Neil Delamere, the Edenderry native, is witty and charming, and from the very beginning of the interview he showed a kindness and generosity despite a busy schedule.
His new tour The Implement of Divilment is currently in full swing with gigs all over the country, including Mullingar Arts Centre on March 10.
He performed in Athlone IT last month and described it as “a bit mad, it was during RAG week and quite a bit of alcohol had been consumed by the students... The empty bottle of Buckfast was a clear sign. I was stuck somewhere between giving a comedy gig and being the man with the whip and the chair at the circus.”
When asked if he prefers performing in Ireland or abroad, Neil claimed that he really did like performing in Ireland and the Midlands because people here have a similar sense of humour, and were influenced in the same way as he is by Irish newspapers, television, and life experiences.
He shows a true fondness for the people he can relate to and he enjoys the unique connection he has with his own people when he performs.
He said enthusiastically “there’s a free flow, you can really let go. There isn’t the same pause you experience in gigs abroad”.
The Advertiser wondered whether Neil wanted to be a comedian when he was younger and he comically claimed: “I actually wanted to be a professional footballer, but then I realised that I had no talent for sports at all. I probably would have gotten more laughs as a footballer than a comedian.”
But Neil explained that there wasn’t any outlet for up and coming comedians in Ireland at the time, there weren’t comedy clubs or venues where young comedians could perform. He explained that the first time he ever saw a live comedy show was when he was in university in DCU.
“Something clicked... Now I’m them, the comedian on stage and performing.” This was the beginning the first gig he had ever seen and he was inspired to perform comedy.
Neil is performing in the Mullingar Arts Centre a nostalgic venue for him, Neil’s parents met in the Arts Centre and now Neil has come full circle; he’s now entertaining the masses in a place that has such importance and resonance in his past. So undoubtedly it will be a special and memorable gig.
It’s fortunate that Neil chose to take the comedy road with his career rather than the athletic one he originally intended, not because of his lack of skill at sports but because the country and comedy venues worldwide would truly miss out on a snappy, quick, and witty comedy talent.
Catch Neil in Mullingar Arts Centre on Thursday March 10. Tel (044 ) 9347777.
