Friday 27 November 2009

Latest review of James Mullinger Is The Bad Boy Of Feminism

I have just been sent a link to this lovely review of my last Etcetera Theatre show by journalist Sam Parker on the International Life website. It's always a real delight when someone sees the show and totally gets it.

Link:
http://www.internationallife.tv/James-Mullinger-comedy

Review:
"One slight problem with the title of James Mullinger’s one-man show is that it prepares you (or me at least) for Frank Skinner filtered through a university education: blonde jokes with Freud in the punch line. The wonderful surprise - and charm of the routine is that the title isn’t ironic. Mullinger really is a feminist, and by the end of the show he wants you to be one too.

Any doubts over his credentials are quickly dealt with – do you need to be black to care about racism, he asks? – not least of all because the comedian has a degree in Women’s Studies. Mullinger shimmies across the stage bristling with positive energy - like Chris Rock minus the vitriol – as he expresses his indignation at the way women are paid less, portrayed negatively and patronized by society.

The arguments fluctuate. A sketch around sexist taxi drivers is fantastically well observed, while a fellow audience member struggled to see why she should feel offended by the conventions of chick-flicks. But it is when Mullinger delves into anecdote that he is most compelling.

As the photo editor of a national magazine, he was the responsible for a worldwide airbrush scandal. As a liberal, he was forced to forgive a tramp who violating him in his sleep. As a man on his stag do, he had a stripper stick a toothbrush up his backside in front of a room full of his friends. These stories are hilarious and delivered with disarming frankness, but it is the way he brings them round to support his central thesis that distinguishes Mullinger from most other comics on the London scene. Comedy at its best is thought-provoking without being didactic – a balance this comedian nails time and time again.

James Mullinger is… The Bad Boy of Feminism was sell-out at the Camden Fringe. He also played Upstairs At The Masons near Oxford Street on November 17th. Anyone who has lost faith in feminism – or for that matter, new comedy – really ought to check him out."

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Welcome

Hello and welcome to my blog about feminism. My life as a male feminist is the subject of my debut full length stand up show, 'James Mullinger Is The Bad Boy Of Feminism' (currently touring). I've received lots of emails from people who've seen the show asking me my opinion on various issues regarding modern feminism and I hope to answer these questions in this blog.

The show is constantly evolving so it's rare any two audiences will see the same show twice. Not a day goes by without a news story appearing that I wish to talk about and there isn't always the time to cover everything I wish to in the show.

So, with this blog I intend to rant and rave about everything that angers me about the treatment of women in modern life.

Can a man be a true feminist? Is it possible to be a pro-porn feminist? Why did I study Women's Studies at university? Are all the shocking stories in the show true? Can you work for a men's magazine and stay true to your feminist beliefs? Is Jordan Wimmer a more negative role model for women than her kangeroo eating namesake? Is it okay to laugh at rape jokes? Is it okay to rape?

I intend to answer these questions and more.

Thanks for reading.