SUSAN DARLINGTON appreciates a retelling of the Merlin myth that emphasises family and belonging
Protest, politics and pub kitchens
MIKE QUILLE speaks to author, activist and performer Mark Thomas
COMEDIC POLITICAL POLYMATH: Mark Thomas
[Tony Pletts] 
JAN WOOLF is beguiled by the tempting notion that Freud psychoanalysed Hitler in a comedy that explores the vulnerability of a damaged individual
TONY BURKE reviews new releases from Cheikh Lo, Mishra & Deepa Shakthi, N’Faly Kouyate
Gin Lane by William Hogarth is a critique of 18th-century London’s growing funeral trade, posits DAN O’BRIEN
ANDY HEDGECOCK sees his scepticism lessened by a story is more complex and far-reaching than is initially apparent
MARK TURNER holds on tight for a mesmerising display of Neath-born ragtime virtuosity
YOU’VE been a comedian, author, activist, protester, actor, artist, curator, playwright, journalist and… pastor? Perhaps it would be quicker to tell us what you can’t do and haven’t done?
Ah, the pastor. I think it was related to finding out that religious buildings were exempt from council tax and as an experiment I wanted to see if I could convert my office into a temple, so I became a pastor online, and in the US I can legally marry, baptise and bury someone.
As for things I can’t do: I can’t drive, and I am useless at angling, sharpshooting, rodeo tricks, and have never hunted foxes. I am average at crazy golf.
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