Just as RTE was screening its mainstream quiz show vehicle, It's A Family Affair, the host Dara O'Briain was legging it to Australia, muttering something about Lenny Bruce. Having acquitted himself exceedingly well at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Adelaide Arts Festival, O'Briain is now back for his first solo countrywide tour.
Yes, he still talks too quickly and he needs more light and shade (as we say in the theatre) but the reasons he is one of the biggest and best comics in the country are his well worked out routines, some excellent presentation and a very affable stage manner. There's plenty of real class on show here. Go and see for yourself when he plays the Half Moon Club, Cork on Tuesday, The Mousetrap in Kilkenny on Wednesday and then four consecutive nights (Thursday to Sunday) in Dublin's Laughter Lounge.
