AS an anarchical activist and comedian with a conscience, Mark Thomas had the crowd in the palm of his clenched fist at the Newcastle Comedy Festival.

He jumped from right-on cause to right-on cause with great effect, targeting figures and organisations, treating them with the contempt he feels they deserve.

Discussing the recent trouble during the pro-hunting march, he mocked the upper class view that people want hunting banned because they hate the rich and are jealous.

He added: "Yeah and we want croquet and polo banned too."

The established anti-authoritarian admitted that the only time he has supported the boys in blue was during the toff-bashing in London. Obvious targets were George Bush, Tony Blair and Iraq, and how the war on terror is being used by the UK and US governments to erode civil liberties.

He derided the simplicity of advice in Government-issue leaflets that should a building be bombed, the best thing to do is find a safe exit: "Like that wouldn't be your first thought."

He also championed the anti-globalisation cause by highlighting the evils of big business such as Coca-Cola and McDonalds. Although he does wonder about the effect it has on his family when his nine-year-old son is involved in a disagreement in the playground about Nestle's ethical policy.

Thomas is one of the best political comedians in the country and back on television soon. Watch out.

* Newcastle Comedy Festival runs until Sunday. Box office 0191-246 2565, 10am-6pm.

Published: 07/10/2004