David O'Doherty in GROWN UP
23/05/2006 - 27/05/2006
Production Details
David O'Doherty
A curious mix of stories and songs performed on an awesome Yamaha Portasound keyboard from 1986.
For the first time in NZ, Ireland’s most talked about young comedian, David O’Doherty brings his critically acclaimed blend of offbeat ‘low-fi’ comedy to Auckland and Wellington festival audiences.
Admired by audiences in Spain, New York, Adelaide, Brussels, Prague, Kilkenny Aspen, Montreal, Edinburgh and Iceland, this multiple Edinburgh Fringe award winner draws from the worlds of jazz and comedy, to create his own very own style of genius comedy, which shies away from the slick dominant style of many of his contemporaries in the international comedy circuit.
“He has an ear for a clever-cute line and a wry poetic lilt. Some shows leave you shell-shocked, O’Doherty will leave you beaming.” – The London Evening Standard.
Following an extensive two month UK tour with Rich Hall, David performs his 2nd solo show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival before heading to Auckland for his NZ debut. He also performs his 6th solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe later in the year.
Whilst O’Doherty, spends most of his time on the stage, he also finds the time to host his own weekly syndicated radio show. In 2001 his first children’s book ‘Ronan Long Gets It Wrong’, was published. In 2004 he became well known to Irish audiences for his hilarious weekly segment on a kids’ show, as a physics teacher forced to teach syllabus through the medium of hip-hop.
Talented comedian, musician, writer, performer and radio host.
AUCKLAND WELLINGTON
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge Downstage Theatre
Sat 13 & Tues16 – Sat 20 May, 8.30pm Tues 23 – Sat 27 May, 7pm.
Bookings: Ticketek 09 307 5000 Bookings: Downstage
Show Duration: 1 hour 04 801 6946
www.irish-comedy.com
www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Theatre , Comedy , Solo ,
1hr
Well organised shambles
Review by John Smythe 23rd May 2006
Being an Irish comedian David O’Doherty doesn’t do slick. Shambolic would be the word for his style but underneath I’d say he’s as organised and well rehearsed as an Irish dancer. And a helluva lot funnier.
He runs a commentary on his show at strategic moments, pointing out – for example – his two settings: bright light and gloomy moody, although the latter has tinges of complementary colour that perfectly capture his tone.
The Very Low Energy Musical Whimsy, or VLEMWY, he introduced us to in his First Laughs spot (reviewed 15/05/06), actually has quite a jaunty beat as – accompanying himself on laptop electronic keyboards – he answers the FAQs about DO’D, sings of his ambivalence for his family’s Cocker Spaniel, Florence (deceased) and castigates the large Corporations that think they can treat us like shite.
His logic is impeccable as he questions the 5-grand extra he’d have had to pay for a business class seat from Dublin to Auckland. His existential tales of how his brother and he come to meet themselves ear-to-ear, as it were, in surprising circumstances, nudge the Samuel Beckett that maybe lies within many Irishmen.
The converse expectations his father had for David and Tiger Woods’ father had for Tiger, and his mother’s attempt to understand the internet, contribute to a rich picture of family life. Observations based on the few days he has experienced New Zealand suggest his mind is always active.
And the big finish ensures we leave with smiles that reach our ears while the grey stuff between is nicely flecked with his insights. Definitely worth a go.
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