Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas

Date of birth: 11-04-1963

One of the few stand-ups still to carry the political standard of alternative comedy, Mark Thomas is essentially an observational comic – only his observations tend to revolve around the crusading anti-corporate, anti-greed investigations he undertakes.

He is best known for his campaigning Channel 4 series, in which he employed, Michael Moore-style, televisual stunts to get his message across. But his work also has a serious side: in one episode he got an Indonesian military chief to admit on camera that their government used torture.

Thomas has said his passion for politics was inherited from his father, a builder and lay preacher at Clapham's Nazarene Church, even if he didn’t inherit his Thatcherite beliefs.

He won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital public school, but he would frequently play truant, often to the theatre, before going on to study at Bretton Hall drama college in Wakefield.

There he began performing his own sketches and shows, doing benefit shows for the miners' strike while still a student. After college he worked for his father by day and did stand-up by night until he could turn pro.

In 1992, his Edinburgh show was nominated for the Perrier award – the same year the fizzy water brand was bought by Nestle, one of the corporations Thomas now campaigns against so vociferously.

Four years later, he launched his strident TV programme, which ran for seven years. To this day he continues to be involved in the political causes that so influence his comedy.

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© Jane Hobson

Mark Thomas scoops another Fringe First

Edinburgh accolade for the monologue England & Son

Mark Thomas has just won his fifth Fringe First award from The Scotsman.

The comic won the drama accolade for the new one-man play England & Son at Summerhall.

The newspaper's critics called the show ‘a passionate plea for humanity’, adding: ‘The central character is not only a victim, but also - in a classic white working-class dilemma - the son of a man who was himself involved in the worst kinds of oppression, both domestic and colonial.’

It is the first show he has not written himself, Instead it was created by playwright Ed Edwards, a former circus performer who previously wrote The Political History of Smack and Crack. It is based on characters the comedian knew in his childhood and who the writer encountered in  jail while serving a drugs sentence.

The Scotsman added: ‘The result is a heartbreakingly powerful, sharp and tragic monologue for a man full of wise-guy working-class energy.'

Thomas said of receiving the award: ‘I’m so bloody chuffed. I turned 60 this year so very happy to be picking one of these up. I first came to the Fringe 41 years ago and still love it. We have a brilliant team and Ed Edwards will have the award in his study because he’s brilliant.’

He previously received shows for his own monologues  Bravo Figaro, Cuckooed, The Red Shed and Check Up: Our NHS At 70

Also receiving Fringe Firsts today are: The Grand Old Opera House Hotel (Traverse),  A Funeral For My Friend Who is Still Alive (TheSpaceUK @ Niddry Street, but ends tomorrow), JM Coetzee’s Life and Times of Michael K (Assembly Hall) , Funeral (Zoo Southside) and Heaven (Traverse)

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Published: 11 Aug 2023

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Agent

Mike McCarthy
Contact by email
Office: 0114 2680243

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