John Bird: Fringe benefits of political comedy

"Will there be Leavers at the Fringe laughing in some little room somewhere? Brexit deserves some theatrical interpretation"

With a general election set to dominate the news agenda, 2015 should be an adventure playground for political comedians. Sadly, The Revolution Will Be Televised are too busy congratulating themselves for firing Lewinsky innuendos at Bill Clinton, so here's Bremner's rusty but reliable sceptre of satire to prick the politicos' pomposity. Joined by John Bird, Matt Forde, Sara Pascoe and Jan Ravens, it seems reasonable to expect something a little more incisive than stock fat gags about Eric Pickles.

Satire should reform and inform... not rile

"The freedom to laugh at others' values and beliefs seems a hard price to pay with your life for..."

John Bird and John Fortune - 1962 review

In this extract originally published in the Observer on 14 January 1962, an early Soho appearance by the duo makes our critic laugh, even if he finds something essential lacking.

Big Issue founder John Bird sets out on stand-up tour

Prime ministers, pop stars and one very colourful life - catch The World According to John Bird.

Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Fortune take their satirical scalpels to the election. With three shows (tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday) in which to poke political fun, the trio keep things topical by recording each programme on the day of its transmission. Bremner provides impressions and analysis with Bird and Fortune adopting their usual guises as senior political figures.

The three satirists continue to cast their jaundiced eyes over the recent financial meltdown and the failings of new Labour with a rage that hasn't been seen since the sleazy fag end of the last Conservative Government under John Major. Some of Bremner's impersonations, particularly Tony Blair and Ken Clarke, are almost uncanny, and there is a series of wonderful George Parr interviews between Bird and Fortune, especially those with John Bird as a smooth and unscrupulous banker. But the surprise star turn in the show is Gillian Tett, who - as assistant editor of the Financial Times - gives an entirely straight interview with Bremner about the early-warning signs of crisis. It's when you stop laughing that you realise she was being serious.

Rory Bremner interview

For the moment, budget cuts mean Bremner is recording themed specials rather than the topical series that needs weekly recording time. People say nobody saw the financial crisis coming but he has sketches going back to 1996 in which John Bird and John Fortune lampooned the whole City culture.

Impressionist Rory Bremner and his regular collaborators John Bird and John Fortune have, arguably, become the kings of biting topical satirical comedy. And in this new three-part series, everything is fair game. MPs and their expenses, the current financial disaster and Gordon Brown's much-derided grin in the video he recently released on YouTube get the skewering they so richly deserve.

A new three-part series from Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Fortune focuses first on the economic recovery, or lack of it, as well as looking askance at Gordon Brown's frightening smile and the "Sachsgate" affair. This was recorded in advance of the full horror of the MPs' expenses scandal; that will no doubt be explored in future weeks.