Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show!

Back in 1861, the phrase “silly season” was coined to describe that sleepy stretch of summer when there wasn’t much real news to report, and newspapers filled their pages with wonderfully oddball stories instead. So, we’ve done the same—bringing you a double scoop of silliness perfect for long summer evenings.

This week, everyone’s favourite apprentice illusionists, The Strange Brothers, return with another dose of magical mayhem.

Fresh from securing a place in an international magic competition, Salazar Strange Sorcerer Extreme and Craig set their sights on the bright lights of Las Vegas. With white tigers, gravity-defying illusions, questionable pyrotechnics and dreams of joining the ranks of magic’s greatest double acts, what could possibly stand in their way? As it turns out… quite a lot.

Then, determined to prove he truly deserves the title of Sorcerer Extreme, Salazar attempts his most dangerous stunt yet: spending seven days sealed underground with nothing but a walkie-talkie, his own thoughts, and Craig in charge of the safety plan. Unsurprisingly, things don’t stay under control for very long, leading to a tale of friendship, survival, romance, conspiracy theories, and one very observant milk delivery.

So pour yourself something cold, settle into the sunshine, and enjoy a slice of wonderfully ridiculous midsummer nonsense. After all, the real silly season isn’t in the newspapers anymore… it’s right here on The Big Smoke Variety Show.

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Chapters

(00:00) Intro & Show Menu

(00:54) Viva Las Craigus and the Tiger

(12:18) Sorcerer Extreme Goes Underground

(24:50) Outro

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Credits

Hosted & Executive Produced by Kevin Bennett

Produced & Edited by Alex Graham

Original Music by Giles Terera

Music arranged and played by Joseph Atkins

The Strange Brothers written and performed by Jamie Sandersfield and Matthew Nicholson