Archived Events: Friday 25th May 2007 Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel The White Wine Arts Trail The fringiest way to start the Fringe! Venue: Galerie Le Bonbon (Mystery venue, see tickets for details)
Doors: 6.30 pm Time: 6.30 pm Price: £12 including fine wines
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Darlings, this is always the most outrageous event on the Fringe as Ralph Le Bonbon and his team of pretentious critics guide you round the Fringe Art gallery openings. Lashings of culture, lashings of fine wine and a glittering awards ceremony at the end...if you can survive to the end, darlings.
Sponsored by Great Western Wine and Xerophon Promoted by Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel
NEW: Orange Squash Arts Trail for 3 - 10 year olds - see Bath Fringe Visual arts listings for details.
Exciting news on a phenomenal collection of Dutch comedians visiting Bath for an Edinburgh preview show during Bath Fringe:
Thursday 31st May 2007 Nick Steel presents the best of Dutch Stand-up... Amsterdam Underground Comedy Collective Edgy comedy with a slight accent Venue: Lakeside Suite, Widcombe Social Club
Doors: 8pm Time: 8.30pm Price: £8 / £7 concs
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
A night of the very best of Dutch stand-up comedy from the people who brought you tulips, euthanasia, wooden shoes, legal prostitution, Dennis Bergkamp, XTC, Raymond van Barneveld, Vincent van Gogh, Big Brother, gay marriage and easy abortion...
Featuring six of the most sought after, award-winning comedians on the circuit in a one-off pre-Edinburgh Fringe preview, including the stars of the Amsterdam Comedytrain club and the Netherlands Have I Got News For You.
Sponsored by Xerophon Promoted by Nick Steel Links: www.xerophon.com Full wheelchair access
Thursday 7th June 2007 Natural Theatre and Nick Steel Bonbon's Big Nite Widcombe's famous cabaret moves upstairs! Venue: Widcombe Social Club Big Room, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.30 pm Time: 8pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
The popular Bonbon Cabaret moves upstairs to the big room at Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath.
Outrageous Ralph le Bonbon presents a sizzling array of stand-up comedy, terrific turns and marvelous music in a bumper version of the ever popular Bonbon Cabaret Nights.
Fantastic line-up including Seymour Mace from the Johnny Vegas TV series 'Ideal'; if.comeddies award nominee Greg Davies from 'We Are Klang'; Hootenanny3; Bill Smarme and his mate Dave are the Red Hot Lovers; James Lambeth's 45th Street Swing; Pip Uttonis Roy Orbison; The Widcombe Players.
Bonbon Cabaret is always a sell-out so book early. Some tickets may be available on the door.
Adults only. Optional dress code: Gorgeous!
Many people make a night of it in Widcombe by taking early supper at The White Hart, opposite the Social Club.
M. Le Bonbon will personally come and tell you when the doors are open!
Sponsored by Xerophon Promoted by Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel Links: www.xerophon.com www.naturaltheatre.co.uk We regret there is no wheelchair access to this venue
Friday 14th September 2007 Nick Steel presents The Electric Soup in concert An evening of Prog & Rock & Roll Venue: Widcombe Social Club: Big Room
Doors: 8pm Time: 8 pm Price: £4 on the door
The Electric Soup - Psychedelic Progressive Rock - featuring the fantastic Rebecca Whale on vocals and genuine Hammond, Mellotron & Minimoog...
Support by Dude - authentic Rock & Roll, drawing inspiration from early Beatles to Fat Boy Slim, via Lou Reed...get out your dancing shoes!
Intervals by DJ Chemical Steve
Sponsored by Xerophon Promoted by Nick Steel Wheelchair access with assistance
Thursday 27th September 2007 Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel Bonbon goes Yankee Doodle American themed cabaret Venue: Widcombe Social Club: Lakeside Suite
Doors: 7.45 pm Time: 8 pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Featuring Last Train To Memphis - Cowgirls and Geetars; Hootenanny3 - with Banjo wizard Leon Hunt, Johnny Guitar - he's a miner, 49er and he's old and in the way, The Chalker Twins and The Widcombe Players. Prize for the best Dolly Parton outfit! Dress code: Stateside.
Thursday 25th October 2007 Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel Beau Bonbon Georgian themed cabaret Venue: Widcombe Social Club: Lakeside Suite
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Featuring John Sampson, star of the legendary Natural Theatre Scarlatti shows, the Bath Minuet Company, the Widcombe Players, the Hot Potato Syncopators, plus the grand raffle and other surprises...
Dress code: Bodice-bursting periwiggery
Thursday 20th December 2007 Natural Theatre and Nick Steel Bonbon's Grotto Christmas cabaret showcase Venue: Widcombe Social Club Big Room, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8pm Price: £12
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Featuring a mixture of top local acts, famous stand-up comedians and Natural Theatre naughtiness.
A Band Named Brian, Jon Richardson, The Mandibles, The Widcombe Players, Bad Machine
Thursday 17th January 2008 Nick Steel presents HANS TEEUWEN Hosted by Micha Wertheim Outrageous award-winning Dutch comedy star in special pre-London show. Venue: Lakeside Suite, Widcombe Social Club, Bath
Doors: 8.30pm Price: £8
Booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362
Some tickets may be available on the door.
Featuring the most sought after, award-winning comedian on the Dutch circuit and star of the Amsterdam Comedytrain club in a one-off pre-London preview of his new one hour solo show.
Having refused to perform in his native Holland since the murder of his friend, film maker Theo Van Gogh, outrageous comic and Dutch celebrity Hans Teeuwen has brought his warped and absurdist style of comedy to the UK instead.
The man who is considered 'Holland's greatest comic' (Metro) headlined the sold-out comedy troupe THE AMSTERDAM COMEDY COLLECTIVE at this year's Edinburgh Fringe and thrilled audiences with his surreal, demented, warped Jim-Carrey-on-acid performances.
'One of the most exciting new acts of the year … if Teeuwen is out to restart his career in a new language, then game very much on' The Times
'His act – full-throttle tomfoolery with a demonic glint in the eye – is the funniest
20 minutes in town…. Performed as if our lives depended on it' The Guardian
'Grab a ticket before the tourists do, and find out what the fuss is about' The Scotsman
'Teeuwen is clearly a comedy master, more than worthy of an hour on his own …blisteringly entertaining, a real find of the festival. Let's hope we see more of him on the British scene' Chortle
Sponsored by Xerophon Promoted by Nick Steel Links: www.xerophon.com Full wheelchair access
Thursday 14th February 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre present Bonbon Valentine's Nite! Candlelit evening of music and comedy with a tongue in cheek romantic theme Venue: Widcombe Social Club Big Room, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Featuring Becky Love, James Lambeth's 45th Street Swing, Bill & Dave are the Red Hot Lovers, The Widcombe Players plus the history of romance as seen through the eyes of Dame Barbara Carthorse...
Bring a loved one...or maybe meet one???
Thursday 27th March 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre present Bonbon 's Easter Bonnet Easter themed music and comedy cabaret Venue: Widcombe Social Club Big Room, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Featuring the multitalented Matt Baker, poet and singer extraordinaire Julian Landau and a hat competition to be judged by none other than Lady Margaret herself. The Mighty Peas play popular classics as you've never heard them before, from Dolly Parton to Eminem via the Simpsons. None other than fashion guru and punk goddess Vivienne Westworld will be conducting a hat clinic to ensure that YOU sparkle in the Easter Parade. Grand raffle and special appearance by the Widcombe Players (Director Rev. J. Towler).
