Irish comedian and Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon will continue to show off when he brings his tour to Findhorn, Inverness and Oban.
“The title of the show – The Showing Off Must Go On – is the conflict I have as a shy person from a small town where showing off was a terrible thing to do,” explained Ardal.
“I’m sure in any small town in Scotland it’s similar – the worst thing you can be is a big show-off.
“I still haven’t told my parents I do comedy for that very reason. I think they would prefer if I was a murderer than a show-off. But I love stand-up and I’m always drawn back to it.”
Ardal, who also appeared in Derry Girls, toured extensively all around the UK in 2019 and 2020 until he was interrupted by the pandemic.
“But there were places I haven’t got around to – like some places in Scotland,” he added.
“The intention was always to continue the tour so I’m excited to be bringing it back on the road again.
“The show covers a wide range of topics, but most of it is about me and my life and things that really annoy me – like men wearing skinny jeans.”
Taskmaster was fun and liberating
Since he had to take a break from touring, Ardal kept himself busy by competing in a series of bizarre challenges on the comedy TV programme Taskmaster.
“It was the most fun I ever had in a working environment,” said Ardal who appeared on season 13 earlier this year.
“It’s so different to stand-up. Normally, I’m quite well-prepared as a stand-up comedian – I like to make sure that everything works.
“But with Taskmaster, it’s the complete opposite and you just can’t prepare. You’re totally on your own and totally out of your comfort zone. And for all those reasons, I really loved it.
“And I think, actually, I would go as far as to say it changed me as a person.
“I’m not as uptight about things. You have to let yourself go in a way that I normally wouldn’t let myself go.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been able to make a fool of myself. But it’s just about letting yourself go and not overthinking things. I found it (Taskmaster) very liberating.”
Touring is best way of getting around
But being on tour is also always a fun experience for Ardal who thinks that “stand-up is a great way of getting around”.
“My favourite holidays are those when I’m working as well because you get to meet people and they point you in the right direction and you get to hang out with locals.
“I love seeing new places. I just came back from a tour of the US and it was just joyful. I think stand-up is also an excuse to visit towns you wouldn’t normally go to.”
Speaking of the US, what’s the difference between American and British audiences?
“I’d say audiences in the US are more naturally enthusiastic,” laughed Ardal.
“In Britain and Ireland, you kind of have to prove yourself to audiences.
“About 20 years ago, I would have to change quite a lot of my show for US audiences but the world is so small now and we’re so connected, the show travels fairly easily.
“I change about 10% of my act for American fans. They can be more sensitive about religion and politics is a no-go area, especially now.”
Ardal O’Hanlon tells why he loves walking around Inverness
The funnyman is now getting ready for the November leg of his tour, kicking things off in Findhorn before travelling to Inverness and Oban.
He said: “I haven’t been to Inverness in about 10 years. I love walking around Inverness – I love the air. I’m really looking forward to coming back and bringing my show there.
“It’s a show I’m really proud of so I’m really looking forward to sharing it with those in Inverness.
“As I got older I became more passionate about stand-up and bolder about it, too.”
But if you cannot make it to see Ardal on tour, you should be able to spot him on TV very soon.
He said: “I have a nice show coming out in November on Sky – Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything. I play the dad of this character called Rosie Molloy who’s addicted to everything and I sort of enable her.
“And I’ve got a book out at the moment called Brouhaha – that was something I managed to finish during the lockdown. That was a real about of love – as all novels are.
“It’s a murder mystery set in Ireland.”
Ardal O’Hanlon will bring his show The Showing Off Must Go On to Findhorn on Friday November 4 before travelling to Inverness on Saturday November 5. He’ll entertain his Oban fans on Sunday November 6. Tickets for these shows can be purchased here.
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