In the original dustsheet. Navy cloth binding with gilt title on the spine.

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Nostalgia, identity, eccentricity, gin drinking and occasional violence… These are just some of the themes that stand-up comedian Dara O Briain explores in Tickling the English.

O’Briain moved to England many years ago, but when he takes his show on tour around the country – from deserted seaside towns and remote off-shore islands, to sprawling industrial cities and sleepy suburbs – it’s clear to him that his adopted home is still a bit of an enigma.

• Why do the English pretend to be unhappy all the time?

• Why can’t they accept that they rank about 5th, in everything?

• And what’s with all the fudge?

But this Irishman loves a challenge; he’s certainly got the gregarious personality and the sure-fire wit to bring down the barriers of that famous English reserve, and have a good old rummage inside. Swapping anecdotes with his audiences and spending time wandering in their hometowns, this nosy neighbour holds England up to the light while exploring some of the attitudes he brought over here with him too. As Dara goes door-to-door in search of England in this part tour diary, part travelogue, the result is an affectionate, hilarious and often eye-opening journey through the Sceptred Isle.

Reviews:

• I loved this. Dara O’Briain is an observational comic in the truest sense – he stands in front of an audience most nights of the week and from this he observes national characteristics, neuroses, pre-occupations and prejudices. His conclusion is that if the English are preoccupied with feeling negative about themselves, then they’re not really that bad after all – not all of them anyway. He admits that his success on stage is down to how well he manages to interact with his audience (particularly the front row) but it’s this interaction that makes every one of his shows unique, and helps to overcome the issue of repetition that logging his tour of the UK (and Dublin) might otherwise involve. I read this while on holiday in the middle of England and enjoyed the sense of Dara whizzing backwards and forwards around me as his zig-zagging tour itinerary unfolds. The big lessons (for comedians) are to stick to the big cities wherever possible, particularly Leeds (but not Sheffield) and never, ever end a tour in Tunbridge Wells. Also, avoid assumptions about strange noises emanating from the darkened stalls. For the rest of us, the lessons are much more revealing – about what we do for our livings, what makes us laugh, what crimes have been committed against us and what on earth motivates someone to sit on the front row of a comedy show – or arrive late. His reflections on his, and our, multiculturalism, are carefully considered and amusing, and his summary that what we (the English) are really coming to terms with, is that having once considered ourselves to be the BEST at everything, we’re now generally FIFTH best at most things. Get over yourselves! Fair enough. The analysis of the design of theatres and performance spaces was a new angle on this sort of memoir, and I also enjoyed the Ken Dodd bits – like Dara, I’ve often been intrigued by the stories of Doddy’s legendary marathon shows, and here the King of the Diddymen casts a large shadow across Dara’s tour by preceding him at most venues. In the end, Dara can’t resist joining one of Dodd’s shows (in Leeds of course) and his reaction to being pinned to his seat by a 5 hour barrage of gags is a recognition of the blood line of stand up comedy from music halls to Mock The Week, that transcends the simple categories of “old school” and “alternative”. So – overall, a real joy, and I’m really pleased that I’ve got a ticket to see him on his next tour – I just wished I had booked for Leeds rather than Tunbridge Wells – and avoided the front row . . .

• A master-class in intelligent stand-up…It’s thoughtful stuff, impeccably delivered. With material this strong, you don’t need gimmicks ― Guardian

The Author, Dara O Briain is the biggest Irish comic to have hit the UK in recent years. Already a huge star in Ireland, O’Briain has now moved from being a sold-out festival favourite in Edinburgh to selling out theatres across the country and enjoying mainstream television success with his topical BBC comedy show, Mock The Week. He has been living in England for the past seven years.