Comedy v fascism

Comedy v fascism

From PG Wodehouse’s ‘Black shorts’ to today

Can humour and satire counter fascism and the far Right?

A free online panel discussion event with Alexei Sayle and other comedians

Wednesday 30th September 2026 at 7pm (online)

In the 1930s P. G. Wodehouse parodied Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts through his comic creation of Roderick Spode, the leader of ‘The Saviours of Britain’ aka the ‘Black Shorts’. Wodehouse opposed fascists by making them look ridiculous.

Comedy legend Peter Cook however, once dismissed the impact of humour to achieve political change with an ironic tribute to, “All those German political satirists on the Berlin alternative cabaret circuit who did so much to stop fascism in the 1930s”.

The rise of the far right in modern Britain is no laughing matter, yet can comedy, irony, or satire be harnessed for political impact?

Join Alexei Sayle, along with fellow comics, exploring the role of today’s comedians and satirists on making a difference for communities to combat racism and fascism as we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the ‘Battle of Cable Street’.

The event is organised by the Modern Cockney Festival as part of the 90th anniversary commemoration of the ‘Battle of Cable Street’ organised by United East End.

BOOK YOUR TICKET via this TicketTailor link.

For further information, visit: www.moderncockneyfestival.org.uk and https://unitedeastend.org.uk