If you happen to be around Kilkenny this weekend, keep an eye out for the volunteers in their fetching blue t-shirts - they'll be more than happy to help if they can. Headed up by wonderwoman herself Trish Duffe, there's friendly people at every venue.
I have to admit it's the first time I've been in Kilkenny for the Festival for a few years and the place looks great. The buzz and atmosphere in the town is one of enthusiasm, humour and people who - pardon the pun - are out to have a laugh. The massive queue for yesterday's train is a testament to the draw of the Festival.
I'm full of admiration for anyone who can get up in front of an audience armed only with a sharp wit, keen observation and enough charisma and courage to keep an audience laughing along. And last night they certainly did that.
I have the great pleasure of working in the Rivercourt Hotel, where last night we had on the bill:
Compére, host and extremely funny man Ian Coppinger from Dublin
The outrageously camp, leather kilt wearing hilarious Craig Hill from Glasgow
Geeky just-out-of-high-school and first time to Ireland Josh Thomas from Australia
and the ever likable, most popular and tear inducing comedian Neil Delamere
It's funny (not ha ha) but I was incredibly shy last night. Granted I was busy with the volunteering (yes I was!) but I found it difficult to go and say hello to some of them, to ask for a photo or to be so bold as to bother them for an interview. I can only imagine how difficult getting up there must be, the mental preparation, the stress and the come down.
Probably best known for creating Jake Stevens - a whistler, a slightly dimwitted but enthusiastic and up-for-anything Irish character who recently went to seek fame and fortune in America and for his work on RTE's Naked Camera (running since 2005).
I sat down with him recently (after I accosted him in a hallway) to talk about comedy. He was open, energetic, warm and friendly - a real pleasure to chat to.
On starting out:
"It's Jason Byrne's fault. I used to work with him in a warehouse and we'd always be slagging and messing. Jason started to get some gigs and saying I should too.
Then one day I'm on Dublin Bus and see his name on an gig poster - and mine after it. I rang him and he said - you've got 6 weeks to prepare 10 minutes, nothing you can do now. So I did it."
"If I got a euro from RTÉ for every time someone whistled at me I'd be very rich indeed. Ah it's always nice to get the people coming up, saying hello, just having the craic. Luckily enough I haven't had any mad experiences."
On the internet
"Ah I'm mad into MySpace. Love it. (PJ's MySpace is here) Just love taking to people. I don't get onto it that much but it's a great way of getting feedback and seeing what's going on.
However someone has a profile for Jake on Bebo - it's not me but it's very good - so good that some of me own mates message me on it and are then surprised I don't get back to them. He's a genuine fake, doing a great job.
It's a pity though when you see stuff you're only working out up on YouTube. Some of the shows aren't as good as they could be. I don't mind the Naked Camera stuff but I'd hate to think that based on some mobile phone video that the show wasn't going to be good."
On doing gigs
"Ah it's a great laugh. It all depends on how well organised the gig is and the mood of the people but you can have great fun with the audience. You never do the same gig twice - the show evolves with the people and how different it can go. It takes preparation but the fun is worth it."
On Kilkenny
"The Cat Laughs is great. For me it's the festival. Always so much on, such great comedians and a great atmosphere. A real place where you can try stuff, you can have fun and get to meet other great comedians. Deadly fun altogether."
On Americans
"They're so polite. You could walk up to an Irish person and say "I lost my monkey" and they'd be like "Jesus, that's terrible! The poor monkey! Where did you leave it and what was it wearing when you saw it?" whereas the Americans would be completely dead-pan "I'm very sorry to hear that sir". A huge difference. I really enjoyed the time over there though."
On advising people thinking of starting in comedy:
"Most importantly don't fill yourself full of shit. It's a tough job and you've got to be polite with the people you're working with, with the fans and to remember to thank everyone.
Remember that if you do succeed to make a living you're a lucky fucker - many have tried. Keep positive though and believing in yourself without being cocky and you should be fine. Most of all enjoy it."
PJ mentions his support of the ISPCC's Childline. He heads off to do a great gig for Vodafone Bright New Sounds and then after borrowing sellotape to fix a light on his Honda Fireblade (true story) heads off, stopping to take time and pictures with his fans and supporters.
A genuinely nice guy, and a great person to have a laugh with. I'm looking forward to seeing him at the weekend.
Firstly, if you can get tickets to the Dublin City Soul Festival, starting in a few hours, then please, please go. Last year was an amazing fusion of artists and sounds, culminating in one of the best concerts I have ever been to.
Last year was the first time they performed in Ireland and I'd imagine the fans, Chris Maher and the organisers are delighted to have them back. The show last year was amazingly vibrant and full of life, ending up in Niamh and I dancing (sober and all!) the last 40 minutes and three encores in front of the stage with most of the rest of the audience.
There's also a free Soul Picnic in Merrion Square Park on Sunday. More details here.
Thirdly; the Smithwicks Cat Laughs Festival are looking for volunteers for this year's festival on the June Bank Holiday Weekend in - of all places - Kilkenny.
Find out more about the festival on their website and for more information about volunteering drop Trish Duffe, the very friendly Volunteer Coordinator (and all around Wonderwoman) a line on thecatlaughs@gmail.com.
As a non-profit organization, a crack team of willing and eager volunteers are crucially important to making Darklight happen - if you think you have what it takes, contact sinead at darklight dot ie.
I did this last year (and hope to this year, if they'll have me) and have to say it was one of the most interesting, varied and fun events to work on ever. The beautiful girls I got to work with were the added bonus.
Whatever you get up to, have fun :)
I'd love to be around for the events over the weekend but have been dragged away. No consideration, some people, eh? Needless to say, I'm not happy.
Tee hee hee
(Typed on a keyboard with French layout - most of the keys aren't where they should be!)
Any of the things I write on this blog are my own opinions and should be treated as such. They are neither a reflection on or the opinion of the companies that I work with. I also do not write posts that have been paid for or requested by employers.
Given all that though, I still hope you enjoy them :)
