2010 Festival Programme Welcome to the 16th Carlsberg Cat Laughs Comedy Festival As the world around us becomes more unreliable you have landed at the one place that continues to deliver year after year. The Carlsberg Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is committed to showing you a good time. Head to Kilkenny City and see your local Irish comedy heroes performing alongside our handpicked stars from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. This year we are thrilled to announce a new special event for the Festival – The Pursuit of Happiness – a comedy treasure hunt throughout the city. The treasure hunt will lead you to a secret venue and not-so-secret performance of the Comedy Mish Mash with loads of acts mucking about!
Of course the Football Match will be back on Sunday afternoon. Can Ireland wrench the trophy back from the evil grip of the Rest of the World team? Book your tickets, plan your travel and accommodation – tweet us, Facebook us, just get to Carlsberg Cat Laughs 2010 – it’s going to be an absolute cracker!
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The Cattery Jane Russell Chief Executive
Liz Bailey Publicity & Marketing Manager
Rebecca Austin Artistic Director
Melanie O’Connor Publicity & Marketing Executive
Michael Burke Production Manager Orla Burke Assistant Production Manager
Cathy Hogan Box Office Manager
Aisling Mulhall Festival Administrator
Fiona Donnelly Finance Manager
Deirdre Molloy Artist Liaison & Volunteer Development
Lilian Burke Assistant Box Office Manager
Festival Board of Directors Bren Berry, Kieran O’Gorman, Richard Cook (Chair), Rose Parkinson, Tony Walsh.
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graphic design by ebow.ie
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Local Heroes
Get all show details in our pull-out Festival Planner
David O’Doherty
Colin Murphy
The 1990 East Leinster under 14 triple jump bronze medallist and recipient of the 2008 if.com Award at the Edinburgh Fringe returns to blow minds, break hearts and play the tiny keyboard. There may also be some facts about pandas.
Best known for his work on RTÉ’s The Panel, Colin is one of the finest comedians working today. His distinct fusion of edgy, topical satire combined with acute observational material make him a highly original performer.
Cat Credentials: 9 previous appearances
Dara Ó Briain
Des Bishop
Whether you have seen him on Mock The Week, paddling with Three Men In A Boat, read his penmanship in Tickling The English or seen him live on his mammoth Irish and UK national tours, Dara Ó Briain has developed an enormous reputation as one of the best comedians this country has produced. Back after a two year Cats lapse!
Undoubtedly one of the most enigmatic forces on the international comedy circuit, Des Bishop has established himself as one of Ireland’s finest comedians. Widely known for his hugely successful television series The Des Bishop Work Experience and In the Name of the Fada, Des has developed a unique style of observational comedy, most critical of his adopted home in Ireland and the America he left behind.
Cat Credentials: 11 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 10 previous appearances
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co
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Cat Credentials: 11 previous appearances
Ardal O’Hanlon
Barry Murphy
Award-winning actor, comedian and star of Father Ted, My Hero and Val Falvey TD, Ardal O’Hanlon joins us off the back of his recent sell-out tour.
Barry Murphy has performed at every Cat Laughs festival. However if he doesn’t up his game this could well be his last one. However again, he only has one game and has no idea how to up it. Come see him sweat between new jokes that probably won’t work.
Cat Credentials: 11 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 15 previous appearances (The Motherload!)
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Local Heroes
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Neil Delamere
PJ Gallagher
Neil Delamere is one of the top headline acts working the Irish comedy scene today. He has attracted rave reviews for his recent Edinburgh Fringe shows and is well known to audiences for his regular appearances on RTÉ’s The Panel, The Republic of Telly and BBC’s The Blame Game.
Best known as the hilarious and sometimes outrageous Jake Stevens from RTÉ’s Naked Camera and Makin’ Jake, PJ Gallagher is one of Ireland’s most popular and well-loved comedians. PJ tears through his hilarious live set with manic energy leaving audiences whipped into a frenzy.
