Chris Coltrane: Compassion is Subversive

Chris Coltrane is an idealistic comedian, offering comedy free at the point of use. As he himself confesses, he is an activist-slash-comedian, a veteran of campaigns such as the anti-austerity UK Uncut and the growing extra-parliamentary opposition to the current government’s policies.

This isn’t as preachy as it sounds, and at one point he deftly despatches a heckler angrily demanding to know why he is taking the piss out of socialism and not demanding total revolution. He also amusingly demonstrates why nobody cool would ever join a hardline socialist party.

Coltrane likes sex too, and is prepared to have it with almost anybody, irrespective of gender. There are jokes about gay marriage, some better than others, and some anecdotes from his various campaigns such as turning Starbucks into a daycare centre. He's not the most natural comic when it comes to delivery, but then Coltrane himself goes to pains to emphasise that he is a man talking about activism through jokes and not a standup joking about politics.

Compassion is Subversive’s central message is to be found in its title. We live in a society where caring about others has been reduced to a radical fringe ideal instead of a social norm, and regaining that compassion might just put us on the road to recovery. You can’t fault the message, even if the medium is mixed. You don’t have to have sex with him, but let Chris Coltrane give you a bit of free love.