We sat down with local comedian Danny O’Brien ahead of his upcoming show RaconTour. Danny is one of Ireland’s top comedians and we can’t wait to see this show!
Can you tell us a bit about your background? Where did you grow up?
I’m from Dublin originally but moved to the wild hill’s of Wicklow as a kid-just over the Wicklow Gap from Tallaght in Glendalough so I’m a hybrid or “Dulchie” I suppose!
Who were your earliest comedy influences?
I watched Eddie Murphy “Raw” on VHS (remember them?!) when I was probably far too young to see it, my mother lost the plot when she heard what I was watching! I have loved stand up since, Billy Connelly was probably my earliest and most watched comedy as well as Faulty Towers. Homegrown heroes like Tommy Tiernan and Dylan Moran were huge influences on me too. And of course Father Ted.
How did you get into the comedy business?
I was working in a pub while backpacking in Melbourne about ten years ago and it was a venue for Fringe shows during the Melbourne Comedy Festival. I watched the shows from behind the bar every night, some were great and some not so great! I reckoned I give it a go, so when I got back to Ireland-I got on stage and I haven’t been off it since.
Can you tell us a bit more about the RaconTour?
I inherited an old motorbike from my uncle and decided to drive it around Ireland writing a show and discovering bit more about my own country, myself and my rusty Honda then went to Edinburgh Fringe for a month long sell out run and the show has been touring all over since! The show is very different to anything I’ve ever done before and it contains a crazy family story in the show that I find really resonates with Irish audiences in particular. It’s a high energy packed stand up show and I’ve loved performing it for the past few months!
Where do you get your material?
I write material based on life experiences and my style is very anecdotal, I think life provides the best material and most relatable content for the audience. This show is very much that.
How do you deal with hecklers?
I try not to give hecklers the opportunity to heckle. I keep my sets and solo shows as punchy as possible, hecklers are easy enough to deal with and it’s best to keep it short and sweet and get on with the show. Drunk hecklers are the worst as they don’t even know they are heckling most of the time!
What advice would you give new comedians starting out?
Work hard, be sound, gig and write as much as you possibly can.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
This tour has definitely been the highlight of my ten year career so far, I never thought ‘RaconTour’ would be touring so many dates in so many countries and I’m extremely grateful to be able to do it! I know I’m biased but the Irish shows have genuinely been my favourite one’s to do.
Do you get nervous before performing?
Not so much anymore, If it’s before a big solo show I do a little. I think nerves are a good thing-they keep you sharp and that little bit of fear mean’s that you care about what you’re about to perform to your audience.
Are you looking forward to your gig at the Civic?
I’m really excited about coming to Talllaght as it features heavily in the show. I did one of my several motorbike licence tests there as I failed loads (in Finglas) and nearly had to sell the Honda to pay for the tests! I have been performing in Tallaght for years and I also hosted a monthly comedy club in Jobstown for a couple of years which was great. The audiences are the best craic and definitely the maddest- I love their energy! This is my first Irish show back after my Australia tour and I’m delighted that The Civic is my first stop. I’ll definitely be getting a spicebag after the show too!
Danny O’Brien – RaconTour
Friday 23 March
BOOK HERE
