Prepare for a hoot and a howl as London’s first Irish comedy festival launches with the return of Ireland’s funniest females. Next month the city plays host to a stellar line-up of top class and emerging Irish and London Irish comedians and musical comedy acts. After a 10-year hiatus The Nualas will perform their first show in Britain in 11 years having last performed at the Royal Albert Hall. They take to the stage on October 14. Expect original self-penned numbers, scintillating vocal harmony, ambitious choreography and a night packed solid with craic, laughter, tears, and chat.
Last year The Nualas reformed, launching to great acclaim on The Late Late Show, with their debut song Yummy Mummy Recession Blues. They went on to storm festivals and venues alike. During their previous seven years together The Nualas had 17 theatre runs including six sell-outs at the Edinburgh Festival and extended seasons in theatres in London, Dublin and New York. They recorded two radio series and a New Year’s Eve Special for BBC Radio 4 and appeared in a double-headline special of the first series of BBC 1’s The Stand Up Show. Fast forward to 2011 and the two original founding Nualas, Irish comediennes Sue Collins and Anne Gildea, decided to get the ball rolling again after a decade away and approached American singer/actress Maria Tecce to join the ranks.
Also on the bill for the inaugural festival is Andrew Maxwell, Abandoman, Neil Delamere, Aisling Bea and Colm O’ Regan’s Ireland’s Got Mammies. The festival, proudly sponsored by The Irish Post, will run over three days at two venues in the London Irish Centre in Camden Square. On Friday, October 12 Abandoman, winners of the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year, headline. They create hilarious musical sketches live at lightning speed in front of the audience.
Also headlining is Neil Delamere, best known to audiences for his regular appearances on RTÉ’s The Panel and BBC’s The Blame Game. Abandoman and Neil are supported by Fred Cooke who has supported Ardal O’Hanlon and played alongside Tommy Tiernan, Dara O’Briain and Jason Byrne. MC on the night is Willie White, who got his start in comedy in 2005 on Des Bishop’s Irish TV programme Joy in the Hood. Saturday, October 13 sees Andrew Maxwell take to the stage. Maxwell is supported by Aisling Bea who won the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny? Award at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival. Cariad Lloyd also hosts a free improvised comedy workshop for experienced British and Irish-based comedians. Sunday, October 14 sees Colm O’Regan perform a matinee performance of Ireland’s Got Mammies. His Twitter sensation @irishmammies has 50,000 followers after just six months including author Marian Keyes and actress Minnie Driver.
All festival profits go to support the work of the London Irish Centre.
