / Reviews
Review: BIIRD, Thekla – ‘A breath of fresh Éire’
The boat hosted a a supergroup who’ve sold out countless venues without releasing a record
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Music / gig listings
Bristol’s month in Folk & Roots – June 2026
Music forges a path that leads us into the summer months
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Music / Reviews
Review: Nora Brown & Steph Coleman, St George’s – ‘To begin with, the crowd is patient’
A Scottish piper steals the show from the American duo
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Music / gig listings
Bristol’s Month in Metal & Prog: June 2026
Hawkwind, Voivod, Sunn O))), Venom Inc., Cryptic Shift
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Music / gig listings
Bristol’s month(s) in World Music – June/July 2026
There's global treats in abundance leading up to the return of WOMAD
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Music / gig listings
Bristol’s month(s) in jazz – June/July 2026
When hot times call for cool jazz the Bristol scene obliges
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Music / Reviews
Review: Imogen & the Knife, the Louisiana – ‘A striking sense of self’
The artist dropped in on her first headline tour
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Theatre

Theatre / Reviews
Review: Matilda The Musical, Bristol Hippodrome – ‘By any metric, a theatrical phenomenon’
The international smash-hit stage show has won over 100 awards and counting
Read more
Theatre / Drag
Review: Trans/Form – ‘So much life to live and love to give’
The show returns with its fourth iteration designed to dismantle traditional gender stereotypes
Read more
Theatre / Reviews
Review: The Étienne Sisters / dirty butterfly, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A bold double bill that showcases some truly impressive acting talent’
It’s the second double bill of this year’s BOVTS Summer Festival
Read more
Theatre / Circus
Travelling circus-inspired family comedy comes to the Dundry Slopes
Stewart Wright's ‘Circus Calamitous’ will be at the Heart of BS13 Roundhouse on June 2
Read more
Theatre / Previews
Bold new adaptation of ‘An Ideal Husband’ sets Oscar Wilde’s classic play in contemporary London
‘Scandal is trending’, we’re warned. ‘Forgiveness is optional. And perfection comes at a price’
Read more
Theatre / the wardrobe theatre
‘What’s not to love?’: Tom England on bringing the smash-hit ‘Notting Hell’ back to The Wardrobe Theatre for the summer
The mash-up show was a huge success when it first came to the Wardrobe stage over Christmas 2024
Read more
Theatre / Reviews
Review: Four Play / Meat, The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic – ‘Superb acting from the next generation of acting talent’
It’s the first in a four-weekend series of double headers in the annual BOVTS Summer Festival
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Theatre / Reviews
Review: Party Season, Bristol Old Vic – ‘Sharp comedy from Bristol’s best-loved devised theatre company’
‘Whatever you do’, we’re warned, ‘don’t join the WhatsApp group’
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Theatre / Reviews
Review: Prayers for a Hungry Ghost, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘Disturbingly poignant and elegantly crafted’
Elisabeth Gunawan’s KISS WITNESS brings a second production to Bristol in as many months
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Theatre / Reviews
Review: Single White Female, Theatre Royal Bath – ‘Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner are outstanding’
The pair co-star in this world premiere stage production
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Art

Art / Documentary photography
SERCHIA exhibits photographs from world-renowned longest hair contest in Lithuania
Francesca Allen’s ‘Konkursas’ is available to view until July 4
Read more
Features / Street Art
In photos: Upfest 2026
Rob Browne explores the streets of BS3 to document Europe's largest street art festival
Read more
Art / Arnolfini Arts
Arnolfini to host twin summer exhibitions from Jonathan Baldock and Polly Braden
Both collections will open on June 27 and run for three months
Read more
Art / art exhibition
Bristol medical students present fourth annual art exhibition ‘Do No Harm’
The collection opens at Centrespace on June 12 and runs for a week
Read more
Art / BS9 Arts Trail
14 venues across Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym to host BS9 Arts Trail
The popular weekend returns on 6-7 June, with 86 artists participating in this year’s event
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Art / Upfest 2026
South Bristol gets colourful makeover as Upfest 2026 begins
Upfest is commonly known as Europe's largest street art festival
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Art / gothic
Six contemporary artists reimagine ‘the Gothic’ for new Tyntesfield exhibition
It covers ‘medieval beginnings, romantic renewal, 19th century revival and modern re-invention’
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Art / Photography
Pizza restaurant transformed into gallery space
A photo exhibition brings Bristol's nightlife into the diner
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Art / female artists
Eight female artists who met in the digital space exhibited together at KIT FORM
‘Like: connected online. exhibited irl’ features a number of award-winning painters
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Art / Street Art
David Attenborough mural among new Upfest artworks
Five murals were unveiled ahead of the street art festival
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Comedy

