Spark - True Stories Live

Kirsty told this story at our Hackney open mic in May 2014, when the theme was 'dancing'.   On Monday 2nd June we're back at the Canal Cafe Theatre for Best of Spark London with special guest Tamer Kattan (The Moth, Comedy Store). Expect stories that are unusual, hilarious, tragic, heart-warming - and true. Tamer Kattan is a multi-award winning comedian born in Cairo and raised in California, who has toured internationally. He is uniquely aware of the human condition and passionately believes that comedy is a weapon of the underdog. Don't miss him live - details here.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Charley Harrison presents three life-changing true stories from our latest Best of Spark London show at the Canal Cafe Theatre in West London, featuring: a man on vacation, vexed by thoughts of leaving his oven on at home  an art lover escapes from her abusive partner a comedian adjusts to her mother's dark humour after a stroke changes her personality If you like the new-look podcast, please rate us on iTunes and come down to one of our nights: full details at sparklondon.com.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sally meets a handsome stranger - but before she can say hello properly, she may have to say goodbye... From our open mic night in Hackney, when the theme was Hello/Goodbye. PLUS: listen out for a special message at the end of this week's podcast from comedian Sarah Bennetto.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Three true stories told live from the stage - and a warning, this episode contains some very adult themes.   In today's programme:   * Sudeshna escapes war-torn Uganda thanks to her father  * Alix Fox reveals her unusual sense of smell, caused by synesthesia * Richard apologises using a napkin   If you've enjoyed these stories, why not rate us on iTunes?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This really sweet, true story by Terry Freedman was told in Brixton in February. He was lined up for March's Best of Spark evening but had to pull out with flu - get well soon Terry! Here's the original telling, complete with a time limit he effortlessly runs over, at our unrehearsed, open mic event Upstairs at the Ritzy Cinema.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Charley Harrison presents highlights from our second Best of Spark London night at the Canal Cafe Theatre. In this episode:   Francis Shire aspires to be 'King of the Camden Goths' - can his Swedish Cybergoth partner help him achieve his dream?   Robyn Jankel travels across China by train and introduces a new custom in the process.   Neil Denny (Little Atoms, Resonance FM) wins £1000 of travel vouchers - but will his choice of destination be a problem for the border patrol?   Produced by Matt Hill at rethinkdaily.co.uk. Spark London is created by Joanna Yates. Thanks also to Hackney and Brixton hosts Dave Pickering and Radcliffe Royds.   Fancy coming to a night? Tickets are available at sparklondon.com/events and follow us @sparkLDN for all the latest info.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In his hometown in India, huge crowds gather to see Harsh - unfortunately, he doesn't want them there. From January 2014, when the theme was 'Fame.'   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a change to the regular podcast, Charley Harrison presents highlights from our first Best of Spark London evening at the Canal Cafe Theatre, featuring: * Christine Estima * John Hale * Helen Zaltzman Please let us know what you think of the new format - email matt [at] rethinkdaily.co.uk  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

True stories told live in London. At a church meeting in a Southall school in November 1987, two gunmen opened fire – and Bill had to decide what he was going to do. From our open mic in Hackney, January 2014, when the theme was 'Best Intentions.'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This December, Spark London celebrates six fantastic years of connecting people through stories. So what better way to mark the occasion than with a story told by founder Joanna Yates? Exactly. This story is from April 2013, where the theme was 'Struggles.'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

True stories told live across London. Ian got up at our open mic in Hackney and told this story of strength - living with ME and a gradual and remarkable recovery. From November 2013, when the night's theme was Strength. Thanks to Dave Pickering for hosting the night and Matt Hill at rethinkdaily.co.uk for recording the stories.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark gets an offer that seems too good to be true; a free return trip to Paris. And all he has to do is a little leafleting when he gets there. What could go wrong? From October 2013, when the theme was 'Hidden.' Thanks to Greg Roughley for putting this week's episode together and to Radcliffe Royds for hosting the night.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we present two stories from the same night in Brixton, both where the theme was hidden - but for some reason also talked about performing Shakespeare: Embrace the Clown - Ola Aralepo In Nigeria, Ola's comic timing is appreciated by his friends, but not by his elders. Out of Lines - Jennifer Carpenter Jennifer attempts to woo another schoolboy with her acting talents. All she has to do is learn to act first… From October 2013, where the theme was Hidden. I think we mentioned that earlier.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As our regular producer Matt Hill is off this month (getting married), the host of our Hackney open mic night has put together a full show from earlier this year, when the theme was 'Open Heart.' You can hear his own excellent podcast, Getting Better Acquainted, by clicking this link: https://soundcloud.com/gettingbetteracquainted  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jess is a London tour guide with a penchant for the dramatic gesture. In this true story, he explains how that can sometimes create trouble. It was told at our August open mic at the Brixton Ritzy - we're back there on TUESDAY (not Monday) 17th September with stories of 'Bosses.' Come down - it's pay what you can...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Simon has twelve hours to travel from the rooftop of an abandoned shopping centre in Hulme to T in the Park festival in Glasgow with a bag of drugs and a popular Manchester band. What can go wrong? From August 2013 in Hackney, where the theme was Planes, Trains and Automobiles. And Simon's book, Too High, Too Far, Too Soon: Tales from a Dubious Past is available now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Spark London podcast returns with a double bill from Fred and Kerry: two true stories of Planes, Trains and Automobiles told at our open mic night in Hackney in August 2013. Spark London is produced by Joanna Yates, with audio production by Matt Hill. Thanks also to Radcliffe Royds for hosting the night and Dan Weltman for the continued use of the theme music.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Whilst planning Serbia's first music festival, Daniel discovers how hard it is to make your dreams come true. From July 2013, when the theme that night was 'Quitting.' If you like Daniel's story, you should check out his book, "A Rough Guide to the Dark Side" - available now!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Victoria's first car requires infinite patience - and that's before she's even bought it. From July 2013, when the theme was 'Driven.'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What begins as a childish prank against a harmless drunk turns into something more meaningful. From May 2013, when the theme was 'Mixed Messages'. Special thanks to Kirsty McQuire who recorded this show for us at the Hackney Picturehouse - and to Dave Pickering, who hosted the evening.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.