iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 17/09/2026

The Band With Rocks In would like to announce that they are no longer comfortable supporting Ed Sheeran on his tour of the Sto Plains.

A still from the 1997 animated version of Soul Music, based on Terry Pratchett’s book. Buddy, Discworld’s reluctant human rock star, strikes a suitably heroic pose with his guitar at the microphone. Behind him, Cliff the troll drummer looms among the rocks, while the Librarian — definitely not a monkey — plays the organ. To the right, Glod the dwarf, who can blow anything, provides brass accompaniment.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 07/07/2026

Instructor on the stepping machine video session: “check in on your heart rate. Is it over 100? 120? That’s good. We want that heart pumping” My heart rate:

Apple Watche display showing a heart rate of 173 bpm

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 30/06/2026

I don't know what the hell the Instagram algorithm thinks I'm into, but if I do want somewhere to sell my .. *checks notes* .... Chinese Art I will be sure to make ... *checks notes* Sotheby's my first port of call.

A screengrab of an Instagram post from Sotherby's showing a large Chinese vase and the caption "Thinking of selling your Chinese Art? Sotherbies combines global reach, market leading expertise, and decades of ..."

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 26/06/2026

I KNEW IT. They have shaved 10g off Snickers in the UK. They were 50g, now they’re 40g. Some stores still have the biggers ones and I bought one for comparison. Same price, obviously. We have lost 20% of Snickers.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 22/06/2026

Brian Molko has taken a swing at reworking one of the core albums of my teenage angst. I wrote this for @super-deluxe.bsky.social on why it meant so much to begin with, and why it didn't really need the retooling: superdeluxeedition.com/reviews/revi...

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 13/06/2026

Likely to be one of these, but it could actually be anyone in the main cast!

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 31/05/2026

The guy who wrote this Times article is an AI shill for a living, so I suppose I should expect it, but you’d hope THE ACTUAL TIMES would be a bit tighter on polishing the obvious ChatGPT tells out of the slop he handed in.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 31/05/2026

Have a Sunday morning deep-dive into one of the great alt-rock debuts, wot I wrote for @super-deluxe.bsky.social superdeluxeedition.com/reviews/smas...

The front cover of Smashing Pumpkins classic 1991 debut, Gish. It features a photo of the band taken with a fish eye lense, th epicture is black and white and then artificially colourised to give it a surreal feeling, surrounded byy a ring of red flowers. The band's name and the title of the album are hand written in Billy Corgan's hand writing, against a dark, plush background.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 05/05/2026

Saw the Reading line up and genuinely thought, just for a minute, that it said “Chas N Dave”. Which would be extraordinary for several reasons.

The Reading festival 2026 line up. Chase & Status are listed over two lines, next to the grime artist Dave, meaning reading across a single line it says “Chase & Dave”.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 01/05/2026

I think i’ve found the internet’s most insane take.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 16/03/2026

I'm incredibly proud to featured on Marianna Spring's important documentary 'Inside The Rage Machine', on BBC2 tonight (16/3) and on the iPlayer already, about how social media companies monetise your rage and prioritise it above your (and our) safety. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 15/03/2026

Come see my hit Edinburgh Fringe show The Britpop Hour on tour around the UK this Spring! It's a stand up comedy celebration of Britpop. How did it happen, why did it end and how did it come back! Dance like Jarvis! Flirt like Damon! Tweet like Liam! Details: www.marcburrows.co.uk/live-dates

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 17/02/2026

Why does it look like AC-12 do their briefings in a PBH Venue in Leith?