Thursday 24th April 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre present Bonbon's Spring Thing zingy, springy musical cabaret Venue: Widcombe Social Club Big Room, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Featuring silky-voiced James Hollingsworth, the ever-popular Hodmaddodery, the Widcombe Players and headline band, Bath favourite The Duckworths. Have-a-go slot featuring exotic daffodil juggler; plus Dan Dan the Tractor Man. Hosted by the inimitable Ralph le Bonbon.
Thursday 29th May 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre present Bonbon's Big Fringe Nite the pick of the fringe! Venue: The Fabulous Spiegeltent, Bath Recreation Ground
Doors: 8pm Time: 8.15pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Music, standup comedy, a grand raffle and of course the ammest of drams, the Widcombe Players!
Starring the fantastic German comedian Henning Wehn: a beginners' guide to German humour... and Brighton's new female singing sensation The Vogueabonds: stylish, sophisticated and smutty close harmony.
Jazz swing by James Lambeth's 45th Street Swing, including special guest John Paul Gard.
Also, headline performance from The Mighty Peas, plus appearances by Ivana Viagra, Erich and Sheila Austen.
Thursday 5th June 2008 Nick Steel presents Deep Dark Cuts starring Alan Francis & Barnaby Power A gloriously offensive sketch show exploring the darker aspects of human nature... Venue: Natural Theatre Company HQ, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.30pm Price: £7.50
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362
A drug addicted businessman, a cabaret-singing Tourette's sufferer and a pop impresario with a sordid past are just three of society's oddballs who with other wickedly funny character creations combine to form an hour of black comedy and incisive observations.
"Acutely observed character monologues … sardonic wit at its best. GO SEE." The List ****
"Timing that could give Accurist a run for its money. Nasty stuff, it's extremely entertaining" - The Scotsman ****
"Some of the most SINISTER and SURREAL comic creations this side of The League of Gentlemen." - The Sunday Herald *****
"One of the classiest examples of loud-mouthed filth you're ever likely to experience" - Chortle
This event takes place in Natural Theatre's props store, surely the fringiest of Fringe venues!
Sunday 15th June 2008
Organisers: Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel in association with the Widcombe Association. Widcombe Rising Bath's biggest and best fun day Venue: Claverton Street, Widcombe, Bath and surrounding streets
Time: 1.30pm-7.30pm Price: £2 including free programme
Info: watch this space for updates
Widcombe Rising street party will be back on Sunday 15th June 2008 with the theme Widcombe village.
Supported by local traders, so please support them!
WIDCOMBE RISING UPDATE 30/04/2008
Preparations are well underway for Bath's biggest and best community celebration. The traffic in busy Widcombe will come to a halt and will be replaced with a feast of fun and frolics.
There will be three stages, market stalls, a hog roast, street theatre, a miniature camera obscura, kiddie rides and wandering musicians. And of course all the great pubs and bistros of Widcombe will be in full swing. Dominating the scene will be The Widcombe Eye, a 51ft Ferris wheel.
Featured events include a Secrets of Widcombe competition, the anarchic Lady Margaret's Dog Show and the ever popular Handbags choir from Chester. The Handbags will also be performing at the musical picnic at the Palladian Bridge on the evening of Saturday 14th June, which is both a curtain raiser and fundraiser for the big day.
Amongst the musical attractions at Widcombe Rising are The Cosmic Sausages, The Duckworths, Keith Warmington and Stuart Gordon, The Mighty Peas, Bath Male Voices, Bath Spa Band and Widcombe Junior School Jazz Band. The full lineup will be announced here soon.
Wandering the streets with their own particular brands of comedy will be The Splott Brothers with their mobile palm court, Children's entertainer extraordinaire Jimmy Mac and of course the ladies and gentlemen of the Natural Theatre Company.
In tune with this year's village theme, there will be a nomad encampment on the Widcombe Social Club car park, housing the Bedouin Jerry Can Band. No, this is not something dreamed up by the Naturals but a genuine group of musicians from the Sinai desert who not only play traditional Egyptian flutes and lyres, but are accompanied by a percussion section made up from fuel cans and other military detritus left behind by the Israeli army.
There will be cream teas at St Matthew's Church and the Baptists will once again be transforming their dull car park into a garden worthy of Chelsea Flower Show!
Entrance this year will be by programme available at the gate for a suggested donation of £2 per adult. Kids go free! Things seem to be costing the earth this year so we are still fundraising for this event. There are interesting sponsorship opportunities available! And of course, any donations, however small, are most welcome.
There is a benefit cabaret, Bonbon's Big Fringe Nite, at the Fabulous Spiegeltent on May 29th. Tickets from Bath Festivals Box Office 01225 463362 - see details above
You can contact the organisers using the online contact form or by telephone on 01225 469131
PS The Tables Turned event at The White Hart raised a magnificent £650.
Wednesday 10th September 2008 Nick Steel and Brian Hennigan present: DOUG STANHOPE First date of critically acclaimed US comedian Doug Stanhope's 2008 UK tour - and its in Bath!
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 8.00pm Price: £12.50
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
"He blazed with the honesty, outrage and lucidity that made his name... Much of what's wrong with the world melts away in Stanhope's flame... comedy with brains and guts and a heart"
The Guardian *****
"What makes Stanhope essential viewing is that none of this is an act"
Sunday Times
"There's a kind of Olympic torch of extreme American comedy, which passed from Lenny Bruce, through Richard Pryor and Sam Kinison... to the late Bill Hicks. Stanhope is the latest, and equally brilliant, bearer"
Independent on Sunday
Adults Only. Not for the faint hearted!
Licenced bar
Thursday 25th September 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon is Back! Autumn Bonbon Cabaret season kicks off with a lineup of comedy, music and unexpected turns...
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Starring the fabulous VOGUEABONDS - those saucy sirens return from Brighton by popular demand
Stylish, glamorous and smutty, the Vogueabonds bring sophisticated close harmony and their own glorious sense of irreverence to the songs of Dillie Keane and Fascinating Aida.
Great supporting lineup including: Bartoune - a new swing trio featuring three of the Zen Hussies Critters - featuring Griff Daniels, Nikki Mascall, Steve Loudon and Steve Hurd in a rootsy trip through a great songbook - acoustic guitars, fretless bass and a trio of fine voices
and... The Widcombe Players are back in the building!
Regular features include the Grand Raffle (First prize: 2 first class return railway tickets to anywhere in First Great Western region!) and The Wind-up Merchant
Thursday 30th October 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Biggest Standup comedy, music and more with our biggest cast yet...
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Starring WIL HODSGON, winner Perrier Best Newcomer 2004
'Wil Hodgson's frantically hilarious routine is about being an outsider, but then what would you expect from a mohicaned ex skinhead with tattoos and makeup that has a My Little Pony fixation' - The List
'An effortlessly spellbinding narrator. His stories are wry, laugh-out-loud funny, and genuinely affecting, running with a rhythm that makes him the closest thing we have to a West Country beat poet' - The Guardian Guide
Supporting lineup includes The Stockingtops choir - Bath's own answer to the Handbag of Harmonies – 'They are a fabulous troupe who look as good as they sound….these glamorous glitzy, golden girls'
The Widcombe Players will be returning and music will be supplied by the Duckworths Duo - Lawrie Laquiff and Jools play some favourites from their band and others.
Regular features include The Wind-up Merchant and the Grand Raffle
Sunday 2nd November 2008 James Lambeth's 45th Street Swing Classics from the great American songbook, sung and swung
Venue: Ring O Bells, 10 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm Price: Free admission
Perfect Sunday atmosphere in the bar/restaurant.
