Dublin comedian and creator of the Mrs. Brown series, Brendan O’Carroll has no reason to be in mourning this fortnight. On April 27, it was announced that his TV show Mrs. Brown’s Boys has been nominated for a BAFTA.

The show, an RTÉ/BBC co-production, sees O’Carroll play Agnes Brown – a lude, crude, chain-smoking Dublin Mammy, famed for her cheeky (and downright filthy) one-liners. It’s been nominated for ‘Best Situation Comedy’, and will face tough competition against The Trip, Rev and the always excellent Peep Show at a London ceremony later this month. We wonder will Brendan stay in character for the occasion?! Meanwhile, the stage show Good Mourning Mrs. Brown has announced extra Olympia dates due to demand. It now runs from May 2 – 7, and 9 – 14. Limerick fans can catch the show at University Concert Hall (17). Best of luck at the BAFTAs to Brendan and all involved!
Cut from the same obscene cloth, Liberties man Brendan Grace also takes to the stage this fortnight. He’ll be at the Forum in Waterford on May 13. Punters should be sure to wear their Sunday best on the night, as this show will be recorded for Grace’s forthcoming live DVD.
To Dublin next, where it’s three for the price of one at the Laughter Lounge. On May 12, 13 and 14, UK comic John Moloney will perform with special guests Aidan Bishop (Des’ lil bro) and Barry Murphy. The venue also welcomes US funnyman Tom Rhodes on May 5, 6 and 7, who’ll perform with John Lynn and Sean Flanagan. Washington-born Rhodes has appeared in many an American sitcom, including NBC’s Mr. Rhodes, and can also be frequently found tickling funnybones on the Comedy Central network.
Up north, Balamory star (yep, the disturbingly upbeat kiddies’ show) Miles Jupp takes to the Waterfront Hall Auditorium’s stage on May 5. (Fun comedy fact: Jupp also stars in Rev, so will face Brendan O’Carroll in a BAFTAs showdown this month. All together now: “Fight! Fight! FIGHT!”)
Also northbound is Dubliner Ed Byrne, who plays the Millenium Forum in Derry on May 13. The wittiest of them all though – Black Books star Dylan Moran, will perform a one-off show in the Waterfront Comedy Club on May 10.
Elsewhere, Maeve Higgins takes her Ready For This? show to Clare’s Glor on May 5 and Bray’s Mermaid Arts Centre (6), Grumpy Old Women runs at Cork’s Opera House (18), and Nunsense plays from 3 – 7 at Waterford’s Theatre Royal.