Theatre / Bristol Pride
Taking the stage for Bristol Pride: a look at the festival’s comedy and theatre programme
Culminating in the annual city parade and one-day festival on The Downs on July 11, the 2026 Bristol Pride began on June 27, with a typically eclectic and packed calendar of events taking place in the run-up.
Highlights of this year’s Pride have included a LGBTQ+ film programme at The Watershed, a ceilidh at Bristol Beacon, a host of music, circus, craft and sports events, and the ever-popular Pride Dog Show in Castle Park.
And the city’s flourishing theatre scene is also playing its part. Here is a flavour of what to expect.
Bristol Pride presents: The BLANK who BLANKED Me
The improv champions behind the Murder, She Didn’t Write present a brand-new, improvised and “unabashedly queer torrid romance show with tongue firmly in (someone’s) cheek”. What can audiences expect? “Passion and pastiche”, we’re told; “high drama and low comedy, lashings of laughter and perhaps true love.”
The BLANK who BLANKED Me – photo: Bristol Pride
The Wardrobe Theatre, July 6-8 at 7.30pm
Hosted by Bristol’s very own comedy queen Jayde Adams, a star-packed evening of award-winning LGBTQ+ standups will be gracing the historic Bristol Old Vic stage. She will be joined on the night by Morgan Rees, Olga Koch, Sophie Duker and Dane Buckley.
l-r: Sophie Duker, Morgan Rees, Olga Koch, Dane Buckley and Jayde Adams, Bristol Pride Comedy Night 2026, Bristol Old Vic – photo: Bristol Pride
Bristol Old Vic, July 9 at 7pm
Now in its fourth year, The Drag Dungeoneers bring their “loose narrative monster-of-the-week style D&D live adventure” to Bristol Pride, featuring improv and interaction led by BooHoo Mann, Jersey the Devil, YuGiHoe and Vaccine. Designed with accessibility and silliness in mind, we’re reassured that those new to DND need not be concerned: most of the cast are also utterly unfamiliar with the rules.
The Drag Dungeoneers – photo: Bristol Improv Theatre
Bristol Improv Theatre, July 9 at 7.30pm
“Serving you wit as sharp as their contour, jinks as high as their brows, memories that will stick with you longer than last night’s glitter… Darling, it’s Dragprov.” From a drag queen and king double act with shows at Glastonbury Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe behind them, comes a freshly improvised performance full of razzle dazzle and, we’re promised – plenty of “corset-splitting chaos” to boot.
Dragprov Revue – photo: Bristol Improv Theatre
Bristol Improv Theatre, July 10 at 8pm
Tales From the Wasteland: Pride Special
Taking inspiration from Mad Max, The Last of Us and Fallout, Bristol’s cult post-apocalyptic improvised adventure series returns with another, entirely new edition of their absurdist dark comedy. “In this Pride special, we celebrate the differences and beautiful uniqueness that all denizens of this wasteland have”, they say. “All profit from this show will be donated to Bristol Pride to help challenge homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia and promote equality and diversity!”
Bristol Folk House, July 10 at 8pm
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For a full rundown of the Bristol Pride events programme (running from June 27-July 12), and details about Pride Day on July 11, visit bristolpride.co.uk.
Main photo: Bristol Pride
Read next:
- Bristol Pride presents SMOKE from acclaimed theatremaker Alexis Gregory
- Bristol Pride unveils full festival programme for 2026
- Bristol Pride announces 2026 lineup
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