10:34am Thursday 23rd April 2009
MARK Thomas’s shows frequently fall somewhere between a stand-up gig and a lecture by your favourite history teacher, and tonight’s show was no exception.
Before the performance began the audience was given paper on which to write their own new manifesto for the UK which Mark pledges to campaign to have made into policy.
The show began with the left wing comedian/journalist/campaigner going though suggestions which previous audiences had adopted.
These included demanding Margaret Thatcher pays for her own funeral.
Support in the first half was provided by Will Hodgson, a Chippenham-based comic who provided a change of pace.
He adopted a more conventional routine telling anecdotes about his large collection of Care Bears and wanting to be a skinhead.
After the interval it was time to choose our policy. The show moved further away from comedy as we chose between various options.
Mark also railed against IKEA and proposed an invasion of Jersey. Eventually the audience voted in favour of adopting a maximum wage. By this point the show had shifted gear completely from comedy routine to political rally but no one in the audience seemed to mind.
The show was more thought provoking than funny but I left feeling as happy as I would have done had I laughed for two hours.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/trade_directory/