Best known equally for her political activism along with her biting, satirical comedy, stand-up comedian Kate Smurthwaite is set to perform in the Isle of Man later this month.

Kate is best known for her work as a writer, having written for the BBC’s popular political comedy show Have I Got News For You? and BBC3’s BAFTA-winning The Revolution Will Be Televised.

She has also appeared on BBC’s Question Time, The Big Questions, The Moral Maze, Newsnight and also Good Morning Britain, where she caused a moral outrage by flashing her hairy armpits at host Eamonn Holmes.

Her comedy is rooted in her political activism, and she regularly performs at benefits for housing and women’s charities.

She has been invited by the Isle of Man Freethinkers, whose secretary, Stuart Harthill said they were inspired to bring Kate to the island after they became aware of the recent increase in Manx political interest and activism, particularly amongst younger women.

He also said that they also wanted to bring a different type of comedian to the island.

’Some of us were talking about the days when you could catch the likes of Jeremy Hardy or John Cooper-Clarke at the old Bushy’s, and we wondered why the latest generation of such performers don’t come here,’ said Stuart.

’We spoke to a few, and the simple answer seemed to be that nobody was asking them.

’I suppose the cosy, vanilla comedy the island usually gets is OK if you like bland corporate events rather than asking pertinent questions. ’But pushing the envelope and sparking debate is what we do.’

Tickets for the show, which takes place at the Douglas Yacht Club on Friday, April 12, are £17.50, and available now at etickets.im/et

Doors open at 7.30pm, with a supper at 8pm, with the show starting at 9pm.