Forgot the headline. Mark Thomas/Robert Newman

The Mark Thomas/Robert Newman double bill went down a treat. Was a little disappointed it was Rob's turn to headline last night as i'd saw his show before. With for myself the mostly fresh material of Mark Thomas holding the greater appeal.

Still due to the unusual nature of the show it meant that both slightly edited down their acts and certainly in Robert Newman's case the combination of better sound at the Garage compared to the Bongo Club and a slightly tighter routine meant i still got a great deal of enjoyment from it, even if some the gags just couldn't possibly pack the original punch. His polemic about the the US role in the world and it's own debtor status is intriguing to say the least. It would be interesting to see if this theory(albeit i think borrowed from someone he credited in his act who i can't remember) proved correct should all the major oil trading countries transfer from US dollars to Euro's.

Mark Thomas main area of interest outside of the obvious US foreign policy was the arms trade, and indeed has a book forthcoming on the subject, presumably well worth buying. I do have a sieve like memory, so really can only say he was hilarious and well a more common touch is one way of describing him. Certainly i don't think Rob ever shouts you CUUUUUNT during his act and the sweat stained Thomas was a bit more animated. It's a damn shame that channel 4 no longer have the bollocks to back his TV show, but with his live act and even books now, there is still no stopping the man. Even if he is now a pasta and foccacia bread eating type whose dad is proud that he lives near a cheese shop! For all the ranting and engaging political commentry of an hour plus length set and THAT is what i remember!