Mark Thomas kicks off the new venture

Some of the sessions from the last Chortle Comedy Book festival are being released as a weekly podcast.

Recorded live at the British Library in London, the first episode features Mark Thomas in conversation with journalist Stephen Armstrong.

Their conversation centres on the comedian’s latest project, 50 Things About Us, in which he examines the myths, facts and figures of the British national identity to ask: who do we think we are.

Thomas was touring a live show based on the idea before the lockdown, with further dates scheduled for later in the year. Listings.

We will be releasing a new episode every Thursday over the next few weeks, with future instalments featuring Katy Brand, Jen Brister and more. Click here to subscribe on Apple podcasts, or here for Podbean.

Two other podcasts recorded at January’s event have previously been released. Robin Ince and Josie Long taped an episode of their Book Shambles show there, with guest Les Dennis. That discussion, in which they talk about Dennis’s autobiography, Must the Show Go On, and shared Little and Large and Tommy Cooper anecdotes is available here.

And Dave Cohen and James  Carey recorded an episode of their Sitcom Geeks podcast at the festival, in which they spoke to writer John O'Farrell and writer-comedian Brenda Gilhooly about how they found inspiration. That episode is available here.

Published: 17 Apr 2020