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James Dowdeswell

The Pub Manifesto

A COMEDIAN STANDS UP FOR PUBS

From pub dogs to dodgy toilets, The Pub Manifesto uses humour to assess what makes the perfect pub, whilst spreading awareness of the problems that they face in the modern day, as 18 pubs currently close per week in the UK.  

Stand-up comedian and actor

James Dowdeswell

James grew up in a West Country pub, The Anchor Inn, Oldbury-Upon-Severn, near Bristol, which his parents still own.

In 2015 he toured his stand-up show, James Dowdeswell’s Perfect Pub in Australia, The Edinburgh Fringe and festivals all over the UK. In the show James outlined the problems facing pubs and asked the audience to suggest what they wish to have in their perfect pub. The best and most intriguing suggestions would be written on a chalkboard. Every night a new perfect pub would be created and named.

This book is inspired by the findings of that show. One night after a performance, James’ friend Philippa said “Hey, this would make a great book.” The very next day James put pen to paper, or rather stylus to iPhone.

Tuesday 27th November 2018

 

An evening with James Dowdeswell

The Pub Manifesto

A Comedian Stands Up For Pubs

The Ivy House - Tuesday 27th November 2018

CAMRA members and pub lovers joined us for an evening with author and comedian James Dowdeswell on

Tuesday 27 November, 7-8pm.

 

Celebrating the launch of his new book, The Pub Manifesto: A Comedian Stands Up For Pubs, James  performed a short stand-up set to explain how he came to write the book. Perfectly situated in London’s first co-operatively owned and CAMRA Good Beer Guide approved pub, there were also a few discussions on some of the Campaign issues around pubs of community value.

James was happy to sign copies of the book for the crowd.

 

The Ivy House is a Grade II listed public house at 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, London.[1]

It was designed by the architect A. E. Sewell in the 1930s for Truman’s Brewery.[1]

It was originally known as the Newlands Tavern, and has many original features including a curved bar and timber panelled walls. It was one of the major pub music venues in South London during the mid-1970s pub rock boom, with acts including Ian DuryElvis CostelloJoe Strummer and Dr. Feelgood. The pub was later renamed the Stuart Arms, before becoming The Ivy House. It is listed by Southwark London Borough Council as an asset of community value.[2]

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by | May 14, 2018 | 0 comments

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The siren call of the format show is a seductive one. Get a strong hook for a show and it sells itself – and James Dowdeswell’s idea for a comedy show based around building your perfect pub seems like such a thing. It’s certainly got punters through the doors at the Three Sisters on a Saturday afternoon, as it’s a full house.

– Paul Fleckney – “Chortle”

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What are your qualifications for leading this quest?

I grew up in a West Country pub. Worked as a barman, a brewer and a cider maker. To be fair I’m from the West Country, it’s like National Service for us.

– the wee review

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Dowdeswell is a likeable, self-deprecating  performer, who talks about what life is like growing up living above a pub, and these experiences – not all positive – do seem to have left him as something of an expert on all three aspects of his title, as well as bringing plenty to the ‘What make a perfect pub?’ debate. (Don’t tell his dad that his West Country pub isn’t Dowdeswell’s favourite in the world. Do look out for O’Looney’s.)

– one4review