Mark Thomas and Robert Newman on tour - a review (in Norwich next week)

I saw this show in Chester last night. For those of you who don't want to read a full review, the gist is that it was excellent, and I recommend that you go along. ?14.50 for a couple of really good comedians - think how much you pay to watch the ones in our midfield.

I haven't seen either of these guys since they stopped appearing on telly, though I've read a couple of Newman's novels and I drop in on Thomas' website from time to time.

I'd read a review of Rob's shows which said that he's become very serious and is no longer funny. Also, having watched all of Mark's Channel 4 shows I'd noticed that between 1998 and 2002 the laughs had gradually been pushed aside so as to cram in more activism (nothing wrong with that, by the way, it's what I'd have done, too) - so I wasn't expecting too many laughs. As I said to my mate, I was prepared for a night of Anti-Globalisation diatribe, Political Ranting and all-out Clahss Warfare. Which, to me at least, sounds like a top night out, and worth twice the price.

Wrong. It was really funny, and I left the theatre with my cheeks hurting from laughing and my ears ringing from everyone else's laughter.

Newman came on first and did a solid hour. Now I admit I'm a big fan: I taped all the Newman and Baddiel shows and edited Baddiel off them almost entirely. I enjoy listening to him speak, the way he drifts off topic, the way he'll slowly step up his insight until he's going over your head before dragging himself back down with a thump, usually by saying something entirely tasteless and self-denigrating. He's still doing this, though all the funny characters have gone. (I do miss the pervert in the smoking jacket.)

I'm not going to give away any of his material, but it was politically charged, really perceptive, ful of historical information and still really funny: though if you're strongly pro-Blair you might want to give it a swerve. Whimsical, intelligent, he told me things I didn't know (without ever chiding me for my ignorance) and also told me why I didn't know: when he finished I thought Mark couldn't top his act.

Actually I reckon they came out about even. Thomas was much more in-yer-face na d it became evident that the drop-off in laughs I mentioned above was simply due to a lack of time in a 26-minute TV slot - he's still wickedly funny. A lot more sweary and shouty than Rob, he was more immediately Your Leftie Mate. He's still up to his old activist stuff - though he's clearly finding it more difficult now that he's so widely recognised among the Bastard Fraternity, and he still gives the impression that if YOU are up for a shot at the government, he'll give you a lift and buy you a beer afterwards.

They finished the show with a spot of music - Rob on the ukelele and Mark on harmonica (they can play a bit, and Mark can cook it up). In truth, the banter between them was a bit rehearsed, and the music was stuff I personally could've lived without: but the show had been so good that we all went along with it, and the applause was warm and enthusiastic.

A great show, for me. Two complimentary but different acts: Mark shouting "This is wrong - be angry" while Rob's was more "This is bad, and this is *why* it's happened: I'm pissed off, personally, and I'm only telling you in case you are too, though that's entirely up to you". Chuck in a big laugh every 30 seconds and you have it.

Not a show for diehard Chubby Brown fans, maybe, but an excellent show anyway.

Posted By: Suggy, Nov 17, 10:06:02