American-born James Lambeth is rapidly establishing himself as an up and coming singer of swing jazz. The very best of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and many other legendary American songwriters. The 45th Street Swing trio features Joe Spibey on double bass and Terry Veal on guitar.
Licenced bar. Food served until 9.30pm
Thursday 27th November 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Bandstand Comedy, music and more...
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Starring ARTHUR SMITH - comic, broadcaster, writer, artist and grumpy old man...
Also starring THE MANDIBLES, Bath's favourite Swing/Jazz/Jam band
Supporting lineup includes The Widcombe Players, The Edsel Furys - up and coming 60s Garage revival band featuring James Lambeth, plus Swindon Elvis (irreverant mocking of The King), Nick Cudworth and The Titans (surreal improv comedy).
Regular features include The Wind-up Merchant and the Grand Raffle
Thursday 4th December 2008 Widcombe Illuminations Grand Switch On
Venue: Claverton Street, Widcombe, Bath
Time: 5.45pm
Musical Entertainment, late shopping, fun.
Follow Lady Margaret on her now traditional sherry crawl of all the local hostelries.
More info: 01225 469131
Sunday 7th December 2008 James Lambeth Trio Classics from the great American songbook, sung and swung
Venue: Ring O Bells, 10 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm Price: Free admission
Perfect Sunday atmosphere in the bar/restaurant.
American-born James Lambeth is rapidly establishing himself as an up and coming singer of swing jazz. The very best of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and many other legendary American songwriters.
Featuring Jon Green on guitar and John Paul Gard on piano.
Licenced bar. Food served until 9.30pm
Sunday 14th December 2008 The Gaulois Brothers Gypsy Jazz performed with vintage style and suss
Venue: Ring O Bells, 10 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm Price: Free admission
Perfect Sunday atmosphere in the bar/restaurant.
Storming acoustic jazz, heavily influenced by Django Reinhardt's Hot Club de France of the 1930s. Hot swing guitars from Pete Nicholson and Simon Grimes plus new found talent Mirac on accordion.
Licenced bar. Food served until 9.30pm
Thursday 18th December 2008 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon's Baubles - Christmas Cabaret Showcase Music, comedy and more...
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Star studded lineup includes: John Sampson, madcap Scottish musician Fake Bush, almost the real thing, a.k.a. Lucy from the Vogueabonds Jump Mama, Bath's latest party band Lady Margaret & Penkevil The Widcombe Players plus special guest compere Pavel Douglas will be bringing Dickie Heart back to life
for the first date in his 'Thirty Year Sleep' Tour!
Regular features include The Wind-up Merchant and the Grand Raffle
Sunday 21st December 2008 James Lambeth's 45th Street Swing Classics from the great American songbook, sung and swung
Venue: Ring O Bells, 10 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm Price: Free admission
Perfect Sunday atmosphere in the bar/restaurant.
American-born James Lambeth is rapidly establishing himself as an up and coming singer of swing jazz. The very best of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and many other legendary American songwriters. The 45th Street Swing trio features Joe Spibey on double bass and Terry Veale on guitar.
Licenced bar. Food served until 9.30pm
Thursday 26th February 2009 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Comedy Special Stand-up comedy and more...
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
World class stand-up comedy from Craig Campbell "Craig is, simply, a very, very funny man" - Chortle UK "A supremely confident, gifted comic" -The New Zealand Herald
and Seymour Mace - fab comedian recently seen in the Johnny Vegas TV series 'Ideal'
Plus the Hot Potato Syncopators, back by popular demand,
Jumping Blues from Swamp Donkey now featuring Martyn Dormer (Skiffle Haze) on uke and Mickey Tenfingers (Bill Smarme & The Bizness) on guitar!
Magic from The Amazing Eric, and of course our very own cult ham dram troupe, The Widcombe Players
Regular features include The Wind-up Merchant and the Grand Raffle
Thursday 26th March 2009 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Sprung Thung Comedy, music and more...
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362
More fabulous stand-up comedy from Alan Francis of Deep Dark Cuts fame
and music from angel-voiced James Hollingsworth and Pedalmania, starring Hammond jazz supremo John Paul Gard
Also featuring The Art Tart, Ivana Viagra and The Widcombe Players
Regular features include The Wind-up Merchant and the Grand Raffle
Adults Only
Licenced bar
Sponsored by Xerophon Promoted by Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel
Links: www.xerophon.com www.naturaltheatre.co.uk
Wheelchair access with assistance
Thursday 2nd April 2009 Nick Steel & Bath Comedy Festival presents: B&NES IN THE DOCK David Bellotti, Chair of the Council, is arrested and tried for Council misdemeanours
Venue: Guildhall Banqueting Room, High Street, Bath
Time: 6.30pm Price: £22
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Our favourite local Council stands accused of a variety of misdemeanours past and present. A hand-cuffed David Bellotti, Chair of the Council, is cross examined on a range of topical issues by a comic barrister. What will his clown of a defence lawyer have to say.... and will the judge declare him innocent?
Supported by B&NES and Natural Theatre Company
Sponsored by Timms Creative Communications and Nick Steel Entertains
Monday 6th April 2009 Nick Steel presents: THE AL PITCHER PICTURE SHOW Al Pitcher brings his new 2009 show to Bath as part of the Bath Comedy Festival
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 8.00pm Price: £8 / £6 concs
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Every day we see things we've never seen before, things that strike us as odd or beautiful, and things that we've seen so many times we don't even notice them any more... Not Al Pitcher. His mind is constantly twisting, flipping and distorting what he sees, igniting the mundane, and for The Al Pitcher Picture show, weaving the events of his day in your town into a truly unique and hilarious one-off show. Every comic will tell you that a 'funny thing happened on the way to the gig', but, digital camera in hand, Al has the pictures to prove it! What does Al Pitcher make of Bath? There's only one way to find out...
Fresh from sell-out shows in Australia and New Zealand, don't miss your chance to catch Al Pitcher on his limited UK tour.
"Pitcher sits firmly in the improvising, rambling, freewheeling comedy camp inhabited by the likes of Ross Noble and Eddie Izzard. However, unlike both of them, Pitcher is one of the best kept secrets on the comedy scene. But it's only a matter of time" – Time Out
'Can reduce an audience to tears of laughter' - The Scotsman
'The Kiwi motormouth's crowd skills are second to none' - The Stage
Licenced bar
Sponsored by Xerophon Promoted by Nick Steel Entertains
Links: www.xerophon.com
Tuesday 7th April 2009 WOMEN ON THE MAKE A workshop performance of a brand new sketch comedy show
Venue: Natural Theatre Company rehearsal room/props store, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.00pm Price: £5 including cup cake
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Featuring an all-female cast: Catherine Barrett, Hilary Strong and Angela Vick. This band of sisters stand poised at the edge of history, ready to fight, flirt and faff about. With straining sinews and last week's washing they are ready to make their mark - but usually miss. A comic brush with Ancient Britain, the French revolution and vital war work.
Written by Jeremy Towler and Angela Vick, directed by Nick Stimson. Supported by Natural Theatre Company.
Licenced bar
Thursday 9th April 2009 Nick Steel & Bath Comedy Festival present: BEST OF THE FEST A glittering celebration of the art of making people laugh.
Venue: The Guildhall Banqueting Room, High Street, Bath
Doors: 8.00pm Price: £22
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Featuring a selection of some of the most entertaining acts from the Bath Comedy Festival, and some musical comedy treats, this special evening will represent everything that's great about the City of Bath, the joy of comedy and the fun of the festival.
