London Comedy Award Nomination Mark Thomas: ‘[on his show Walking the Wall, that is, walking the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier] .. it’s the story of 300,000 settlers; a 750km wall; six arrests, one stoning; too much hummus and a simple question, Can you ever get away from it all with a good walk?’

Mark Thomas, the renowned comedian, political activist and writer is a veritable tour de force. The former Guinness World Record holder (for leading the most number of demonstrations in different locations in one day - 20, by the way) is currently touring with his show ‘Walking the Wall’. It recounts his ramblings across the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier – ‘the story of 300,000 settlers; a 750km wall; six arrests, one stoning; too much hummus and a simple question: “Can you ever get away from it all with a good walk?” ’So far, it’s been an amazing success. Does he think that comedy is a good tool to get the masses involved with politics?

“I wouldn’t look at it like that. All art and performance is political in some way; it reflects who we are, stuff that we do. We need to get past media ownership and make people look at things in a new way. ‘The Riots Show’ that’s on at the moment is brilliant. And, if someone says to me after a gig “You’ve changed the way I think about that issue”-  great. But do I think it’s a tool to influence the masses? No.”

However, he does have an incredible passion for helping those who need it, and fervently believes that the world can change. “I hate, hate, HATE people who are wilfully ignorant and say that nothing can be done. Of course we can change things! It makes me so bloody angry. Democracy is a wonderful thing, but it shouldn’t be subjugated to where you were born, your family, your wealth, your sex.”

How does he motivate himself to keep fighting, to keep campaigning? Over the past year he’s held over 25 benefits to raise support for a plethora of issues, ranging from medical aid to legal rights for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. “Curiosity and bloody- mindedness. In terms of my comic work, it’s ego. As a performer, that’s what gets you out of bed in the morning. The desire to get a room of complete strangers to like you is a very weird but very powerful thing.”

His comedic influences are as far-reaching as his energy and drive. “Bertolt Brecht. I love theatre; it’s so exciting, so transformative. You can go to the theatre thinking one thing and come out and be totally changed. Dave Allen - I love him, he’s much more subversive than people think. And music! I’m a huge fan of Pulp. You can learn more from a band’s album cover or lyrics than you can from a newspaper.”

Does he see himself as rebel? “On a good day.” Does he approve of the Royal Family? “Don’t be silly.” Finally, as a man with extremely strong political opinions, I wonder which MP he’d most like to be stuck in a lift with?

“Michael Gove, just to see what would happen...I’m not a man prone to physical violence, but it would be interesting to see what the results of that would be.”

For more information about Mark Thomas or to book tickets for ‘Walking the Wall’ at the Tricycle Theatre in London, go to www.markthomasinfo.co.uk or www.tricycle.co.uk.