80s Dancing

From Yeah, Yeah DVD

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Dylan Moran: Yeah, Yeah
Live Review
Oxford New Theatre

Amid all his usual disgruntled rumblings about how marriage, children, aging and life itself have ground down his spirit, Dylan Moran briefly mentions the sort of contemporary art that might present ‘a skull with Findus crispy pancakes stuffed in its eyes’ as a totem of the human condition.

In that thunderbolt moment it becomes crystal-clear how Ireland’s leading philosopher-wit operates. He, too, works like a modern artist but with gags and insight where the pretension usually lies. And the analogy isn’t just because of the rotating series of Milliganesque doodles and sketches which form his backdrop, but because Moran has a unique ability to conjure up obscure, surreal, borderline lunatic imagery that illuminates his chosen topics as if with X-rays, so you suddenly see them anew. His descriptive passages may be fantastical, but you always know exactly what he means, as you laugh at the elegant phraseology.

Moran might have stopped swigging wine on stage, but he still affects the demeanour of the bar-room wag: a man convinced he has all the answers but with an addled brain struggling to articulate them. That is but a lie, however, for when he apparently stumbles into the words and ideas he is looking for, they are perfectly evocative and eloquently droll. When it comes to metaphor and analogy, the man is an artisan.

He plays up this shambolic persona, teasing us that ‘the beginning takes a while’ as he verbally meanders up to his first point. But that lackadaisical attitude is a self-perpetuating myth; within minutes, he’s offered a mature and unexpected takes on atheism, images of masculinity and the insouciance of youth, tapping away on apps rather than risking engagement with the real world. He’s rapier-sharp beneath that shaggy exterior.

This Yeah, Yeah tour is never short of ideas, nor is it short of jokes, all coming from an exactly defined point of view of a man who, though world-weary, longs for the freedom, joy and excitement of youth that the years and life’s responsibilities have knocked out of him. There’s a tragic romance to that idea that, although a professional middle-aged grump, his attitude has been reluctantly foisted upon him by circumstance, rather than some ingrained misanthropy.

Apparently well-worn topics such as the ravages of age, or men and women’s differing attitude to relationships are made fresh through his imaginative focus; while the wide-ranging monologue takes in everything from Ireland’s economic meltdown to grim Scottish weather; from his own underappreciated artistic genius to the films on Jason Statham without ever appearing to change gear. Digressions become routines, apparent asides take us back on track.

His material is both domestic and universal, as he extrapolates greater truths from his own experiences, which mainly revolve around him not being allowed to cower in a sleeping bag free from interference from the world. It means the whole show – two brisk 40-minute sets separated by an interval – is relentlessly thoughtful and funny. But mainly funny.

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Dylan Moran is the funniest guy in the comediy world; Black Books was the funniest show in the world

Jessica Trezise Age, February 2020

I could spend hours talking about how amazing it was to see him live. Despite appearances, he has more energy that any other comedian I've ever seen. Genius.

Alexx, August 2011

I saw him at the Ipswich Corn Exchange and he did a fantastic show. I had been waiting to see him for so long and I was not disappointed. All the boxes were ticked; the poetic language, the gruff demeanour, the glint in his eye before the punchline of a cheeky routine. A great great comedian and a wonderful gig.

Billy, November 2008

Poor show at Findhorn Universal Hall 24th September 2008. Looking forward to this gig for a few weeks only to be disappointed by a mediocre performance. I guess every performer has their off - nights, sadly this was one of them. I wouldn't be put off going to see Dylan again as he has a surreal sense of humour which I admire greatly. Unlike other comedians of his calibre think a tour of Scotland consists of Edinburgh/Glasgow that's all! Thanks for coming this far North, look forward to a return gig and prove me wrong next time?

Douglas Thomson, October 2008

Bit of a curate's egg really. Moments of comedy greatness interspersed with rather more flailing aimlessly about than I would have expected. Quite a short show at 75 mins yet despite that seemed unable to link the routine smoothly. Looked like a work in progress normally to be seen as a warm up gig at a comedy club, rather than a performance fit for a 1,500 seater at £20+ a ticket. Disappointed, and wonder what could have been with more work - you will probably get a much better show at the end of the tour when he's had some more practice.

Adrian Breeds, October 2008

Great stance, wonderful routines, consummate comedian.

Michael Monkhouse, October 2008

A beautiful style but is it comedy?

Derek R, April 2008

Dylan is my favourite stand up, I love his use of language and the way he takes normal observations and adds his own twist to it to make something completely original

Billy, April 2008

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