First let me start on a positive note. I originally saw Jason Byrne some years ago on Live at The Apollo describing his childhood 'special eye' and he was superb. Last year I caught him at the opening of the Edinburgh Fringe as he acted as a compere and he was quick witted, creative and very funny.
So this year (2016) we ensured we saw his solo live show. I have seen a lot of excellent quality and well known stand-ups over the years and this was simply fantastic. In terms of sustained, gasping for breath, tears of laughter probably one of the best comedy experiences I have ever enjoyed. His improvisation, banter and physical interaction with the audience was outstanding as was his scripted observations.
Which begs the question: what on earth was happening 3 years ago to produce such a flat, crude, uninspired lazy 'comedy' event? This DVD seemed more like the desperate attempts of an immature teenage amateur who thinks a strap on dildo, the word 'fanny' and 'knob' and making fun of physical deformities is pure comedy gold. Gone were the crafted stories and clever observations, instead we had poorly constructed ramblings which said very little except 'I have no worthy material but toilet humour always works, so surely you'll laugh anyway?' Well unfortunately for Jason, an emphatic no we did not!
Even his audience interactions and spontaneous improvisations which in the past and certainly recently have been second to none lacked luster and made both viewers and participants uncomfortable, embarrassed even . I was so disappointed with this DVD I felt it only right to warn others. Do not buy or watch 'Jason Byrne's Special Eye Live ' as it will either spoil your past appreciation of him or if an introduction, put you off seeing anything else - a great pity because he can be brilliant.
So this year (2016) we ensured we saw his solo live show. I have seen a lot of excellent quality and well known stand-ups over the years and this was simply fantastic. In terms of sustained, gasping for breath, tears of laughter probably one of the best comedy experiences I have ever enjoyed. His improvisation, banter and physical interaction with the audience was outstanding as was his scripted observations.
Which begs the question: what on earth was happening 3 years ago to produce such a flat, crude, uninspired lazy 'comedy' event? This DVD seemed more like the desperate attempts of an immature teenage amateur who thinks a strap on dildo, the word 'fanny' and 'knob' and making fun of physical deformities is pure comedy gold. Gone were the crafted stories and clever observations, instead we had poorly constructed ramblings which said very little except 'I have no worthy material but toilet humour always works, so surely you'll laugh anyway?' Well unfortunately for Jason, an emphatic no we did not!
Even his audience interactions and spontaneous improvisations which in the past and certainly recently have been second to none lacked luster and made both viewers and participants uncomfortable, embarrassed even . I was so disappointed with this DVD I felt it only right to warn others. Do not buy or watch 'Jason Byrne's Special Eye Live ' as it will either spoil your past appreciation of him or if an introduction, put you off seeing anything else - a great pity because he can be brilliant.
