This show has many features in common with the one I reviewed four years ago (see here). Mark Thomas is still extremely funny, extremely able, and extremely rude. He still tackles huge and highly disturbing themes and manages to be uplifting and inspiring rather than depressing. Most importantly, he still exudes a genuine warmth and companionship for his fellow humans, even those who are doing the terrible things he wishes to bring to your attention.
So what’s new? The material, actually. The great thing about him is that he doesn’t just stand there trying to be funny, but basically gives you a progress report on what he’s been up to lately. Which is plenty. He begins with his efforts to make a mockery of the protest exclusion zone in Parliament Square. (Ongoing, once a month, to join in click here.)
He proceeds to tell of his skirmishes with the arms industry, ending with his being invited to give evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee, under the protection of whose Parliamentary Privilege he can finally let rip and say all the things he might otherwise be sued for. Which is just as well, once we’ve learned that such organisations as The New Statesman and even the dear old Beeb can be effectively muzzled, prevented from exposing genocide-enabling exports to Sudan simply by the threat of the expense of legal action.
Doesn’t sound a laugh a minute, does it? Yet last night’s was possibly the funniest stand-up show I’ve ever seen. It seems almost churlish to break it down into components: excellent mimicry, the ability to do both half of dialogues at breakneck speed, great command of language, etc, etc.
The bottom line is that Mark Thomas is a man in whose company you have little choice but to enjoy yourself. He clearly has a heart the size of a dinner plate, and enjoys what he does so much that it’s utterly contagious. Go thou and do likewise.
So what’s new? The material, actually. The great thing about him is that he doesn’t just stand there trying to be funny, but basically gives you a progress report on what he’s been up to lately. Which is plenty. He begins with his efforts to make a mockery of the protest exclusion zone in Parliament Square. (Ongoing, once a month, to join in click here.)
He proceeds to tell of his skirmishes with the arms industry, ending with his being invited to give evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee, under the protection of whose Parliamentary Privilege he can finally let rip and say all the things he might otherwise be sued for. Which is just as well, once we’ve learned that such organisations as The New Statesman and even the dear old Beeb can be effectively muzzled, prevented from exposing genocide-enabling exports to Sudan simply by the threat of the expense of legal action.
Doesn’t sound a laugh a minute, does it? Yet last night’s was possibly the funniest stand-up show I’ve ever seen. It seems almost churlish to break it down into components: excellent mimicry, the ability to do both half of dialogues at breakneck speed, great command of language, etc, etc.
The bottom line is that Mark Thomas is a man in whose company you have little choice but to enjoy yourself. He clearly has a heart the size of a dinner plate, and enjoys what he does so much that it’s utterly contagious. Go thou and do likewise.