Jonathan Pie, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham – review
BAME, mansplaining – straight white male privilege.
Jonathan Pie is as left wing as they come, but the political comedian is not afraid to have a go at the ridiculous nature of modern-day left wing politics, particularly the phrases and abbreviations used by so-called liberals.
Confused? Well, after completing his obligatory bash of Theresa May, Donald Trump and the general Conservative policies, he left ample time to have a go at his own followers – and blamed them for letting the likes of Trump and May rule their respective countries.
The definition of mansplaning is – explaining something to someone, typically a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronising. Or, as Pie put it, a load of rubbish.
He, like most people, will talk patronisingly to someone he disagrees with but whether they are a man or a woman is besides the point.
And I think that was the main point of his brilliant show at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham last night.
It was 100mph with no let up, no interlude and no chance to really take in what he was talking about until the curtain had come down.
He knows his stuff, he is very liberal, he believes the Tories are destroying the country – and yet, he also understands talking to left wing followers about the woes of the country is completely redundant.
"Go outside, put down your phones. Please do not Tweet, take pictures or post any of this on YouTube. Speak to each other, engage and discuss politics with people who do not share the same views as you," the comedian said.
The message was simple. We spend too much time drawing a line in the middle of the sand and, rather than debate principles with anyone who disagrees with us, instead we shun them, walk away and post something on Facebook.
It's a sad state of affairs but it's also very true. I'm as guilty as the next person but it was so refreshing to hear such a talented political commentator tell me to stop ranting, sit down and talk to my fellow man (is that sexist?).
That sounds like a very lefty thing to say on it's own but it makes sense. We need to talk, we need to thrash out our differences and we need to stop blaming everyone else for the problems of this world and instead take a step back and really look into why the entire population is so divided.
Why do we need to use abbreviations like BAME – which stands for British Black Asian and Minority ethnic – a term used to refer to members of non-white communities in the UK? (yes, that was from Wikipedia, but it's the best definition I could find).
Why can't we just talk, not get insulted every two seconds, listen to the views of others rather than shouting them down or posting derogatory terms online – no matter how much they conflict with our own views – or put our phones away, have a pint and put the world to rights.
Jonathan Pie did touch a nerve, and his passion, enthusiasm and frustration during his performance was hypnotic.
Having first seen his sketches online (I know, the irony) – when he pretends to be a reporter and then tells the world what his real views are when he takes his fake earpiece out and rants at the camera while no longer 'on air' – I knew he had a lot to say and believed his tour would be worth catching.
It's fair to say, having seen him in full flow at the Alex, he completely blew me away. Jonathan Pie is a breath of fresh air and simply a modern-day political commentator at the top of his game.
