Mark Thomas interview
Mark Thomas has been undermining the status quo in a self-set dare of 100 Acts Of Minor Dissent. Victoria Nangle finds out more
How are you doing today?
“Doing quite well thank you, first gig back at the tour coal face tonight and looking forward to it, spent the day doing interviews and sorting out ‘acts’ for the rest of the week.”
How far through the 100 Acts Of Minor Dissent are you at the moment?
“Over 50. So a number of them done but to be honest I am behind schedule.”
What’s your ‘process’ when you write stand-up?
“I tend to gig at little venues in London and build a bit line by line… I try to add or take away
a bit each day…”
I love the subversion of the ‘minor’ acts. Are there any that you’ve considered and had to reject due to your time and deadline restrictions (May 2014)?
“Yes. I was considering trying to bring Chris Grayling to court over his expenses, using a private prosecution. I thought it would be quite fun to bring the Justice Minister to court during a time of cuts in legal aid. But it is a lot of effort… though come to think of it… f*** it I might still give this a go.”
Are there any that you’ve just enjoyed so much you’re tempted to revisit and repeat them at a later date?
“Lots but you will have to come and see the show. I guess the one thing I can say is that I enjoyed organising the pro-gay stand-up comedy gig in the street outside the Russian Consulate in Edinburgh and am thinking of doing another street gig in Edinburgh this year too.”
What’s surprised you the most about this remarkable project?
“How much work it is. But how much I love doing this… Some people have suggested that if I didn’t get my kicks through this stuff I would either be a gangster or end up dead in a bizarre auto erotic incident (which is way more likely than gangster).”
Do you think that we, as a society, acquiesce too quickly to constrictions put upon us, without enough questions?
“People often ask me if I am allowed to do whatever it is I am doing or proposing to do. I have always thought the presumption should be we are allowed to do it until we are told not to. I think in this case it is the rest who are out of step. We should always assume that it is our country, our government and our rights, once you have that in perspective life becomes a lot more bearable.”
What question should be asked more often?
“Where’s the money?”
What is the funniest thing to do for a couple of hours outside of a theatre/venue space?
“PTA barn dance, painkillers and Guinness.”
Which book should everyone read at least once?
“The Grapes of Wrath.”
What are your plans for 2014 once you’ve come to the end of your 100 Acts Of Minor Dissent?
“I have a new show for Edinburgh, which is another theatre show picking up from where Bravo Figaro left off.”
Mark Thomas: 100 Acts Of Minor Dissent, The Old Market, Wednesday 26 March 2014, 8pm, £15, 01273 201800, www.theoldmarket.com
Follow me: latestvicky
