Carlsberg Comedy Carnival 2009

luvlylady

Just wondering if anyone went to last year's festival and what it was like? Is there much going on apart from the actual comedy shows? The shows I fancy most are Jason Byrne, Jason Manford and some other person (can't remember who!) on the Friday night and the Who's Line show on Saturday. What else goes on that's worth hanging around for?

Cheers.

Heisenberg.

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luvlylady

You'll get the price of each show on the Ticketmaster website. The tickets aren't on sale yet but the prices are up. Any of the shows I looked at are €29.50.

Tazzer

I have a presale link if anyones interested - pm me

Tazzer

and i went last year - brilliant fun - weather helped though, it was sunny

inisboffin

A little birdie told me that the 'between shows' craic is going to be great this year!

Arcee

I've gone in previous years but not sure about this one. Tickets seem expensive to me. I mean, Kilkenny had great gigs - 4 top class comedians per show for €28 or €29 (plus €2 booking). These Iveagh gardens gigs are 3 comedians for €29.50 and that's before the crazy ticketmaster booking fee of €3.70.

The entertainment in between shows last year wasn't great... well, there wasn't really any unless watching people juggle and hula hoop is your thing. Limited drinks available (pretty much just carlsberg) in the gardens and "gourmet" burgers for €10

I dunno... I like my comedy but think I'll stick to going to the international a couple of nights before August instead. Lots of comedians practising their Edinburgh stuff there between now and then. I heard Neil Delamere's doing shows there around 6.30 every evening this week for €2.

Eglinton

Seems like a poor enough line up this year. A who's who of medium Irish stand-ups. No major names or indeed international stars. They seem to be reserved for the Bulmers Fest in Sept. I saw the Tommy and Hector show in the Iveagh last year and it was only so-so. I spent a huge amount on Kilkenny tickets this year so I think I'll pass on the Iveagh Gardens. You can see almost all of the line up quite regularly in the comedy clubs for a lot less money.

Heisenberg.

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Damon Blake

I bought tickets to see Maria Bamford and Eugene Mirman the second they were pre-available, then put my foot through the computer I was on in a vain attempt to stop anyone else from buying tickets so I could have a private show.

Will be good to see Neil Hamburger as well.

upmeath

Is there a way to get your money's worth and go to 2 sessions in one evening? Or are the crowds flushed out of the Iveagh Gardens after the 1930 shows? I'd love to see Gallagher/McSavage early on on Thursday evening but she's a big Jason Byrne fan, don't fancy forking out 120 quid for the pleasure of seeing 2 comedians.

squidgey

I've seen every Irish comic on the bill perform expect for this guy

http://www.carlsbergcomedy.com/comedians/Cathal_Murray.shtml

Have I been living under some form of rock or something? says he's only gigging 20 months. Fair play to him anyway he must be good.

Also for those who are looking for some recommendations - I nominate John Lynn and/or Garoid Farrelly if you haven't seen either of these acts perform before, then they're defiently worth a look at.

SlimJ

Holy sh1t y'all, Todd Barry.

I said TODD... BARRY.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Arcee wrote: »

The entertainment in between shows last year wasn't great... well, there wasn't really any unless watching people juggle and hula hoop is your thing. Limited drinks available (pretty much just carlsberg) in the gardens and "gourmet" burgers for €10

It's a posh affair for people with deep pockets. There was champaigne for €10a go. You don't need too many more clues to guess what the majority of the crowd's like or where they're from.

I dunno... I like my comedy but think I'll stick to going to the international a couple of nights before August instead. Lots of comedians practising their Edinburgh stuff there between now and then. I heard Neil Delamere's doing shows there around 6.30 every evening this week for €2.

I was in Glasgow a few months ago and he was billed to do a gig in a little pub/cafe for a few pound. It was moved at the last minute and I didn't bother going to the new venue.

subway

can someone help me understand how this works?
it doesnt seem to be like a normal festival where you can wander from tent to tent etc.

i had a look on ticketmaster and there are 44 events listed.
if i book an evening ticket will there be something on during the day for me to go to?

hmm, now i'm even more confused, there is a ticket for
Sat 25/07/09
05:00 Carlsberg Comedy Carnival - International Comedy Club 10th Anniversary
Iveagh Theatre, Iveagh Gardens - Dublin Find

does anyone know if i have to buy this on top of a ticket for a performance?

Eglinton

subway wrote: »

i had a look on ticketmaster and there are 44 events listed.
if i book an evening ticket will there be something on during the day for me to go to?

This doesn't qualify as a festival in an Oxygen or EP style. A bit of a con really. You can't wander to different tents as you need have purchased a separate ticket in advance of every gig. The 'entertainment' in between is a joke (and not in a comedic way). Mostly jugglers, street entertainer fare. Not the most interesting. The food is overpriced. Also, it's unassigned seating so you have to queue for a good while before gigs thus limiting any time you'd have to wander around anyway.

You also need to show your ticket to get into the Iveagh Gardens in the 1st place so you can't just go in for a look.

This festival, whilst it looks good on paper, is just standard rip off in Ireland's Celtic Tiger culture that is likely to die a death soon. As said, much better value to be had at the various comedy clubs around the country for a fraction of the cost.

subway

thanks for the quick response.
the idea seems good but, not knowing much about the irish stand up circuit, i can only take your advice on the lineup.

it seems like a good idea for a day out, but excution will probably be poor.
will see how it goes and might get a ticktet, its cheaper than the LL

Red Sleeping Beauty

Yeah as the guy above said, it's a rip off but there's a good section of Dublin's more well off that love this kinda crap. As I said, €10 for a plastic champaigne flute of drink ? Pfft... we know where they're from.

Anyway, to answer your question again, if you wanna see "Des Bishop, Leo Allen, MC Dermot Whelan" then you buy this ticket : http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/180042B28FD53892?artistid=994257&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=51

If you wanna see:: PJ Gallagher,Karl Spain,Paddy Courtney, then you buy this one ... http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/180042B28F533878?artistid=994631&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=51

And so on and so forth. You basically buy a ticket for each gig and a gig is made up of two or three guys playing for about two hrs in the one tent . You go into the tent with your ticket, see the gig , then leave and then if you want to see another gig you've to buy another ticket.

subway

cheers, sounds ridiculous.
would cost a small fortune to make a weekend out of it

ss-ss-ss

DAMMIT!!! I didnt realise that - I just booked tickets for Jason Byrne on the Friday thinking I could go to Andrew Maxwell that night :mad: so angry....

SlimJ

Eglinton wrote: »

This festival, whilst it looks good on paper, is just standard rip off in Ireland's Celtic Tiger culture that is likely to die a death soon. As said, much better value to be had at the various comedy clubs around the country for a fraction of the cost.

In fairness, the Better Value you speak of is only available if you're interested in seeing Irish comedians. A festival like this is necessary to pull in some of the foreign acts that have been mentioned in this thread.
While I agree that the prices are high, they're not out of line with what you'd pay at the Laughter Lounge or for any of the main shows at the Cat Laughs or the like.

Eglinton

SlimJ wrote: »

In fairness, the Better Value you speak of is only available if you're interested in seeing Irish comedians. A festival like this is necessary to pull in some of the foreign acts that have been mentioned in this thread.
While I agree that the prices are high, they're not out of line with what you'd pay at the Laughter Lounge or for any of the main shows at the Cat Laughs or the like.

The Cat Laughs is overpriced too but there are generally much bigger names there. I don't see many names in the Carlsberg line-up that you couldn't see in any Dublin venue regularly. There are no top line performers anyway. The Laughter Lounge is pricey aswell although it seems to draw more from work crowds whose company or social clubs are paying. You also get some free food and drink (or cheap drink) quite regularly too.

Kilkenny has more of a festival feel to it. You can mingle with the comedians, great choice of restaurants, open air events and it takes over the entire city. The Carsberg Event is just an excuse to herd a load of gullible Irish people into a pen where their wallets and purses can be conveniently lightened.

SlimJ

Oh, by 'festival' standards I agree- Kilkenny can't be beat. However, after checking Carlsbergcomedy.com, I see that this one is actually not a festival but a carnival. So festival standards do not apply. Carnival standards do. :pac:

(I'm also not gonna complain any more about either one 'cause I'd kick a nun down a flight of stairs to be booked at either of them.)

grames_bond

SlimJ wrote: »

(I'm also not gonna complain any more about either one 'cause I'd kick a nun down a flight of stairs to be booked at either of them.)

amazing logic! and true too!

Red Sleeping Beauty

Reg D Hunter is doing it , he'd be good. the problem is finding the double set you want.

Damon Blake

Some of the most respected names internationally in alternative comedy are playing and would have no reason ever to come to Ireland before this show, much like how Louis CK played last year. Maybe some people don't know about them like I know about them? It's hard to judge on the internet how savvy some people are. Doesn't seem like it's the right cup of tea for some people, grand, guess they won't go.

Myself and my brother are going to Eugene Mirman and Neil Hamburger if you're about Mr Elliot and fancy splitting a panini.

Heisenberg.