Comedy / edinburgh previews
Chuckle Busters presents eight-week season of Edinburgh Festival previews
Comics include Ahir Shah, Rob Auton, Harriet Dyer, Pierre Novellie, Sophie Duker and Spencer Jones
Read more
Comedy / The John Sebastian Lightship
New monthly comedy show comes to the John Sebastian Lightship
Lightship Comedy will be inviting people aboard at June 7
Read more
Comedy / Alistair Clark
Standup Alistair Clark to perform at Rough Trade on his tour of record shops
He spent nearly a decade selling vinyl before pursuing a career in comedy
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Comedy / charity
Stellar comedy lineup announced for second ‘Laughing Matters’ SWEDA fundraiser at Bristol Beacon
Daniel Kitson hosts a bill including Mark Thomas, Rose Matafeo, Bridget Christie and Elis James
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Comedy / Helen Bauer
‘I’m just like an angel’: Helen Bauer prepares to take Bristol Comedy Garden by storm
The inimitable ‘comedy powerhouse’ is currently on tour in Australia
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Comedy / Fundraiser Event
Big lineup announced for The Gaffe’s comedy fundraiser for Kenzie Mac
The stacked bill includes Omari Douglas, Harriet Dyer, Paul Hilleard and June Tuesday
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Comedy / Drag King
Kathy Maniura brings Fringe smash ‘The Cycling Man’ to Bristol
The show visits The Alma Tavern & Theatre as part of a ‘Tour de UK’
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Comedy / Rob Auton
Rob Auton puts on extra tour show in Bristol due to demand
‘CAN’ will be returning to 1532 Performing Arts Centre on April 18
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Comedy / britpop
Attention Britpop fans: Marc Burrows is taking us back to the 90s
‘The Britpop Show’ visits The Hen & Chicken Studio on March 27
Read more
Comedy / mark watson
Mark Watson to perform at The Gaffe for inaugural Live Comedy Day
The day is produced by the Live Comedy Association, in partnership with BBC Radio 4
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Books

Books / Jen Williams
Bristol-based three-time British Fantasy Award winning author publishes new book for YA audiences
‘The Dreamless’ is the sequel to the fantasy novel ‘The Sleepless’
Read more
Books / Bookshops
New chapter for popular bookshop
The husband-and-wife founders of the bookshop have moved on
Read more
Books / Bookshops
Bristol indies ready for 20th anniversary of Independent Bookshop Week
The annual celebration returns on June 13-20
Read more
Books / News
Friends co-write bestselling debut fantasy novel
Blood Bound is written under the duo's collective pseudonym Ellis Hunter
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Books / Events
International Booker readings travel to Bristol for the first time
Authors and translators read from the shortlisted titles on Friday evening
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Books / Jayne Chard
Multi-award-winning Bristol film and TV producer and author publishes second in her crime fiction series
Jayne Chard’s ‘Julia and Frankie Mystery Series’ continues with ‘The Body that Floats’
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Music / Tippett
Bristol’s greatest Mujician celebrated
A biography of musical genius Keith Tippett launched at Bristol Beacon
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Books / News
Former crown court reporter pens memoir
The Wolf of Small Street by Geoff Bennett is "the autobiography of a man who proved everyone wrong"
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Books / Bookshops
New bookshop opens with focus on supporting Bristol authors
Shambles Bookshop in St Nick's Market has been opened by Anna and Laurence Tuck
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Books / Bookshops
Pair wines with books at Bristol’s newest bookshop
A one-of-its-kind bookshop has opened its doors in Bristol
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Clubs

Clubs / Get To Know
Femmes on Decks – ‘Celebrating sisterhood through music’
See Femmes on Decks in action at the EatDrink24/7 Launch Party
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Clubs / Bristol Beacon
Underground rave ‘by and for young people’ spotlights female talent
Cryptic Beats has been designed to introduce young people to rave culture
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Clubs / Deaf Rave
Deaf rave to take over Bristol pub
“All we want to do is make some noise, jump everyone up and have a great time”
Read more
Clubs / Tokio Station
Where jazz meets jungle
Tokio Station blends mellow jungle with live improvisation by Bristol’s most exciting jazz musicians
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Clubs / News
Inside the fight against electronic music’s ‘boys’ club’
Frustrated by the scene’s baked-in misogyny, a duo have decided to turn it on its head
Read more
Music / Advertising Feature
Renowned Bristol club brand Nu:Motive celebrates its 10th anniversary this September at Clock Factory
"I started doing this at 17...and now it’s my entire life", says promoter George Thoburn
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Clubs / Balter Forever
In photos: Balter Forever, Sawmills
The cult festival adored by heavy electronic music fans dropped into St Jude's for the day
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Music / independent venues
Catch-it-while-you-can venue brings cutting edge sound to historic setting
The site is scheduled for imminent development but in the meantime it's being put to good use
Read more
Music / Club395
Venue founder says visa denied due to ‘fundamental misunderstanding’
The founder of Club395 says grassroots culture is 'invisible'
Read more
News / Events
‘Powerful’ club event for marginalised genders to launch
Organisers hope to provide an "empowering" night away from the male gaze
Read more

