Pleasance Beyond
Aug 13-25
20:00
It is a commonplace to opine that in this age political satire is redundant as the reality is much funnier or more horrifying than even the sharpest wit could conceive.
Tom Lehrer reckoned satire was over when Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Socrates (a Greek) condemned to hemlock for corrupting the youth and my particular favourite,
Gerry Kelly (the Rasputin of the Provos) decrying “armed groups ..(which).. are a blight upon the community’
Special mention to the erstwhile Nigerian Minister for Finance Dr. Okonjo Aweala who denied rumours of corruption.
From her palace
We have a leader of the Free World who is in danger of getting his golf handicap confused with the nuclear codes, and whose also septuagenarian opponent thinks an ear piercing is cool at 77
(too soon?)
Then we have the UK, it’s clown Jalopy dropping wheels and any regard for public service leaving us with a frightfully decent chap who may well be undone because there is no way he can be as entertaining as the last lot.
One hopes.
So thank the lord for Matt Forde.
With Spitting Image, The Last Leg and Have I Got News for You on his resumé and an ability to make his life changing cancer funny he is well placed to deliver, which he does
And some.
A set of perspicacious aperçus on our past and present parlous state are recounted with the help of his prodigious skills of parody and spookily spot on powers of impersonation
Spiced with great gags.
The cancer shtick is no crutch for pity but does lead surprisingly, but not incongruously, to some genuinely heartfelt moments of reflection.
(it was a bit smoky in there alright? Even strong men cry)
An engaging self mocking demeanour and a shining self aware intelligence with proper funny jokes had the audience beaming.
A hour in the company of this smart affable informed funny lad is not wasted. – Vote Forde
Studio SB
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