Cat Credentials: 8 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 7 previous appearances
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co
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Jarlath Regan
Ian Coppinger
Jarlath is one of the rising stars of Irish comedy. His original brand of observational humour has made him a firm favourite amongst comedy anoraks with the wave of support for his new age comedy growing in momentum.
Ian is one of Ireland’s busiest comedians. He has performed to sell out audiences on four continents and has been invited to every major comedy festival in the world, both as a stand up and as an improviser.
Cat Credentials: 4 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 14 previous appearances Oh so close, just missed the first one!
Fred Cooke
Gearóid Farrelly
Fred’s style is slightly outside the box with an abundance of energy to hold on to the edges! He has just supported Ardal O’Hanlon on his national tour. You might recognise Fred as the crazy Chef on RTÉ’s The Café.
Gearóid is a rising star on the stand-up circuit and he’s a regular in clubs around the country. On telly he has appeared in The Savage Eye, Fancy Vittles and The Lucy Kennedy Show.
Cat Credentials: 2 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: Festival debut 7
Local Heroes
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Jason Byrne
Karl Spain
One of the most exciting comedy performers and hailed by both the national press and public alike, Jason Byrne is a must see comedian. His inspired, original brand of high-energy lunacy ensures that there is no other comedian like him. His fast, freewheeling style makes his act a helter-skelter of a show – where the audience is promised the ride of their lives.
Karl Spain was born and still lives in Limerick, but has travelled in between. He has performed his comedy all over the world and is best known for his TV series Karl Spain Wants A Woman. It was a huge success in that it not only got huge ratings but he also found himself a woman. Recently Karl hosted the RTÉ series Karl Spain Wants To Rock, a new series capturing the events of Scrap Metal: The Tour. Karl has performed over the world including the USA, the Middle East, Australia and even as far away as England.
Cat Credentials: 13 previous appearances Jeez and he looks so young!
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co 8
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Cat Credentials: 7 previous appearances
John Lynn
Eric Lalor
A few years ago John visited the Comedy Cellar and thought ‘I could do that’. This isn’t unusual. A lot of people think that. Most of them can’t. John could. That’s why he’s becoming one of the most sought after acts in the country.
Ballymun’s Eric Lalor is tipped by many to be a major force in Irish comedy for years to come. Resident MC at the Dublin Laughter Lounge and Axis Ballymun, Eric has also played major festivals including the Electric Picnic and Oxegen.
Cat Credentials: 4 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 4 previous appearances
Eleanor Tiernan
Andrew Stanley
Eleanor Tiernan is a beautiful, smart, funny woman from Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. This confuses most people because they think Athlone is in Westmeath. Some of it is. Eleanor wants to clear up the confusion... and make people laugh.
Andrew is one of the top comics working today. Whether it’s performing as resident MC in numerous clubs around Ireland or as a quality act in his own right, Andrew is always high energy and quick witted enough to keep audiences thoroughly entertained.
Cat Credentials: 4 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 6 previous appearances 9
Local Heroes
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Andrew Maxwell
Maeve Higgins
Aidan Bishop
Dead Cat Bounce
Andrew has won and been nominated for many awards including an Edinburgh Comedy Award and a Time Out Award. He was also voted Best Irish Comedian by the public at the Entertainment.ie awards, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most sought after comedians.
Maeve loves to blab and is pleased to have lots of new things to blab about to you! It’s hard to think of examples but she will definitely try to: 1. present you with an evening of glowing fun, and 2. not bore you, and 3. include at least one catchphrase in each show.
New Yorker Aidan Bishop began his comedy career in his hometown but has since relocated to Dublin. He is the resident MC of the famous International Comedy Club and has recently made his television debut on The Savage Eye.
Dead Cat Bounce is a rock and roll comedy supergroup playing all-original songs in variety of styles – from hip hop slow jams to 80s stadium rock anthems – in tight trousers with smoke machines and a lot of rock posturing.
