Doug Stanhope - Oslo: Burning The Bridge To Nowhere

Doug Stanhope - Oslo: Burning The Bridge To Nowhere

Doug Stanhope is yet another in the line of controversial US comedians who is renowned for his abrasive comedy routines and of upsetting as many of his audience as pleasing. Stanhope has been a stand up since 1990 and is the first release from new label Roadrunner Comedy.

The idea for this release came after Stanhope's photo portrait session with Norwegian photographer Bjorn Opsahl. Opsahl suggested that when Stanhope's next tour reached Norway that he perform at a show organised by the photographer but that the comedian wouldn't know the date, time or location. The idea of this, as explained in Stanhope's opening introduction on the DVD, was to capture the reality and feel of a proper live show rather than the choreographed feel of move stand up production in so called Comedy Specials.

Opsahl's choice of location was an abandoned factory in the Grünerløkka district of Oslo. Originally a sewing machine factory that was converted into a German WWII bunker, the venue was anything but conventional. With most comedy specials filmed in theatre with an elaborate stage, this dilapidated industrial space with filled with folding chairs, some lighting and a small stage. The idea being that the focus would be on the material.

So is it any good? Well, I laughed quite a lot but I also struggle to remember any of his routine. Is that good or not? I don't know. I do know that Stanhope has a rant-style of comedy and likes to perform either when he's drunk or seemingly drunk - I'm not entirely sure which.

Whilst there are no discernable extras on the DVD, this release does come with a CD of the same set so fans should be pleased that this should at least be value for money.