The Stand (Edinburgh) - 19th
January 2010
On a cold night in Edinburgh I headed to The Stand to see Mark Thomas'
show; The Manifesto. Unfortunately I was too late to get a seat (the one
downside to this great venue, but then I suppose it's not called The
Stand for nothing). I saw this show at the Edinburgh Festival and really
enjoyed it. Due to the nature of the show, which takes policy
suggestions for Mark's Manifesto from the audience, I knew there would
be something different this time. Much of the show was still the same,
but with Mark's enthusiasm for his subject matter (basically the state
of our nation) it was well worth hearing again. Mark talks with passion
about his various experiences in fighting for what he believes in, from
demonstrating outside the MoD; campaigning for the invasion of Jersey to
take out all the tax-dodgers there, to getting arrested at an arms fair
and his subsequent battle to have his DNA and fingerprints removed from
the national database. Not only is this interesting and educational
stuff, Mark manages to provide plenty of laughs into the bargain.
When the part of the show came where Mark looks at the evening's policy
suggestions, the Edinburgh audience didn't disappoint - with everything
from 'all wigs should come with chin straps' to 'someone should follow
Nick Griffin at all times (we could have a rota) and play a
'wop-wop-ooh' noise whenever he starts speaking', and the more local
'every issue of the Edinburgh Evening News should come with a red pen to
correct all the grammar mistakes'.
As I said when I saw this show in August; Mark Thomas is as much a
political activist as he his a comedian and 'if each person comes away
with just a 10th
of the enthusiasm and passion shown by Thomas then we might be able to
save the nation after all' - and after seeing the show I reckon that's
the opinion I'll stick to.
Sarah-Jane Williamson
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