The Pub Landlord is back to spread a revolution of common sense. Mehvish Patel meets comedian Al Murray...
It’s no secret we’re living in trying times. But comedy is an art and like any art, it flourishes in difficult times, so is this a good time to make jokes? According to Al Murray, it’s an amazing time.
“You read a lot where people say reality is outflanking satire and how can you ever keep up with what's going on. But I like a bit of competition. And that’s how I view it. I mean I find it all pretty funny at the moment. Everything really hilarious, almost hysterical.
“Unless you are particularly invested in either side of the current argument, most people are sat there going, ‘Oh for heaven's sake’ and ‘What next?’ I think unless you’re super leave or super remain, I think most people are going, ‘Really, this again?’ It's very interesting that at the moment the Johnson government are basically going, ‘let’s get it done’ because they’re trying to ride on the idea that people just want this to end because there's different ways for it to end. One of them could be to just forget the whole thing, to carry on tomorrow as though it never happened and to put our hands in our pockets and whistle and carry on. Who would’ve thought our politicians would make a terrible mess of something?”
Pete Dadds
Al Murray, The Pub Landlord 'Landlord of Hope and Glory' Tour, Alban Arena
The Pub Landlord was born as an improvisation in the 1994 show, “Pub Internationale”.
“I put the improv in because when you do a character and you're doing a comedy club, there is a danger that it turns into a theatre piece. The fourth wall goes up and a barrier comes between you and the audience. They might enjoy it, but it’s like you’re not there.”
Al says improv isn’t hard because he simply says exactly what The Pub Landlord would say. He’d come out and ask “who are you?” “what are you up to?” and question you because that’s just what he does.
It’s a unique opportunity to get up on stage every night and have a chat with them, he says.
“It’s what makes stand-up different from music or theatre or anything else.”
Landlord of Hope and Glory, Rose Theatre, Kingston on Nov 4 and 8. To check dates go to https://thepublandlord.com/
