Sir, - We are writing in response to Brian Boyd's article celebrating Irish comedians' success at the Edinburgh Festival (August 27th). We are disappointed by your correspondent's claim that even though Dylan, Ardal and Tommy have all stormed the festival, there's little point getting too excited about it" and by his reasoning: "There is no real comedy culture in Ireland, no infrastructure and no support in people going to the gigs."
As managers of a late night comedy club which has been running every Friday since last October, attracting audiences of at least 140 each night and employing over thirty Irish comedians in that time (including Dylan and Tommy), perhaps you'll allow us some brief comments.
Firstly, there's every reason to get excited about their success. It breeds optimism and renews a sense of purpose among comedians and clubs alike. Never forget that Tommy Tiernan's success in Edinburgh, along with that of Jason Byrne and John Henderson who came second and third respectively in the same competition, was nurtured in clubs like the GPO Galway, the Comedy Cellar, the newly established Corduroy Comedy Club, as well as Stirfry in Dublin.
Isn't it strange how all of a sudden, the media has become excited about comedy? In ten months of running Staf the reviewed by your paper once. So instead of ignoring all of us who are working so hard to engender a comedy culture, infrastructure and audience in Ireland, I wonder if the media might not afford more recognition and respect.
We'll leave you with the following comedy fact. A certain manufacturer is currently putting together a nationwide comedy tour to promote its product among a younger target market. The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival has already doubled its sponsorship for 1997. The Comedy Cellar regularly hosts Open Mike spots to encourage young comedians, and Stirfry has just undertaken to give Barry Murphy, Dermot Carmody, The Nualas and Tommy Tiernan the rare opportunity to do an hour long set. But come along and see for yourself. The current state of Irish comedy might excite you yet. - Yours, etc.,
Stirfry,
City Arts Centre,
23-25 Moss Street,
Dublin 2.