Amongst others, featuring: World class stand-up from HANS TEEUWEN, CRAIG CAMPBELL, MARK OLVER
Musical comedy from John Sampson, Chris Dickins, Lady Margaret, The Hot Potato Syncopators
Licenced bar
Evening in aid of the Bath Comedy Festival (a not for profit company)
Produced by Nick Steel Entertains
Supported by B&NES and sponsored by Alex and Kate Timms.
Saturday 23rd May 2009 Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel The White Wine Arts Trail An hilarious walking tour of all the Fringearts galleries. Venue: Galerie Le Bonbon (Mystery venue, see tickets for details)
Doors: 6.30 pm Time: 6.30 pm Price: £12 including fine wines
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362
- SOLD OUT
Darlings! Ralph Le Bon Bon's staggeringly (ahem) successful Fringe tour is back! Always the most outrageous event on the Fringe, Ralph Le Bonbon and his team of pretentious critics guide you round the Fringe Art galleries.
Lashings of culture, lashings of fine wine and a glittering awards ceremony at the end...if you can survive to the end, darlings.
Sponsored by Great Western Wine and Xerophon Supported by Milsom Place
Promoted by Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel
Monday 25th May 2009 Nick Steel presents:
An evening of stand-up comedy at the Spiegeltent Triple bill of world class stand-up
Venue: The Fabulous Spiegeltent, Bath Recreation Ground
Doors: 7.30pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £12
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Starring ARTHUR SMITH - comic, broadcaster, writer, artist and grumpy old man...
ALAN FRANCIS - Scottish standup from the star of critically acclaimed Deep Dark Cuts
TOBY LONGWORTH - Enquire within...an often baffling, sometimes challenging and entirely improvised journey through a series of questions supplied by the audience.
Wednesday 3rd June 2009 Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Big Fringe Nite 'A fabulous nite of fringe frolics, the Bonbon Club is the dog's bollicks' Pam Ayres
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £12
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Stand-up comedy from Steve Williams "It's not often I laugh so hard I snort like a pig" - Chortle
Featuring Bill Smarme & The Bizness
"The Return of The Man With Lucky Lips"
Electric blues supremo Innes Sibun with a top band
Tongue-in-cheek am-dram from our regular irregulars, The Widcombe Players
Variety performance from Dominic Searle
And of course, the Grand Raffle
Friday 17th - Thursday 23rd July 2009 Natural Theatre Company presents:
A NIGHT AT THE BIJOU "Altogether a satisfyingly joyous evening of unbridled silliness" Venue Magazine ****
Venue: The Little Theatre Cinema, St Michael's Place, Bath BA1 1SF
Time: 7.30pm, matinees 2.30pm (Saturday, Sunday & Wednesday)
Price: £10, £9 concs, £8 Little Theatre members
Info & booking: The Little Theatre Cinema Box Office - Tel: 0871 704 2061.
email: little@picturehouses.co.uk or online www.picturehouses.co.uk
Do you yearn for the cinema of the 1950's? B movies, fag smoke clogging the projector beam, standing for the Queen at the end? Well, it's back! Following the successful sell out performances last year A Night at the Bijou returns to Bath.
The internationally renowned Natural Theatre Company have brought the aged (and odd) staff of the Bijou Cinema out of retirement to shine their torches and tear your tickets one more time at The Little Theatre Cinema, 17th – 23rd July 2009 at 7.30pm, matinees 2.30pm Saturday, Sunday & Wednesday.
The atmospheric Little Theatre Cinema is the perfect setting for this revival of the best, and worst, of good old fashioned movie-going. In spite of many refurbishments to keep the cinema up to date The Little Theatre has retained the charm and welcoming warmth of a 1930's cinema.
Where better to enjoy the 'best' horror B movie of all time, The Bride of the Monsterstarring Bela Lugosi.
The Naturals bring the film to life in their own inimitable style with the added help from smell-o-vision and wet-o-rama!
So, if you can get past old Sprocket, the commissionaire, you'll be shown to your seat by flirty usherette, Honey Wagon (runner up of "Miss Hot Dog" 1958). Once in your seat you can relax while Ernie Glissando runs his hands over his mighty Organ and encourages you to sing along to his bouncing balls. Before the film begins there's just time to grab something cold and creamy from Gladys, the oldest usherette in the world.
Wear your best 1950's outfits (prizes for the best dressed), watch a real 1950's B movie and sample 3D vision! Sample the usherettes! But no snogging in the back row!!
Tickets priced at £10 full price, £9 concessions and £8 for Little Theatre Members, available from The Little Theatre Cinema Box Office, St Michael's Place, Bath BA1 1SF, Tel: 0871 704 2061, email: little@picturehouses.co.uk or visit www.picturehouses.co.uk
Take a visit into the Naturals world and sample a snippet of the evening on their video gallery www.naturaltheatre.co.uk
Thursday October 22nd 2009
Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Autumn Tints The new Bonbon Cabaret season kicks off with an autumnal feel
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Featuring:
Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Big Bang
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10 (students £8 on the door with valid card)
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online BOOK NOW
Featuring:
Stand-up comedy from MARK OLVER (recently touring the UK supporting Russell Howard)
and the "Deliciously warm and witty" DAN MARCH (he won Blockbusters when he was 17 you know...)
Back by popular demand - 60s garage band THE EDSEL FURYS with James Lambeth in non-crooner mode
Starting proceedings is NICK CUDWORTH on the boogie woogie piano
Regular features include another Grand Raffle and your genial (or not) host Ralph le Bonbon
Adults Only
Licenced bar. Mrs Chipp's Bonbon Kitchen.
GRAND WIDCOMBE SWITCH-ON
Time: 6pm for 6.20pm until 7.30pm. Free. Charity collection
Place: Outside White Hart, Widcombe and throughout Claverton Street
Lady Margaret and friends will launch the Widcombe Christmas Lights at 6.20pm followed by a perambulation along the street where there will be mince pies, mulled wine, late shopping and continental cafe society! Both coffee shops will be open, along with a selection of Widcombe's specialist shops and pubs.
The Widcombe Junior School Choir and the Baptist Church singers will be providing carols and the Widcombe Wobblers scratch orchestra will be playing. Lady Margaret will be cutting the ribbon on several new businesses and receiving a make-over at the new ethical beauty salon!
Thursday December 17th 2009
Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Christmas Baubles A bumper Christmas Cabaret Showcase
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £12 (students £9 on the door with valid card)
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or online
Starring the fantastic Canadian stand-up CRAIG CAMPBELL
The HOT POTATO SYNCOPATORS - swing classics on ukelele, tea chest bass and musical saw
Sketch troupe NEW OLD FRIENDS are back with a new set
Exciting danceable funky local award winning newcomers THE IDIOT SAVANTS
Regular features include the Grand Raffle and your genial (or not) host Ralph le Bonbon
Adults Only
Licenced bar. Mrs Chipp's Bonbon Kitchen.
Nick Steel and Natural Theatre Company present:
Bonbon Cabaret - Bonbon's Fabulous February Frolics Brilliant comedy, great music and prizes galore! In aid of Widcombe Rising
Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £12 (Students and Widcombe Social Club members £9 on the door with valid card)
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Starring PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON - Stunning magic, deadpan humour and a penchant for princesses...
The PROS FROM DOVER - A riot of innovative sketch comedy starring Phil Whelans and Richard Glover
THE MIGHTY PEAS are back - pop classics as you've never heard them before!
