Oh, it’s all there! All the trademarks are in evidence in Ardal’s latest
show. Beautifully crafted stand-up comedy? Yes. Celebrated use of
language? Tick. Lateral thinking, surreal flourishes, sharp
observations? Of course. As for the occasional profundity? Maybe.
Despite his best attempts over many decades to put the world to
rights, it is still a colossal mess. And so, Ardal has no choice but to
go out on the road again. Like the good comedy doctor he is, he
fearlessly diagnoses the various pathologies and neuroses that are
currently ravaging humanity. Disclaimer: No solutions provided.
After an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal reflects on
who he is as a man and a comedian. He examines his own ethnic
and religious background. And thinks twice about the very core of
his identity as a voice of reason. Is everything a big lie? With no
major trauma of his own to draw on for material, apart from the
drag of getting older, he also turns his gaze outwards at the joys
and follies of contemporary life. Towel Animals? A.I.? Chair Yoga?
Cauliflower as a main course? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes. No current
idiocy is left unexamined.With a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, and proper
comedy bones, NOT HIMSELF, is a testament to the healing power
of humour. And the joy of jokes.
*
Ardal is not only an acclaimed stand-up comedian who has
performed world-wide. He will be familiar to many from his
appearances in TV shows such as TASKMASTER and WOULD I
LIE TO YOU?, leading roles in DEATH IN PARADISE, FR TED, and
MY HERO as well as cameos in DERRY GIRLS, THE WOMAN IN
THE WALL, RETURN TO PARADISE and ROSIE MOLLOY GIVES
UP EVERYTHING. He will soon be seen in the feature film, FRAN
THE MAN, and the new Netflix series, HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN
FROM BELFAST, as well as the CW drama, SHERLOCK AND
DAUGHTER. Ardal is currently writing his third book.