Dara O Briain: This Is the Show

Capturing a Dara O'Briain tour in a single showing is a tricky feat. As you're no doubt aware, his greatest strength is in the gift of the gab and as such his shows largely belong to whichever audience he is talking to.

Hence this is a show of two halves, the first being a lampooning (or praising where appropriate) of whatever the front row folks have to say, about themselves or in response to his more tried and tested pub conversation starter questions. The second being the A material, which is lightning fast yet strongly paced, and with a well balanced measure of biting satire and soothing pathos.

The main show is filmed in the Apollo, but also included is an earlier Dublin show (which as you can imagine, sees Dara in his element) with all extra material and a much more intimate and organic level of banter.

To top it off is a filmed commentary (and drinking game) between Dara and his Mock The Week buddies Ed Byrne and Andy Parsons. It makes you want to join in with the drinking and chuckle until your cheeks are ruddy. That, as they say, is a good crack.



Released on DVD on 22nd November 2010 by Universal Pictures.

Reviewed by Mike Stephenson.