Hysterical! took place on 11 March and featured a brilliant line-up of women comedians and supporters to raise vital funds for women who street sex-work in Bristol. Read on for the moment that we can’t stop thinking about…
2026 marked our third year of Hysterical! Dani Johns, Bristolian comedian and returning One25 comedy legend expertly hosted the night. She was welcome to the stage by our roaring crowd, cracking jokes about all things Bristol, and executed some fabulous crowd work. One notable interaction was with an amazing gentleman who had travelled all the way from Birmingham to come and see the show! Dani’s hosting was gert lush: she did a properrrrr job.
She then introduced the wonderful Bristol-based comedy oddball Harriet Dyer to open the show. She told us wacky, interweaving anecdotes that had the audience in stitches.
Harriet was followed by Eva Bindeman, a fellow Bristol-based funny lady. She had us cracking up at stories about her relationships and bisexuality, particularly her experience dating a magician! We thought her set was truly spellbinding.
Just before the interval, we heard from One25 CEO Jennifer Riley. She told us that, for 30 years, One25 has supported women who street sex work here in Bristol, and how powerful it was to see everyone in the room supporting our mission. She reminded us that women are street sex-working to survive, and that this is cold, lonely, and dangerous work. But they are not alone. The One25 van was out on the night of Hysterical! and it will be out every night each week.
Jen also highlighted that, as an audience, we could raise even more awareness about the women in that very moment. How you ask? By using our voices!
During the interval, we learned more about One25’s Voices for Change campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about women who are street sex-working – women who are often unseen and unheard in society. We signed One25’s statement of solidarity and shared it with our networks. It was one of those stand-out moments that really stayed with us – looking around and seeing so many people stop, take out their phones, and sign the statement together.
As Jen put it:
"When we all use the voice that we have... we can create a culture and a city where courageous women can change their lives, where they are no longer hidden but heard and helped."
- Jennifer Riley, CEO at One25
Back from the interval, Laura Jakeways from Wards Solicitors, our Title Sponsor, gave a fantastic speech and even joined in with the comedy, having a giggle about the fact her husband had been one of the main members of the crowd that the comedians chatted to!
"On behalf of everyone at Wards, we’re genuinely very proud to be sponsoring tonight’s event. We think it’s important to support things that bring people together- especially something that makes people laugh... A group of my colleagues visited the One25 hub recently and were blown away by the essential work the charity are doing to support women who have suffered trauma, abuse and violence. I am told that positivity, fun and hope felt tangible at the hub."
- Laura Jakeways, Partner at Wards
We then met Jasmine Darling, an up-and-coming local comedian, who dazzled us with some anecdotal and political comedy; we loved having a giggle with her.
Then it was time for our fantastic headliner, Angela Barnes. She was an absolute hit, rounding off the night with hilarious “that’s so true” observations about age, birthday presents, and rip-roaring stories about losing shoes and teeth…
Intrigued? Check out all our comedians on socials and look out for their upcoming tours. It was an absolutely smashing night.
Hysterical! 2026 could not have happened without the amazing support from St George’s Bristol staff, our sound engineer Tom, our brilliant comedians, Papadeli catering, programme suppliers Jump Design & Print, One25 chaperones, and most importantly, our fantastic audience and supporters.
We raised over £13,000 to support women street sex-working in Bristol through this charity event.
Thank you so much to Wards Solicitors, our 2026 Title Sponsor, and TruffleShuffle, who marked their second year sponsoring Hysterical!
The campaign is still live. Let’s create a culture in our city where courageous women are heard and helped.
Above are some more highlights, such as our gorgeous audience, sponsors reception, and TruffleShuffle gifting our amazing comedians some merch backstage.
We can’t wait to cook up Hysterical! 2027. If you’re interested in getting involved or sponsoring our next comedy night, get in touch with amelie.snelgrove@one25.org.uk.
