The Saturday Guardian – 29 August 2026

Summary

Gordon Brown on Burnham, billionaires and building a better Britain leads The Saturday Guardian (29 August 2026) — "I don't want to be a backseat driver," says the former PM in an interview by Charlotte Edwardes. Stewart Lee discusses going "round the bend" in midlife, Jon Ronson meets a man in a castle with 101 princesses, and showgirls who are still friends after 50 years share their stories.

—–

The 29 August issue is anchored by the Gordon Brown interview, covering his vision for British politics, his relationship with Andy Burnham and his critique of billionaire influence. Jon Ronson's feature follows an eccentric castle-dweller with a collection of 101 princess mannequins. Stewart Lee discusses midlife crisis and comedy. Showgirls who performed together in the 1970s reunite for a feature on friendship and ageing. Mark Rylance and Darren Raymond discuss prison, theatre and Tartuffe.

—–

Regular sections include Cuttings (Q&A, Experience, Dining across the divide, Flashback), book reviews, lifestyle, style, gardens, puzzles and Tim Dowling. A strong interview-led issue with the Brown piece as the clear draw.

—–

Content Guide

▸ Cover Story

p.8 · Gordon Brown: 'I don't want to be a backseat driver'
Charlotte Edwardes interviews the former PM on Burnham, billionaires, empathy and his vision for fixing society's ills. Brown argues that the political centre needs to reclaim compassion from the populist right.

▸ Features

p. — · Jon Ronson: a man in a castle and 101 princesses
Ronson's trademark offbeat reporting meets a castle-dweller with a collection of 101 princess mannequins. The piece is classic Ronson — strange, humane, gently comic.

p.21 · Showgirls still friends after 50 years
A reunion feature following women who performed together in 1970s showbusiness and maintained their friendships across five decades.

p.24 · Stewart Lee: 'I went round the bend'
The comedian discusses midlife, creative crisis and how comedy changes as you age. Lee is characteristically sharp and self-lacerating.

p.27 · Mark Rylance and me: Darren Raymond on prison, theatre and Tartuffe
Raymond discusses working with Rylance on a prison theatre project and the impact of performing Tartuffe inside.

▸ Regulars

p.3-6 · Cuttings
p. — · Culture, Books
p. — · Lifestyle, Style, Gardens, Travel, Tim Dowling, Puzzles

—–

Editor's Take

The Gordon Brown interview is a solid political get for late August — he is reflective, policy-specific and willing to criticise his own party's direction. The Jon Ronson feature delivers his signature blend of weird and warm. Weaknesses: Stewart Lee's midlife crisis piece is funny but slight. The showgirls reunion is heartwarming but reads as a picture-led feature that needed more reporting. A competent end-of-August issue that doesn't break new ground.

Strengths
• Gordon Brown interview has genuine political insight
• Jon Ronson feature is classic offbeat reporting
• Prison theatre piece with Rylance is unexpectedly moving

Weaknesses
• Stewart Lee piece is funny but thin
• Showgirls reunion needs more depth
• Standard late-summer issue, nothing urgent

Verdict: Selective read — the Brown interview justifies the cover; Ronson fans will enjoy the castle piece.