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WIN tickets to see Tommy Tiernan!

SHELLEY MARSDEN delves into the unique mind of comedian Tommy Tiernan… - 26/08/09

For most Irish comedy fans, Tommy Tiernan is god. He’s not a huge name across the pond, but his profile is growing there too – he’s been on the Late Show with David Letterman more than once, and he’s just home after a successful tour of the States with Dylan Moran and Ardal O’Hanlon (The Three Fellas Live).

It’s hard to describe what Tiernan is all about if you haven’t seen his show; the only thing you can be guaranteed is hilarious storytelling, incredible observation and a good deal of mayhem, much of it including the comedian throwing himself about the stage in energetic shapes. His biggest inspiration, tellingly, remains Flann O’Brien.

Tiernan has been controversial since he began stand-up, and has twice been accused of blasphemy in the Irish Senate, but the Donegal-born funny man pays little attention to the headlines any more, putting it down to lazy journalists who see a garish opportunity in every subject he touches upon.

When I catch up with him, Tiernan has just waved goodbye to the Batchelor’s Club, having wed childhood sweetheart Yvonne (also his manager) at a star studded ceremony two days previous. But it’s straight back to work, and we’re here to talk about the comedian headlining a show at this year’s Greenwich Comedy Festival, but when I ask him what audiences over here should expect of the show, he tells me he has no idea – he can only explain how he approaches the whole idea of stand-up - anarchically.

“I approach it recklessly!” he says. “I always think the stage is a place of maximum irresponsibility. It’s an excuse to take nothing seriously. And that nothing is everything. There are no taboos, no rules, but equally there’s no plan either.”

Little, he tells me, is planned, though he does go on stage armed with a set of stories that he wants to tell. For Tiernan it’s all about taking those stories and seeing what happens, whether they lead you to other stories, if being up there with that particular crowd makes you think of another story.

“I bring something to the party; it’s like bringing drink that you’ve made yourself at home to a party. You know what it tastes like, but you’ve no idea what it’s going to make you do or the other people that drink it do.”

For the full interview, buy this week's Irish World at your local newsagents, or pick up a copy HERE from only 50p!

Tommy Tiernan appears at the Greenwich Comedy Festival on Thurs 10 Sept (£18.50). Other Irish comedians appearing across the festival, 7^th-13^th Sept, are Ardal O’Hanlon, Sean Hughes andDavid O’Doherty. Visit www.greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk for tickets.

COMPETITION!!!

WE HAVE 3 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY…. SEE THIS WEEK'S PAPER (ALSO DIGITAL VERSION) FOR DETAILS.