Spark - True Stories Live

True stories, as told live on stages across the UK. To say goodbye to something familiar can be heartbreaking, difficult and scary. Most of the times however, something new tends to happen, and we realise that the parting wasn’t a goodbye, but a hello to something new. The question is: what happened next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

True stories told across the UK. Two more stories of 'First Dates' taken from the open mic we held in January 2016.In the first story, Anna is accused of discreetly shooting a porn movie. Then, Michael has an idea that involves cherries. If you like our show, help spread the word: go to itunes.com and leave us a review. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

WARNING: contains strong sex referencesTwo true stories from our new night in Glasgow, where the theme was Unbecoming. Lachlan is MCing a charity event, but gets sidetracked by an unwelcome tweet. Then, Marie is looking forward to her boyfriend's birthday treat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connecting people through true stories. Layla is about to go on her first lesbian date - but is she thoroughly prepared? From March 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

True stories told live in the UK. Vanessa is not your typical electrician – as she is constantly reminded in this tale from June 2010, where the theme was Animal Magnetism. Thanks to the Blue Elephant Theatre in Camberwell, who hosted us for a week to tell lots of stories. Check them out in our back catalogue... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part two of our special in aid of the charity Refugee Aid (Refuaid). Today, Spark regular Julie, herself a refugee from two countries, tells how she escaped Hungary and then Romania during the twentieth century. Later, aid worker Pru tells us what life is like for refugees today, as she experienced in the Aegean area of Greece; the island of Samos. If you can spare a fiver, a tenner, to help our c...

London's longest running true story night has gathered stories connected with the current refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. From refugees recently arrived in London to aid workers working in camps from Calais to Lesvos, you'll hear unflinchingly honest accounts of being on the front line of this unfolding humanitarian disaster. This show raised money for Refuaid. To donate as a Spark l...

Two stories from two recent separate events, with different themes... but still managed to be about the dangers of the coastline. In the first story, Cathy's walk across the clifftop ends in disaster. Then, Chaylene has trouble off the shore of Cameroon. Thanks to the producers and presenters of our Exmouth Market and Brixton Ritzy nights, without whom these recordings wouldn't be possible: Hannah...

We’ve all known the feeling: being the centre of attention can feel great – or it can make you want to curl up and disappear. Are you the kind of person who must be the centre of attention at all times? Or do you hate it when all eyes are on you? This week we celebrate all of the above, with three true stories told at our most recent night in Hackney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

CONTENT WARNING: strong sex references. For all the single ladies and gentlemen out there, here's our antidote to the mushiest time of year: four stories of terrible first dates, courtesy of the wonderful night we hosted recently with Romantic Misadventures. Charley Harrison is joined by Kit Lovelace to regale you with horrific tales of finding love or a one night stand. Thanks to Nell, Brie, and...

We don't make a habit of bringing you stories from the same people, but on this occasion we've made an exception: this is Kirby (who we featured last year) on her most recent trip to support a refugee camp on the Greek island of Leros. We'll be hosting a night of stories from those connected to the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe on the 25th February, with stories from both aid worker...

Ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? The turning of the calendar invites refreshed perspectives and hopeful dreams; it calls for something different and the anticipation of a new beginning. But how do we make sure we keep the promises to ourselves we swore to honor, and what can we expect from this turning of time? On today's podcast, we present two stories from our open mic in Hackney, where th...

Sofie Hagen was our guest of honour at our birthday celebrations last month - here she tells her first true story for Spark. Then, audience member Andre steps onto the stage to share his story 'sparked' by what he's heard that evening. For more stories from this night, check out our podcast feed - where you can also find over 180 other true stories. Thanks to Charley Harrison for hosting our speci...

Since December 2007, Spark has hosted hundreds of nights, featuring thousands of true stories, podcasting to hundreds of thousands of listeners - all from regular people like you. At our recent birthday spectacular THERE WAS NO THEME and no running order; every story was 'sparked' by something we've just heard, in some sort of open-mic verbal relay race. Confused? So were we. Did it work? Have a l...

Four short stories from assorted open mics we've held recently. Angelica discovers her rebellious side with her boyfriend. Then, Virginie recounts a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger. Finally, a mother and son get on stage to tell their stories of Christmas. If you’ve subscribed to our podcast recently, you may have noticed a problem downloading older episodes. We’ve fixed the problem now...

Spark recently spent a few weeks working with the HIV charity Body & Soul, based just around the corner from one of our favourite venues: the Exmouth Market Theatre in central London. Established in 1996, Body & Soul is a pioneering UK charity dedicated to transforming the lives of children, teenagers and families living with, or affected by HIV.Here we present three true stories from the night. W...

Warning: contains references to suicide. One more story from our collaboration with Mind in Haringey, where we told stories of 'Multicultural Minds.' Tottenham resident Shannon tells this ultimately uplifting story of coming to terms with her mental health. Thanks for Kelsey for the recording and the show's producers, Joanna Yates and Dave Pickering. Spark - True Stories is a Rethink Audio product...

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode discusses physical abuse and suicide. Off the back of a successful partnership in 2014, Spark hosted another night with charity Mind in Haringey on the theme of mental health. Research shows that there’s much more that can be done to understand how mental health is understood and experienced in different cultures. How does our culture shape what we see as mental healt...

Part two of our night of true stories from Exmouth Market in London. Lauretta starts a new job at a prestigious milliners, making hats by royal appointment... but can she impress her highness? Then we welcome comedians Sarah Benetto (Storytellers Club) and Jojo Georgio for two stories of tomboyism, to coin a phrase. Thanks to Charley Harrison who compered the night and to Spark regulars Joanna Yat...

Part 1 of 2. Every day we are given clear instructions about how to behave. These orders come from passers-by, window displays, bus ads or perhaps the supermarket. Phrases like 'be a man' or 'that's not very ladylike' seep their way into our unconscious and lie there, heavy and immovable. On this battlefield, we must stop and take stock of our moments of weakness, as well as our moments of bravery...

Two true stories of being sick and tired - both literally and figuratively. From breaking a leg on holiday to surviving a particularly bad case of man flu, being left on our last nerve at a stressful job, or those situations that are far more serious, our audience at the Brixton Ritzy heard about those moments when we are at our lowest physically or mentally, and rise above it. Thanks to Mat and L...

In this double bill from our night in Hackney, we have two stories of borders - though as is always the case, other themes emerge in the telling. This theme was chosen by students at Open School East. For more information on their work, please visit http://www.openschooleast.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two stories from last month's show in Brixton, which was all about weddings. What is it about the ceremonies that brings out the crazy in people looking for their happily ever after? Our Brixton producer, Nicole, got married about a month back - Spark wonders if she had weddings on the brain when planning this night... (congrats, Nicole!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

WARNING: this episode contains honest, open accounts of sexual activityFollowing the massive response to the episode we released in August, here are three more stories from our recent collaboration with the Sex Workers Open University (SWOU).As such, we have nothing more to add than the original post, reprinted below. If you haven't heard the original episode, you can find it by subscribing to our...

Who is the person looking back at you in the mirror? This month, we're listening to stories of identity and identity crises. Did you have sleepless nights wondering who you were? Did you grow up in a neighbourhood where you there was no one else like you? Did you try being someone only to realise that wasn't who you were at all? Two open mic participants, Michael and Bruna, share their stories. Al...