British Comedy Guide
Mark Thomas - The Manifesto. Mark Thomas. Copyright: BBC
Mark Thomas - The Manifesto

Mark Thomas - The Manifesto

  • Radio stand-up
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2009 - 2013
  • 20 episodes (5 series)

Radio show in which comedian-activist Mark Thomas compiles a Manifesto for the People which he goes on to campaign for. Stars Mark Thomas.

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Key details

Genre
Stand-Up
Broadcast
2009 - 2013
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
20 (5 series)
Star
Mark Thomas
Writer
Mark Thomas
Producers
Ed Morrish and Colin Anderson
Company

As a nation, we are drifting up a certain well-known creek, economically, politically, socially... er... totally. So where are the great ideas, theories and visions to help us in our hour of need?

In this show, comedian-activist Mark Thomas looks to create a People's Manifesto. The audience are asked to come up with their own policies, with the concept being that Mark includes some of them in a final manifesto which he will go on to campaign for.

Many ideas are considered on the recording nights, some are dismissed out of hand, some discussed with the kind of experts who know about these kinds of things, and some Mark actualy takes on to try to put into practice.

Following on from the two successful shows last summer, where policies included "MPs should be bound by law to tell the truth" and "Children's playgrounds should be less safe" - Mark Thomas returns to investigate suggestions such as "4x4s should be transparent"; "manifesto policies should be legally binding"; and "there should be a maximum wage".

Featuring interviews with experts, original research and audience discussion, Mark Thomas - The Manifesto attempts to re-engage the audience with the idea of democracy.

Here's some more examples of policies:

- Forcing Ofsted inspectors to teach.
- Monitoring investment bankers' testosterone levels.
- The legalisation of Viking-style funerals.
- Consolidating the United Kingdom's national debt into one easy-to-pay loan.

Additional details

Production
Studio
Soundtrack
Theme tune for series one is "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan.

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 25th June 2009 at 6:30pm on BBC Radio 4
Most recent repeats

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