Laughing matter

Tommy Tiernan is a favourite on the comedy circuit abroad. Now, locals have the chance to check him out, writes P.Ramakrishnan.

Stand-up comedy when bad, can be grotesque: think of stale punch lines from sitcoms, infantile innuendo, slapstick and simple caricatures. But throw into the mix a true raconteur, a keen wit and genuine observer of our times, and you get a gem like Tommy Tiernan, who single-handedly reinforces one’s faith in traditional stand-up comedy.

Already a familiar face to those who follow the British comedy Father Ted, Tiernan’s stage shows have received praise from the toughest audiences; the British media and the Irish public.

Winning the Perrier award for comedy (in 1998) and standing ovations at a host of comedy festivals, including the Montreal Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tiernan’s reputation has landed in Hong Kong before he does.

He may be funny when he’s working, but, whatever you do, don’t sit next to him in a bar and ask him: “Say something funny – go on.” It has happened.

This is a question and answer conducted during Tiernan’s breaks from a film shoot in Britain:

Have you been to Hong Kong before? “Only in the movies.”

Have you performed in Asia before? “No.”

Is there a subject that you find universally travels well? “Just the barren landscape of my own head.”

In the same vein, does humour travel well? “I would certainly hope so.”

Your material derives from your own life experiences - observational humour. Is there any topic that’s taboo for your? “Other people’s life experiences.”

Do you enjoy your on camera gigs? “Ah, yeah.”

Do you have any say in the script – do you change any lines? Ad lib? Or are you locked into the material handed to you? “The material was fairly locked in, but I had a bit of say about the clothes and my own hair.”

Do you ever get nervous before stepping on stage? “A little.”

Any 'must do in Hong Kong' plans? “Find some trees.”

He’s obviously saving the humour for his series of Hong Kong shows.

“Most stand-up comedians are a bit like that off stage,” says John Moorhead, organiser of the Punchline shows. “But he’s one of the best on stage.

“I’ve seen a whole new world of stand-up recently and this year we have a lot of brilliant comedians coming to Hong Kong for the first time. Apart from Tommy Tiernan, we have (fellow Father Ted star) Aral O’Hanlon later in the year.”

During Tiernan’s live shows in Britain, his seemingly random steams of consciousness have been peppered wit four-letter words as he tackles well trampled subjects such as sex, religion, school days and history.

The New York Times was impressed. “He bring to life everything from a taxi driving duck to small children to a visually challenged schoolmate to an African priest to a woman in the wailing throes of an emotional meltdown," it wrote. “A bright original and refreshingly funny import.”

Moorhead says live comedy is no longer the niche attraction it used to be. “Well, we have former chief secretary Anson Chan (Fang On-sang) on our mailing list, so things are changing. It’s still a predominantly western art from in Hong Kong and will remain so, but we do get a small portion of local people coming now, which is great.”

Any final words from Tiernan? “I’m a clown in a collapsing car. I hope you find my distress as I drive by amusing.”

Of course we will.

Published in The South China Morning Post,
April 14, 2005