And introducing ANGEL RIDGE - Cowboy folk from Emmy Lou Harris to Bob Dylan
Regular features include the Grand Raffle and your genial (or not) host Ralph le Bonbon
Adults Only
Licenced bar. Mrs Chipp's Bonbon Kitchen.
Natural Theatre Company presents:
'Whodunnit' by Anthony Shaffer
Venue: Natural Theatre HQ, Widcombe Institute, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA
Doors: 7.45pm Time: 8.00pm Price: £10 In aid of Natural Theatre's Mezzanine Youth Theatre Project
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
This is an animated reading of the famous spoof thriller performed by Natural Theatre regulars Pavel Douglas, Ralph Oswick and Ric Jerrom, with live sound effects by Haf Morgan.
Bath Comedy Festival is back for April 1st - 11th 2010 and is alive and kicking in Widcombe - here is the programme at the Widcombe Social Club:
Saturday 3rd April 2010
Nick Steel presents:
The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Lakeside Suite), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 8.00pm
Price: £7.50
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online The Socks are the comedy double act that has to be seen to be believed.
The stars of BBC 3's Comedy Shuffle and Upstaged, and MTV's Best Show Ever, and the darlings of YouTube bring you songs, sketches, socks and violence.
BEST SHOW Nominee - Leicester Comedy Awards 2009
"For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz – denier miss it" - **** The Scotsman
"A show that will rock your socks off - if only all laundry could be this fun" - **** Three Weeks
Nick Steel presents:
Sunday lunch with Arthur Smith
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Big Room), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 12.30pm
Price: £14.50 including Sunday roast beef lunch
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online A stalwart of Edinburgh and Bath Festivals for many years and founding father of the
alternative comedy circuit:
this comedian, broadcaster,
writer, artist and grumpy old man requires no introduction.
Written especially for the Bath Comedy
Festival, this new show promises to be
intriguing and highly entertaining.
This one-off Easter Sunday performance combines a roast beef lunch and show. Early booking essential.
'A huge laugh and a career that blends
surrealism and one-liners in equal measure' BBC
There is also an Easter Monday evening performance.
Nick Steel presents:
Arthur Smith's Curious Evening
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Big Room), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 8.00pm
Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
A stalwart of Edinburgh and Bath Festivals for many years and founding father of the
alternative comedy circuit:
this comedian, broadcaster,
writer, artist and grumpy old man requires no introduction.
Written especially for the Bath Comedy
Festival, this new show promises to be
intriguing and highly entertaining.
Also featuring talented sketch troupe New Old Friends.
'A huge laugh and a career that blends
surrealism and one-liners in equal measure' BBC
There is also an Easter Sunday performance which includes a roast lunch.
Nick Steel presents:
Inside Alan Francis & Barnaby Power
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Lakeside Suite), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 8.00pm
Price: £8
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Two of the country's finest comic performers bring you sketches and characters that bite.
As seen in the sell out show Deep Dark Cuts.
After appearing together on BBC Radio 4's Inside Alan Francis the fine comic actors return once again to Bath to perform a series of dark comic vignettes that rip open the underbelly and release the bile. They are proud to present the kind of characters you would only take home to your Mum's for tea if you never ever wanted to see her again! A Buddhist for whom too much strong lager might imbalance his Ying and his Yang … a geriatric medium more interested in copping a feel than communing with the dead, a couple of polar explorers prepared to sacrifice all, even home-cooking, for England. Mix with stand-up, a little song and some vitriol, add grossly foul language and stir gently for an hour. This show is sure to have edge.
'Some of the most sinister and surreal comic creations this side of The League of Gentlemen' *****' Sunday Herald
'Odd, uncomfortable and extremely funny' **** List
'Timing that could give accurist a run for its money' **** Scotsman
'Darkly funny: a gloriously offensive sketch show' Daily Telegraph
'Well written sketches that suggest a glowing future lies ahead for this deep dark duo' Metro
'Banter filled sketches that initially resemble something by The Two Ronnies, but soon reveal a much darker underbelly' London Evening Standard
'Appealingly black show…homes in on the less savoury aspects of human nature' Independent
'One of the classiest examples of loud-mouthed filth you're ever likely to experience' Chortle
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Big Room), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 8pm Price: £12
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
Expect comedy songs and gags galore from this well loved double act, here once again to prove they're still alive and old's cool...
Barry Cryer is one of the country's greatest comic writers and unchallenged King of the One-Liner. Barry has appeared in TV and Radio shows spanning over four decades and is star of Radio 4's top-rated comedy quiz show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
Ronnie Golden - Veteran rock 'n' roller, stand-up chameleon, leader of 70s mind-mangling punk rock comedy combo The Fabulous Poodles plus Club Senseless' own Ronnie And The Rex. Widely respected as both a musician and a stand-up, his unique mix of guitar parodies and keenly observed humour have made him one of the top headline acts in the country.
Pavel Douglas & Andy Burden in association with Natural Theatre Company present:
I Shot Dirty Den
Venue: Natural Theatre HQ, Widcombe Institute, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA
Doors: 7.30pm Price: £10 In aid of Natural Theatre's Mezzanine Youth Theatre Project
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
The smash hit Edinburgh Fringe one man show. Pavel really did have Dirty Den shot in Eastenders and his account of that incident and other theatre and telly adventures is in turn hilarious and touching.
In aid of Natural Theatre's Mezzanine Project.
Wine bar.
Bath Fringe Festival runs 28th May - 13th June 2010
Here is the comedy programme at the Widcombe Social Club:
Wednesday 9th June 2010
Nick Steel presents:
Steve Gribbin - 'Laugh at First Sight' and Ben Norris A Double Bill of Fabulous Fringe Comedy
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Lakeside Suite), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 8.00pm
Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
BEN NORRIS is a well loved performer on the UK circuit and around the world. A regular compere at The Comedy Store, he has appeared on the BBC's "Mock The Week", "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" and "They Think It's All Over", and enjoyed sellout success in Edinburgh. Ben has an ascerbic attitude, his sharp biting comments being cushioned by an easy-going everyman persona which never fails to endear him to his audience.
"The person who really makes me laugh is a comedian called Ben Norris. I have sat with the finest comics working today and we've all been helpless with laughter while Ben sits talking...Truly a sight to behold."Ed Byrne "A wonderful disgrace of a human being"Daniel Kitson
STEVE GRIBBIN co-founded comedy music double act Skint Video, one of the major acts of the 1980s 'Alternative Comedy' scene. 3000 gigs later, and with over 400 original comedy songs he is one of the top performers on the circuit and a regular member of the weekly topical show "The Cutting Edge" at London's Comedy Store.
'Laugh At First Sight' is a brand new show examining Steve's torrid love affair with the comedic arts, detailing the ups, downs, stony silences, euphoric highs, sulphuric lows and sheer unadulterated strangeness of a life devoted to that sternest of mistresses, Comedy.
"Like a harder, more political, less troll-like Bill Bailey, the fantastic Steve Gribbin had the place in stitches as he regaled us with his biting satire."The Independent On Sunday
Nick Steel presents:
Toby Longworth - 'Enquire Within', Alan Francis & Neil McFarlane A Triple Bill of Fabulous Fringe Comedy
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Lakeside Suite), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: 8.00pm
Price: £10
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
TOBY LONGWORTH is a versatile actor with a background in comedy and a speciality in voice-over. He's performed in TV's "Skins" and "The IT Crowd" plus numerous Radio 4 productions, and his voice-overs appear in Star Wars Episode I and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
'Enquire Within' is an often baffling, sometimes challenging and entirely improvised journey through a series of questions supplied by the audience.
