The Common Sense Ambassador: Al Murray
What's On Dubai|What's On Dubai - November 2018

The Pub Landlord Is Pulling Pints At The Point Where Comedy And Political Reality Meet. Should We Laugh Or Cry?

The Common Sense Ambassador: Al Murray

If you’re wondering whether Al Murray, The Pub Landlord can throw any light on current Brexit negotiations, here’s your answer.

“Far away from Blighty in the sandbox you’re going to need periodic updates on the current state of common sense in the UK,” says Murray, whose comic creation will appear at Dubai Opera on 19 November. “And who better for this than the Common Sense Ambassador himself, the Pub Landlord?”

Brexit looms large in the words and deeds of The Pub Landlord. He stood against Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party, as a joke candidate in the 2015 General Election, winning only 318 votes in the parliamentary constituency of South Thanet. His Free United Kingdom Party had campaigned on a platform of 13 election ‘pledges’, one of which was to revalue the pound at £1.10.

Murray, who has been doing the comedy circuit for almost 25 years, clapped and cheered when Farage eventually lost to the Conservative candidate Craig Mackinlay, having pledged that the UK would “leave Europe by 2025 and the edge of the Solar System by 2050”.

In a bizarre twist of fate, however, Murray now finds himself in the strange position of having created a comic persona who mirrors elements of the current political reality. Prior to Brexit, The Pub Landlord was simply a bigoted Little Englander with fantasies of British exceptionalism. Now he’s a manifestation of the UK’s rupture with Europe, all crisps, warm ale, and a distrust of both the French and the Germans. “Germany has been too quiet for too long. Just saying,” he said amusingly ahead of his election bid. All of which means that current affairs and Brexit provide much of the inspiration for his current material.

This story is from the What's On Dubai - November 2018 edition of What's On Dubai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the What's On Dubai - November 2018 edition of What's On Dubai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WHAT'S ON DUBAIView All
Trip with Vakava
What's On Dubai

Trip with Vakava

A new brunch for foodies and fiesta hunters

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
THE BEACH HOUSE POOL DAY
What's On Dubai

THE BEACH HOUSE POOL DAY

You voted it as your favourite Seafood Restaurant at the What’s On Awards in May. Does it still reign supreme?

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
Tea by the sea
What's On Dubai

Tea by the sea

St Regis teams with Tchaba Tea for a special afternoon collab

time-read
1 min  |
August 2021
TAIKUN
What's On Dubai

TAIKUN

Not for the fainthearted, Taikun sizzles with its new dinner and a show

time-read
1 min  |
August 2021
LA CASA DEL TANGO
What's On Dubai

LA CASA DEL TANGO

A round of applause or a slow hand clap for this new dinner and a show concept in DIFC?

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
IKIGAI
What's On Dubai

IKIGAI

If there’s one thing Dubai isn’t short of it’s Japanese restaurants. So, is there room for one more?

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
HOW NOT TO LOSE YOUR COOL THIS SUMMER
What's On Dubai

HOW NOT TO LOSE YOUR COOL THIS SUMMER

This is a city that works hard, plays hard, but, on a boiling hot day, can feel like hard work. So look at this month’s magazine as a little cooling comfort pack to see you through the summer season. Let yourself be whisked off to our favourite indoor bars and hideaways – with AC, summery feels and maybe an ice-cold drink to keep you chill. Then dream of refreshing dishes to fill your belly. You’ve never had it so cool.

time-read
10 mins  |
August 2021
CATCH
What's On Dubai

CATCH

A surf and turf showdown every Saturday

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
CARNA
What's On Dubai

CARNA

Very high steaks at SLS Dubai

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
What's On Dubai

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

Feel like you’ve seen all that the capital has to offer? Think again…

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021