IF YOU are ever asked ‘What have the English ever done for the world?’ you can resist the temptation to mention such vile things as imperialism and X-Factor, and reply instead: comedy.
From the satires of Alexander Pope to the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, to The Goon Show, Monty Python, The League of Gentlemen, and Shawn Of The Dead, the English have excelled in the art of making us all have a laugh.
The Galway Comedy Festival will present some of the finest English comedians and comedy troupes currently at work during the festival run from October 20 to 24.
Late Night Gimp Fight sees five young men is wrestling masks indulge in humorous sketches and routines on homoeroticism, sexual deviance, and Aerosmith. The show received an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination and Chortle gave it four stars, saying: “Comedy snobs, there is nothing for you to see here. But fans of toilet humour, stupidity and gratuitous nudity – this is all for you.” See them in the Róisín Dubh on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 at 11pm.
The Whose Line Is It Anyway? team return for more improv comedy fun and mayhem and the line -up includes Phill Jupitus, Stephen Frost, Andy Smart, Steve Steen (and token Irishman ) Ian Coppinger. See them in the Town Hall Theatre on Thursday 21 and Cuba*, Eyre Square, on Friday 22.
Pappy’s (formerly Pappy’s Fun Club ) embody the gentler, sillier, and wackier side of English comedy and their sketch based shows have earned them sell out shows at Edinburgh, tours, and four and five star reviews. There is much to enjoy in their mayhem. See them in Cuba* on Saturday 23 and the Róisín Dubh on Sunday 24.
London comedian Carl Donnelly has been described as having the maturity of a 14-year-old, but his conversational style and silly sense of humour have seen him nominated for numerous awards, including Best Newcomer at the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards. See him in the Radisson Live Lounge on Sunday 24.
For tickets contact Zhivago, Shop Street (091 - 569777 ), or see www.galwaycomedyfestival.com A limited number of tickets will also be available on the door of each venue.
