Mark Steel - Fareham Live

Fareham’s new venue is a very smart place for a small town, and having a decent sized option may help attract more performers and bands. Mark Steel is a very well known face on the comedy circuit. Maybe not quite  total name recognition but  regular appearances on Have I Got News For You will at least  elicit an “Oh yeah I know  who you mean”. He also has a significant fanbase of Radio 4 listeners who enjoy his regular show Mark Steel In Town which sees local audiences across the country take perverse delight in hearing him share the peculiarities and foibles of their home town, usually whilst also traducing their geographic neighbours. It was this older Radio 4 crowd which made up much of the evening’s audience. Potentially an incongruous mix given Mark Steel’s background in left wing politics. Whilst the former card carrying member of the Socialist Workers Party has not forsaken any of that radicalism, a place is found  that focuses far more on the absurdities, contradictions and failings of government, and systems that  pit different groups against each other than left wing ranting  - which was never his style anyway.  Mark has recently undergone  a particularly horrendous experience of throat cancer which resulted in a year of treatment and recovery. This was the main subject of his act. It is a testament to his  skill as a performer and raconteur that what may seem a poor subject for a comedy performance, becomes, as he recounts being diagnosed, treated and his long recovery, a series of very funny anecdotes that have the audience laughing out loud throughout the entire  act. As he tells his story he shows on screen many of those who have helped him on his journey. Friends, helpers, medical staff and fellow patients including an unlikely friendship with a  General from the British Army suffering from the same condition. All of this adds to the richness of  his act  and  illustrates the very human elements of such times and those we draw strength from. All in a great night of comedy from  someone who  is able to find  empathy and a point of engagement with anyone from a hospital porter to a retired general. Do check Mark Steel out if he does a show near you. You won’t be disappointed. www.MarkSteelInfo.com