"Assured and engaging, a mix of terrible jokes well told and surreal flights of fantasy, he ad-libbed fluidly from an impersonation of a remote-controlled Gordon Brown to the idea of Bath MP Don Foster as a cocaine smuggler. Marvellous."Bath Chronicle "Toby Longworth is an undiscovered jewel..funny, funny, funny."Rob Brydon "A terrific natural comedian."Bill Bailey
ALAN FRANCIS first came to the attention of comedy audiences by winning the So You Think You're Funny Award back in 1991.
Since then he's had many critically acclaimed acting roles, has written and performed Alistair McGowan's Big Impression, Alan Partridge & Alexei Sayle shows, and on Radio 4 co-starred on Alan Davies' show and recently starred in Inside Alan Francis.
"Smooth, classy and elegant as a vintage Scotch, a seductive performer"Chortle "Acutely observed character monologues, sardonic wit at its best"The List
NEIL MCFARLANE - Neil's act combines the surreal, wordplay, topical material, personal experience, and an unhealthy preoccupation with gin.
He is an example of that rare species – a self-confessed and relatively shameless middle-class Glaswegian.
Allow him to divert you from the horrific truth of your own existential plight, and occasionally use the word 'mallard'.
Saturday 12th June 2010
Widcombe Association in association with Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel present:
The Palladian Bridge Picnic
Venue: Prior Park - Palladian Bridge
Time: from 6pm Price: Please pay £3 at the gate, children 50p
All monies collected go to Widcombe Rising, so all donations welcome!
Featuring A Handbag of Harmonies, John Sampson, The Widcombe Wobblers and the Pramophone.
The ladies choir from Chester – the ones with the pink feather boas – is back for Widcombe Rising, and have again volunteered this fundraiser the night before.
Entrance at the Church Lane gate only.
Note there is only parking for disabled by arrangement (please phone 01225 315491).
THERE IS NO ACCESS FOR OTHER CARS IN CHURCH LANE – so picnics will have to be carried.
Parking is available at Prior Park Garden Centre.
Sunday 13th June 2010
Natural Theatre Company and Nick Steel in association with the Widcombe Association present: WIDCOMBE RISING Bath's biggest and best fun day
Venue: Claverton Street, Widcombe, Bath and surrounding streets
Time: 1.30pm-7.30pm Price: £2 including free programme
Info: watch this space for updates
Widcombe Rising street party will be back on Sunday 13th June 2010 with a watery theme to celebrate the 200th anniversay of the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Supported by local traders, so please support them!
WIDCOMBE RISING UPDATE:
Preparations for Bath's biggest family fun day, Widcombe Rising, are coming on apace. The event will see the main street in Widcombe closed off on Sunday 13th June and transformed from a chasm of roaring traffic to a wonderful street party celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Kennet and Avon canal. The surrounding streets will also be closed and filled with picnic tables covered with crisp white linen, three outdoor music stages, street theatre, music and fun. Café society will be provided by the area's many fine bistros and pubs and the whole thing will be once again presided over by the enormous Widcombe Eye.
New this year will be a self-contained children's activities area, a farmers' market selling a large range of fresh produce and a giant helter skelter. Another new development will be a fully programmed indoor stage in the Widcombe Social Club where local bands will be strutting their stuff.
Widcombe's very own doyenne of culture, Lady Margaret, will once again be presenting her anarchic dog show (all pooches welcome, but heavy fines will be imposed if there is a repeat of the fighting that occurred last time. That goes for the dogs too!). This will take place in The Lady Margaret Arena, no less, which will also host the women's Morris dancing and This Side Up, a troupe of gravity-defying Australian acrobats.
Amongst several watery-themed activities will be Artizani's Punt on Wheels, an elaborate canal treasure trail and street theatre performed by Natural Theatre's Fountain of Natural Youth project. In St. Matthew's church a fascinating exhibition on the history of the canal is being staged. These canal-related events are supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund to raise awareness of the importance of the canal to the history and future development of Widcombe.
To tie in with the theme, the organisers are inviting everyone to dress as pirates. We doubt that any pirate ship ever sailed the canal, but for one day the entire street will be decked with skull and crossbones flags. Both Captain Pugwash and Captain Hook will be joining local dignitaries and visitors to dance the specially-written Widcombe Hornpipe which will be a feature of the opening ceremony.
Widcombe Rising is free, but we ask everyone attending to buy a souvenir programme on entry to help cover costs. This year the programme is being sponsored and produced by Future Publishing so it should be very desirable…especially as it incorporates various voucher schemes and competitions. Widcombe Rising is generously supported by local businesses and individuals but income from programmes is an essential component of the budget!
Widcombe's streets will be closed from 8am to 10.30pm with a tow away scheme in operation for naughty parkers. The actual event takes place from 1.30pm to 7.30pm. All pitches for stalls are now filled, but we still need volunteer stewards on the day as well as muscle-power in the morning and evening set-up and take-down periods.
Update issued by Ralph Oswick and Nick Steel, co-organisers.
You can contact the organisers using the online contact form or by telephone on 01225 469131
Widcombe Rising is a non profit event organised by Ralph Oswick and Nick Steel
Sunday 17th October 2010 Nick Steel presents:
Sunday Lunch with Bill Smarme & The Bizness Roast lunch and musical comedy show
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Big Room), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Time: Doors 12.30pm
Price: £14.50 including roast lunch
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online
BILL SMARME - international entertainer, love guru, connoisseur of fine marmalades, and building contractor - sends up most styles of music.
The band will bring you songs of love, pork pies, binder twine, and Twerton - all in the best possible taste.
This one-off show includes a roast beef lunch. (There will be vegetarian gravy and a meat alternative available).
Thursday 2nd December 2010 Widcombe Christmas Lights Switch-on
Venue: Claverton Street - meet outside the White Hart
Time: 6pm
Come and join Lady Margaret & friends for the grand switch-on, and why not enjoy the Bonbon Cabaret Christmas Special afterwards!
Thursday 2nd December 2010 Nick Steel & Natural Theatre present:
Bonbon Cabaret Christmas Special Bonbon returns with an evening of fabulous sketch comedy and music
Venue: Widcombe Social Club (Big Room), Widcombe Hill, Bath
Doors: 7.45pm
Price: £12 (NATs and Social Club members £8 on the door)
Info & booking: Bath Festivals box office tel 01225 463362 or
online BOOK NOW
Starring THE REAL MACGUFFINS - a London-based comedy sketch trio; they are Dan (EastEnders) March, Jim (Oliver!) Millard and Matt (nothing) Sheahan in alphabetical order (not importance...well...actually, yes that too). One's taller, one's shorter and one looks like a cat and they're bringing their latest cavalcade of characters to Bath!
From eerie shopkeepers to the world's worst mountaineers, from disturbing tea ladies to everyone's favourite graphic design-based mobsters 'The Fonterellis', this is a delightful mixture of character-driven material and daft sketches, all bound together with some serious punning talent.
Directed by Cal McCrystal, who has directed the legendary Peepolykus and The Mighty Boosh, The Real MacGuffins mix originality with quick-fire puns, gags and fast-paced sketches to create a riotous show that takes an awful lot of pleasure in poking fun at the world.
They were a big hit in Edinburgh:
"Three very funny men"**** Three Weeks "One of the most original and riotous comedy shows at the (Edinburgh) Festival…a relentless display of wit and creativity"***** FreshAir.org.uk "Truly inventive…deliciously daft…the acting is as slick as their matching suit jackets"The List "…incredibly silly and funny...these are three very talented performers whose comedy dynamic adds a nice extra layer to the show"Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
Also featuring THE GOODNIGHT SWEETHEARTS - 1940's Cabaret starring Connie and Flo. Listen to their live BBC broadcast and have a ticketyboo time and a jolly ol' knees up!
