Contrary to popular belief, not all comedians are self-interested egos on legs. For six years, Ardal O'Hanlon has been a patron of The Aisling Project, a charity that sends impoverished Irish migrants on holiday. Sunday's show boosted the coffers and was also a vociferous reminder of Ireland's ability to produce great stand-ups as well as writers and Eurovision winners.
Ed Byrne's 2001 West End run started on 10 September and lost momentum a day later, so it was gratifying to see him on form as MC Byrne does not do anything special, mainly homing in on relationship whimsy, but he does it brilliantly. One girlfriend wanted bathroom scales. Byrne objected, arguing that a mirror always tells him if he is fat.
After support slots from Jimmy Carr (dry one-liners) and Jason Wood (show-stopping diva impressions), O'Hanlon appeared, looking like he was concealing a couple of Irish immigrants inside his voluminous velvet suit.
He hit the ground running, or rather falling, performing to the upper circle on his back, before discussing fatherhood. "Did it change you?" friends asked. "Did Hiroshima change after the war?" After the interval, Graham Norton arrived in a diaphanous shirt. Compared with the slightly desperate imp that used to slog round the circuit, he is savouring superstardom, flirting with the front row and amusing everyone with an anecdote about smuggling cod and chips into Edinburgh's swanky Balmoral Hotel concealed in his trousers.
The only act to hit a false note was Geraldine McNulty, whose deft musical parodies were too sophisticated for the quick-fire smash-and-grab occasion.
It was left to Tommy Tiernan to end with a maverick Flann O'Brien-meets-Billy Connolly flourish. Tiernan screamed himself hoarse, revealing a penchant for free jazz and comparing the saxophone to a donkey in distress. A storming finale from a Gael-force wit.
To make donations, contact Alex McDonnell on 020 7482 3374.
Aisling Project Comedy Night
