Social-Life Dublin – Pleased to Meet You!
Dublin’s a little town with a lot of people. Getting out and about is easy, so why not meet more of your neighbours? Social-Life Dublin is the city’s newest meet-up. It’s a monthly gathering offering various talks and performances, followed by music and chat. Your Girl Friday, ever the social butterfly, found it fun and informative. Good times! The latest event was a top evening at Boteco Brazil on Ormond Quay.
Caipirinha in hand, I made my way to the cellar bar where plenty of folk were already chattering away. First up was Miller Anthony and his talk “How Enthusiasm Saved My Life!”. Certainly an upbeat topic, life coach Miller talked us through how to channel one’s thought process in a positive direction. Miller explained how enthusiasm in everyday life is the key to happiness. It’s all about mental attitude!
We paused for deliciously authentic Brazilian tapas. Melty mozzarella balls & hot veggie skewers… Nomsters! The stage was set for the inimitable Rose Lawless – cabaret artiste & enfant terrible. The eternally glamorous Rose was her usual mixture of mirth and mischief, regaling us with song and story. She graced us with her comedy numbers including “Up Da Pole” and “Man With a Moustache”.
Social-Life Dublin is run by local bon viveur Jerry O’Brien, whose aim is to showcase a host of interests under the one roof. The idea is to bring positive people together to discuss and take part in hobbies and personal development. The events include talks, entertainment, hobbies, activities, networking and clubbing. Not only is it a great way to meet new friends, but a good opportunity to make connections.
I’ve caught Conor Lynch from Social Media talking personal branding, world traveler Chris Riggs on African safari and Mo Levy on improv comedy, among others. Social-Life Dublin’s next meet-up is Friday June 14th at Boteco Brazil. The line-up includes comedian Marcus O’Laoire, memory master Kevin Redmond and Patricia Tiernan of LEAP Coaching on “How to Find a Job You Love”. See y’all there!
www.facebook.com/Sociallifedublin / Boteca Brazil, 6 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7
An Afternoon With Rose Lawless
“It’s like a Recession party” mused the inimitable Rose Lawless. Our favourite cabaret girl was describing Dublin’s creative renaissance. It’s something she’s grasped with relish as her personality, though influenced by Paris and Prague, was born of this great city. Living as she is these days in Georgian Parnell Square, Rose is delighted to find such grand quarters teeming with fellow artists.
“Moore Street is the Montmartre of Dublin” Rose declared “The spirit, the characters, the comedy. It’s all there”. Since the untimely demise of the sorry Tiger, this town is thriving. Dublin has shifted into another gear. The right one, says Rose. “People like us are allowed to go to the party now. The hurt and anger is over and we’re developing a new relationship with ourselves” she paused “It really is la dolce vita”.
We met in the seaside haven of Monkstown and Rose brought me to the delightful Cafe Du Journal. “I love this place” she told me “It’s a real community hub”. A notorious good girl gone wrong, bohemian Rose is naturally attracted to such boltholes. She was found flaunting her gorgeous self at The Hot Spot in Greystones last week, causing her audience to both blush and marvel at her daring darling show.
Rose, of course, was delighted with the reaction. “If we can’t shock, then what can we do?” she asked, wide eyed. Sipping her Americano, Rose filled me in on her upcoming Christmas show in the New Theatre. “The Dazzling Cabaret Revolution!” she beamed “I am fabulously down at heel but still scandalising the masses… And now I’ve got a band and an album on the way too!” She winked boldly.
Rose Lawless, the shabby chic Paris Hilton of Dublin, has come a long way. Underground Rose ran away from boarding school aged sixteen. An anarchist she took a Hungarian lover and found the stage as a burlesque dancer with more than an edge. Her songs celebrate love, sex, sorrow and joy. Only Rose can add such glitter and gore to the kitchen sink drama that is life. A lady and a glamorous tramp!
Looking slinky in an Edith Piaf style black dress, from Lulu French Vintage in Monkstown, Rose glanced out the window and sighed. “Though I am a poor artist, I count that as a blessing” she explained “Toulouse-Lautrec, you know? Beauty comes from poverty”. Indeed, Rose is soon to film a video for her controversial rap song “Up Da Pole” in the city centre. “Like a fash mob, but in our best pyjamas!”
