DARA & ED’S ROAD TO MANDALAY
Series synopsis
In this brand new three part travelogue, comedians Dara Ó Briain and Ed Byrne take to the road to explore South East Asia, one of the most vibrant places on the planet. Travelling over 3000 miles from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, through Thailand and on to Myanmar, they forge their own epic route to the historic city of Mandalay. Each of these countries is facing rapid changes as Malaysia’s tiger cub economy continues to develop, Thailand struggles with ever increasing numbers of tourists and Myanmar takes its first steps towards democracy and openness after 50 years of brutal military rule. Along the way Dara and Ed will explore the culture and history of these countries and the ways in which they are responding to the unique challenges of the 21stcentury.
Ep 3 Myanmar
Dara and Ed arrive in Yangon in Myanmar at a time of great political change. After 50 years of brutal military rule, Myanmar recently held the first open elections heralding a new era of democracy. They visit Aung San Suu Kyi’s house and see first-hand how young people are finally able to freely express their support for her with tattoos and before leaving Yangon, take part in the Buddhist Festival of Light at the Shwedagon Pagoda. Catching the train, Dara and Ed travel north into rural areas, first to the village of Pan Pet. This is the home of the Kayan tribe, where they meet the local shaman who reads their fortune from chicken bones. Then on Inle Lake, Dara and Ed try to master the ancient art of “leg rowing”, taking part in an epic contest between two fishing villages. Travelling on to meet the Pa Oh tribe, they join a spectacular village festival of homemade rockets. Continuing north, Dara and Ed reach the ruined temples of Bagan, one of the world’s most atmospheric and important Buddhist sites. The last leg of their journey takes them up the historic road to Mandalay, not in a fact a road but the Ayarwaddy River. In Mandalay, Dara and Ed visit a comedy troupe called the Moustache Brothers, with whom Ed has a very personal connection. When the Moustache Brothers were imprisoned for criticising the military regime, Ed performed gigs for Amnesty International to help campaign for their release. That they are now performing freely is a fitting symbol of the far reaching changes in Myanmar.