A still from Line of Duty with four angst ridden police officers sat in a dismal room, rows of folding chairs all facing forward with a whiteboard at the back of the room. It looks suspiciously like a particularly dispiriting Edinburgh Fringe venue.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 17/02/2026

This is interesting. I was looking up an article I wrote back in 2021 on the flawed Discworld adaption The Watch, and if I read this now I would be abspolutely convinced it was a ChatGPT job that the author had them fluffed a bit. The opening, the dash and "quietly deploys" are dead giveaways.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 16/02/2026

My watch’s definition of “moderate” is VERY different to mine. 💀⚰️🪦

Marc Burrows about to expire from a work out looking deeply pained

My lying prick of an Apple Watch claiming my effort level was “moderate”

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 05/02/2026

I particularly like this bit where he predicts the Roomba

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 04/02/2026

God, I know I'm a sucker and it's kind of a scame these days but ... Record Store Day 2026 seems designed to purposely torture me, personally. I am DROOLING.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 25/01/2026

Finally saw Bone Temple. What a THUNDERINGLY good film. I love it when you sit down in a cinema and from one moment to the next you have no clue where the story is going to go, what it's going to look like or how it will make you feel.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 22/01/2026

The new He-Man film actually looks sort of great, and appropriately camp. But I'm extremely annoyed that it's ruined a very sold joke from my stand up set.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 14/01/2026

Honestly, this timeline is completely insane.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 19/12/2025

Here's the UK Christmas top 40 for this year. It's interesting to see what songs go in and out of fasion. Missing here - East 17, The Darkness, Johnny Mathis, Jonah Lewie, any version of 'White Christmas', Chris de Burgh, Greg Lake, Boney M, Mud, Elvis, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Cliff Richard.

1. Kylie Minogue – XMAS
2. Wham! – Last Christmas
3. Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas Is You
4. Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
5. Together for Palestine – Lullaby
6. The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York
7. Dave / Tems – Raindance
8. Kelly Clarkson – Underneath the Tree
9. Elton John – Step Into Christmas
10. Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock
11. Shakin’ Stevens – Merry Christmas Everyone
12. Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me
13. Olivia Dean – Man I Need
14. Sam Fender & Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
15. Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
16. Andy Williams – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
17. Dean Martin – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
18. Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime
19. Haven feat. Kaitlin Aragon – I Run
20. Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

21. The Ronettes – Sleigh Ride
22. John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
23. Michael Bublé – It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
24. José Feliciano – Feliz Navidad
25. Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
26. Sia – Snowman
27. RAYE – Where Is My Husband
28. HUNTR / X / EJAE / Audrey Nuna / Rei – Golden
29. Sienna Spiro – Die on This Hill
30. Chris Rea – Driving Home for Christmas
31. Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song
32. Darlene Love – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
33. Djo – End of Beginning
34. EsDeeKid & Rico Ace – Phantom
35. Michael Bublé – Holly Jolly Christmas
36. Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody
37. Alex Warren – Ordinary
38. Leona Lewis – One More Sleep
39. Laufey – Winter Wonderland
40. EsDeeKid – Century

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 05/12/2025

The Story of the Christmas No.1 — Mistletoe & Vinyl is out now! "A hugely entertaining romp through six decades of music trivia ⭑⭑⭑⭑ " — Classic Pop Magazine. Lots of other books available too! Perfect stocking filler for the music nerd in your life. www.marcburrows.co.uk/s/shop

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 04/12/2025

Do you publish articles, do a podcast, or work for a radio or TV show? Would you like me, the award winning author and comedian Marc Burrows, to come write a opinion piece/blog/feature/come and speak about Christmas numbers ones or Christmas music in general? I WOULD BE HAPPY TO!

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 26/10/2025

The word “migrant” is unecessary rage bait here and the BBC fucking know it. They’re pouring petrol on a fire.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 06/09/2025

Glinner is actively insane. He's a literal mentalist.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 16/07/2025

Ad on FB just now. This is the creepiest shit I have ever seen. Or it would be, but I saw a creepier one a few weeks ago that claimed you could use photographs of real people. I'm assuming I'm getting these because of my age and demographic etc. It makes my skin crawl.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 08/07/2025

Looked at the news. My brain immediately did this.

A screen grab from the TV show The Young Ones, showing the character of Neil played by Nigel Planer, a hippie with long dark hair, sat cross legged on the floor in a dirty 80s student kitchen. The picture is captioned with a line from the show "Well it better be good, this Norman Tebitt".

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 23/05/2025

Here's Terry Pratchett mastering the urban fantasy/hidden London genre in less than 500 words when he was just 17, in February 1966. "The idea of people rushing round deep under the earth is dark and mysterious, and the monks want to make sure people remember that".

