There’s some great comedy coming up in this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival. This year the festival are putting up a Spiegeltent – a fantastic portable venue. Outside it’s a marquee but inside it’s all woodeny and mirrory so you can watch yourself as you get pissed (yes – there’s a bar too). The Spiegeltent has been a star of the Edinburgh festival for many years now. I met David McSavage on the street and he told me that the word ‘Spiegel’ means ‘Mirror’ in German. I love meeting McSavage – next week he’s going to tell me what ‘Mirror’ means. David was standing with a huge black bag on wheels. He told me he had just done a street show. I don’t believe him – I think he was trying out his new street act: ”German Tourist Just Arrived Dosen’t Know Where To Go” (A case of the Spiegelmap – trying to work out where you are and all you can see is your own face!).
The Kevin Gildeas (Dr. Millar on Guitar, The Goose on Drums, Mark Doherty on Clarinet, KG on Microphone) play the Spiegeltent on Tues. Oct 7th and Wed Oct 8th at 7pm. We’ve been described variously as JAZZ CLUB with jokes, Gil-Scott Heron, Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce and Tom Waits. Personally I think we’re like an old man trying to do too much. Our short film No No No! was recently voted greatest film ever beating the likes of The Godfather and American Pie 2. If you like bluesy funky music combined with dark surreal humour laced with truth then come and see us.
If you like David O’Doherty then go and see David O’Doherty. His Edinburgh show this year was a bit special. A present day letter to a bully from the past left me cheering as though each word was a punch thrown by Rocky at The Really Bad Guy. Go watch a knockout that really means something.
Also playing are Anne Gildea and Sue Collins (ex-Nualas). Their show is called “Anne & Sue – an evening of favourite Nualas songs.” I loved the Nualas. Their songs are brilliant but for me the real magic was the mad surreal improvisation – when they ‘got off on one’ and soared upwards to new ground (yes – ground has replaced sky in this little metaphor: Spiegelworld). People used to say ”You have to say you like them coz your sister’s in them” – yes – like I have to love hand-knit mince pies just because my mother makes them I DON’T THINK SO!!! I always found this attitude funny. In this life like what you like and don’t like what you don’t like – everything else will fall in to place. The brilliant thing about comedy is that you either laugh or you don’t laugh. It’s difficult to feign like or dislike.
Speaking of soaring and liking – it can only be Flight of the Conchords. They were Perrier nominees at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. I saw these two fellows at this year’s Edinburgh Festival and at last year’s Edinburgh Festival and I love them. They perform hilarious mock folk songs with ticklish lowfi banter in between. They’re from New Zealand and they generate a beautiful unhurried energy that provides a lovely counterpoint to the frenzy and buzz of the Perrier competition.
Do not miss Penny Arcade – a New York woman with enough attitude and heart to form a love army. I saw her in Edinburgh three years ago. She is one of the few performers who really talk about what’s going on in the world and make you laugh about it – a rare thing. Then there is the magical, mad Phil Kay who on his night is as good as it gets.
I’ve seen every act mentioned in this article and it’s a pleasure to say I think each one is fantastic. The only one I haven’t seen performing are The Kevin Gildeas – but our gig in the Spiegeltent will sort that!!!
Mmm – pass me another knitted pie please – they’re not that bad!!!

The Spiegeltent is near the Jervis St. Centre. Booking ph. 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com.