@ Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 10 & Wed 11 Feb 2015 (then touring)
Betrayal, lies and deception form the basis of Mark Thomas‘s latest theatrical performance and presents all the elements that made Thomas an interesting and exciting stand-up comedian. The audience is told a compelling and intriguing story which allows us to draw conclusions on surveillance, friendship and civil liberties.
Martin was a friend of Thomas. He was a person who could be trusted and who you could put trust in. Martin, along with a close knit group of friends, volunteered for a organisation called Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). This group took action against arms dealers, therefore it was a shock when it was discovered that Martin had been spying on the group on behalf of BAE Systems, the largest arms manufacturer in the UK.
Anyone familiar with Mark Thomas’s stand up, radio and television performances will know that activism is the driving force of his work. His commitment to CAAT and the causes he believes in is never questioned. We do however know this is a tale of lies and fabrication and this revelation adds to the intrigue and power of the story. Cuckooed is more than just comedy theatre. It is thought-provoking storytelling that holds the audience’s attention with aggression and passion.
Thomas is a relentless performer and knows how to draw the audience in. He strides over every inch of the stage as he passionately delivers anecdotes and stories that prove the strong friendship he had with Martin. However, as this is a story of lies, when the performer expresses his denial and then acceptance of his friend’s guilt the audience can only feel his bitter pain and earth-shattering disappointment. It is an emotional journey that Thomas takes us on and this makes Cuckooed a powerful and important story to tell.