THE RISE of Irish comedy both nationally and internationally over the last 25 years has been truly inspirational. Galway has played an important part in the ascendancy of many Irish comedians by providing them with a platform to develop their craft. The city has also given many of them their first experience of a festival.
This year’s Galway Arts Festival comedy line-up includes some of the biggest names on the scene and whether you enjoy your comedy in the large club setting of Cuba* or the Roisin Dubh or in the intimate small room setting of The Ruby Room, there is definitely something to get you laughing in July. Never mind the recession, here’s the comedy.
Tommy Tiernan
Maverick performer Tommy Tiernan is currently on tour in America alongside Dylan Moran and Ardal O’Hanlon. Since winning the highly-coveted Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1998 Galway-based Tiernan has broken all Irish box office records and earlier this year set a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Stand-Up Comedy Show by an individual comedian.
Tommy Tiernan plays Cuba* from Monday July 13 to Saturday 18.
David O’Doherty
Last year saw Dublin comedian David O’Doherty join the ranks of Tiernan, Dylan Moran, and Sean Hughes when he won the IF Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier Award ) with his show Let’s Comedy.
“I think probably Tommy or David could break the States in the next few years,” says Gerry Mallon, who hosts his annual Laughter Loft in The Ruby Room of The King’s Head as part of this year’s arts festival.
“David has gone from strength to strength and he’s got a huge following now. Initially I wasn’t into his low-fi musical whimsy but now I think he’s a fantastic performer. He’s getting bigger in America because he tours a lot with Demetri Martin and Flight of the Conchords and he’s actually really good friends with the lads.”
David O’Doherty plays Cuba* on Monday July 20 and The Ruby Room at King’s Head on Tuesday July 21.
Dead Cat Bounce
One of the biggest hits at this year’s Galway Arts Festival could well be the musical sketch show genius of Dead Cat Bounce. The former Trinity College students enjoyed high-profile acclaim last year when Anchorman star Will Ferrell attended their first show at the Project Arts Centre and came backstage to personally congratulate them afterwards.
“James, Damien, and I were living in a house in Ringsend and we wrote a show in our spare time,” says DCB member Shane O’Brien “We booked the venue and it was kind of an exercise to see if we could do anything with the show. On the first night Will Ferrell showed up and came backstage and had a chat with us. He’s actually a bit quiet and a bit dry when you meet him but he was really positive about what we were doing. By the end of that summer we decided to do it full-time.”
Dead Cat Bounce perform at Roisin Dubh on Wednesday July 15 alongside Jarlath Regan and Jack Wyse.
Maeve Higgins
Cork’s Maeve Higgins is one of Ireland’s top comediennes and in some quarters is seen as our answer to Sarah Silverman. She first came to attention of the Irish public through her comical turns on Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy Show and launched her stand-up career around the same time.
Her kooky persona was displayed to best effect on the RTÉ series Naked Camera as she traipsed around Dublin trying to embarrass the general public and trap a husband in the process! In recent years her risqué and highly intelligent act has made her a hit in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
Maeve plays Cuba* on Wednesday July 22.
The Laughter Loft @ The King’s Head
This is the sixth year that Gerry Mallon presents his Laughter Loft at The Ruby Room.
“It features some of the biggest names under the one umbrella,” says Gerry. “David O’Doherty is doing the Tuesday afternoon and he actually said that he prefers doing small intimate rooms than gigs in bigger venues.”
The line-up is as follows: Kevin Gildea (Monday July 13 ), Eleanor Tiernan (Tuesday 14 ), John Colleary (Wednesday 15 ), Dead Cat Bounce (Thursday 16 ), Joe Rooney (Friday 17 ), Dave McSavage (Saturday 18 ), Colm O’Regan (Sunday 19 ), Karl Spain (Monday 20 ), David O’Doherty (Tuesday 21 ), Jarlath Regan (Wednesday 22 ), Maeve Higgins (Thursday 23 ), Michael Mee (Friday 24 ), and a surprise special guest on Saturday 25. All shows take place at 1pm.
For tickets contact the Festival Box Office, Merchants Road, 091 - 566577. Tickets are also available through www.galwayartsfestival.com Tickets for The Laughter Loft are also available on the door.
