Comedy review: Mark Thomas, The Stand

By Jay Richardson
Published on Wednesday 18 January 2012 00:00

AGITATING comedian Mark Thomas first began developing his crowdsourced show The Manifesto in 2009, spawning a book and, more recently, an iPhone application.

This Edinburgh reprise was the warm-up for a recording in Glasgow for BBC Radio 4, but there seems little reason to think the project is running out of momentum, at least while Thomas’ left-leaning audience remains so aggrieved at the Coalition Government, bankers, tax-dodging companies and Jeremy Clarkson.

Harnessing people power, the comic appeals to his crowd to suggest policies to improve the country, affording a cross-section of worthy, progressive proposals and daft, throwaway schemes, such as introducing a “gamble” option on cashpoints. He retains a certain element of control and veto, routinely employing the submissions as launchpads for an arch quip or short anecdote, yet there’s a real feeling of engagement and inclusivity.

After compiling his book and countless nights touring the show around the UK, he has a sizeable bank of the best suggestions so far and he liberally peppers them throughout his two hours, forging a sense of nationwide solidarity while mischievously playing with regional stereotypes.

Despite preaching to a choir of likeminded opinion, he can at least claim some tangible victories, emboldening a civil servant to reveal his true opinion of his political paymasters, and being invited to share his thoughts in the House of Lords. Beyond all that, the show remains a scarcely mediated release valve for palpable expressions of anger.

Rating: ***

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