Bristol Comedy Garden 2026

Although hailed as the only blind comic on the stand up circuit, comedian Chris McCausland makes light of it. He usually begins with a crack about the irony of a blind man doing observational comedy and then speeds off into his entertaining and refreshing set, making wry and perceptive comments about the rich and famous, every day life and suchlike. Instantly likeable and definitely memorable. 'Proper stand up, honest straightforward and balls-out funny' (Chortle) 'A must see!' (The Sunday Times) 'Always excellent' (The Times) 'Truly brilliant' (Three Weeks) 'The new face of comedy in the UK' (ITV) 'Shining Light!' (Sunday Express) '... fabulously funny and a definite highlight' (Leicester Mercury).

'Rhys James is a comedian who began performing in 2009 in student competitions such as Comedy Central's Funniest Student in 2010, and Chortle's Student Comedy Award. He made his Edinburgh debut as a performer for The Pleasance Comedy Reserve in 2010, and again in 2012 as a performer in AAA- Stand Up. He has also written material for Russell Howard's Good News (http://www.chortle.co.uk). He’s a super-sharp writer, with a ton of smart, intricately-written jokes and stories where you’re never more than a few seconds away from another punchline. 'Highly amusing' (The Stage).

Laughter Lounge Award winner Harriet is described by The Guardian as 'definitely one to watch'. 'She’s got funny bones' (Kevin Bridges) 'Exploring the thin line between eccentric and the mental’ is perfect comedy ground for Harriet Dyer, who seems to have lived her entire life on that interface. Her instinctively funny stand-up is packed full of weird and wonderful incidents from her strange life so far – yet however outlandish the tales, they all have an absolute ring of truth' (Steve Bennett, Chortle at the Leicester Comedy Festival) 'A bundle of whimsical hilarity… a breath of fresh air... will have you in stitches' (Broadway Baby) 'Dyer made the audience feel at home and managed to wow the crowd… Loveable and delightful' (Three Weeks).

A former Cambridge Footlighter, Mark Watson first made an impact on the comedy circuit in 2002 when he won the Daily Telegraph Open Mic competition and was a runner-up in So You Think You're Funny? He has become known for his Edinburgh shows (2005's 50 Years Before Death And The Awful Prospect Of Enternity was nominated for the Perrier) and his gruelling shows that last more than 24 hours. Perrier's successor, the if.comeddies, awarded the panel award for best capturing the spirit of the fringe, in 2007. Watson won the Chortle award winner for innovation in 2005, when he was also nominated for best breakthrough act, and was nominated for best compere in 2007. He is also a novelist, with his debut Bullet Points, published in 2003; has written for TV and in 2007 landed his first radio series, Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better.