The only way is epic for Al Murray at Theatre Severn
Britain's favourite pub landlord will return to Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn on Sunday with his brand new show, The Only Way Is Epic.
Al Murray's sold-out show is part of a major tour, that has visited Switzerland in recent days. Murray played Geneva, Basel and Zurich earlier this week. His tour will continue throughout the year, with dates lined up in each month up to December.
When Murray's not performing his pub landlord routine he indulges a private passion, drumming.
"My favourite drummer joke is: 'What's the difference between a drum machine and a drummer?' 'You only have to punch the information into the drum machine once'. That's a great joke."
Murray has laughed off controversies after other comics poked fun at his audience. "I've been to more of my gigs than anyone else. I think it's hilarious! It's funny. Our job as comedians is to cause mischief and not to read off a hymn sheet but cause mischief and confusion. I think it's priceless if people are sitting there and going, 'Yeah, you're dead right' because everything the Pub Landlord says is mental rubbish!"
He works hard to come up with new material and is constantly writing, touring and then writing again for his next show.
"Where I get to is the stage where you think, 'I'm done with this show, and I've said what I wanted to say with it'. You get to the point where you think, 'If I have to do that routine again, it's like dirt in your mouth – I can't ever say that again'. A little bit of time off, you think, 'Maybe I should write about this, or approach this idea from this angle'."
Murray has also been involved in other projects, including Time Gentleman Please. Remarkably, his comedy character came about by accident.
"I've always very much had this attitude to things where I just want to see where it ends up, to see where it goes and not to be too worried – you take each thing as it comes to you on its merits and think, 'Maybe I should try that'."
