LIVE: Mark Thomas – It's the Economy, Stupid!

During these ever increasingly fun days of global financial crisis and economic turmoil, nothing seems to be more on comedians’ setlists than a few gags at the expense of the banking industry, Alastair Darling and the general decline of the economy. But with most people not knowing anything about the situation, other than Woolworths going bust, is it possible to do a whole comedy show about it? Mark Thomas seems to think so.

Mark Thomas is a bit of an oddity when it comes to live comedy. A carefully mixed blend of comedian, satirist and political activist, his shows often aim to highlight grave injustices in the world around us while at the same time joking at the ridiculous nature of the whole thing by demonstrating it with a humourous and often surreal example. Having previously taken on the Ilisu Dam in Africa, Coca-Cola, and arms dealers in India, Mark turns his attention to the economy. Mixing stand-up and interviews with a selection of intelligent people (MPs, bankers, commentators and even journalists) Mark sets out to try and discover just what is it that has happened to make the pound go from being a strong currency to being worth about the same as the amount of meat in a Big Mac.

Like his previous shows, Mark’s comedic style of poking fun at politics and digging beneath the surface carries the show forward. While the guests invited offer detailed analysis, Mark chips in where possible to provide light relief and comparison to try and talk the jargon down to a level the audience can understand.

While it is still fuelled with the same passion that Mark attacks all his targets with, this new show (which should probably be viewed as a work in progress if anything) does lack one thing – an ending. Whereas previous shows have been structured around particular personal campaigns by Mark with a beginning, a middle and an end, this show is still missing that key final chapter where we find out whether our ‘protagonist’  has been able to do anything to save the day and if not what we can do to keep the fight going. Of course, one of the problems with it being a ‘work in progress’ is that while everyone has an idea of how we can solve this crisis, not everyone will be right and it will take time for Mark to seize on one idea and take it forward to its resolution. However, as the show develops, and it no doubt will, that inevitable ending that it seeks will surely be found.

Of course, by then, we could all be bankrupt…

Mark Thomas – It’s the Economy, Stupid! is on at the Etcetera Theatre in London. Click here for more info on that man Mark.