A scanned black-and-white newspaper page featuring a short story titled “St Euston’s Day” by Uncle Jim, a pseudonym for Terry Pratchett. The story appears under a “Children’s Circle” header and recounts a whimsical tale about a fictional saint associated with the invention of the railway in 829 A.D. The text is printed in columns with a slightly faded, typewritten appearance. Below the story, there is a “Birthdays” section listing names and ages of young readers.

The story reads:

Children’s Circle
by UNCLE JIM

Dear Circle Members,

It’s not widely known that tomorrow is St Euston’s Day, when his followers commemorate the man who failed to invent the railway in A.D. 829. He failed somewhere.

Anyone who, on this day, wears their hat backwards and recites all the names of the stations on the Bakerloo Line is traditionally entitled to a silver sixpence and a return ticket to Maida Vale.

In memory of Saint Euston, the famous railway station — built where he supposedly had the idea — is really a railway cathedral. According to legend, if Euston Station is ever pulled down, no trains will ever again run in London. The underground monks who look after the railway will make sure of that.

No one has ever actually seen these monks, but if you have a good look round a place like Baker Street station, you’ll notice lots of small doors and passages that no one ever seems to use. Well, somebody must use them.

The electricity is cut off during part of the night, and no trains run. According to the story, people hear strange chanting and see lights moving far down the windy tunnels. The stations are changed, the light bulbs dim. Sometimes, at night, organ music comes out of the loudspeakers.

No one ever dares go and look. But if, on St Euston’s Day, you wear your hat back to front and can recite all the stations on the Bakerloo Line, there’s a chance you’ll receive a silver sixpence and a return ticket to Maida Vale.

So you never know.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 16/05/2025

Are we supposed to believe that this is a coincidence?

A screengrab of an Apple News alert from The Times that reads “my husband taught Prince William to fly helicopters – now he’s dead from toxic fumes”

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 15/05/2025

It’s a busy summer, y’all! Here’s where you can catch me doing bits and bobs across the next few months. Plus new material spots wherever they’ll have me! Tickets: www.marcburrows.co.uk/live-dates

Promotional tour poster for Marc Burrows’ Spring–Summer 2025 Gigs. The poster features Marc on the left in a black jumper, looking up against a blue background, with bold retro typography. The tour includes comedy, book talks, and live performances of The Britpop Hour, The Magic of Terry Pratchett, and more.

Gig dates listed by month:

MAY
17 – SHEFFIELD, Steel City Comedy – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
18 – LEICESTER, Duffy’s Bar – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
22 – BRIGHTON FRINGE, The Secret Comedy Club – SHRINK WRAPPED
24 – CHESHAM FRINGE, Chapter Two – NIRVANA BOOK TALK
27 – PRAGUE Fringe – MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT
28 – PRAGUE Fringe – MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT
29 – PRAGUE Fringe – MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT
30 – BIRMINGHAM, UK Games Expo – MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT
31 – BIRMINGHAM, UK Games Expo – MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT

JUNE
07 – LONDON, Museum of Comedy – GET YOUR GEEK ON
08 – LONDON, Hen & Chickens – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
17 – ESHER, Albert Arms – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
18 – SURBITON, Cornerhouse – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
26 – ALDERSHOT, West End Arts Centre – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)

JULY
04 – CHIPPENHAM, Old Road Tavern – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
10 – NEW MILTON, Forest Arts Centre – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
11 – LONDON, Museum of Comedy – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
18 – FANTASY FOREST FESTIVAL – MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT
19 – MAIDENHEAD, Norden Farm – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
22 – LONDON, Hen & Chickens – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
24 – BRIGHTON, Komedia – THE BRITPOP HOUR (WIP)
30–25 AUG – EDINBURGH FRINGE, Underbelly – THE BRITPOP HOUR

Footer notes explain colour coding:
• Blue: BRITPOP SHOW (1hr)
• Yellow: CLUB GIG (short set)
• Red: MAGIC OF TERRY PRATCHETT (1hr)
• Orange: BOOK TALK

Website listed: marcburrows.co.uk/live-dates.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 15/05/2025

Posted by the official Marvel FB account. Are they really out here shouting about their three-star reviews? Surely, surely they've got better ones? Is this some sort of deliberate trick to get people to share it? I DON'T UNDERSTAND. (Also, Thunderbolts is not a three-star film. It's a solid four.)

