Bristol is known for its vibrant and diverse culture, but one of its most unique and cherished events is Story Slam, a monthly show where anyone can share a true story from their life.
This year, Story Slam marks its 10th anniversary of bringing laughter, tears, and inspiration to the city. The event started as a birthday party in a Stokes Croft cafe in March 2014 and has since grown into one of Bristol’s longest-running and most popular community shows. It has hosted over 100 shows, heard from over 1600 storytellers, and welcomed over 10,000 attendees.
The show is run by friends and volunteers who create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the storytellers and the audience. It's format is simple: each month, there is a different theme, such as Passion, Animals, Justice, or Forbidden Fruit. Anyone who wants to tell a story can put their name in a hat, and ten names are randomly drawn to take the stage. The stories must be true, personal, and no longer than five minutes.
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Crowds vote for their favourite story, and the winner gets a prize and a chance to compete in the Grand Slam at the end of the year. Stories are diverse, unpredictable, and often hilarious or moving.
They range from tales of war and mountain rescues to stories of beloved pets and romantic encounters. Some stories are funny, some are sad, some are shocking, and some are heartwarming. But they all have one thing in common: authentic and honest expressions of human experience.
Old Market's Wardrobe Theatre has been the home of Story Slam since 2016, and the show regularly sells out its 120-seat capacity. The show has also attracted some celebrity guests, such as Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams and comedian Pravanya Pillay. In addition, Story Slam has launched an 18+ edition featuring stories of a saucier nature, and a podcast showcases some of the best stories from past shows.
Matthew Whittle, artistic director and CEO of The Wardrobe Theatre said: “Story Slam has consistently been one of The Wardrobe Theatre’s most cherished and popular regular events. The community created around this wonderful monthly show is a sparkling reminder of the power of live communal events to shape our culture and build strong social bonds.”
March is a special month for Story Slam, celebrating its 10th birthday with three events. On March 17, there will be a regular show at The Wardrobe Theatre, with the theme of “Birthday”. On March 19, there will be a 10th Anniversary Party at the Old Market Assembly, featuring some of the most memorable storytellers from the past decade, as well as live music and comedy. And on March 24, Story Slam will venture outside Bristol for the first time, with a show at The Front Room in Weston-super-Mare, with the theme of “Firsts”.
For more information, visit the website or follow @storyslambristol on Instagram. To listen to the podcast, go to http://tinyurl.com/yne433ra. To book tickets for the upcoming shows, go to:
