FRINGE 2009 - Jarleth Regan

Tue 3rd Mar, 2009 in Features

This iconic show, a stalwart of many Adelaide Fringe festivals returns to The Gov showcasing the hottest new comedy talent direct from the Edinburgh Festival. The 2009 line-up includes Eddie Ifft (USA) a welcome, return visitor to our fair shores and who will be headlining the extravaganza plus special guests, Jason Cook (UK – Geordie) and Jarlath Regan (Ireland). Jarlath Regan talks about how much he looks forward to Adelaide and how he will upstage his colleagues.

Are you looking forward to heading down to Adelaide? “I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited about anything in my entire life. I’m rarely excited about anything. The last time I was this excited was in 1989 when I went to see Back to the Future 2. I was so excited at the thought of hover boards being invented I nearly had a freak out. The fact that hover boards have yet to be invented is a daily source of disappointment for me. I sincerely hope that Adelaide will be the hover board of international destinations.”

Being on a line up such as the Best Of The Edinburgh Fest is there much competition or rivalry between comedians? “The boring answer is, “No. There is a community of comedians in the world who want to see the best for each other no matter what. We all know that a rising tide lifts all our comedy boats.” The fun answer is completely made up. “Most comedians hate each other. I punch the air when I see another comedian die on stage. The only thing that gives me more pleasure is when I deliberately sabotage another comedian by turning the audience against them before they go on stage. I love to see the panic on their face as they walk past me for the microphone.”

Are female comedians more competitive than male comedians? “You would have to ask them,” Jarlath questioned. “Like any industry, everyone wants to do well. What it is to “do well” is different to everyone. All I know is that one time I was having a lovely conversation with Joan Rivers and the next thing I knew she had locked me in a shed.”

Is it hard work being on tour or is it like a holiday? “Sometimes it’s a holiday and other times it’s a pain in the arse. To me “touring” is a constant thing. I’ve been travelling around Ireland and the world doing shows since 2006. Sometimes it’s hard to be away from home for long periods but you can’t complain. It is an incredibly cool job to have. Who wouldn’t want to stay in nice hotels, see the world, meet loads of nice people and tell jokes in places where there’s usually free beer? I know I’m blessed to be able to do it.”

What do you do in between shows? “Lots of things,” Jarlath said. “I stress a lot about the next show, workout, stress about the next show, write new material, play Nintendo Wii, get a bit more stressing out of the way, then I’ll read some stuff, go for coffee, settle back down to some more stressing in the evening, travel to whatever venue I’m performing in and that’s when the real stressing begins.”

Do you laugh when people say ‘get a real job’? “Thankfully people don’t say that to me,” Jarlath laughed. “It’s weird, in Ireland there is a peculiar respect for artists. They don’t get hassled once they’re being productive. Up until last year they didn’t have to pay tax. But then U2 started taking the piss and the government changed their minds. I used to have a “real job” and to be honest, I work a lot harder now than I did then.”

What makes a good show for you? “I think the best shows are the ones where the audience enjoys themselves so much they want to tell everyone they meet about what they just saw. I’ve been involved in a few shows where there’s that feeling that this will never happen again, this is a once off night of hilarity and we’re all part of it. It’s hard to say what makes this happen because “funny” is such an elusive thing. If the room is too cold it can ruin the show, if it’s too hot it can
ruin the show, too comfortable, too stuffy, too bright, too loud, too drunk, not drunk enough etc. Sometimes it just works. To me that’s why comedy is such a great night out. The unknown. It could be the funniest most triumphant show ever. Or it could all go down in a blaze of glory and sometimes that in itself is flipping hilarious too.”

What has been the most embarrassing moment for you on stage? “Once I did a show at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin. It was a Christmas luncheon thing. There was about 500 of the richest most influential people in Irish society there – heads of industry, television personalities and all manner of douche bags. When I looked out at the audience I just knew this is going to be a nightmare. Half way through my set everyone was ignoring me and having chats at their tables. The woman who organised the event started walking towards the stage from the back of the room gesturing to me like she was trying to cut off her neck. You know the side of her hand slicing across. I had no idea what she was doing – I couldn’t understand what that meant. It must have been the adrenaline or the urine down the side of my leg. She eventually shouldered me off the microphone and I cowered out the door. It was two years ago and I’m still sweating now thinking about it.”

Any words of encouragement for those looking to get in to comedy? “I think getting in to comedy is easy. All you have to do is an open-spot at the nearest comedy club to you. If you are really meant to do this then you’ll know straight away. For most people it’s either love at first sight or I’m never putting myself through that again. You either want to do it or you don’t. I think it’s really important that the attraction is that strong because those first few years – when everyone is really really terrible – you will need to convince yourself into believing you’re not that bad and that comedy + you is a match made in heaven.”

What is your show about? “The Best of The Edinburgh Fest is a show with me, Eddie Ifft and Jason Cook,” Jarlath spruiked. “It’s a comedy show were you get three different perspectives on the world and guaranteed belly laughs. I’ve worked with both Eddie and Jason before and they are two exceptionally funny men. The really nice thing about our show is that it’s got such a variety of humour. If you’re looking for a bit of value and some tears of laughter, I couldn’t recommend it any more. For my part I’ll be doing a bit of messing around with audience, a lot of jokes about growing up in Ireland and some cartoons I’ve specially drawn for the Adelaide audience.”

Do you think you’re still evolving as a comedian/performer? “Hopefully I’m getting funnier,” Jarlath hoped. “Like any job over time you hope to grow in confidence and you learn how to deal with situations a little bit better. So if someone wants to come down to our show and have a go at heckling me, I will welcome that challenge.”

Do you have a good joke you’d like to share with the on-line community? “What’s the first sign of Madness? Suggs walking up your driveway.”

Show Details for Jarlath Regan:

Best of the Edinburgh Fest
The Gov, 59 Port Road, Hindmarsh
7.45pm each night (no Mondays)

And

Best of the Fest – Late Show
The Gov, 59 Port Road, Hindmarsh
Every Fri & Sat night of the Fringe
Doors open from 10.00pm

Book on the Fringetix Website or call 1300FRINGE (1300 374 643).