And...the long awaited return of the THE WIDCOMBE PLAYERS - putting the 'am' back in ham dram!
To top it off THE CRITTERS will take you dancing a rootsy trip through a great songbook - acoustic guitar, fretless bass, sax and a trio of fine voices
There'll also be the Grandest of Grand Raffles, Bonbon style! Prizes include hot air balloon rides!
Starting us off will be our favourite Boogie Woogie pianist Nick Cudworth
Throughout the evening there will be a licenced bar and Mrs Chipps' Kitchen, catering for your every need!
Thanks to everyone who came to the Widcombe switch-on and Christmas Bonbon Cabaret
There will be more Bonbon and other events next year - look out for Sunday Lunch with Lady Margaret and Friends and other special happenings.
Widcombe Social Club will be hosting a series of fabulous comedy shows during Bath Comedy Festival - see www.bathcomedy.com for more information and updates.
There is a nice account of recent Widcombe happenings on the Widcombe Association web site written by Paddy Doyle - click here to read it
Widcombe resident Anthony Grimley made this video of the Switch-on event from 2nd December:
Bath Comedy Festival events in Widcombe
Full Festival programme at www.bathcomedy.com
Opening Night April Fool's Stand-up Show
Date: Friday 1st April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show Duration: 2hrs Price: £10
Start the Festival in style! This is an evening packed with comedy from a great team which includes:
Seymour Mace, recently seen in "Ideal" with Johnny Vegas
Local favourite comic actor Toby Longworth
And two great Scottish comedians -
Alan Francis, recently seen on Alan Partridge and oft heard on Radio 4
Up-and-coming self confessed "posh Glaswegian" Neil McFarlane, fast becoming hot property on the comedy circuit.
Date: Tuesday 5th April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show Duration: 2hrs Price: £5
Mark Olver follows his 3 successful Edinburgh stand-up shows with a new thing. It's sort of stand-up, it's sort of theatre, it's sort of scary.
It will be funny, but it is slightly unusual.
Mark Olver is a highly popular comic and TV warm-up artist, having done 3 Edinburgh shows and headlined and compered for all the top clubs in the UK.
**** Chortle **** The Scotsman **** Fest
This is something new.
Support: Jared Hardy and Fin Taylor - With Full Orchestra
"Join two of the hottest new acts to burst out of Bristol's infamous comedy scene for an hour of silliness. Fin ('a natural talent' - BroadwayBaby) and Jared (Comedy Reserve) combine uplifting stories with fearless ad-libbing to produce a symphony of hilarity for one night only. Hold on to your wives!"
Date: Wednesday 6th April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show Duration: 2hrs Price: £10
Award-winning comedian and Radio 4 star Jo Caulfield has been dubbed the funniest woman in Britain, and lives up to this with razor-sharp wit, acerbic observations and scandalous one-liners, al excellently written and impeccably delivered.
Seen on Have I Got News For You, Michael McIntyres? Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week, she?s also been one of the top comedy highlights at Edinburgh Fringe where her stand-up shows have been selling out for years.
"Wonderfully sharp and bitchy. One of the finest female comics at work" ***** Observer
"Sharp-witted, urban comedy that goes down a treat" ***** The Times
Date: Thursday 7th April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show Duration: 2hrs Price: £10
Raconteur and rural bon-viveur, with a rapier-like wit, Sid Kipper is a true comic original. Stand-up comedian, storyteller, surrealist folk singer, master of a bewildering array of bewildering instruments, and the funniest man in Norfolk, he has been a stalwart of the club and festival scene for over 25 years. Over the last decade or so he has developed his epic tale of the village of St Just-near-Trunch in six albums, five books and two series for Radio 2. This is his first visit to Bath. Unmissable.
"Sir Henry at Rawlinson End, with a dash of Flann O?Brien. Very funny" ? The Guardian
Support: Man Overboard - folk duo featuring Martyn Dormer "They say you can?t polish a turd, but these chaps will give it their best shot!"
Pros from Dover & The Real MacGuffins - Sketch Comedy Night
Date: Friday 8th April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show Duration: 2hrs Price: £10
Two smash hit sketch groups in one night!
Pros from Dover
A riot of innovative sketch comedy from inventive to wildly hysterical, starring Phil Whelans and Richard Glover - both accomplished actors with numerous TV & Film credits from BrassEye and Armstrong & Miller to The Mighty Boosh and St Trinians - and "new boy" Sean Garratt
"Outstanding" - Time Out "Hilarious" - The Independent "Sketches with twin advantages of brevity and, most rare this, proper punchlines" - Chortle
The Real MacGuffins
A delightful mixture of character-driven material and daft sketches from fabulous original sketch trio Dan March, James Millard and Matt Sheahan One's taller, one's shorter and one looks like a cat and they're bringing their latest cavalcade of characters to Bath! Directed by Cal McCrystal, (Peepolykus, The Mighty Boosh), The Real MacGuffins mix originality with quick-fire puns, gags and fast-paced sketches to create a riotous show that takes an awful lot of pleasure in poking fun at the world.
"Three very funny men" **** Three Weeks "One of the most original and riotous comedy shows at the (Edinburgh) Festival?a relentless display of wit and creativity" ***** FreshAir.org.uk "Truly inventive?deliciously daft?the acting is as slick as their matching suit jackets" - The List "?incredibly silly and funny...these are three very talented performers whose comedy dynamic adds a nice extra layer to the show" - Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
Date: Saturday 9th April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show Duration: 1.5hrs Price: £6
A chance to see some of the top comedans from the former Yugoslavia!
We are all aware of, or at least convinced we're rather knowledgeable about Eastern Europe. But, how about its South?
Apart from the war a decade or so ago and football players kicking it about in our Isles, do you actually know what is it all about now? Or how it was in the past?
These people are too young to remember the era of Communism. They were just young enough to avoid fighting in the war, but old enough to enjoy driving a Yugo! In a nutshell, these children of transition have got so much to tell you!
Do not expect a lesson of local geography and history. Sure there will be some of that as well, but you will also be hearing about their lives, and some of you will be (un)pleasantly surprised to learn that they are pretty much the same as yours...
These four Balkan Boys are the following...
Pedja Bajovic Montenegrin-born and Serbian-raised Bosnian living in Croatia. In short, a Yugoslav. He's currently in charge of producing this whole thing. Also a comedian? Yes and a very fine one. Tastes like chicken.
Tin Vodopivec One of the founders of the Slovenian stand up comedy scene. Calm, soft-spoken observer. Occasionally slightly confused.
Perica Jerkovic A Bosnian-born mover and shaker. There is always something new from this guy. Sharp and loud when needed.
Domagoj Pintaric One of the Top 3 aggressive people in Croatia (which was very hard to achieve), also a comedian with a bright sense of observational humour. A sight for sore eyes!
Date: Sunday 10th April, 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club Doors: 12.30pm for 1pm show Duration: 2hrs Price: £16.50 incl. lunch
Come and enjoy a roast beef Sunday lunch* and an hour show from our favourite world class Canadian comedian Craig Campbell.
Described by some as the Canadian Billy Connolly, Craig Campbell never fails to entertain. His unique ability to find humour in the mundane, coupled with his own natural eccentricity makes for truly inventive storytelling.
Fresh from a tour supporting Frankie Boyle, Craig is on brilliant form, as ever. His travel anecdotes are hilarious and well observed and his honest delivery and genuine joy of life is an absolute pleasure to watch.