Film

Film / News
Bristol Film Festival’s summer season includes a Focus on Bristol
The programme includes a rare screening of locally made sixties teen tearaway flick ‘Some People’
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Film / News
General booking opens for 10th anniversary Cinema Rediscovered
Aardman retrospective includes Peter Gabriel on the groundbreaking Sledgehammer video
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Film / News
Cannes Grand Prize winner comes to Bristol
Gabriel Abrantes will be introducing his surreal camp spectacle Diamantino
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Film / News
Two Bristol filmmakers selected for programme helping Black British creatives
The pair were picked from more than 700 applicants
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Film / News
Actor/musician Kiefer Sutherland returns to Bristol
The star of '24' and 'The Lost Boys' is to play an intimate solo set
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Film / News
Growing a movement of storytellers
Mafia Weekend’s James Broadley on community resilience and storytelling
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Film / News
New Bristol-set film showcasing well-known locations opens at Watershed
From the Thekla to St Nicholas Market - how many can you spot?
Read more
News / cinema
‘Smart Cinema’ researchers study Bristol audiences’ brains
High-tech equipment captures audiences' biometric reactions including heart rate and brain activity
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Film / News
Bluescreen celebrates 25 years of open screenings for local filmmakers
Take your film along to the Cube cinema and they’ll whack it on screen
Read more
Film / Forbidden Worlds
Cult classic film screening at fantasy film festival
Highlander will be screened on Bristol's biggest screen as part of Forbidden Worlds
Read more

Dance

Dance / exhibition
RWA marks celebration of dance with new multimedia exhibition ‘Dance Out’
A curated exhibition soundtrack will play through a haptic dance floor made by Bristol company ‘BEAT
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Dance / Impermanence Dance Theatre
Impermanence Spring/Summer programme to feature Antonia Franceschi, Bullyache and Alessandro Marzotto-Levy
The company is fresh from hosting their inaugural festival of dance ‘This Body // 1’
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Dance / Reviews
Review: The Rest of Our Lives, The Mount Without – ‘The truest show you’ll ever see’
It’s a welcome return for the life-affirming dance-theatre show from George Fong and Jo Fong
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Dance / collaboration
Divija Melally performs dance-theatre collaboration with Saili Katebe
‘One Foot In The Dark’ will appear as part of the festival programme for DIASPORA!
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Theatre / dance-theatre
Emergency Chorus bring award-winning dance-theatre work back to the stage
‘Ways of Knowing’ comes to The Wardrobe Theatre from April 21-23
Read more
Dance / South Indian dance
‘A transformative experience’: Aparna Pavithran on the joy of sharing South Indian classical dance traditions in Bristol
She's an Indian classical dancer with nearly 30 years’ of experience in a variety of styles
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Dance / South West Dance Theatre
South West Dance Theatre announce contact workshops for contemporary, ballet and breakdancing
They begin on February 17 with separate events for families and older kids or teens
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Dance / festival of dance
Impermanence announces a brand new festival of dance
This Body // 1 takes place from February 25-March 8
Read more
Dance / Karla Shacklock
Niplash: Karla Shacklock presents ‘a lactivist call to arms’
A two-day takeover of The Mount Without will offer a creative exploration of infant feeding
Read more
Dance / Colette Sadler
Colette Sadler brings ‘post-human dance fiction’ to The Mount Without
The show is part of the programme curated by IMPERMANENCE
Read more

Circus

Circus / dance-theatre
Jo Fong and George Orange’s cult dance-theatre hit comes back to Bristol
The Mount Without will host the show off the back of a 10-day run in New York
Read more
Circus / News
Acclaimed performance collective to celebrate 30-year anniversary with special ball
The collective has mesmerised audiences for 30 years with its blend of circus, theatre and cabaret
Read more
Circus / Reviews
Review: Jon Udry’s Variety Bungalow, Circomedia – ‘Fantastically fun’
Expect the unexpected!
Read more
Circus / News
Invisible Circus to stage spectacular return to Bristol
A former torpedo warehouse will become their next performance space
Read more
Circus / the invisible circus
A Halloween night of rats, revelry and ruin’: the Loco Klub tunnels play host to ‘The Ratcatcher’s Ball’
The one-off event has been conceived by immersive theatre maestros, The Invisible Circus and friends
Read more
Circus / Reviews
Bristol Circus City review: The Shedding, Arnolfini – ‘Bold, challenging and utterly stunning’
Elise Reine blends ‘trapeze, contortion, performance art and power ballad’
Read more
Circus / Reviews
Bristol Circus City review: Revolutions per Minute, Bristol Beacon – ‘Physically impressive, but narratively confused’
It’s a dynamic show from Gorilla Circus that blends rollerskating, acrobatics and street dance
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Circus / Reviews
Bristol Circus City review: Armour, Arnolfini – ‘A deeply moving exploration of masculinity and sensuality’
The show comes from Brussels-based performers Arno Ferrera & Gilles Polet
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Circus / Darryl Carrington
Darryl Carrington’s award-winning non-verbal family show to feature at Circus City 2025
This year’s festival ‘Bodies of Care’ explores themes of ‘health, wellbeing and social justice
Read more
Circus / Bristol Pride 2025
Many Hands Circus to showcase new production at Bristol Pride
The company will present ‘Obscure Desires’ in the circus tent
Read more

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