Laugh Lines

You’ll laugh your maracas off when actor, writer and comedian PETER SEARLES brings the first instalment of his Hey Gringo! trilogy, Through Peru to The Shelter on October 19th, 20th and 21st. The show concerns Peter’s travels, adventures and indeed mis-adventures in South America and has already wowed audiences in London and Edinburgh. Peter returns with episodes 2 and 3 later this year.

Are RTE really wise in scheduling new comedy drama series Batchelor’s Walk directly after new comedy series The Cassidy’s? One show features a trio of siblings who share a big house in Dublin, while the other features a trio of mates who, uh, share a big house in Dublin.

Cork Opera House becomes comedy central this month playing host to a bevy of hot shows. Comedy and magic giant PAUL ‘Not a Lot’ DANIELS plays on October 15th, though we have no word on whether or not he’ll be accompanied by his lovely wife DEBBIE MCGEE. BILL BAILEY visits the Opera House on October 21st for a night of musical comedy, while the Edinburgh Fringe smash To Be Frank touches down on October 25th. This one-man show is a tribute to the late FRANKIE HOWERD performed by comedian DAVID BENSON. BRENDAN O’CARROLL arrives in Cork on October 29th with Good Mourning Mrs Brown, concerning the events surrounding grandad Brown’s funeral.

The Comedy Room at the Ha’penny Bridge Inn recently gave 2 lucky punters tickets to see VIC REEVES and BOB MORTIMER record an episode of their new Shooting Stars series for BBC TV in London. EDDIE NAESSENS and DECLAN ROONEY have announced the Autumn schedule at The Comedy Room which includes appearances by MICHAEL DOWNEY (last seen shaking a leg at DAVID SYLVIAN’s recent Dublin gig), PJ GALLAGHER (last seen shaking Michael Downey’s leg), TOMMY NICHOLSON and BOB REILLY among others.

SHEILA M had a somewhat unfortunate debut as an MC at the International Bar’s Comedy Cellar recently when a fake microphone she was using slipped from her hand and spilled the drink of an unsuspecting young lady. Said lady demanded compensation for her ‘ruined’ coat, top and trousers which leads Laughlines to believe that she must have been drinking a bucket of ale as opposed to the half-glass of vodka and tonic that actually got knocked over.

The second volume of essays from The Sunday Tribune’s rogue-ish rugger-bugger ROSS O’CARROLL-KELLY has just been published. Entitled Roysh Here, Roysh Now, the extracts include Ross’ account of his J-1 sojourn in the USA.

Congratulations to SHIRLEY TEMPLE-BAR who is to become the new LIZ BONNIN when she takes over Liz’s Telly Bingo slot. Quite how evening audiences will react to a foul-mouthed community games competitor is anyone’s guess but Laughlines wish Shirl all the best.

KEN ALLEN’s Clean Joke-Book No. 3: How do you know there’s a ceilidh band at your front door? Because they knock three times and then they all come in at once! Coming soon: SIMON ROCHE’s Girls With Lovely Personalities…