"Craig is, simply, a very, very funny man" - Chortle
Ivan Brackenbury's Hospital Radio & Ian D. Montfort Spirit Medium
Double bill of Tom Binns' greatest character creations!
Date: Wednesday 8th June 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show
A chance to see both of Tom's smash hit Edinburgh shows in one evening!
Ian D. Montfort: "A spookily skilful, wonderfully observed and hysterically funny character who contacts dead celebrities with incredible results. A monster hit at the Edinburgh Fringe" ***** Time Out
"Gloriously deadpan pseudo-psychic. His show - Touching the Dead begins with laughable attempts to work the audience and then Binns starts unleashing faintly inexplicable clairvoyant revelations, leaving most of the room gasping with incredulity. So he can spoof it, and really ?do it?" ***** Telegraph Ivan Brackenbury's Hospital Radio: "The whole room was in hysterics from the word go, endorphin-filled laughter indeed proving the best medicine. Brackenbury is absolutely utterly hilarious - I can?t recommend this enough. Go see it." **** The Age
"Laughs per minute the funniest show at the Fringe" **** Time Out
Plus support from a Bath Comedy Festival 2011 New Act Competition finalist.
Music & Comedy Cabaret from Bill Smarme & The Bizness plus Guests
Dates: Friday 16th and Saturday 17th September 2011 Venue: Ring O Bells (upstairs), 10 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT Doors: 7.30pm for 8.00pm show
During the Bath Fringe Festivals of the noughties, Bill Smarme brought entertainment from his now legendary pub the Smarmes Arms in Twerton to the intimate atmosphere of the Ring O Bells in Widcombe. Despite annoying the regulars of both establishments, Bill was undeterred and the event ran for four successful years. And it's back !! On 16th & 17th of September, Bill Smarme & The Bizness will be headlining two fabulous nights of Smarmtastic entertainment in the Ring O' Bells. The shows will be hosted by Bill's unlikely friend and Radio 3 presenter Jeremy Creve-Coeur, and the band will be supported by special surprise guests "what perform in me boozer from time to time" (in Bill's words.)
For those that don't know, Bill Smarme is an entertainer of international standing, a ladies' man (apparently), and bon viveur. The band will embark on an off-beat and often hilarious musical odyssey; Nashville, tribute rock, pop, and easy-listening schmaltz all receive the Smarme treatment.
Bill also runs his own successful building firm Smarmerection (Building for Nobs). See him after the show to find out how you can have that dream extension.
Date: Thursday 1st December 2011 Venue: Starts outside the White Hart, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA Doors: 6.15pm for 6.30pm switch-on
Join Lady Margaret and her Natural Theatre friends for another festive frolic as we take a seasonal stroll along Claverton Street!
Music, mulled wine, carols, Christmas trees aglow, late shopping and much Widcombesque bonhomie.
Lady Margaret promises to be sporting a brand new Christmas frock and the Natural Youth Theatre will be doing their youthful stuff.
Gather at the White Hart at 6 for the switch-on at 6.30. Yes, we know the lights will be on already, but as Stanislavski was wont to say 'Suspension of belief is the key to all drama'.
Henning Wehn's German Christmas Do: No Surrender at Christmas
A one-off performance of Henning's Christmas show!
Date: Thursday 1st December 2011 Venue: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show
SOLD OUT - SORRY
A chance to catch Henning's new stand-up show and Christmas special outside London!
Join German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn for this meticulously planned and perfectly executed German Christmas Do.
In addition to his current stand-up show No Surrender there will be renditions of Germany's most favourite Christmas carols such as 'Oh Tannenbaum', 'Stille Nacht heilige Nacht', and 'Klingglöckchen klingelingelingelingelingeling'.
He has ways of making you laugh. And sing!
NB: This show is a guaranteed success. Either it will be funny or Henning will live up to the national stereotype. It's a win-win situation. Wunderbar!
Date: Friday 9th December 2011
Venue: Widcombe Social Club
Doors: 7.30pm for 8pm show
Live music from headliners the Snorting Dogs and their classy compadres Bohemian Embassy, with both bands and Dragonfly sound system contributing their services free of charge in support of next summer's Widcombe Rising street party.
This is a rare home town gig for the Snorting Dogs, who have been quietly busy, spreading their gritty Cracker blues magic from West Wales to the West End with an unconventional "word of mouth, no recordings" approach. Bookings in Switzerland and Hungary for a forthcoming European tour, together with a hush hush project involving household names from the world of music indicate that home town appearances look set to become rarer still.
Bohemian Embasasy describe themselves as "Ambassadors of the strange, the wonderful and the socially unconventional" and have been continuing their triumphal cage rattling charge through genre preconceptions across the West. "The best live performance band - these guys are the future of music - end of!!" - Lost Legion Records. "Hands down, The Bohemian Embassy are the only band I have ever seen in my life that made my jaw drop instantly, WOW" - Brighton Fusion Radio
So, come and enjoy two cracking bands and raise a glass or two for Widcombe Rising, whilst raising funds to aid it's continuing success.
Free entry (donations to Widcombe Rising). Raffle. Mrs Chipps' Kitchen.
Raffle prizes include: a signed Kasabian promo CD, a bottle of Champagne, a meal at the Ring O Bells, a bottle of Wray & Nephews Rum and more...
Winter Wonderband present Yule be Here
Enjoy this rare chance to see four top folk musicians performing together.
Date: Wedneday 21st December 2011
Venue: Widcombe Social Club - Lakeside Suite
Time: 7.30pm doors for 8pm show
Maclaine Colston, Saul Rose, Jennifer Crook and Beth Porter have teamed up to celebrate the music born out of our great British winter with their mastery of the Dulcimer, Melodeon, Harp and Cello. Expect great sing-a-longs, real foot stompers, beautiful ballads and lots of laughs as these great friends pull together all sorts of musical treats from their collective repertoires. It's not all about Christmas, but it is all about the time of year and how it brings us together.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Saul Rose - Melodeons, singing
Maclaine Colston - Dulcimer, singing
Jennifer Crook - Harp, singing
Beth Porter - Cello, singing
Fresh from starring in the West End play 'War Horse' Saul Rose is "probably the best Melodeon player in the country" - Navigator Records. Saul has played for many years with Eliza Carthy and Waterson:Carthy, as has Maclaine Colston "The current most outstanding player (of the Hammered Dulcimer)" - Living Tradition.
Saul and Maclaine subsequently formed a duo and recorded "Sand and Soil". The album included guest vocals from Jennifer Crook who Maclaine was touring with (in her band "The Hawthorns") at the time.
Back in the old days Maclaine and Jenny were BBC Radio 2 Young Tradition Award finalists (as was Saul!), and as the duo Cythara they performed on BBC TV and recorded the music for the David Attenborough series 'The Private Life of Plants'.
More recently, Maclaine performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 'Lord of the Rings' at the Royal Albert Hall. Jennifer also played at the Royal Albert Hall during her tour of the UK and Ireland as harpist with Snow Patrol. Jennifer's latest album Merry-Go-Round, produced by Boo Hewerdine, features the much sought-after playing of cellist (and fellow Hawthorn!); Beth Porter.
Beth has worked with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Bellowhead and is currently touring with Eliza Carthy.
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Double bill of Tom Binns' greatest character creations!
Join Lady Margaret and her Natural Theatre friends for another festive frolic as we take a seasonal stroll along Claverton Street!
A chance to catch Henning's new stand-up show and Christmas special outside London!
