ONCE UPON a time, Fred Cooke was best known as ‘Fergus’ from the Spar TV ads, but recent years have his star as rise, becoming the MC on The Tommy Tiernan Show and a moonwalking semi-finalist on RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars.
More importantly he is one of the most popular stand-ups on the Irish comedy circuit, and will headline the Comedy KARLnival at the Róisín Dubh on Tuesday July 23 at 8pm.
Cooke has contributed to successful Irish TV shows including Republic Of Telly, The Café, The Savage Eye, The Modest Adventures of David O’Doherty, and The Liffey Laughs. He has performed at The Cat Laughs and Edinburgh Fringe, and supported Ardal O’Hanlon, Dara O'Brian, Ross Noble, Jason Byrne, Neil Delamere, Des Bishop, and Tommy Tiernan, who said: “I love Fred, he has the real spirit of the clown in him.”
Also on the bill is Sally-Anne Hayward, whose comedy combines the kind of things people should not like about their best friend's mother, with the sensibilities of Jack the Ripper.
Winner of the Holsten Pils 'Fans of Comedy award, she has supported Sarah Millican, Russell Howard, and Russell Kane. She is a regular compere at Glastonbury Festival. Chortle.co.uk praised her "bubbly stream of comedy anecdotes" and "butter wouldn't melt in her mouth" style. BBC London Live simply called her "fabulous".
The night's third act will be Scottish Comedian of the Year 2107, Leo Kearse, part of the new wave of raw, bold, American-inspired, comedians. He also has a comedy alter-ego: Pun-Man. He is the 2015 UK Pun Champion and appeared on Britain's Got Talent. He has also written for Mock The Week.
"Kearse is seriously good. Quick, funny, smart and to the point...hilarious," said The Scotsman; "Very funny, very dirty, occasionally shocking, but edgily likeable," said The List.
The MC is Karl Spain. Tickets are €8 in advance from Róisín Dubh; www.roisindubh.net; or OMG@Zhivago, Shop Street; or €10 at the door.