Rose and her comrades will be at the mysterious New Theatre, in the back of Connolly Books in Temple Bar from December 17th to 22nd. With Julie Cruickshank on keyboard, Claire Fitch on cello and Shane Atlas on drums it promises to be a spectacular Rose Lawless cabaret experience. Win a prize for your vintage style and enjoy a dinner deal at nearby La Dolce Vita. Let the fun begin, la vie en Rose!
www.roselawless.com / www.the newtheatre.com / The New Theatre, 43 East Esssex Street, Dublin 2
To Arthur! The Mezz Knows How To Party
Stepping into the jaws of Temple Bar, from Westmoreland to Fleet Street, I entered into a full swing party. Last Thursday was Arthur’s Day and the rarified Dublin air was infused with Guinness. The whole area was body to body, the pavement was wet, not with rain but the black stuff. Folk complain of the commercial side to Arthur’s Day but I must say those who were out to play got the best of our fair city.
All those revellers got me in the mood, so I made a beeline for The Mezz. Rock ‘n’ roll Baby! This live venue has been serving up fresh musical talent for almost 20 years, it’s deep dark cavernous atmosphere perfect for showcasing bands. The vibe is down and dirty with walls covered in images from rock history and a busy bar running the length of the room. The place was already locked and loaded.
I pulled up a stool by the stage, DJ Glenn Brown was spinning the discs – everything from Bowie to The Clash and The Jam to Oasis. Pint of velvet in hand, and there was plenty flowing from the Mezz’ taps, I was ready for some entertainment. First up was The Covers – yes, you guessed it, a tribute band spanning rock, pop and indie. A slick operation, The Covers belted out classics to get the crowd going.
The La’s “There She Goes”, “Coffee and TV” by Blur and The Smiths “Bigmouth Strikes Again” all went down a treat with the burgeoning audience. Lead singer Davey McGuinness then teamed up with sweet singer Caroline for a duet of the Zutons’ “Valerie”, famously revamped by Amy Winehouse. They kept the crowd a-swaying with a stomping version of “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher” by Jackie Wilson.
Morrissey and his NHS specs have a lot to answer for as these muso boys wound down to raucous applause. The Covers made way for Randy Rarely And The Scuds, a punky bunch who ramped up the richter scale. The Rolling Stones “Paint it Black” was sleek and sexy and it was lighters out for, all indie boys’ heroes, The Smiths “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”. Singer Andy Early was a dynamo!
These kids were what every young band should be – a gang of lads having a good time. Their raw energy filtered into every sweaty corner of the Mezz, guitars blaring at top volume. I was pogo-ing like my heyday, to The Jam’s “Town Called Malice” and “London Calling” by The Clash. It was hot and heavy as Randy Rarely And The Scuds ripped off their shirts to a baying mosh pit. More Genius. To Arthur!
The Mezz, 24 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Pugwash – Love At First Sound
Ever go to see one of those bands that you’ve never heard of only to find yourself totally familiar with their tunes? Well that’s what happened to your fave reporter at the Grand Social last Friday night. Pugwash was the band. They’ve been around since my school days. Been on my radio. Singer Thomas Walsh even said hello to me before he got on stage and only then I realised he was the main man.
Now I can’t get their songs out of my head. Lucky me! Pugwash are the sort of accomplished band that need no red carpet nor champagne kisses, having earned their musical stripes over the years. The Loft upstairs at the Grand Social is a great little venue. Cosy with good acoustics and a vaulted ceiling that feels almost like a festival marquee, bunting and all. Pugwash filled the place up with feelgood vibes.
There were some proper gems in the set like “Fall Down” from their new album “The Olympus Sound”, a nice slice of holiday pop that rolled in melodic waves. Walsh’s ability to distill faraway feelings into his music and lyrics brings whimsical thoughts and solid sounds together so perfectly. The magic of songs is what he’s all about. “Answers On A Postcard” was another sweeping guitar sway along foot tapper.
The great thing about Pugwash is that all the band are involved with lots of layering going on between the boys. Their unique rollercoaster of Rickenbacker guitars and punchy lyrics had the crowd surfing the same high as the band. Between his singing and the banter Walsh brought the whole thing together into a Dublin love in with laughs and some serious jams. Pugwash make for a most mellow moshpit.
Support band on the night were The Urges, who I didn’t see as me and the Bloke had left just enough time for a Guinness to settle. Fashionably late! But my sources tell me that they come from the same school of music as Pugwash, channeling the original garage sound through psyhedelic rock ‘n’ roll. Pugwash bring echoes of The Beatles and ELO – Walsh spoke of his delight of a letter from Jeff Lynne.
