These are my thoughts on the live show:
I saw Al Murray live for the first time this year and he was brilliant! I haven't laughed as much in ages!
For over 2 hours, and with his devoted dead Dog Ramrod by his side at the motorised Bar, he thoroughly entertained his vast range of audience members (the laughter was as loud as his voice) seamlessly integrating the front row into his brand new routine with his masterful improv skills, he told one retired lorry driver in the first few rows "You can't get over sitting at the front can you!?" Genius.
During the show, the pub philosopher touched on a variety of controversial topics including Politics, Religion, War and Squirrels secret plans to take over England, but he got away with it.
He swore fairly frequently, but along with the wonderful faux xenophobic nonsense, I grew to accept it as part of the persona.
I pre-ordered the "Barrel of fun" DVD a while ago as I wanted a souvenir of a thoroughly enjoyable night, and also, during our performance, Al admitted with a smile that due to either a technical fault or more than likely him getting carried away in the merriment, a section of the routine got left out, so I will be curious to see what it was (Or whether it was just a gag.)
If this DVD is anywhere near as good as it was live, it will be well worth owning and I would highly recommend buying it.
The DVD:
The laugh out loud show on the DVD was recorded live at London's Hammersmith Apollo. It's shorter than the show I enjoyed in the theatre, but features all the memorable moments, Ginger rights, the killer chat up line, squirrel drill and more (75 minutes.)
Bonus Features:
LATE LOCK IN '96:
A bearded Pub Landlord at Edinburgh's Pleasance Theatre in August 2009, performing his perrier show from 1996 (58 minutes.)
ALISTAIR MURRAY: SOUS LE VESTON:
A (spoof) exposé for the French arts channel (French with English subtitles, 10 minutes.)
BEHIND THE SCENES:
Following Al preparing for his barrel of laughs tour, Compete For The Meat quiz shows and other random events (20 minutes.)
If you haven't seen Mr Murray live, do! He's a real tonic.