Promotional poster for Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*/ The New Avengers. A team of eight characters pose heroically in front of a stylised yellow asterisk. The central figure, a bearded man in red armour (Red Guardian), stands behind others including Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and U.S. Agent. Below, the tagline reads: “LOCKED AND LOADED – Now Playing in Cinemas.” Review blurbs include:
• “Engages, entertains and emotional” – Hindustan Times (3/5 stars)
• “Skillful blend of action & emotion” – Times Now (4/5 stars)
• “Soulful Marvel adventure” – Firstpost (3.5/5 stars)

The poster uses bold yellow and black tones with torn paper effects for a gritty, energetic feel.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 06/05/2025

I met Paul Reiser at the weekend and was able to tell him about my bit about how weird it is that Greg Evigan is straight, considering his two biggest shows were called 'BJ and the Bear' and 'My Two Dads'. He humoured me, for which I am grateful.

Two people pose together at a fan convention. Seated on the left is actor Paul Reiser wearing glasses, a grey T-shirt, and a dark zip-up jacket with arms crossed. Standing next to him on the right is comedian Marc Burrows, wearing a denim jacket and glasses. The encounter seems genial, which a touch of fan-meets-famous-person awkwardness. Behind them is a banner with a cartoon-style image of Paul Reiser and the text “PAUL REISER,” with “MONOPOLY EVENTS” repeated in the background. A table in front holds water bottles, hand sanitiser, a green phone case, and a black marker.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 04/05/2025

For Star Wars day M&S have started selling Luke Skywalker’s Blue Milk! (It’s vile!)

A bottle of M&S “Brain food” oat drink. It’s blue.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 03/05/2025

I love writing with these pens but I hate their Shouting-“bollocks”-loudly-in-the-campsite-at-Download-Monster-Energy-Drink-CEX-Saturday-job-Korn-tattoo energy.

A picture of a Pilot FriXion pen with its silver celtic design energy

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 30/04/2025

OI! My new show, The Britpop Hour, is going on tour in 2026, expanded to a two-act extravaganza! Most dates onsale now: www.marcburrows.co.uk/the-britpop-...

Vintage-style promotional poster for The Britpop Show, a stand-up comedy tour by Marc Burrows. The design mimics a 90s music magazine cover with bold red, white and blue text, featuring a photo of Burrows in glasses and denim holding a Union Jack guitar. The tagline reads “Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1995.” A quote from Broadway Baby says “Utter joyful enthusiasm.” The UK Spring 2026 tour dates are listed down the left side, beginning 6 March in Cambridge and ending 30 April in Newcastle. The background is bright and colourful with a nostalgic, Britpop feel.

It lists the dates:

06 MARCH The Junction CAMBRIDGE
07 MARCH Arts Centre COLCHESTER
20 MARCH The Stables MILTON KEYNES
21 MARCH Y Theatre LEICESTER
27 MARCH Hen & Chickens BRISTOL
03 APRIL Rondo Theatre BATH
09 APRIL The Attic SOUTHAMPTON
10 APRIL The Lights ANDOVER
11 APRIL Bellerby Studio GUILDFORD
15 APRIL Playhouse NORWICH
17 APRIL Comedy Hall TIVERTON
19 APRIL Glee BIRMINGHAM
21 APRIL Theatre Severn SHREWSBURY
22 APRIL The Atkinson SOUTHPORT
24 APRIL Waterside Arts SALE
25 APRIL Foundry SHEFFIELD
26 APRIL Glee LEEDS
28 APRIL The Stand EDINBURGH
29 APRIL The Stand GLASGOW
30 APRIL The Stand NEWCASTLE

Second promotional poster for The Britpop Show by Marc Burrows. Styled like a 90s magazine with bold fonts and retro colours. It features a full-body photo of Burrows holding a Union Jack guitar. The top half lists 2025 work-in-progress dates across the UK, and the bottom half shows 2026 tour dates, beginning in March. A yellow banner highlights the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe run: “30th Jul – 25th August 2025”. The poster includes star review names at the bottom and a QR code marked “Tickets.”