The fine numbers played on with “Be My Friend Awhile” and “Nice To Be Nice” – the kind of songs that stick to your heart. Onstage, Walsh exudes the same easy romance as his songs and it’s plain to see that he’s in his element with lots of guitar changes and a great camaraderie with band members Tosh Flood, Shaun McGee and Joey Fitzgerald. They’re a tight knit yet beautifully fluid bunch of musicians.
“Dear Belinda” was dedicated to a friend and “Apples” from the album “Almanac” was a winding yellow brick road of a song. But my absolute fave was the delicious debut single “Finer Things In Life” from their first album “Almond Tea”. I’ve heard it before in daydreams. “Age Of Revolution” was a stomping sing along, from their Duckworth Lewis Method collaboration with the Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon.
Sharing the last of their Friday night with us Pugwash finished up with “Two Wrongs”. I could see why everyone in the place loves them as Walsh gives as much as he gets. With words like “seasons pass faster than fruitflies, decades disolving like Solpadeine” what’s not to like? We were now four and rocked on to Sweeney’s, then the Foggy Dew for a glass or three. Pugwash had certainly put us in the mood.
Illustration by Glenn Brown
www.pugwashtheband.com / The Grand Social, 35 Lower Liffey Street, Dublin 1
Lisa Joyce & John Sheehan – The Full Irish
Twas a mellow eve in Dublin tonight and our city had the warm glow that makes her so welcoming to natives and strangers alike. I had a leisurely kick around the streets before heading to the International Bar for a few laughs. Up and coming comedians Lisa Joyce and John Sheehan are off to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of “The Full Irish” at Finnegan’s Wake, a showcase featuring six Irish comics.
Joyce and Sheehan were enjoying a pint when I rocked up and told me that they’re looking forward to their first Edinburgh shows. Both doing new material, tonight and tomorrow night’s preview shows should ease them in nicely. It was down to funny business as Sheehan took to the stage. The Tullamore man explained that his deadpan voice sometimes gets him into trouble, but it’s a Midlands thing y’see…
Sheehan got into his stride with gags about his ex girlfriend and job – stuff everyone can relate to, but he brought humour to the mundane with his quirky angle. Quick fire one liners worked well dotted in between stories and Sheehan built up good rapport with the audience, joking back and forth with a group of lads. He made me laugh with a cheeky Sex and the City joke – one for ladies d’un certain age…
Next up was Lisa Joyce, a slip of a thing whose first gag was to make fun of how young she looks. She does a great line in self deprecation and it’s her ability to keep a straight face the whole time that makes it even funnier. Joyce talked of the joy of tea and dodgy internet chat rooms and, like Sheehan, it was her clever, but loaded, little jokes that knitted her set together. Dry wit at its best – short and sharp!
Both comedians have been on the Dublin stand up circuit for a while now but tell me that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an exciting highlight because not only is it new territory, but comedy Mecca. All laughed out, tonight wrapped with an impromptu acoustic session from one of the boys in the crowd. That’s the beautiful thing about this town – random happenings, talent and creativity all in one room.
The International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 / www.edfringe.com / www.laughinghorsecomedy.co.uk
First Thursdays Dublin – Art of Summer
It was another day in paradise on Thursday and I decided to enjoy the sunshine by joining in First Thursdays art gallery tour. With half an hour to spare before showtime I had a mini mooch in Le Shops and a suck on a Zumo smoothie – banana and peanut butter, yumsters! Then I met a pair of cohorts at Gallery @ No. Six on Anne Street South for the kick off. There was a good gang of people there already.
Gallery @ No. Six is a contemporary space tucked in beside Empty Pockets. Opened last year, its purpose is to give Irish artists a city centre showcase and a place to sell works and meet clients. Featuring paintings and sculptures by twenty seven emerging and established artists, the gallery is spread over two floors and there’s a New York-y feeling with the mezzanine level and steel staircase.
We had a talk about some of the exhibitors and were introduced to up and coming sculptor Eric Liddell who is showing for the first time. Gallery @ No. Six aims to make art accessible and says prices have come down since their 2005 high, making art less of a luxury but something to enjoy in anyones home. My fave artist here is James Mongey, who paints the Dublin I know and love in bold technicolour.