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KraftwerkOrange

I'm thinking of going to a few of the shows this year, despite the price, because there are some comedians that very rarely come to Ireland who are going to be there. Just wondering how likely it is that I'll be asked for ID. I look quite young for my age, but I won't be buying any alcohol or anything. The only form of ID I have is my passport and I don't like to bring that places in case I lose it. Am I going to need it for sure?

inisboffin

Anyone go Thurs or Fri?

alastair

inisboffin wrote: »

Anyone go Thurs or Fri?

Went on Friday to see Andew Maxwell. Unfortunately he got tanked up and was in no shape to perform, and only lasted 10 minutes or so. Not a highlight.

inisboffin

Was working it yesterday so thought I could slip into loads between shifts..just managed to see teeeeny bits of a few sets tho..:(
Caught a bit of Ardal O' Hanlons and it was not on fire but he was good. Audience loved it.

tipptop2008

Went to see David O Doherty on Thursday. He was very good. Also on same bill was Damien Clark (good) and Maria Bamford (very weird and not so good). Was my first time at any of the festivals. Didn't really like the format. WOuld have preferred to just go see David O'Doherty for an hour rather than 3 comedians in 3 half hour slots, esp when one I though was poor.

YumCha

Went to see Whose Line it is Anyway yesterday night...the tagline being come early stay late we went in around 5:30pm for our 7:30pm show only to be told our pre-paid tickets weren't printed yet and we'd have to come back at 6. My friend who was with us and going to the 9:30pm show was told to come back at 7!

Seems a little weird to have all 4 venues going at the same times - it's ridiculously quiet once the shows are on but once everything finishes it's mad queues for portaloos etc.

However the show itself was pretty good - start of the second half was a bit slow because they played the same game for ages, going back again for Tim Minchin now...trying to get there as close to 3pm to avoid any repeat ticket pickup fiascos

cailinoBAC

My cousin was at the Andrew Maxwell show on Friday. She's looking for her money back. I wanted to go to that dutch guys show (Hans?), but luckily didn't get tickets as apparently he caught swine flu. Got free tickets to Ardal O Hanlon, he was entertaining but the other guy, Todd Barry, was crap.
Last year there seemed to be more entertainers around between shows. There was nothing this year. So I don't get the 'carnival' in the title. They should have some system, where, if you have bought a ticket to a show,once you are inside you can get into any non sold out show for a lower price. Was disappointed, but can't really complaing as the tickets were free!

the corpo

enjoyed neil hamburger and ardal o'hanlon tonight, but after the two very brief sets and being back in our car before 10, i feel distinctly ripped off.
it would actually be a great wee festival, if they sold day tickets for 60 quid or something, and you were free to wander between tents.
definitely wouldn't be arsed going again

creativedrinker

just back from ardal o'hanlon who was just brillant:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D!!!!!! but his support, neil hamburger??? how is he a comedian???? in under 10 mins he was gettin boo'ed off n abuse n kept wit his crap jokes, even ardal slagged him:p... how did he get on the line up, looking at paint would be more entertaining!!!!!!
Ardal was great tho!!!

grames_bond

the corpo wrote: »

if they sold day tickets for 60 quid or something, and you were free to wander between tents.

that wouldnt work at all, comedian trying to do his/her set with people constantly in and out making noise and generally disrupting everything and the lesser known acts would be doing gigs to nobody at certain stages!

creativedrinker wrote: »

neil hamburger??? how is he a comedian???? in under 10 mins he was gettin boo'ed off n abuse n kept wit his crap jokes, even ardal slagged him:p... how did he get on the line up, looking at paint would be more entertaining!!!!!!!!

that the exact point of hamburgers set, he is so bad you love to boo him! he is the comedian you hurl abuse at and boo till the cowa come home and he just keeps going!

FrankGrimes

Went to Eugene Mirman and Neil Hamburger on Saturday night. Turned out David McSavage was only MCing - the way it was listed on the site it looked like McSavage was actually on the bill. McSavage was good, Mirman was grand but Hamburger was pure and utter tripe. Like many people, we walked out after it became clear that he had nothing else up his sleeve - the crowd weren't really actively booing him, they were mostly just in quiet shock at how bad he was, so he had very little to bounce off and so his extremely lame act crashed and burned quite specaturlarly and he had not wit or cunning to think on his feet and come up with a Plan B. How that guy gets paid to be a so called comedian is beyond me.

So it basically amounted to 2 x 35/40 minute slots with a total of about 15 minutes of McSavage in a very basic venue for the princely sum of €33.20. Total rip-off and mismarketed. An opportunity has been missed to make this into an actual festival. Won't be going near the place again.

P247

I can't believe you're having a go at Hamburger, the man has cancer?!

