“Mark Thomas’ story telling is masterful, creating a vivid picture in the mind of the audience that will last long afterwards” ★★★★★ – Everything Theatre
The Red Shed is the third part of our favourite campaigning comic’s theatrical trilogy, following the much revered Bravo Figaro and Cuckooed.
Mark returns to the place where it all began – the Red Shed, a labour club in Wakefield – to celebrate the club’s 50th birthday as he concludes this tour of his award-winning, highly acclaimed performance.
The Shed, home to Mark’s first public performances, is also a home to dissent, to organising and to progressive politics, and so it was here that Mark’s true political prowess began. An iconic and vital place for its patrons, this is where the true meaning of solidarity is found and where you can be part of history and part of the struggle.
A south London lad, born to a Thatcherite world of self-employed builders, labourers and tradesman like his father where the individual is key, Wakefield’s alien traditional labour community awoke a new determination in Mark and changed his life forever.
Interviewing old friends and comrades, Mark pieces together the club’s history and works alongside it to campaign with some of the poorest workers in the country. It is the story of the battle for hope and the survival of a community. It is a tale of strikes, fights, dinner ladies, crap beer, good beer, burger slingers, pickets, placards, commies, friendship, love, history, dreams and, above all, remembering. Part theatre, part stand up, part journalism, part activism, Mark realises his obsession with community and struggle.
With every one of his previous solo shows selling out their Edinburgh runs, snapping up awards and nominations and becoming Radio 4 series, the Fringe would not be the same without this ‘alleged comedian’s’ explorations. He’s won a Herald Angel award, the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression award and The Red Shed this year won him is third Scotsman Fringe First alongside The Stage Special Award. He’s stopped arms deals, created a manifesto and brought the winning policy to parliament, walked the entire length of the Israeli wall in the West Bank, filmed his own Channel 4 series, written books, won more awards, held Guinness World Records, investigated everything from Coca-Cola to inheritance tax avoidance, given evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees, stopped multinational infrastructure deals, been arrested on numerous occasions and founded a new definition for the word ‘Farage’.
The Red Shed can be seen at The Atkinson on Wednesday 20 September at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now £15 (£12 concessions). Recommended for ages 16+
To book go online at theatkinson.co.uk call 01704 533333 – booking fees apply.*
Other great nights of comedy this season to look out for:
Tom Allen: Absolutely – Friday 15 August
Matt Forde- Friday 13 October
Simon Day: In Character – Wednesday 25 October
Phill Jupitus: Juplicity – Saturday 11 November
Justin Moorhouse : People and Feelings – Friday 24 November
Pail Chowdhry: Live Innit – Wednesday 20 December
Keep in touch with us by signing up online to our e-newsletter for news, offers and programme information first!
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EDITORS NOTES:
For interviews images or further information, please contact Emma.Lloyd@Sefton.gov.uk
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LISTING INFORMATION
Lakin McCarthy and Mark Thomas in association with West Yorkshire Playhouse present
Mark Thomas: The Red Shed
Wednesday 20 September
8pm
£15 (£12 concessions)
Please be advised that there is a £1 per ticket booking fee for telephone and online sales and a 2% fee for credit cards at the Box Office.
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Awards
The Stage Special Award 2016 (The Red Shed)
Scotsman Fringe First winner – 2016 (The Red Shed)
Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award winner – 2014
Scotsman Fringe First winner – 2014 (Cuckooed)
Scotsman Fringe First winner – 2012 (Bravo Figaro)
Bank of Scotland Herald Angel winner – 2012
Sony Award for Radio Comedy winner – 2008
Guinness World Record Holder: Most Number of Political Demonstrations in 24 Hours – 2006
MediActivist Awards (MISTY) – 2005
UN Association Global Human Rights Defender Award – 2004
Kurdish National Congress Medal of Honour – 2002
Time Out Comedy Award – 1990
PRESS ON THE RED SHED (Fringe 2016)
★★★★★ “One of Britain’s greatest storytellers…beautifully-paced and structured…a passionate humanity that surpasses most other work at the Fringe” THE SCOTSMAN
★★★★★ “An intense and moving masterpiece… it really is a breath-taking performance” WHATS ON LONDON
★★★★½ “Mark Thomas’ conviction and passion ensure that this theatre/stand-up mash-up is absorbing from beginning to end” TO DO LIST
★★★★ “Thomas is a terrific performer and raconteur… funny, raw and angry” THE GUARDIAN
★★★★ “Evocative… hard to resist” SUNDAY TIMES
★★★★ “The show will still leave even the most laissez-faire Thatcherite Tory with food for thought and a reminder as to how deep the scars of that era run” THE TELEGRAPH
★★★★ “Thoroughly attention grabbing.. a moving and entertaining tale” METRO
Posted on 16 August 2017 under General news