Next it was follow the leader with Temple Bar Cultural Trust’s Aine O’Hara, a lovely guide indeed, taking us to Dawson Street and the Sol Art Gallery. It was the launch of their Summer show and gallery director Martin Davis was on hand with vino to welcome us warmly. The building’s impressive rooms and high ceilings make an excellent home for the eclectic mix of work on display by international artists.
Aidan Harte’s bronze “Minotaur” is an eye catching centrepiece, as are Franz Joseph Rittmannsberger’s smooth sculptures made from a beautiful green marble. The mix of disciplines and materials at the Sol Art Gallery create a great talking point for the group and it’s nice to share my thoughts aside from appreciating works of my own taste. An Elaine Hoey light box had me intrigued, its clean lines just so.
Our next port of call was The Doorway Gallery on South Frederick Street, a quirky building housing many alcoves of painting and sculpture. The colourful work of Lucy Doyle dominates the front room, with girly pinks and purples imprinted into vivid floral scenes. Denise Donnelly, who runs the gallery, told me that Doyle’s paintings are always uplifting and that one buyer designed her interior around a piece.
The basement houses more work from “A Summer Selection” with Chris McMorrow’s atmospheric city scapes and Mark Ryan’s almost photographic painting being popular with the gang. My top piece here is William Stevens’ “Las Palmas” a graphic town depiction with a pleasing order to it, bathed in sunshine and exotic wanting. I escaped to the secret garden out back, with my Mediterranean dreams.
All three galleries were delighted with the First Thursdays turn out, as it’s a great way of getting word of exhibitions out there. While one might be intimidated by roving a gallery alone, or simply unaware of the city’s hidden artistic gems, it’s nice to go as part of a tour. I must say it was highly enjoyable and informative. Thirsty work indeed, as me and my amigos retired to the Bull and Castle for a round of ales.
www.templebar.ie / Gallery @ No. Six, 6 Anne Street South, Dublin 2 / Sol Art Gallery, 8 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 / The Doorway Gallery, 24 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2
The Phantom of the Opera – Angel of Music
Last Friday was sunshine and showers but I was in perky form despite a killer headache. The show must go on as they say! And what a show – The Phantom of the Opera at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. I found my mate dangling his legs over the side of the Grand Canal basin. Just kidding… But there was a gang of boys diving into the water and it looked like such fun! Next, KC Peaches for bites.
The deal is that you can pick any size plate – small, medium, large – and fill up with whatever you fancy. The food here is scrummy, especially for salad fans, and we went for beef curry, stuffed chicken and mixed greens. Even better are the cakes – don’t worry we kept room! Passion fruit cheesecake and peanut butter jelly brownies were washed down with creamy coffee. I was feeling better already…
The Bord Gais Energy Theatre, though slick and modern, has an intimate feeling. There’s a lovely party atmosphere – everyone’s here for a good time. But it’s the great staff that make the place. We were well looked after from the moment we arrived. I’ve seen Phantom once before, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London and I can still recall that spine tingling performance. The passion, the sorrow. The music.
The show opens on a magnificent set, the Paris Opera House, with the ensemble cast limbering up for a top performance. The scene is opulent and the costume fine, but lurking beneath in the shadows is the Phantom. Shamed by his physical appearance and feared by all he soon comes to the surface, his love for his singing protege Christine Daae too strong to control. She is at once repulsed and fascinated.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hallmark musical is in Dublin for the first time after twenty five phenomenal years. The original players, Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford, are of course legendary but the actors in this show are very impressive indeed. Katie Hall gives her all as Christine, her glorious voice filling every corner of the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, matched only by rival Carlotta for high notes.
However, it is the Angel of Music who really captures our imagination. The Phantom, played by John Owen Jones, is as mesmerising as he is menacing. Jones’ voice is tremendous and his portrayal of the tortured recluse is heart wrenching. I can’t help being swept away by the tragic romance of this show, as Christine is torn between her lover Raoul and her mentor Phantom, to whom she remains loyal.
With songs like “The Music of the Night”, “All I Ask of You” and “Phantom of the Opera” the production is as fine as you’d imagine, but live these numbers simply soar through the air. The infamous crashing of the grand chandelier is a great moment but the drama reaches a crescendo as Phantom loses the plot and kidnaps Christine. John Owen Jones’ captivating tones wring out as madness unleashes.
