Jake O'Kane Tear Gas Comedy Tour [DVD] [NTSC]

Product Description

Jake O Kane, Northern Ireland s most outspoken comic, has poured all of his jokes, insights and feelings about growing up in a war zone into his hilarious new show, Tear Gas. Combining the stunning photographs of legendary Belfast photographer Brendan Murphy with computer graphics, Jake tells the story of his upbringing on the streets, where rioting with police, army and the other side was a recreational sport. This DVD was filmed live at The Empire Laughs Back comedy club in Belfast. I've been doing routines about the Troubles for the past 16 years and I thought it was time to decommission this material; after all, the paramilitaries have supposedly decommissioned their weapons, he said. Ulster people are known for their dark sense of humour and I hope this DVD captures what it was like growing up during such a surreal time. As a young boy - the routine searches, the presence of army on the streets, the sound of helicopters overhead - were just part of everyday life. Jake's comedy provides plenty of belly laughs but it also offers unique insights into the corrosive effects of division and sectarianism. After all the laughs, the audience is left with a feeling of hope for the future.

Review

They came, they laughed, they cried; the comedy junkies were out in force for Jake O Kane's recording of his new DVD Tear Gas at the Empire Laughs Back Comedy Club in Belfast. With not a seat to be had you were just grateful for a spot near the bar or a glimpse of Jakes head. Was Jakes Tear Gas show worth its salt? On this Tuesday night it truly was. Yes there were tears, but they were tears of laughter. Jake poked fun at Catholics, Protestants, Spides, snobs, priests and preachers and of course gingers. All jokes were delivered with a warm smile and were well explained for the English in the audience, and of course the DVD viewers. Jake hit the nail on the head so many times in this show that he could have built the Maze jail ten times over, and when he proceeded to ridicule and applaud the favourite Northern Irish pastime of recreational rioting, I thought the crowd were going to start a riot with laughter. This show actually left my facial muscles aching from laughter. --Fate Magazine