Legendary comedian, Angie Le Mar, prepares to take the ‘Final Bow’

The name ‘Angie Le Mar’ is synonymous with the words ‘trailblazer’ and ‘pacesetter’. No stranger to the stand-up comedy circuit, Angie’s illustrious career spans four decades during which time the award-winning comedian, playwright, radio host and public speaker has earned the honour of being the first Black British woman to achieve success as a stand-up comedian. Akosua DF talks to Angie about her journey of faith, Black History Month, and her future plans to publish a series of children’s books.

AKOSUA DF (ADF): Tell us about your journey of faith.

ANGIE LE MAR (ALM): I grew up in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC); my mum was an evangelist and my dad a deacon. I veered off course during my teens, but my faith never left me. Although I wasn’t a committed Christian, I still believed in what I knew; I couldn’t “un-know” God. I partied hard, met great people, and accomplished some wonderful things whilst working in the entertainment industry, but as I got older nothing satisfied me. The big names no longer impressed me, the champagne and wine couldn’t satisfy me. I just didn’t care anymore, and I realised that the entertainment world had nothing left to give me. Something was missing from my life, and it was God. I knew I could call upon Him, but He wasn’t the God I was committed to. It just felt like it was time, and I’m so glad that I returned to the Kingdom.

ADF: How have you managed to break through the male-dominated stand-up comedy circuit?

ALM: I have four older brothers so being around men has never fazed me. I used to fight my brothers so I knew that if I had to fight a man, I could pretty much knock him out [laughs]! I had to stand up in their company to be heard, seen, and to make them laugh, so going into stand-up comedy was perfect. I knew I was funny, and I wasn’t intimidated by men or anyone for that matter. I don’t suffer from imposter syndrome so even if you don’t want me there, I don’t care. I am going to walk on that stage and make people laugh. If they needed a Black person and a woman, I was your choice, two for one. I came into the scene at the right time and owned my space, so if someone didn’t like me, they just couldn’t intimidate me because I was (and still am) very comfortable in my own skin.

ADF: How have you managed to maintain your Christian witness in the entertainment industry?

ALM: The timing of everything seems to have worked in my favour because I was already established in the stand-up comedy circuit when I became a Christian. I’ve always said that if my parents come to my show and take a seat at the back, they mustn’t leave in disgrace, so my segue into Christianity wasn’t hard because I wasn’t doing vulgar stuff. Most people thought I had Christian tendencies, so I don’t think it came as a surprise when they heard I’d become a Christian.

ADF: Over the last 12 years have you ever felt that your faith has held you back and caused you to miss out on bigger opportunities? Or do you just not care? [laughs]

ALM: It comes with the territory. For every door that gets closed, God opens new ones. Since coming to faith, I’ve had the honour of sharing my testimony and being invited to speak at events to encourage and empower others. Thankfully people have been inspired by what’s been shared and motivated to take action.

ADF: You shared on social media that you’re bowing out of stand-up comedy. Why now?

ALM: Because I’ve said what I need to say, I’ve been doing this since I was 19 – I’m 58 this year. I’ve got nothing to prove, I’ve peaked at the right time, and I’ve enjoyed it. It’s put me on television and radio and helped me to build my name and raise. You’re going to hear what I have to say in the next season from different forms of media, so you might hear it in film, through books or through podcasts. My days of driving across England to tell jokes for 20 mins and then drive back home are over. I enjoyed it at the time, but I’m in a new season now. I’m six grandchildren deep, so I’ve got lots of babysitting to be getting on with! If it gets hard, I’ll just charge my children on the hour [laughs]. I’m going out big, I’m not going to dwindle away. There comes a time in life when you must close the door so that new doors can open.

ADF: You are bowing out in style at the Broadway Theatre on October 1st. What can we expect from the show?

ALM: There’s so much to talk about: life in Jamaica, cancel culture, the menopause, children, ageing, young people… I’m going for everything.

ADF: Your show coincides with the start of Black History Month. How significant is that for you as a Black stand-up comedian?

ALM: Interestingly, when I contacted the theatre that was the only available date. I believe God aligned it. Those are the little things that show me that God is in the mix.

ADF: Over the last few years, there has been an increased awareness of the importance of Black History Month here in the UK. How can we further educate people on the importance of celebrating our history?

ALM: It’s important that we celebrate ourselves, understand our history, and do it for us. I’m who I am because God made me in His image – a Black woman – something that is worth celebrating, in my view. I am who God says I am – someone who’s blessed, strong, resilient, and able to overcome challenges due to His grace. As a people who have overcome so much due to God’s grace, we must always remember this and seek to build our own tables.

ADF: I guess you’re saying we must love and value ourselves regardless of whether we are accepted or not. It reminds me of Tyler Perry’s response to the #OscarsSoWhite fiasco. He said: “While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll be in Atlanta building my own...”

ALM: Tyler Perry is my hero. He’s shown what can be achieved when someone focuses on building their own table. In doing so, they generate wealth and provide work for their community and create a legacy for future generations. It’s important that we economically empower ourselves by building our own tables. It’s something I’ve sought to do through my company, Straight to the Audience Productions.

ADF: So, it’s official, you’re bowing out from stand-up comedy. What’s next for Angie Le Mar?

ALM: I’m launching three books, entitled ‘A Bundle of Joy’, in October. I’ve written a play called ‘Siblings’ which deals with the loss of a father and how the dynamics of the siblings change. It will be filmed and put online. I’ve written a film called ‘Forty’ that I hope to start filming next year. It’s about five friends who meet up for the first time. I also want to write ‘Take Me Back’ the gospel production as a novel. In fact, the play is going to be touring Jamaica doing 40 churches… so I’ll be very busy!

The Final Bow takes place at the Broadway Theatre, Catford, on October 1, 2023. Visit www.angielemar.co.uk

KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): You are one of the few Black church leaders of this modern era following in the tradition of Christian leaders of the Windrush Generation by planting churches. What has inspired you to do that?

PASTOR PETER NEMBHARD (PPN): I am inspired by the prophetic word I received when I was ordained in 1994. I’m also inspired by my late pastor, Apostle H C McFarlane and Bishop L E White, who was the leader of Bibleway Church, where I was born again. The older I get, the more I hear the wisdom of Bishop L E White. I didn’t fully hear and appreciate his wisdom when I was a younger man. I was encouraged and pushed to plant churches by my good friend, the late Pastor Joseph Boadu of CLF Greenwich Church, who was an avid church planter.

KTF: You have planted nine branches so far, based in London, Essex, Birmingham and Ireland. What have been the major ups and downs you’ve faced?

PPN: The ups of church planting are seeing God at work, seeing gifts manifested, which may have been limited if they had stayed in the main church; seeing the multiplication of ARC through church planting; and seeing sons of our ministry flourishing, growing and becoming fathers. There haven’t been a lot of downs, but I have had to learn how to not just pastor my saints and leaders but also to pastor pastors.

KTF: Presiding over a group of churches, means that you have to provide