I thought he was amazing, left before Ardal, no way he could've match Neil

jaykayphd

alastair wrote: »

Went on Friday to see Andew Maxwell. Unfortunately he got tanked up and was in no shape to perform, and only lasted 10 minutes or so. Not a highlight.

Yeah I also went to see Andrew Maxwell. What a shambles. Once the crowd realised he was polluted they started calling for the MC to come back on!! Maxwell seemed to lose all train of thought (if he had any) at that stage and stared blanky at the stage door looking for help.
The MC came back on and tried to retrieve things but he wasnt really prepared for an extended show. Not a good way to spend €33.
The rep from the company promoting the carnival informed us that we could get a refund on writing to them. That remains to be seen.

mcloughj

jaykayphd wrote: »

Not a good way to spend €33.
The rep from the company promoting the carnival informed us that we could get a refund on writing to them. That remains to be seen.

I'm 50:50 myself about trying to get a refund. PJ did a good job filling in for the sick guy and the MC (Brendan?) did an admirable job considering the mess he was dumped in. So overall I wasn't completely ripped off but still it could have been better.

QueensGael

Neil (Mc)Hamburger was so completely useless - I was waiting for something great to happen, thinking the lame schtik would morph into something wonderful. Sadly not so. I stayed to the very end, and it never improved. I thought the audience showed great restraint, seeing as they had shelled out 30 bills each to see the show.
Sounds like the Andrew Maxwell show was a disaster too. No way I'll be going back to this festival next year!

robo

They are discussing Andrew Maxwell now on Liveline

mcloughj

robo wrote: »

They are discussing Andrew Maxwell now on Liveline

Nowhere near a radio or a computer with speakers. but i can probably guess what's being said!

Tazzer

Ok - i went on saturday.
Had booked the Andrew Maxwell, Jason Manford, MC Eric Lalor @ 3pm.
and then @ 10pm Paddy Courtney,Leo Allen,MC P McDonn

I had heard what happened the previous night, but went in anyways. Andrew was on top form - although seemed a little nervous at the beginning. At the end, he did apologise for his behaviour and said he was morto!

Now, the MC said that Jason Manford could not make it as his wife was ill..Fair enough I said to myself. These things happen. His replacement was Leo Allen. Which would have been fine if he did a different set piece to what we saw again @ 10pm!

Very annoyed about this - if they are going to have replacements, they should have the hindsight to have a 2nd set ready for these unforseen circumstances.

We forked out €132.80 (inc booking fee) for 2 tickets to each event, with the intention of seeing 4 comedians and 2 mc's. We saw 3 comedians and 2mcs

Very bad organisation from the company organising this event.

Heisenberg.

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Tazzer

Scien wrote: »

What exactly happened with Maxwell?
Did he just walk off or did he apologise and admit he was too pissed?

Thats unlike him to get tanked before a big gig like that especially with Edinburgh coming up...
Terrible PR for him.

Wasnt there myself, but my brothers friend was, and she said that he came on stage pi**ed, tried to say a few paedo jokes etc and got booed off the stage.

jaykayphd

Scien wrote: »

What exactly happened with Maxwell?
Did he just walk off or did he apologise and admit he was too pissed?

Thats unlike him to get tanked before a big gig like that especially with Edinburgh coming up...
Terrible PR for him.

Came on stage....asked the crowd who had come the furthest to see him, seemed to start his routine, got distracted by some people talking off to his right, told us he was defo the drunkest present, asked the same question about distance travelled again and then just lost the crowd completely. Utter mess!! Then as I said previosly he seemed to look over to the stage door towards the MC, who came on and Maxwell disappearred to a chorus of boos.

gazzer

jaykayphd wrote: »

Came on stage....asked the crowd who had come the furthest to see him, seemed to start his routine, got distracted by some people talking off to his right, told us he was defo the drunkest present, asked the same question about distance travelled again and then just lost the crowd completely. Utter mess!! Then as I said previosly he seemed to look over to the stage door towards the MC, who came on and Maxwell disappearred to a chorus of boos.

I went to Electric Picnic last year and Andrew Maxwell was playing the Comedy Tent. I really wanted to see him (had never seen him live before) but he came on and said he was stoned and proceeded to shout out random words for about 10 minutes. He was CRAP.

ams

He was in the bleedin horse all evening as my friends were in there drinking - they said he was flaming!

neonman

Went on the Friday night to see Jason Manford - but he was a no show as well :mad: he was the main comedian i wanted to see in the line up as well. MC Willa White was very good as was Jason Byrne.

Pissed off about Manford ! Ardal O'hanlon stepped in for Manford but he wasn't great seemed like he just wanted to fill the void and get out.