Summer’s over, the weather’s crap and everyone has a cold. But – on the plus side, there’s plenty happening comedy-wise around the country to at least temporarily lift our miserable spirits.

Case in point, 2010’s ‘Irish Comedian of the Year’ David O’Doherty is all set for a one-off performance in Dublin’s Vicar St. on October 1. The author of the very informative 100 Facts About Pandas sums up what to expect: “Originally this was going to be a really, really stupid show... But over the winter a few things happened. I realised that quite a few of my friends are really struggling in the crappy Irish recession. I got punched in the face by someone on the street for the second time in a year for no reason whatsoever. So I’ve decided to try and talk about these things. It will still be mostly really stupid jokes, and songs played on a tiny keyboard, but also some things I think are quite important.” If nothing else, we admire the man’s honesty. Plus, he penned the amazing ‘Text Song’. Check it out on YouTube now – thank me later.
To the Wesht next, where the programme has just been announced for the Galway Bulmers Comedy Festival. Events will take place between October 26 and 31, with live performances on the cards from Dylan Moran, David O’Doherty, 4 Poofs And A Piano, Neil Delamere, Dead Cat Bounce and many more. Keep your eyes peeled on next issue's Laughlines for more deets.

In Dublin, the ABSOLUT Fringe Festival is currently underway, and as a wise man (may have) once said; ‘With great theatre comes great comedy!’ Two shows to check out are Pop Centre Plus and Rogue, both running until September 24. PCP is presented by pop culture satirists Frisky And Mannish, and offers reinterpretations of well-known pop songs, while Rogue is the solo stand-up work of Eleanor Tiernan. Both well worth checking out, plus you’ll come across all cultured to your friends when you say you’re attending a Fringe event. Win-win!
Up north, Calendar Girls runs in Antrim’s Grand Opera House from October 3 – 8, while Katherine Lynch’s The Hack Of Ya tour continues in Cork’s Opera House (October 1). Dylan Moran’s Yeah Yeah show stops off in Dublin’s Vicar St. (October 5 – 8), while UK comic Phil Kay pays a visit to Anseo on Camden Street on September 28 and 29.
HP fave (mainly ‘cos of its awesome name) Pope Benedict: Bond Villain plays in The Lir, Trinity College (September 23, 24) while Dublin comedian Andrew Maxwell’s The Lights Are On also hits Vicar St. this fortnight for a one-off show (23). Simon O’Keeffe takes to The Comedy Shed (in Ozzie bar the Woolshed, 26), and last but not least, Cooking With Elvis plays in Downpatrick’s The Mill (29).