Bucks Council leader booed and mocked at comedy show
Buckinghamshire’s council leader’s night out took an unexpected turn when a comedian asked what he did for a living, and the audience began to boo.
Steven Broadbent was enjoying a Laughter Craft Comedy show at Hazlemere Community Centre when comedian Jonathan Elston, the company’s founder, picked him out of the crowd.
“What do you do, Steve?” Elston asked. “I’m the leader of Buckinghamshire Council,” came the reply.
His reply drew laughter, then boos. “Oh God, they’ve turned,” Elston said, as someone shouted: “Get him out!” Elston seized his chance to make jokes about the county’s roads. He suggested 30 people had missed the show because they were stuck at temporary traffic lights, then quipped that the audience might bury Cllr Broadbent in a pothole.
“To be fair, they probably wouldn’t even find your body,” he said. “They’ll just put a circle around it.” He told Cllr Broadbent he respected him for saying what he did “out loud”, despite the crowd’s reaction.
When Cllr Broadbent said the council was “making good progress”, Elston kept the routine going. After an audience member shouted an insult, Elston joked that he had lost control, which might qualify him for a job at the council.
The exchange happened at a show earlier this year and appeared in a clip posted by Laughter Craft Comedy, titled Audience becomes a violent mob.
Cllr Broadbent took the ribbing in good spirits. He said: “This video is from a few months ago and, like many other Buckinghamshire residents, I was enjoying a good night out with friends in the local community.
“As with any comedy night, you do run the risk of falling under the gaze of the comedian and being picked out; on this occasion he focussed his attention on me which is all part of the fun of the night.
“I’m proud to be the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council and, as those who recognised me in the audience would also expect, I would never not say that.
“It was a well-run event with good comedy that was well attended by fellow Bucks residents – I urge anyone reading this to do what we were all doing; please get out there and support local venues, hospitality and events because it will be of benefit to you, the venue and our communities.”
An organiser said Cllr Broadbent was “very good fun” and “really added to the show”. They said he also spent time talking to people afterwards.