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His show won best theatre tour in the 2008 Chortle awards.

Dara o Briain: Craic Dealer
Live Review
Hammersmith Apollo

Dara O Briain is well aware that every show wants an epic ‘bang’ moment, wishing aloud that he had anything in his routine to rival last year’s Oban fireworks, when the night’s entire spectacle was accidentally unleashed in one 45-second blitz.

But performance pyrotechnics are not really his style; he’s the sort of comic who makes it look easy, just like having a chat.

That’s quite literally true in for much of Craic Dealer, especially the first half, where he invites plenty of interaction from the audience. There’s the usual ‘what do you do for a living?’ question - which he acknowledges is obvious, but still opens the door for a few running jokes, such as the Welsh hog roast owner/operator who made the trip down the M4 just to see this show, or the grumpy front-row patron who seems determined not to enjoy a single joke.

But the questions get more inventive, from asking the crowd what they might shout to scare off a burglar, to suggestions for unusual or unsuitable stories a primary school could take on instead of the same old Nativity. O Briain’s been on the road a long time with this show – including a mammoth run in Dublin – so these segments almost seem as much designed to mix things up for his benefit, as they are for ours. Nonetheless, he’s a skilled ‘Banter Claus’ who delivers comic gifts from any relaxed chat, and never really at anyone’s expense.

It’s not all badinage, there are some strong set pieces here that are naturally more dependably funny than the improvised stuff. Stand-outs include his take on the difference between men and women (the under-fives versions), the preposterous names rappers give themselves and the worst thing anyone’s done on holiday.

With Stargazing Live behind him and a new science-based BBC show ahead of him, O Briain’s got the geek market covered. Newer comics who take this route tend to play up their introverted and social misfit side – as if that was any advertisement for their passions – but O Briain lights up as he shares his enthusiasm for the wonders of universe... or more precisely his infuriation at the quacks and the charlatans who deny the scientific way. Or, as he puts it: ‘I get irrationally angry at things that offend me on a rational level.’

Corpse-bothering grief vampire Sally Morgan is a popular choice of target, given the cheer that goes up in the room when the topic is breached, and O Briain will make a convincing case for astrology being worse than the most hideously offensive prejudice. This all plays well to the gallery, for O Briain knows his audience. Who else could get a big laugh from the line: ‘He was using a SCART!’

There’s a slightly rowdy air to the night, encouraged by O Briain’s invitations for punters to shout out suggestions, which moves the night away from the sterile experiences some TV comics’ tours can be. A couple of knobheads made their konbheadedness clear, but were quickly and deftly put back in their place.

In many ways it’s a no-frills show, without a classic, defining routine, that will go down in the annals of stand-up history. But O Briain maintains a constant barrage of laughs over a two-hour show – and that’s definitely not as easy as he makes it look.

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Saw Him in hull last night. One of the Greatest stand up shows I have ever seen his ability to think up jokes and react from the Audience within seconds is unbelieveable his routines are pitch perfect and are true in every aspect involving all generations in his comedy. leaving you at the end of the night in stitches with the best stand up ending I've ever seen. The man is a legend

MJG, May 2010

Just what I was expecting from Dara, if you have watched Mock the Week and loved him on that then you will love him live. Brilliant interaction with the audience, although the Buxton crowd seemed a little shy, but Dara made the most of it. My favourite part of the show was his description of certain computer games and his impression of the character running from GTA4. Fantastic ending which I won’t spoil for you, but it was not what I was expecting.

Fan Of Comedy, April 2010

Eloquent, charming, cuddly but doesn't appeal to a female sense of humour (mine anyway).

Schadenfreude, May 2009

Went to see Dara last night in Preston. He was superb and on for about 2 and a half hours, it only seemed like half that. He also had to deal with a faulty microphone, which he did as if it was part of the act. A must see for any-one who likes a laugh.

Duncan`, October 2008

Saw Dara in Birmingham a couple of nights ago, another absolutely fantastic charming performance, can't recommend him highly enough

Neill Aitken, March 2008

Dara had me crying with laughter last night! Saw him at the Birmingham Hippodrome. He is by far the most talented comedian I have seen. So So funny.

Kay, March 2008

In a word superb, Leeds rocked. Finding a ninja and a teacher with a xylophone fetish. In the words of the man, you had to be there...

david, March 2008

I am a hugh fan ofDdara and I am lucky enough to be going to see him twice this year. hes coming to Norwich where I live and I am going to see him at the Hammersmith Apollo in May - I can't wait

sarah, January 2008

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