Ray discusses his experience of performing political stand-up comedy. He explains why the politics of the 1980s circuit disappointed him before delving into: acknowledgement of racist/sexist ignorance of comedians performing around him; the importance of not ‘performing black’; attempts of promoters to shoehorn distinctive acts into stereotyped categories; the importance of not ‘playing the game’; differences between performing in Newcastle and London; his influences; practical suggestions to improve diversity within stand-up comedy.

Content warning: from 24:50-30.00 conversation includes explicit examples of racism/ sexism.

More Ray Campbell at: 

https://twitter.com/RayCampbell19 

https://twitter.com/buddy_hell 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-campbell-b271532a/

Look out for Ray’s forthcoming book, A Cultural History of British Alternative Cabaret (1979-1991). Available to pre-order at:

https://www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10.3828/9781837645107

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