Comedian Andrew Ryan chats to The Irish Post ahead of this year's London Irish Comedy Festival, which runs until June 14 at The London Irish Centre in Camden.
What makes you laugh?
Human Nature is endlessly funny. Plus my mum slagging off her next door neighbour.
When's the last time you really laughed?
When Liverpool scored their third goal against Manchester United recently. I support Manchester United and when things are bad, you just got to laugh at it!
What's the best joke you've ever heard?
Tommy Tiernan has a routine about Athletes at the Olympics and that they're all on drugs, that is one of my favourite routines.
What made you get into comedy?
I worked in a Bank for a few years and it was driving me insane. I used to go to Comedy Nights after work for a few pints as a release and then got the urge to get up and give it a go.
I always wanted to try it but never had the bottle to get up, but I was so miserable in my job I thought I needed to do something to get away from it.
Who is your favourite comedian?
American Comedian Louis CK is currently my favourite. I change my mind every year.
What's the most common misconception about comedians?
Nothing really. Everything they think about Comedians is true!
Any situations you just can’t find humour in?
It all depends on how you approach the topic. Nothing is off limits in comedy, which is why it is so much fun. You can say anything you like, once you approach it properly.
How do you deal with hecklers?
Heckling is very rare actually. I think I might only get about four or five heckles a year. I once had a guy who just kept on shouting 'Donkey' at me for no reason. After the sixth time I just stopped the gig and he was take out of the venue. To this day I still don't know why he kept shouting 'Donkey' at me.
What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you at a gig?
My dad heckled me once when I was talking about my mum on stage. I had to explain to the audience I could not try and put him down because he was my dad, and he might not let me drive his car when I came back home to visit so I needed to keep him on side.
Do your friends and family think you are funny?
I think so. My parents seem to enjoy it, but my mum things I need to change my act as she does not like me talking about her.
Is there a difference in UK/Irish humour?
I think both countries are quite similar really. I started in the UK and get back to Ireland only once a year or so, but they both like a good joke, but maybe in Ireland if they like you they really like you by really getting in to it.
In the UK it can be "okay, what have you got for us now?"
Should comedians have lines they don't cross? Do you?
Well, it all depends on how you approach it. Nothing is off limits, it's just from what angle you are going in from. The best thing about comedy is you can say anything you want.
What's your best personal comedy moment to date?
I have had a lot of good nights on stage and worked with some great acts, but I think last year at V festival I was making a cup of tea in the green room and Eddie Izzard walked in and I recommend the Jaffa cakes to him over the Bourbon creams. That was my best moment!
What can we expect from your set at the London Irish Comedy Festival?
I'm talking this year about my 10 years in the UK, ageing, women, and all of my frustrations with getting older.