But Phantom’s heart is melted by Christine’s kindness to him and he eventually releases her to Raoul, surrendering to his own lonely fate. He gifted her a voice and realises that is all he can give. The lesson of The Phantom of the Opera is that one must not love for oneself but for the other person. Raoul’s genuine concern for Christine is selfless and holds the mirror up to Phantom’s emotional black hole.
It is human nature to covet what you cannot have and that is why we sympathise with Phantom. I know he moves me to tears! But it’s the highs and lows of Lloyd Webber’s powerful arrangements that pull on the heart strings. Beautiful music. We breathed a sigh of awe as the final curtain fell and the cast took a collective bow. Truly one of the greatest shows on earth. Love never dies. Now home to dream…
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2 / www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
Back to the Future – Disco Retro
Ah, that Friday feeling. I met Dad in town and we enjoyed a half an hour each in our fave shops – the best way for boys and girls to shop! Followed by a lazy lunch in the M&S Rooftop restaurant. The menu here is stuffed full of all that lovely Marks nosh that you can’t help putting in your basket – only it’s cooked for you! We had yummy fish cakes, chicken in Parma, chocolate brownie and lemon tart.
When I got back to the bat cave, it was a quick fire round of housework, followed by some scribbling and a flop on the sofa with a nice cup of tea. The girls were coming ’round for a screening of Back to the Future chez moi. The official show at the Sugar Club was sold out, but we planned to meet our pals who’d got their mitts on tickets, for the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. Chardonnay time…
The movie night, run by Film Fatale, was a twist on their monthly classic screenings with both 50s and 80s themes combined. How clever! So while some of my girlfriends were dressed up all Madonna stylee in lace fingerless gloves and neon leg warmers, I went all demure in a dusky pink prom dress I’d picked up in Oxfam last week. Isn’t she lovely? The blokes went for a double denim and “life preserver” combo.
The Sugar Club had been transformed into an underwater paradise, just like the movie, with soap bubbles and balloons. The dance floor was jumping with kids jiving to Jaime Nanci and the Blue Boys, who were belting out rock ‘n’ roll gems. These cool cats had us tapping our toes to “Johnny B Goode” and “Jailhouse Rock”. Entertaining us after dark with a slick set was the Andrews Sisters Brothers.
We were whipped up into a frenzy on rum cocktails and high jinks with some top 80s tunes. These guys had their finger on the retro pulse with well chosen records – not too obvious, nor too obscure. It felt like 1986 again when I was gliding around the Top Hat roller disco, with my Mickey Mouse jumper and a Michael J Fox poster ripped out of Smash Hits proudly blue tacked to my bedroom wall. Good times!
Salt ‘n’ Pepa, Chaka Khan and, of course, MJ had us dancing ’til 3am. Film Fatale really know how to throw a party and event organiser Anna Taylor told me they were thrilled with the sellout night. It seems they’ve found a new niche with the 80s! I was fit for the scrapheap after a final flurry to New Order’s “Blue Monday” and headed home to bedfordshire, brow damp and feet burning. Like Friday night should be…
www.filmfataleevents.blogspot.com / The Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2
World Street Performance Championship 2012
Saturday morning – my fave part of the week! There was already plenty of action on my doorstep by midday, with the World Street Performance Championship cranking up in Merrion Square. I’d been out dancing all night at the Back to the Future Enchantment Under the Sea Dance in the Sugar Club and was lolling in my PJs when my mate rang, on her way. I was dressed and out the door in zero to ninety.
First stop the Kilkenny Shop and their newly refurbished restaurant – it’s not just for tourists y’know! We scored delicious goats cheese tartlets with rainbow salads for a bargain tenner each. Why can’t all food people do top scran at this price? Dessert was Butlers coffee and a free sweetie which we ferried over to the park. The place was jammers and my girlfriend grimaced as I removed my take away lid as usual…
A sense of fun filled the air with a real Alice in Wonderland feel – umbrellas and lanterns hung from the trees, kids swung in hammocks and there were performers dotted around everywhere. The big acts were scheduled at three main areas in the park and there was plenty of ice cream, hot dogs and fizzy pop to munch while watching. I must say I was very impressed with whole set up. The sunshine helped too!
It was a real family day out with lots of children’s activities – we sat down on a handy sofa while a gang of sugar crazed little boys dived on top. Coffee meet dress – oops… That got me back with the programme, so we checked out our first act – Kamikaze Fireflies. A guy ‘n’ gal duo who impressed us with their circus skills. Cube twirling, stilt walking, fire dancing, juggling and lashings of Yankee banter.
