What with the summer fading fast, the war still raging in Iraq and the monumental bore that is the American Presidential Election looming, we could all do with a good belly laugh. There’ll be no shortage of opportunities to chuckle over the coming weeks as some of the funniest people on earth grace our shores.

This year’s Bulmer’s International Comedy Festival, which takes place between 12th to 26th September 2004, looks set to be one the biggest gathering of comic talent ever to visit Ireland.
The festival boasts an impressive line up of both international and home-grown talent who will take to the stage in 16 different venues across Dublin. They include talents the calibre of Ed Byrne, Lenny Henry, Bill Bailey, Jasper Carrott, Jerry Sadowitz, Dom Irrera and Emo Phillips. The controversial Jim Rose Circus, Irish comedy legend Jon Kenny and the truly outrageous Puppetry Of The Penis are the latest additions to the festival which also includes ensemble shows such as The BBC Live Floor Show, Laughter Arts Festival and Joey And Maria’s Comedy Wedding.
But the highlight of the fortnight is certain to be an appearance by the star of The Office, Ricky Gervais, who brings his Politics show to the Point Theatre on Sunday 12 September. Not surprisingly, it’s already a complete sell-out, so if you have a ticket count yourself lucky, as the Point will be transformed into an intimate, fully-tiered theatre-style seated venue for the event. Also sold out are shows by Bill Bailey and Jasper Carrott, but there are plenty of other choices on offer over the duration of the festival
Among them is Puppetry Of The Penis, a mind-blowing show featuring two well-endowed Australians who, er, manipulate their genitals into various shapes, objects and landmarks. The two opened their show in Australia in 1998 and it was a massive hit. Puppetry Of The Penis takes place at The Olympia Theatre on Wednesday the 15th of September.
Another highlight is sure to be Jumping On The Bandwagon featuring Paddy McGuinness (Paddy the door man) from Peter Kay’s enormously successful TV show Phoenix Nights. Paddy will host and compere an evening of quick-fire stand up comedy, giggles, gags and songs with fellow Phoenix Nights stars: Archie Kelly (Kenny), Janice Connolly (Holy Mary) and Steve Edge (Alan from Les Alanos).
The festival sees a welcome return for Irish born Jimeoin, now recognised as one of Australia’s most prominent and successful stand up comedians. With his highly personable style and his riotous observational humour, Jimeoin has endeared himself to packed houses across the globe. Catch him at The Olympia Theatre on the 16th of September.
Jerry Sadowitz famously opened the Montreal comedy festival with the line “Hello, moose-f***kers” and was promptly knocked unconscious. You can catch him late night at The Olympia Theatre on September 17th.
Also well worth checking out is Funny Girls, a show featuring the best of established and up-and-coming Irish female comediennes including Anne Gildea and Sue Collins (the Nualas), Pom Boyd, Kathleen O’Rourke and Priscilla Roinson, in stand-up, improvisation and character comedy. Funny Girls is at Whelan’s on the 16th & 17th of September.
These are just some of the highlights of what is sure to be the funniest fortnight in the capital in many a long time. The festival also includes a pub-trail (titled ‘The Orchard Path’) with acts playing in various venues around Dublin City over the course of the festival.
Tickets for all events are on sale at Ticketmaster and usual outlets nationwide. Telephone 0818 719 300 or log onto www.ticketmaster.ie For more information on the event log onto www.bulmersinternationalcomedyfestival.com, www.mcd.ie.