It’s black armbands all round this fortnight as Jarlath Regan announces he’s heading across the pond to live in London for the foreseeable future.

The comic, who’s been a regular on the Irish circuit, initially packed in a career as a graphic design consultant to pursue the stand-up dream. He’s kept design close to his heart though, with the release of a range of wonderfully twisted greeting cards last year, like the gem that reads ‘Let’s Get Married’ (and inside: ‘Only joking, I think we should see other people.’ Teehee.) Fans can catch Regan’s final performance before he departs though. His November 21 Laughter Lounge show, Jarlath Regan.. Ha, Ha, Ha! will serve as his send-off and will be recorded for a forthcoming live album. Tickets are priced just €12, and are available to buy from the Laughter Lounge’s site.
And as we wave Mr. Regan goodbye, we remember that the comedy gods may taketh away, but they giveth too. Not one, but two top-notch UK comedians are due over this fortnight to (metaphorically) wipe away our tears. First up, it’s he of the Comedy Roadshow, Michael McIntyre. Catch the Englishman at Dublin’s O2 on November 16, 17, 18 and 19. Up north meanwhile, the Most Sarcastic Comedian in the Universe™ Jimmy Carr does his thing for one night only in Belfast’s Waterfront (16).
Back to the capital next, where Anglo: The Musical continues its whopper run in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25). The brainchild of Ross O’Carroll Kelly author Paul Howard, Anglo is “a story about love, ambition, greed, corruption, economic meltdown and copious amounts of decking and pesto”. Sounds good to us! For more deets, check out Olaf Tyaransen’s interview with Paul in Frontlines.
Meanwhile, David O’Doherty visits the Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare (23), Dublin’s Pavilion (24) and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow (30), Pat Shortt heads to the Backstage Theatre, Longford (16) and Donegal’s An Grianan (17) while Karl Spain is Laughter Lounge-bound (15, 16, 17).
Finally, best of luck to Limerick comedy writer Conor Ryan, who’s up for an LA Comedy award. Conor has been nominated for TV pilot, The Brew House, which made the final three in the 2012 Los Angeles Comedy Festival Best TV Pilot Script Competition. Fingers and toes crossed