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The Big Smoke Variety Show is a new podcast hosted by Kevin Bennett. It takes inspiration from classic TV variety shows and late night chat shows with a theatrical bent towards exploring the ancient rituals of gathering and community. In our world, where the algorithms of social media are driving humanity further and further apart, The Big Smoke, by its very nature, will bring unexpected audiences together for a variety show, the likes of which they have never heard.
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Hook, Hamilton, Hamlet: Olivier Award winner Giles Terera's unpredictable journey
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This episode tips its hat to the dramatic and the delightfully ridiculous—from lost boys and duels at dawn to Shakespearean skulls and Victorian umbrella stands. We kick things off with Stump the Room, where we dare you to unravel a set of stage-worthy questions spanning Hook, Hamilton, and Hamlet. From blink-…
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Today’s episode really leans into the “variety” part of our podcast's name. From Canadian headlines to ancient Roman bone dice, it’s a buffet of the bizarre, the beautiful, and the quietly profound. First up, it’s back to the Great White North for another round of Maple Leaf, or Make Believe?—the quiz that challenges you to separate true Canadian n…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In today’s episode, we step into the ring… or rather, the opera house. And trust us, by the end, you’ll see they might just be the same thing. First up, we kick things off with a Looney Tunes twist in Stump the Room: Bugs Bunny Meets Opera Edition. Can you tell your Wagnerian heroines from your Saturday mornin…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In today’s episode, ‘The CNN of the Ghetto’, we explore the rhythms that shape our lives, both natural and self-made. First up, we welcome MoYah - Afro-fusion rapper, activist, and educator, who blends music with advocacy, using hip-hop as a tool for storytelling, community, and change. From his roots in Mozam…
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The Shoe in the Wall: Patrick Grant on why 'Less' is more
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In today's episode, ‘The Shoe in the Wall: Patrick Grant on why 'Less' is more’, we’re unpicking the threads of fashion, identity, and the objects we bring into our lives, starting with the clothes on our backs. Joining us is none other than Patrick Grant - clothier, sustainability advocate, and judge on The G…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! This episode is an ode to the auraculous, as we delve into the extraordinary world of sound with writer and journalist Caspar Henderson, author of ‘A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous’. Caspar invites us to tune the dial of our minds and truly listen to the hidden harmonies of nature, the mysteries of mu…
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Christmas Cheese and Reindeer Games
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this festive episode, ‘Christmas Cheese and Reindeer Games’, we bring you a brilliant mix of holiday cheer, mouth-watering cheese, and heartwarming stories in support of the Babylon Migrants Project, a community interest company that empowers young refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants through creative act…
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The Three Pillars: Comedy, Conversation & Community
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! Today’s episode, ‘The Three Pillars: Comedy, Conversation & Community’, is a special global journey celebrating the heart of what makes our show unique. Join us as we take a closer look at our show’s core themes with incredible guests from around the world. Our first stop is Vancouver, Canada, where we meet Ai…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! Today’s episode, “The Better Part of Valour”, takes us into the unexpected world of Ukrainian cricket—a story of courage, community, and resilience in the face of war. Our guest, Jonathan Campion, journalist and author of 'Getting Out: The Ukrainian Cricket Team’s Last Stand on the Front Lines of War', shares …
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! Today’s episode, “A Fatal Exit”, delves into the spooky lore of the Tower of London and its iconic ravens, just in time for Halloween! Our guest is none other than former Ravenmaster and current Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London Christopher Skaife, author of The Ravenmaster — named ‘London book of the year’…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “The Freestyle Mind”, we dive into how we can harness our thoughts to find stillness, flow, creativity, and inspiration in the midst of modern chaos. First up, we have Arti Lal, a seasoned meditation teacher and co-ordinator of the Inner Space Meditation Centre in Covent Garden. For over 35 ye…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “Stone Aged Wisdom”, we’re stepping back in time to explore how ancient skills and wisdom can still connect us to our modern world. How could learning to start a fire or forage for food be relevant in the digital age? We’re thrilled to welcome Memma the Cavewoman, aka Sarah Day. Memma is a Bus…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “Heroes or Vandals?”, we’re taking you deep into the world of graffiti, urban art, and creative expression. Right now it seems there's a new Banksy popping up on every corner, so our timing couldn't be better! Featuring in this episode is Madeleine Pelling, cultural historian and co-host of Hi…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, "Change in Muddy Waters", we bring together two remarkable guests for an evening of historical discovery, refugee empowerment, and personal journeys. First, we dive into the world of Sean Clark, a licensed mudlark with a passion for uncovering the hidden stories of 17th-century London. Sean ha…
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Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, "Wild City, Ghost Town", we bring together two outstanding guests for an unforgettable evening of urban wildlife, poetry, and community activism. We welcome Florence Wilkinson, writer, filmmaker, and co-founder of the birdsong recognition app Warblr. Florence will share insights from her accla…
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Trailer - The Big Smoke hosted by Kevin Bennett
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Welcome to The Big Smoke variety show! A live recorded podcast filled with comedy, conversation and community. Join us every fortnight for a gathering of fun-filled performances, insightful interviews and all sorts of ways to connect with those around us. Find us on Instagram: @thebigsmokevarietyBy thebigsmokevariety
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