New releases from Joe Wilkes, Honey and the Bear, and Hannah James and Toby Kuhn
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No laughing matter
DENNIS POOLE sees a thought-provoking show about father and son comics whose careers are compromised by racist gaffes
Given the power of the live experience, MIK SABIERS recommends Jon Spencer’s new album
Reviews of T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, Tamikrest, and Dub Colossus
The bard celebrates two other fine practitioners of the art, and laments a lost brewer
This right-wing conspiracy theory is used to justify the coercive measures against gender, race and labour rights that best serve capitalism, attests GAVIN O’TOOLE
KENNY MONROSE recommends a new exhibition that highlights the significance of Black British music
End of the Pier
Park Theatre, London
THE PROTAGONIST of Danny Robins's new play exploring the nature and purpose of comedy within the parameters of race, class and identity is Bobby Chalk, surviving member of 1980 comedy duo Chalk and Cheese.
Chalk (Les Dennis) is now consigned to threadbare obscurity in Blackpool following a misjudged and well-publicised racist gaffe, his place in the comedic firmament inherited by his estranged son Michael Armstrong (Blake Harrison), one of the new breed of “observational” comedians.
Michael’s career trajectory is about to gain greater momentum in a new project but it's imminently compromised by an unfortunate drunken incident at the end of Blackpool pier which could reflect his father’s fate and scupper his burgeoning ambition.
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