Mark Steel

Review: #JC4PM, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Finding mainstream musicians prepared to stick their head above the parapet these days is no mean feat and so the textily-titled #JC4PM is headlined by Charlotte Church, who brought mighty, soaring vocals and left-of-centre electronica rather than rhetoric, with a support bill of speakers, poets and comedians, including veteran campaigners Jeremy Hardy, acting as MC for the evening, and Mark Steel, both of whom were happy to confront the prevailing political mood across the spectrum with some well aimed barbs.

Mark Steel: is comedy nature or nurture (Link expired)

He may not believe in a "joke-telling gene", but revelations about comedian Mark Steel's birth parents - and conversations with other adopted stand-ups - have got him thinking about what makes us who we are. He spoke to Jay Richardson about his acclaimed new show.

Ivor Dembina interview

Martin Walker was so blown away by Ivor Dembina's 2014 Edinburgh Fringe offering, 'Old Jewish Jokes' that he handed it a five star review. The show garnered critical across the board and audiences, by and large, loved it. This year he's reprising Old Jewish Jokes as well as offering a follow-up, New Jewish Jokes and organising a very special event with Daniel Kitson, Mark Steel and Mark Thomas - Free Gaza!

Who do you think you are, Mark Steel?

Veteran comic Mark Steel returns to Auld Reekie with a funny story about being adopted. Lewis Porteous quizzes the pro on the whys and wherefores.

Interview: Mark Steel on his Edinburgh Fringe show

Comedian Mark Steel explores notion of belonging at this year's Fringe as he shares the story of his search for his natural parents with Claire Smith.

Mark Steel: Finding out who I am

Comedian and writer Mark Steel recently found out the story behind his adoption in 1960. And the truth was so extraordinary that you almost couldn't make it up...

Mark Steel's In Town ... & he's looking for local laughs

In front of an audience of audibly refreshed locals, Steel sees how far he can push the famed British ability to laugh at ourselves. The answer is quite a long way.

Radio Times review

Oh what a pity! After my absolute joy in the return of this series last week, there was no preview copy available to listen to. Fellow Mark Steel fans may like to check out the Radio Times website where we have an interview with the man himself.

He was originally due to be interviewed on Friday 8 May but when our journalist rang, after the general election results, Mr Steel, understandably came back with "Not today mate". I have been informed, however, that his mood is grand in this performance from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Radio Times review

Mark Steel is no slacker. He always does his research before taking to the stage to talk to a town about itself.

In the case of Fleetwood in Lancashire, subject of this performance, it has involved reading local history books and pamphlets, going on a tour of the Fisherman's Friend factory (Fleetwood's most famous global export), visiting the museum and trying his best to get on the ferry, which never seems to be in a position to cross the 20-yard river to neighbouring Knott End.

But it is how he presents his research that wins over the locals and his Radio 4 audience. He discovers on the Fisherman's Friend website, for instance, that the high-octane cough sweet is "lozenge of the stars" -- based on the fact that Stevie Wonder once asked for one when he had a cold.

Mark Steel: Chipping Norton is full of lovely people

As his award-winning Radio 4 show returns, the comedian reveals why he's as rude as possible and meets a pool-playing dog.