MOST famed for his appearances as the hapless Fr Dougal McGuire in the classic comedy Fr Ted, Ardal O'Hanlon had been plying his trade as a stand-up comedian long before that.
His one night only gig at the Millennium Forum on September 5 therefore is a not to be missed opportunity to see this inspirational personality at work.
Ardal last played the city about 18 months ago and is sure to beguile the Millennium audience wi
th his mesmerising blend of off-beat stories and wry observational humour.
Speaking to the Sentinel Ardal said he has relished the return to live stand up after a lengthy stint in film and television.
"Over the last four or five years I have done a lot of big tours and I have got back into into it with a vengeance," he said.
Stylistically, O'Hanlon draws on a lot of his own experiences of life, love and family and described it as "the normal ranting of a 40 something man."
Now firmly established as an actor and writer he said: "Comedy is refreshing, it's a very lively and portable medium. I suppose my stuff is a bit surreal and I like adding a bit of twisted logic and love messing with peoples heads."
Drawing parallels between Irish, Scots and northern English humour the comedian contended that these audiences are more willing than most to reveal an "undercurrent of madness" and shed their shirt and ties in an effort not to take themselves too seriously.
Definitely a unique character, Ardal O'Hanlon's return to the Millennium Forum is already hotly anticipated. Tickets are now available from the Box Office. Telephone 0271264455 or visit
www.millenniumforum.co.uk