Dara O’Briain: Craic Dealer

Is there a better comic for working a crowd than Dara O’Briain? For many comics, asking what an audience member does for a living is cue for a dismissive one-liner but Dara crafted whole routines from the novice tree surgeon, logistics specialist and, in a nigh unbelievable coincidence, an NVQ assessor of tree surgeons. While he certainly teased them, there was no humiliation and each one left as a hero of the show. There were also several sections where he asked for audience suggestions and in Dara’s hands each one inspired a joke, routine or even a mini sketch. He never once paused or wavered and no gag missed its mark.

This kind of audience interaction couldn’t carry a whole two hour show and O’Briain’s written material was as strong as the spontaneous stuff. TV psychics and astrologists may not be the toughest targets for a rationalist comedian but his take on them is playful, unique and, in the case of one magnificent line about Psychic Sally, devastatingly funny. Occasionally, he recalls amusing things he’s read or seen, such as the videogame footage ITV took for real film of an IRA operation. However, he riffs on these and takes them beyond simple observation. There were times in the show where sections didn’t quite flow into one another with the ease of which this master stand up is capable, but this is a minor quibble and one that should not prevent anyone from checking out this breathlessly entertaining and inclusive comedian.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 17 October 2012

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