By Andrew Clarke

Published at 11:05, Thursday, 06 September 2012

MARK Steel is pleased to report that he has found plenty in Whitehaven “to be rude about” as he prepares for his latest stand-up project.

Mark Steel: ‘Whitehaven is a quirky, interesting place’

An acclaimed columnist, author and comedian, Mark has chosen Whitehaven to be the subject of an episode in his new series of Mark Steel’s In Town – a stand-up show based exclusively on what he’s gleaned from our town to be performed at Rosehill Theatre next week.

“It’s a quirky, interesting little place – full of contrasts,” says Mark, taking a break from writing the show to speak to The Whitehaven News.

“On one hand, you’ve got a normal high street, with WH Smiths, Boots and your regular shops.

“Then take a few steps along and you’ve got a beautiful harbour, with boats glistening away. It could be St Tropez with a Roman Abramovich-type character sitting there!”

Mark spent a day in Whitehaven two weeks ago, meeting people, including antiquarian bookseller Michael Moon, visiting places of interest (The Beacon) and having a pint in a local pub.

He left with a host of research material – Daniel Hay’s Illustrated History, Mining Memories by Jenny Martin, Chocolate, Blue & Gold, a history of Whitehaven’s rugby league club by Harry Edgar, and even a copy of The Whitehaven News.

He’ll return the day before Wednesday night’s show to put the finishing touches to his material, and everything he’s learned, read and observed will feed into the routine.

“The rivalry with Workington will be in there, and the local power plant, as well as some seafaring stories and links to history which I’ve found amazing.

“The John Paul Jones story is remarkable; not only that he decided to invade Great Britain, but that he decided to attack Whitehaven, the town where he had started his career.

“But I’m intrigued by the fact that he is revered in Whitehaven, with a statue and a pub in his honour; given that his ambition was to burn the place to the ground, it shows a remarkable degree of forgiveness!”

Wednesday’s show will be recorded at Rosehill – in a major coup for the theatre – and will be broadcast on Radio Four in November, as part of the fourth series of In Town, which has earned Mark prestigious broadcasting awards since its debut in 2009.

In previous series, he has visited other “out-of-the-way” towns including Skipton, Walsall, Gateshead and Dumfries.

“I was keen to come to Whitehaven because it’s a tucked-away place – a little secret in many ways – as a lot of people visit the Lakes District, but perhaps not to Whitehaven.

“It’s about finding distinct places with a lot of character, and Whitehaven is certainly one of those and there’s plenty to be rude about and I know that people will take a gentle ribbing with good humour.

“I’ve learned that Whitehaven has a lot of elements that people are very proud of – and moan about – in equal measures!”

Tickets for the show are free and are managed by the BBC. Further details on how to apply are available at www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk. The show begins at 7.30pm.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk