A Barrel of Fun, but no beer

THE PROMOTER behind the spectacular success of Al Murray’s sell out Barrel of Fun show has said that more top quality comedy and music is heading Shetland’s way.

Davie Gardner said that the word has gone out on the circuit that Shetland is the place to play after the success of recent shows featuring the likes of singer songwriter Newton Faulkner, and comedians Bill Bailey, Kevin Bridges and now The Pub Landlord himself.

Unfortunately the Clickimin Leisure Complex had not appreciated how much the audience would enter into the spirit of the occasion on Thursday night and ran out of beer before the interval.

However the 1,000 people attending, including children, did not let the lack of refreshments stand in the way of a good night out and the feedback afterwards was entirely positive.

Mr Gardner, of Atlantic Edge Music Services, said Al Murray had spent the day getting to know the isles visiting the puffins at Sumburgh Head and the beach at St Ninian’s Isle, minus the boy racers before the show.

Audience participation is the essence of his show and the crowd showed no reticence in getting involved and being made a fool of.

Mr Gardner said the likelihood is that more top acts are going to make their way north to entertain the islanders.

“A lot of venues in the Highlands seem to struggle to put on events like this, but we spend a lot of money on the production and making sure we get it right for the audience, and the industry seems to like the way we do it,” he said.

He said he was already talking to people about bringing up some big names in comedy and music and was being asked by acts who have been here before if they can return when they are in the north of Scotland.

“We are trying to make these gigs as successful and high quality as possible for the artists and the audience and the hope is that we are going to attract more big names, like Ed Byrne, who is coming in October.”