Mark Thomas: ‘Silliness is a wonderful weapon against the powerful’

Now on his 13th standup tour, prolific political comic, writer, TV and radio broadcaster Mark Thomas is fresh from a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run in 2022 with his new show, Black and White.

Stripped right back to man and mic, the honesty, anger and passion that underpins his work remains, but there is also his characteristic upbeat and inspiring energy, some killer lines and even a singalong or two.

Thomas is bringing the show to Bristol for two shows in October, initially to the Hen & Chicken Studio (on Wednesday 5), and later to Tobacco Factory Theatres (on Sunday 30).

Ultimately, he wants the space to do what he does best: “taking down politicans, mucking about, new ideas, and finding hope”. He gave Bristol24/7 a flavour of what audiences can expect:

Mark Thomas, Black and White – photo: courtesy of Mark Thomas

As someone who has toured for decades, how does it feel to be back on the road this time around?

“Exciting. Genuinely. I have not done a stand up show for years and I am loving doing it again. The freedom to improvise and add new ideas is thrilling.

“I mean I am also skint so need the cash. And you know I am getting on a bit – a year off my London bus pass – so I might fall asleep on the train and miss my stop.

“But apart from that it is bloody fantastic.”

How much have you missed the live experience?

“More than I can say. It got so bad my partner was telling people that I would open the fridge door, the light would go on and I would do five minutes.

“The thing about lockdown is that humans are wonderfully social beings so we miss each other. Stand up is great for doing all the things we missed; gathering as a gang, having a laugh, taking the piss and the occasional song!”

Mark Thomas – photo: Tony Pletts

Can you give us an insight into what you’ll be talking about in Black and White?

“Some laughs, some jokes, some songs and a possible meeting of workshop groups to discuss the forthcoming insurrections.”

While living together over lockdown, you made a podcast with your mum. What did that period teach you about your relationship?

“Looking after my now 87 year old mum proves to me that I am actually a more tolerant person than I ever imagined. As for our relationship, I did not realise how much pleasure we take in winding each other up, nor that I would enjoy her stories and sayings, her rudeness and cussedness, her outbursts of modernity and liberal mindedness. I guess I look upon our relationship in a fuller and more honest way now.”

You made a name for yourself with inspiring, stunt-based comedy, often winding up the government of the time in the process. Do you see echoes of your attitude in the newer generation of comics coming through – perhaps Joe Lycett among others?

“I like a lot of the stuff that came after the Product, especially the Revolution Will Be Televised. And I like Joe Lycett’s attitude – the Liz Truss thing was great; you felt he genuinely did not give a fuck. Fabulous.”

Mark Thomas – photo: Tony Pletts

Is it important for art to make a difference? Can you describe how much this is true for your own standup, and whether this has changed over the years?

“I don’t want to be prescriptive about art. Other than to say that the best art challenges how we see the world and the worst reinforces bigotry and celebrates the Uberdog.

“My stuff has changed enormously over the years. It is far more overtly political than I was at the start. For me, celebration and fun have become more and more important: just because something is a political work doesn’t mean it should be dour. Silliness is a wonderful weapon against the powerful.”

As a call to action, is it more useful to make people angry, or to keep them feeling positive? What is your own personal outlook on the current political landscape?

“The question sounds like it came straight out of an SWP interview! Angry or positive? Well, as an AFC Wimbledon fan I know it is possible to be both. Capitalism will either destroy us, or we will destroy it.

“I’m very excited about the wave of strikes. But furious that we got to the position where we are opening warmth banks! One scenario is that Truss will fuck it up. Economy crashes. Labour Party useless. Planet burns.

“The other one is that we build communities’ resilience, and unions fight from the grassroots up.

Mark Thomas: Black & White is at The Hen & Chicken Studio on October 5 and Tobacco Factory Theatres on October 30, both at 8pm. For ticket availability, go to www.thecomedybox.co.uk and www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Main photo: Tony Pletts

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