Veteran comic blasts state of British political satire
Political satire in Britain needs a “cattleprod in the bollocks”, the veteran comic actor Keith Allen has claimed, in a blast at careerist comics touting their wares at the Edinburgh Festival.
Allen, the father of singer Lily, was one of the most provocative figures to emerge from the “alternative comedy” boom of the early 1980s. But today’s stand-ups just want to make fun of Donald Trump’s hair and win a slot on TV panel shows, according to the Comic Strip star.
“The comedy circuit is in desperate need of a cattleprod in the bollocks, and to then be slapped about a bit with a fetid badger cadaver, just to make sure it’s fully alert,” said Allen, 63, who co-wrote the football anthems World In Motion and Vindaloo.
The star of the BBC dramas Robin Hood and Bodies, Allen will launch his own search for angry, “razor-sharp” new comics at the Edinburgh Fringe, where hordes of London talent agents are seeking the next Russell Howard.
Allen, 63, will audition hopefuls on a Routemaster bus which will tour five British cities, reaching Edinburgh in a fortnight. The funniest will feature in a satirical show inspired by The Establishment Club, the legendary Soho venue founded by Peter Cook in 1961, which played host to Lenny Bruce and Dudley Moore.
Allen said: “We want fresh voices – angry, passionate, original, razor-sharp. We want state-of-the-nation stuff – whether it’s anecdote or poetry, performance or something else that doesn’t fit any of the boxes.”
The show won’t appear on BBC or Channel 4.
Instead it is set to run on RT, the Moscow-funded television station regularly sanctioned by Ofcom for pro-kremlin bias, which has become an unlikely British comedy sponsor. RT gave a platform to the spoof television reporter Jonathan Pie.
“It will be interesting to see what level of censorship they aim in our direction,” said Allen.
“It’s easier now to get a name for yourself and get on a panel show and do some commercials. Their riffs on Trump and Boris are weak.
“I blame the audience. They get the comedians they deserve and they lap up any old shit,” argued the comedian, who said watching the BBC’S latest attempt at satire, The Mash Report, made him ill.
The first stop on the Establishment Club Road Trip will be Bristol on Wednesday.
It will visit Brighton, Manchester and Newcastle before it arrives in Edinburgh on August 23.