Jan Ravens
The Catalyst
Ideas with a spark, energy, range and the ability to start things.
Jan Ravens earns The Catalyst by treating impressions as diagnosis rather than mimicry, weaponising comedy against power itself. Her readings of leaders like May and Truss expose what she calls their tragic flaw, framing satire as giving people back the power. Citing Jessica Mitford, that we may not change the world but we can embarrass the guilty, she turns laughter into collective political action, mobilising audiences around a shared critique.
“It is very important to prick pomposity. To be able to laugh gives people back the power in a way. And I sort of think, yeah, have some of that.”
“We may not be able to change the world, but at least we can embarrass the guilty. And I sort of think, yeah, have some of that.”
“I flatter myself in thinking that my impression of them portrays their tragic flaw. With Theresa May, it's the tension — I want to smile, but the rest of my face won't let me.”
Ways to Change the World with Krishnan Guru-Murthy: “From Theresa May to Liz Truss - how impressionist Jan Ravens exposes flaws of the powerful”
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