
The Big Smoke Variety Show is a one-of-a-kind podcast hosted by theatre director and Canadian living in London, Kevin Bennett, blending the playfulness of classic TV variety shows with the depth of a cultural salon. Each episode features fascinating interviews — with guests like the former Ravenmaster of the Tower of London Christopher Skaife, Olivier Award-winning actor Giles Terera, clothier and... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 50 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureComedy | |||

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we throw open the doors to Variety Week and journey from the secrets hiding behind London’s blue plaques to an ancient tale of love, fate and devotion from the forests of India.
First, comedian and ... more
Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we brave the sting and fly into the surprisingly fascinating world of wasps — from Shakespeare and Aristotle to cockroach hunters, paper architects, picnic pests. We explore some of nature’s most mis... more
Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we throw open the doors to Variety Week and descend into the wonderfully strange — from apprentice magicians wrestling with the laws of reality to historic London loos wrestling with the laws of plum... more
Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!
This week, we log on and step into the complex world of China’s internet, a digital landscape shaped by innovation, censorship, and the ever-shifting boundaries of freedom and control.
Kevin is joined by journ... more
Really refreshing energy about this podcast and love the variety covered! The Strange Brothers are wonderful - laugh-out-loud!!!
No other podcast consistently dives into interesting and little known topics I didn’t even know you could be an expert in! There’s always something for everyone.
Love the podcast and love the variety of topics covered
Very funny and interesting topics with an amazing host!
This is a engaging, funny and interesting podcast that i definitely recommend listening to!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.









Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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The show blends lively, theatrical energy with deep-dives into culture, history, science, and design. Episodes pivot from intimate author interviews and museum perspectives to game-like explorations of the past, technology, and human stories, often pairing scholarly context with playful segments and live performance. Listeners can expect a rich mix of rigor and whimsy, with guests ranging from historians and curators to scientists and writers, plus recurring segments on neuroaesthetics, archaeology, and folklore. Noteworthy strengths include high-quality storytelling, accessible explanations of complex ideas, and a penchant for timely, conversation-worthy topics that connect culture to everyday life and public memory. This format is likely ... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Big Smoke Variety Show:
1. The Daily
The Big Smoke Variety Show launched 2 years ago and published 50 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Big Smoke Variety Show include:
1. Yi-Ling Liu
2. Sean Clark
3. Kit Chapman
4. Rachel Cole-Wilkin
5. Serena Potter
6. Dr. Richard Cole
7. Corinna Gardner
8. Donata Miller-Obebe
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