In any normal week on any normal island, a brand-new prime minister would have been the sole topic of conversation with political comedian Mark Thomas, but this is neither a normal week nor a normal island.
We have a new monarch (“If I’m in a polite mood, he’ll be Mr. Windsor. Other than that, he can fuck right off.“), a new prime minister (“continuity Boris!“), and strikes are sweeping multiple industries. As his new tour dates approach (including shows in Sheffield, Salford and Sale), Mark sat down with Now Then to talk Starmer (“he’s shit”), the Leadmill (“an iconic venue”) and more.
I start by asking him about what he thinks of Liz Truss.
On the Tories in general, he is scornful of the idea that having a more diverse Big Four is in any way progressive.
When we move on to discuss the ongoing strikes, Mark Thomas says the fact that strikes are a working-class-led movement is “exciting”.
He is also charitable about many strikes being cancelled during this national mourning period.
But for all his righteous criticism of the Tories, Thomas is not impressed by Labour leader Keir Starmer either.
Mark Thomas wants Labour to put forward the popular campaign to renationalise utilities, which has wide support across the country. His frustration at the party’s lack of action is evident.
What can we do to resist?
Mark Thomas does not just do political rants – though he does them superbly – he is also all about action. When asked what we can do to push back against oppression, he is clear that community resilience “is really the name of the game”.
Speaking of community, we move onto the threat to the Leadmill. Mark is unequivocal: “I love the Leadmill. Obviously, you want to save it, it’s cultural heritage.”
When he did the final show for 100 Acts of Minor Dissent there, he went through each of the 100 acts with the audience to make sure he’d committed them all.
Thomas’s upcoming Black and White shows promise “a kind of state-of-the-nation broadcast”. I ask him what audiences can expect.
Learn more
Mark Thomas’s Black and White tour is showing at Memorial Hall in Sheffield on 10 October, Salford Quays Theatre on 11 October and Sale Waterside Arts on 22 November.
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