Audiobooks Narrated by Mark Thomas

The People’s Manifesto: The complete BBC Radio 4 comedy series

Free-thinking funnyman Mark Thomas creates a People's Manifesto, aided by his live studio audience 'Funny, knowing and tongue-in-cheek... sardonic, furious-paced wit' The Guardian Comedian, activist and 'libertarian anarchist' Mark Thomas believes that, as a nation, we are drifting - economically, politically and socially. Where, he asks, are the big ideas, theories and visions that will help our country in its hour of need? Tired of the status quo, he sets out to change the world by compiling a People's Manifesto, gathering policy suggestions from his studio audience and getting them to vote for the best. Their blue-sky proposals range from the serious (limit and regulate payday loan companies; force all politicians to use public transport, the NHS, and send their kids to state schools) to the hilarious (mandating that all restaurants should only serve starters; colour-coding society so you can see at a glance who's single and looking). Other ideas up for the vote include legalising recreational drugs for senior citizens ('Deals on Wheels'); introducing a maximum wage; and reinstating 'Saint Monday' - the ancient tradition of taking Mondays off. Also on the agenda are crushing the cars of anyone illegally parked in a disabled space; declaring any war that lasts more than five years a draw; having a 'none of the above' option on voting cards; and enforcing rustle-free zones in cinemas (policed by 'cinema ninjas'.) Inspired, Mark decides to pursue one of his favourite propositions - that he should invade Jersey - and heads to Glasgow to consider a kick-starter to buy Scotland out of the Union... But which of the Great British Public's policies will make the final cut? Listen and find out... Also included is a bonus accompanying PDF of the full People's Manifesto, as voted for by the audience of Mark Thomas: The Manifesto. Production credits Presented by Mark Thomas Produced by Ed Morrish (Series 1 and 2) and Colin Anderson (Series 3-5) Researcher: Susan McNicholas (Series 5) First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 June-2 July 2009 (Series 1), 4 February-25 February 2010 (Series 2), 6 January-27 January 2011 (Series 3), 8 February-29 February 2012 (Series 4), 4 April-9 May 2013 (Series 5) © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Mark Thomas (Author), Mark Thomas, Various (Narrator)

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50 Things About Us: What We Really Need to Know About Britain

50 THINGS ABOUT US is a fast and furiously funny journey through our national memory. It's about money, history, songs, gongs, wigs, unicorns, guns, bungs, sods of soil and rich fuckers.  'Patriotism is often the point where history and advertising intersect, and it was that brand of nationalism that Rees-Mogg and Johnson attempted to sell. It is a brand that can only hark backwards; a nostalgic nationalism built on half histories and wishes … The kind of patriotism where the poetry of John Betjeman sits alongside blaming migrants for TB.'But that is not our story. In fact, it is far from the narrative so many of us are a part of.'   From self-deceptions on size, stature and space (clue: there's more than enough for everyone if we lose the golf courses) to the living links between empire, slavery, money and power, this is Mark Thomas' quest to remind us of the true and shared greatness of modern Britain.  Structured as a list of fifty crucial 'Things', and fresh from a lock-down spent interviewing hundreds of NHS workers for the Wellcome Collection permanent archive, this is Mark Thomas at his provocative, passionate best.

Mark Thomas (Author), Mark Thomas (Narrator)

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Chain Reaction: Complete Series 9

'Chain Reaction' is the entertaining BBC Radio 4 tag talk show where this week's guest is next week's interviewer. Famous names from the world of showbusiness choose who they would like to chat to, and must submit to being questioned in their turn the week after. In this sixth series, guests (and hosts) include Jo Brand, Barry Cryer, Mark Thomas, Alexei Sayle, Lenny Henry, Bill Bailey and Simon Pegg.

BBC Audiobooks (Author), Alexei Sayle, Barry Cryer, Bill Bailey, Jo Brand, Lenny Henry, Mark Thomas, Simon Pegg (Narrator)

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Mark Thomas The Manifesto Series 1 (BBC Radio 4)

The first series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy, 'Mark Thomas: The Manifesto', recorded with participation from a studio audience. This series was originally broadcast on 25 June and 2 July 2009. Comedian and activist Mark Thomas creates a People's Manifesto, taking suggestions from his studio audience and then getting them to vote for the best. Some of the proposals up for the vote are: holding a public referendum before going to war next time; reforming the role of Whips in The House of Commons and Lords; creating a pedestrian proficiency test; and introducing a one year cooling-off period for marriage proposals.

Mark Thomas (Author), Mark Thomas (Narrator)

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