“Prepared, Set, Here’s David O’Doherty
Upstairs Space, The Centre for Project Art
★★★★★
The idiosyncrasies of life are beautifully encapsulated in a David O’Doherty fringe performance, much like Ready, Set, David O’Doherty. This comedically musical journey offered by the Dublin jester offers us a retrospective reflection of his recent years. The outcome? A serenade of unexpected, cathartic and engaging songs, often leaving the venue floor drenched in tears provoked by intense laughter.
Those privy to O’Doherty’s resplendent performances, be it during an episode of ‘8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’ or as he effortlessly overtakes a Dublin Ghostbus program, recognise his high standards. Comparatively few comedians manage to mirror his unique style, let alone match his excellence. Straddling the realms of imagination and mischief, O’Doherty makes his energetic entrance on stage whilst humourously belittling the Dublin Fringe’s preamble, preceding his rendition on Scalextric.
O’Doherty’s reputation has been earned through his knack of narrating graphic and detailed tales in a friendly, even nostalgic manner. Be it a narrative involving a pigeon misdirect into a bus or the anecdote about his surprisingly large birth size – a topic his mother loves repeating. He seamlessly transitions the conversation about Conor McGregor’s unnerving presidential campaign to recounting the incident of accidentally dropping keys into a letter box. This facility makes his 60-minute performance breeze past, resembling more a 20-minute spectacle.
“How can this be a reality?” he questions, halfway into his melody about assigning the household chores to Baby Jesus, causing one audience member to storm out exclaiming “Hail Jesus”. Such distractions do not perturb O’Doherty. The approving laughter and almost incessant applauds prove his point. Indeed, it’s a thing, a glorious thing for us all.
Ready, Set, David O’Doherty: A cathartic, unexpected performance driving the crowd to tears of laughter.
Trouble Denim: An unconventional comic reconciling with the disorderly life on tour”
Róisín El Cherif: A touching, private gathering narrated by an impactful advocate for Palestine in Ireland. Sketcherella: Identified as the most humorous act at the Dublin Fringe Festival. Persisting at the Project Arts Centre, a segment of the Dublin Fringe Festival, up until Saturday, the 21st of September.