Your sense of humour is a very personal thing, and what makes me cry with laughter might make you, well, cry. But, with a lineup that includes Chris O’Dowd, Rich Hall, Sil Fox, David O’Doherty, Kevin Bridges, Dylan Moran, Dom Irrera, and Marcus Brigstocke, the 2013 Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is bound to have you rolling in the aisles this June bank holiday weekend. Book your hotel in Kilkenny early, as accommodation is at a premium for the event.
The Cat Laughs comedy fest has been drawing the greatest comic talent to Kilkenny since 1995, becoming the event at which everybody wants to perform. Global names including George Wendt, Bill Murray, Jimmy Carr, Eddie Izzard, Jo Brand, Zach Galifianakis, and Dan Castellaneta have all played at the Cat Laughs, and the festival has also given a platform to such stellar Irish talent as Dara Ó Briain and Graham Norton.
This year’s festival will feature a special screening of the first two episodes of series two of Sky 1 HD’s award-winning comedy series Moone Boy, hosted by co-writer and star Chris O’Dowd, co-writer Nick Vincent Murphy, and cast members.
Anybody remember RTE’s unique satirical series Nighthawks? Well, Nighthawks star and quirky comedian Kevin McAleer will appear at the Cat Laughs with an exclusive set in Irish. It seems the Irish are a particularly funny lot, as more homegrown laughs are guaranteed from the likes of Dylan Moran, Neil Delamere, David Doherty, Colin Murphy, Andrew Maxwell, and Barry Murphy.
A new feature is a programme of events for younger audiences: The Kitten Club will run two shows daily at Rothe House, featuring Reuben from RTE and Australian comic Bec Hill. At the other end of the age spectrum, Old Masters will showcase the work of comic veterans. This year, the spotlight will be on legend Jimmy Cricket, with support from Dublin funny man Sil Fox.
With Scottish comic Kevin Bridges making one of his few 2013 appearances, 30 Rock star Judah Friedlander making his European debut, an International All Star Improv show, and an upcoming talent showcase called Wildcats, if you don’t die laughing at the Cat Laughs, you should check your pulse!
