‘It’s the alchemical process of turning the darkest most abject aspect of your life into mirth.’

The Quaker comedian Pope Lonergan has built a stellar reputation for his brave and candid approach. Rebecca Hardy caught up with him between gigs and care home shifts

by Rebecca Hardy 12th July 2019

Pope Lonergan has a background in care work with the elderly, and was the mastermind behind the The Care Home Tour. He and a group of stand-ups performed in care homes, often to people with dementia. The Essex-born boy from Rayleigh also runs Pope’s Addiction Clinic where comedians and other people share openly in what he calls ‘full, frank disclosure’. With two upcoming shows at the Edinburgh Festival, Pope delivers comedy that, according to the Evening Standard, ranges ‘from fearless to funny to heart-stoppingly raw’. I caught up with him one sunny Thursday a couple of weeks ago to find out how his Quakerism informs his unique style of comedy. The results were nothing short of inspiring.