Marcus Brigstocke: God Collar

Comedian Marcus considers God & what he'd like to ask him. Age 16+
Cornerstone Arts Centre, 19 Sep 2009
Marcus Brigstocke's God Collar is a one night stand up show that is seriously funny and funnily serious - you don't often get that in a comedy show! Go see!
As you would guess from the title, Marcus Brigstocke’s stand up show largely involves his cheeky take on religion in its various guises. No religious group, including atheism, is free from humorous assault. Despite his scepticism he makes it clear he has a God shaped hole that needs filling, an observation which drew some ribaldry from the audience at the Cornerstone Arts Centre.

Marcus introduces some interesting conceptual analogies such as that of motorways leading to Birmingham and religions leading to God. He also suggests there should be a late morning call to prayer for atheists because a 5am call would not go down so well. The Abrahamic religions are the main target of his mockery, with jokes about the Pope and paedophile priests, the Ten Commandments and the sheer savagery of the Old Testament, but much of his ire is reserved for Muslim fundamentalists and their treatment of women, quite a brave thing to do these days. Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion does not escape the Brigstocke treatment for the arrogant certainty of its author. Somehow the first half leads to the subject of circumcision, and a suggestion for male toilet activities in the 20 minute break.

After the interval, Marcus talks more of his family life and the mixed feelings about lengthy games of snakes and ladders with his daughter and his struggles with morning chores. He has the knack of pulling an anecdote back from the brink of sentimentality with a witty observation and impressive mimicry. His story of his African honeymoon stomach disorder caused amusement. Tales of the adventures of his deceased best friend show his thoughtful and vulnerable side. Stories always lead back to the subject of religion, though scorn for it is counterbalanced by his need for “something more”.

Marcus Brigstocke gives a polished performance while at the same time appearing to be thinking on his feet. Watch out for this show if you want an entertaining evening.
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