Galway Comedy Invasion.
Stand-up Comedy is one of the purest, most nerve rattling forms of live performance. As a rising (hopefully) comedian that travels the country for gigs, I perceive that Galway is becoming a hotspot for this jocular entertainment. There are an increasing number of venues for budding and seasoned comedians to get on stage and let it fly.
I’m sure, even as you’re reading this you’re thinking: “tell us a joke.” A request that teases my daily life, the same way the song “Galway Girl” vexes local musicians. But as Shakespeare said: “All the world’s a stage.”
There’s another age-old myth that comedians are all crazy, energy filled lunatics. This is not a complete truism. I cannot speak for everybody, but I agree with Aristotle: “There’s no great genius without a mixture of madness.”
The life of a comedian is always twisted, filled with turbulence and butterflies. “Make me laugh funny man!” the comedian heard from the anxious audience. To be a glutton for punishment is an ideal trait if you’re thinking of chancing your arm and telling a few jokes on stage. It’s one of the most rewarding ‘trial by fire’ experiences you can imagine, sure to get your heart racing.
October was a big month for stand up comedy in Galway. The Galway Comedy Festival kicked off and brought some big names in, i.e. Tommy Tiernan, Reginald D Hunter, Des Bishop, Rich Hall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Pat Shortt, Jason Byrne, Andrew Maxwell, Phill Jupitus, Neil Hamburger, and The Rubberbandits to name a few. Galway was a comedy metropolis for the last week of October.
If you’re wondering where to see some of the local up and coming talent there’s options a plenty building up in Galway.
The Roisin Dubh has comedy on most Wednesdays, bringing the big names to the big stage in Galway. “Comedy Cocktails” in Busker’s is a cheerfully cozy comedy open mic night that’s held weekly on Sundays at 9:30pm. “Unhinged” Comedy is another weekly gig starting on the 8th of November downstairs in The Cellar Bar at 9pm. Plan an auld night out, have a laugh, and support live comedy around Galway.
In other news…
Sadly, Galway lost one comedy open mic night recently, awe… The “Get Up, Stand Up @ Garvey’s” which had been a part of the Galway comedy scene for the last two years came to an end on the 25th of October. However, local comedians made it a night to remember, leaving the audience in stitches and closing the doors to what was a great comedy night.
That’s the comedy craic for you any way. The most important exercise is to keep laughing and get out there and support the live comedy.
Connor McDonough-Flynn
http://conmcflynn.com/
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