Union Chapel, Islington (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Stand Up For Satire, hosted at the Union Chapel in Islington on Tuesday 4 July, was a night of top comedy in support of Index on Censorship, hosted by Australian stand-up Brendon Burns. The stellar line-up featured comedians Al Murray, Tim Key, Dane Baptiste, Kerry Godliman, Deborah Frances-White, Felicity Ward and Robin Ince, plus a special reading from George Orwell’s Animal Farm by actor and Index patron Simon Callow.
Among the topics poked fun at were North London conformists, the British, the middle class, Brexit, hipsters and your racist nan.
For this special podcast below, Index spoke with Burns, Baptiste, Ince and Murray backstage about the importance of satire and why their craft is uniquely powerful.
Union Chapel, Islington. (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Union Chapel, Islington. (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian and host Brendon Burns (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian and host Brendon Burns (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Union Chapel, Islington (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Tim Key (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Tim Key (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Felicity Ward (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Felicity Ward (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Felicity Ward (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Actor Simon Callow (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Dane Baptiste (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Union Chapel, Islington (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Deborah Frances-White (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Deborah Frances-White (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Kerry Godliman (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Kerry Godliman (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Union Chapel, Islington (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Robin Ince (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Al Murray (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Al Murray (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Comedian Al Murray (Photo: Elina Kansikas for Index on Censorship)
Stand Up for Satire includes Al Murray, Tim Key, Felicity Ward, Dane Baptiste, Kerry Godliman and Deborah Frances-White, host of the hit podcast The Guilty Feminist.
Join stand-up star Al Murray the Pub Landlord and a selection of outspoken friends for a night of top comedy in support of international freedom of expression charity Index on Censorship.
Off the back of a sell-out show in 2015, Stand Up for Satire returns with a stellar line-up, with guests including Al Murray, Tim Key, Felicity Ward, Dane Baptiste, Kerry Godliman, Deborah Frances-White, host of the hit podcast The Guilty Feminist, and actor Simon Callow.
“It’s great to be doing Stand Up For Satire again, being able to take the mickey, send politicians up, or just flick V’s at the powerful in general is something we take for granted sometimes in the UK. Satire is the thin end of the wedge, and it needs taking care of. And now I sound this pompous, I hope someone takes the piss out of me!” — Al Murray
“Affectionate, double-edged satire that feels as fresh as ever.” The Telegraph on Al Murray
“Daring, innovative and ridiculously funny.” Time Out on Tim Key
“Dizzyingly hilarious” The Guardian on Dane Baptiste
“Gutbustingly funny.” Evening Standard on Felicity Ward
“Goes for the jugular, quick wit, frank and engaging.” The Independent on Kerry Godliman
Index on Censorship has long championed comedians, cartoonists and others facing threats of persecution, violence and even death. Index provides a platform for the censored to be read, seen and heard – promoting and defending the right to free speech globally. All proceeds from the event will go to support this work.
