NEWS: Mark Thomas @ The Stand

Image by Tony Pletts

Performing for an astonishing 35 years, Mark Thomas is one of our oldest surviving alternative comics. Writer of five books, maker of six series of the Mark Thomas Comedy Product for Channel 4, and still a Guinness World Record holder for holding 20 protests in 24 hours, he remains an incendiary, seething, preternaturally hilarious presence. 

Credited with changing the law on tax avoidance, exposing irradiated pigeon shit and starting a comedy club in Palestine, he self-identifies as “the left-wing Superman” and describes his work as a mix of stand-up, theatre, journalism and performance art. Now 57 years old, he’s long stopped caring if that description sounds pretentious.

Back at Newcastle’s Stand on Tuesday 29^th November after a sold-out run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, the political godfather of UK comedy is back to take down politicians, muck about and find hope. Still white hot and raging after two years-plus of lockdowns, isolation and yearning for the experience of being live in front of an audience, Black And White promises to be a funny, passionate night of sharp observations, searing critique – maybe even a singalong – and ultimately nothing less than the simple act of bringing strangers together in a room for a good laugh and to topple international capitalism. 

Mark Thomas performs at The Stand, Newcastle on Tuesday 29^th November.