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Description: The comedian and political activist explores reasons for the current state of the economy. Featuring interviews with journalists.
Trains: Tube: Tottenham Court Road 
Phone: 0870429 6883
Website: www.sohotheatre.com
Caustic wit: Mark Thomas's show takes a swipe at the arms industry
Mark Thomas says he used to be a stand-up comedian. Now he doesn't know what he is. Satirist? Campaigner? Probably both, and from three rows back at the Soho Theatre he is also a convincing Ken "Rebus" Stott lookalike, all bulbous eyes and attitude. And, in Thomas's case, lashings of lacerating wit.
His enlightening show is essentially a live edit of his recent book, As Used On The Famous Nelson Mandela (Ebury), in which he exposes the chillingly mundane business of arms dealing. This is a bizarre world where, we are told at breakneck speed, anyone can buy electroshock batons on the web, holster optional.
Thomas divides his set into five frenetic acts. The warm-up is less guns, more mutter, as he reveals his fiendish plan to irritate the police by staging lone demos in Parliament Square. He has already had a dry run, waving his placard in defence of surrealism: "No slogans, just wallpaper".
There is plenty of surrealism when he addresses his main agenda too. For Thomas the munitions industry has all the dream logic of a Dali landscape. A trade fair is vividly portrayed as a moral vacuum where buyers of weapons are offered muffins by pouting models.
The show's highlight is the tale of meeting Mick Ranger, who supplied the umpteen Kalashnikov used in the Hungerford massacre. Ranger is a true black belt in ethical doublethink, marketing murderous tools but unwilling to shoot animals. Thomas's powerful finale - politically stronger, though comedically weaker - exposes further Kafkaesque absurdity in surprisingly high places.
This might sound dry but it never is. A sweaty impression of an indignant cluster bomb salesman is particularly priceless. The fact-packed 90 minutes could be trimmed, but Thomas has lots to say. Perhaps for his autumn Tricycle run an interval would be as welcome as the free reading matter distributed at the end.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Show was fantastic. If only their were more Mark Thomas' in the world.
Craig did not get the jokes bless him. Start with Tom and Jerry and work your way up Craig!
- James Ward, London
Mark Thomas is super. Lots of laughs - but informative too. I'm not sure what Craig of High Wycombe is suggesting when he asks "how, exactly has this man been allowed to have his own show." Who does he think should stop him?
- Adam, Cheshunt
I always made a point of watching his C4 show and thought he was very funny and to the point.
- Fedz, Oxon
I remember seeing Mark Thomas years and years ago when he was a comedian, and I remember not getting his jokes. Whether I was too young or not seems irrelevant now, as it is clear Thomas used his comedy as a way to have a soap box. Just how, exactly, has this man been allowed to have his own show? It's an odd one, as it's not really theatre, nor is it comedy - but what is it? Essentially it is Mark Thomas talking for about an hour and a half. Apparently it's a condensed version of a book he has out. If the book is anything like the show I won't be buying it! Thanks but no thanks.
- Craig, High Wycombe
