AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD | LIVE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 30 Oct
All hail to the Ale! Marking his twentieth year at the summit of British comedy, the Pub Landlord is back with a characteristically sharp, politically incorrect, and laugh-out-loud-funny show. Akin to My Gaff, My Rules and The Beautiful British Tour Murray starts by lampooning his audience. We learn that Andre is South African – cue the Pistorius jokes – Ellis is only eighteen, and that Jane works as an ‘Environmental Officer for the mining industry’. Seizing what is effectively a comedic open goal, Murray hones in on his vulnerable target, repeatedly ridiculing the front rower for her ‘fictional’ role – which is very well received.
Isis, immigration and bringing cultures together are all on the agenda during the remainder of the first half, with Murray effortlessly gliding through tricky subject matter – using the Pub Landlord’s bombastic guise to great effect.
An explanation of “credit” in less than half a pint begins the second half – a skit set-up purely so that Murray can display a whole host of impressions: his German is fantastic, his New Yorker is amusing, and his Japanese is well, you’ll have to see it to believe it. This section of the show does drag slightly yet Murray quickly picks up the pace with news that he is planning on running to be the ‘Guv’nor’ in next year’s election.
The crowd are invited to help construct Murray’s Manifesto – giving scope for more audience interaction. After it is established that ‘sheep shagging’ will be made legal, The Pub Landlord continues to field questions, consistently providing amusing answers in a pseudo-political style.
The night ends with the Pub Landlord coming to 68-year-old fisherman Barry for some words of wisdom. His declaration of “buy more Welsh fish” ends what is an assured return from the ever-evolving Pub Landlord.
words ALISTAIR CORLESS