The piece de resistance was when they coaxed a punter to step up onto the chick’s pelvis while she bent over backwards into a crab. Bravo! I’d heard this pair on the wireless during the week, and poor Ray D’Arcy wouldn’t step up. Next we found a couple more pals, who had a nice picnic rug laid out front near the mound. Time for a sit down and 2 On 1 – a couple of all dancing acrobatic cool dudes from NYC.
These lads were seriously funny, while doing a brilliant line in beatbox, bin drumming, break dancing and back flips and of course getting the audience involved. One game Dad was stripped of his shirt – fair play to him standing next to the super buff pair, whose topless efforts certainly put a smile on our faces. Once we’d cooled down, we moved on to Jonathan Burns – the human pretzel. One bendy fella…
A cross between Napoleon Dynamite and Pee Wee Herman this chap had us in stitches with his saucy talk while wincing at his double jointed antics. The kids loved him and he had a bunch of little helpers joining in, twisting himself through everything from a tennis racquet to a toilet seat. It was time for another munch and we tucked into dinner from Crepes in the City. Crunchy Nut Cornflakes for afters.
Australian acrobat Reuben Dot Dot Dot and his twenty foot pole – ooh er Missus! – were a sight to behold. Like a bird, he took to the sky atop the pole, spinning on one hand. It was a masterclass in strength and discipline. Our last show was husband and wife duo Cirque No Problem, who brought a vibe of old school vaudeville circus to their trapeze act. Silly but smart, they built up to a swinging finale.
They proved to be a talented family, when their baby wrapped the show with her very own balancing act. A star in the making! We were well and truly flaked out, so it was back to the ranch for tea and maybe a drop of something stronger… The World Street Performance Championship was a fantastic day out, bigger and bolder than ever before. They can all come back and play in my back yard anytime!
www.spwc.ie
Dara O’Briain – Craic Dealer
I was up with the lark last Saturday and on my bike before breakfast, ready for a bit of Famous Five action. Me and my mates tucked into a hearty fry up at the start of a long day of driving, hiking, eating and laughing. So when one of my pals asked if I’d like to round off the good times at Dara O’Briain’s Vicar Street show I said sign me up. When life throws lemonade, might as well get sticky!
Of course I’m aware of Dara O’Briain, as his star continues to rise across the pond, but I must admit a lack of familiarity with his work. My thoughts on him are thus – vague memory of Echo Island, shades of a young George Hook and that wonderful London Paddy slant on life back home. Vicar Street was packed to the rafters for his last night in a string of gigs on the sell out Craic Dealer tour.
We lined up our pints on little roundy tables, designed to look like a pub back room, as O’Briain took to the stage. Larger than life, he belted out his opening gambit, telling us about the hazards of touring with a sore throat. Hide the Lockets… But, worry not, he was on fine form as he rallied us with a bit of audience participation, showcasing his natural talent for ad-libbing. His off the cuff gags were spot on!
O’Briain proved to be a slick showman as well as a funny bastard, as he worked sore subjects like religion into everyday hilarious incidents. Relaying stories from his own life, the English / Irish crossover was obvious and I could see his appeal to the neighbours. O’Briain can tap into both audiences with his bloke-ish observations but the key is in his fine tuning of a punchline to cultural nuance.
Setting the world to rights was something he excelled at too, and with that booming voice who better? Bawling out celebrity astrologers and Twitter trolls, O’Briain had a great knack of making us feel we were down the local with him shooting the shitake. Very chucklesome also were his random musings mid-gag. Quick wit and emotional intelligence make O’Briain that best mate you wish you had.
While I was new to this guy (I know, what planet?) my mate, who’s a rookie comedian, was seriously impressed, claiming O’Briain to be a stand up maestro. Indeed he knows his punter – lots of Dad jokes and boy talk – but lets everyone in the room in on the laugh, with killer timing and well placed callbacks. O’Briain has been on the scene a long time but he seems to be on top of game right now.
I must say our gills were hurting with laughter by the time he got to his encore. It was a sweet touch to hand out chocolate bars to his front row buddies – O’Briain does have that level of success where fans want to touch his hem, but he doesn’t act the rock star. In fact, when we moved next door to the local pizza shop afterwards, we were told he gets his munchies there too. A man of the people!
www.daraobriain.com / www.vicarstreet.ie / Vicar Street, 58 – 59 Thomas Street, Dublin 8