It lists more tour dates:

2025 WORK IN PROGRESS SHOWS:
17 MAY Steel City Comedy SHEFFIELD (with Vix Leyton)
18 MAY Duffy’s Bar LEICESTER Duffy’s (with Juliette Burton:)
8 JUNE Hen & Chickens LONDON
17 JUNE The Albert Arms ESHE (with Juliette Burton)
18 JUNE The Cornerhouse SURBITON (with Juliette Burton)
26 JUNE West End Arts Centre ALDERSHOT
10 JULY Forest Arts Centre NEW MILTON
11 JULY Museum of Comedy LONDON (with Juliette Burton)
19 JULY Norden Farm MAIDENHEAD
22 JULY Hen & Chickens LONDON
24 JULY Komedia BRIGHTON (with Max Fulham)
EDINBURGH FRINGE 2025
30 JULY – 25 AUG Underbelly
2026 - THE BRITPOP SHOW ON TOUR!:
06 MARCH The Junction CAMBRIDGE
07 MARCH Arts Centre COLCHESTER
20 MARCH The Stables MILTON KEYNES
21 MARCH Y Theatre LEICESTER
27 MARCH Hen & Chickens BRISTOL
03 APRIL Rondo Theatre BATH
09 APRIL The Attic SOUTHAMPTON
10 APRIL The Lights ANDOVER
11 APRIL Bellerby Studio GUILDFORD
15 APRIL Playhouse NORWICH
17 APRIL Comedy Hall TIVERTON
19 APRIL Glee BIRMINGHAM
21 APRIL Theatre Severn SHREWSBURY
22 APRIL The Atkinson SOUTHPORT
24 APRIL Waterside Arts SALE
25 APRIL Foundry SHEFFIELD
26 APRIL Glee LEEDS
28 APRIL The Stand EDINBURGH
29 APRIL The Stand GLASGOW
30 APRIL The Stand NEWCASTLE

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 27/04/2025

Holds released for my big Terry Pratchett birthday show at The Duchess in London tomorrow. JUST ONE LEFT! ticketing.nimaxtheatres.com/tickets/seri...

A theatre seating plan with one ticket left

A poster for a Terry Pratchett themed event in the style of a Victorian playbill

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 25/04/2025

Here's Terry Pratchett reminding you that it's NO-ONE'S BUSINESS what's in someone's underwear. TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS GO. The UK Supreme Court could take the lesson. #GNUTerryPratchett

An excerpt from Terry Pratchett's Carpe Jugulum.

‘Nah, I reckons they’re a bit like the dwarfs and there’s hardly any difference except under the loincloth,’ said Nanny. ‘I expect Granny knows,’ said Magrat. ‘And she ain’t sayin’,’ said Nanny. ‘She says it’s their business.’

Pratchett, Terry. Carpe Jugulum: (Discworld Novel 23) (Discworld series) (p. 290). (Function). Kindle Edition.

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 18/04/2025

This might be the most tragic thing i’ve ever seen in my life

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 09/04/2025

Check the picture caption. @theguardian.com very much falling at the first hurdle here.

A still from the 1997 Star Wars special edition featuring Harrison Ford as Han Solo and a very dated CGI Jabba the Hutt standing in front of the Millenium Falcon. The caption reads "Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Jabba The Hutt in the 1977 cut."

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Marc Burrows @20thcenturymarc.marcburrows.co.uk · 09/04/2025

The 3,000 words I've just written on Mr. Blobby is the BEST bit of my new book.

Cartoon-style cover art for the 1993 single “Mr Blobby” featuring a bright pink, polka-dotted character with a yellow bow tie and a wide, fixed grin. The background is dark blue with colourful starburst shapes. The title “Mr Blobby” appears in large, playful yellow letters with multicoloured dots. A yellow sidebar on the left lists the CD track titles.

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