Cat Credentials: 5 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 5 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 4 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance
Bernard O’Shea
Willie White
Dermot Whelan
Paddy Courtney
Bernard is from Laois. He has performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival and his Edinburgh Fringe debut received a 5 star review from the Scotsman. He is co-host of the i105107 Breakfast Show and is the roving reporter on The Republic of Telly. He loves bears.
Willie is a relative newcomer to Irish Comedy but that’s not the impression he gives on stage. He is most recognisable from his appearance on Des Bishop’s Joy In Da Hood and has since taken the comedy scene by storm with his material focusing on his experiences growing up in Ballymun.
Dermot is best known for his regular appearances on RTÉ’s hit show The Panel and as host of the number one breakfast radio show on Dublin’s 98. He has appeared at comedy clubs across the country to huge acclaim.
Paddy is one of Ireland’s most sought after MCs. He has sold out Vicar Street on numerous occasions, writes a weekly comedy column for the Evening Herald, as well as writing and playing the lead role in the multi IFTA nominated comedy-drama Paddywhackery.
Cat Credentials: 5 previous appearances 10
Cat Credentials: 3 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 5 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 8 previous appearances 11
The British Are Coming
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Jon Richardson
Simon Amstell
Fresh from a 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award best show nomination and a critically acclaimed sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Jon is one of the most in-demand young artists on the UK comedy circuit today.
Simon Amstell is a comedian who has built a reputation for his open, intelligent and thought-provoking stand-up. Amstell has won acclaim for his television work, winning two British Comedy Awards, an RTS Award, a Broadcast Award and a BAFTA nomination for hosting the BBC comedy show Never Mind the Buzzcocks. He started his TV career at Nickelodeon where he was fired for making pop stars uncomfortable. He then began presenting the Channel 4 show, Popworld - where he gained a huge following for his ground-breaking work in‌ making pop stars uncomfortable. He will be starring in a new, self penned comedy project for the BBC this year.
Jon currently hosts the Sunday mid-morning show on BBC6 Music where his unique presenting style has won him thousands of loyal weekly listeners. Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co
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Cat Credentials: Festival debut 13
The British Are Coming
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Micky Flanagan
Danny Bhoy
Sarah Millican
Andy Parsons
Eastender Micky ruthlessly deconstructs the Cockney Myth with razor sharp observational wit. He tells a comic tale of a working class upbringing, where alphabetti spaghetti was a luxury. Micky has come along way since then, thanks to a university education he is now a rare delight – an intellectual cockney!
Direct from sell out dates in New York and Canada, Danny Bhoy brings his unique brand of story-telling and razor sharp wit to Kilkenny. As his worldwide fan base continues to grow at a staggering pace, 2010 promises to be another busy year for the effortlessly funny Scot.
One of the hottest comics on today’s circuit, performing at all the top comedy clubs, Sarah has established herself as a crowdpleasing act with well-written material and a gentle delivery style that disguises her cutting observations on life.
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance
Andy’s delivery and style are unique and his jokes are clever, substantial and beautifully crafted. This is political comedy without the leaflet, satire without the lecture, ridicule without the sanctimony all brushed with a bit of showbiz glitter. You will leave fulfilled, energised, emotionally uplifted and, maybe, a little bit giddy.
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co
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Star of Live at the Apollo and If.com Newcomer Award Winner Sarah will regale you with glorious mumsy filth including how to cope when your boyfriend puts a sock on your boob.
Cat Credentials: 2 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance
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The British Are Coming
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Fred MacAulay
Greg Davies
Idiots of Ants
Kevin Bridges
With a daily talk show on BBC Radio Scotland which has seen him nominated for Celtic Media Festival Award as Best Radio Presenter 2010, Fred still manages to do enough stand-up to maintain his profile as one of Scotland’s best loved comedians.
Greg is one third of the anarchically brilliant sketch act We Are Klang. He is also much-loved as series regular in the multi award-winning The Inbetweeners (E4). Other credits include multiple appearances on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week and Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
The Idiots of Ants bring their unique blend of fast-paced sketch comedy to Kilkenny. The only show where, not only do you get an evening of ground-breaking new comedy; but also dinner, a romantic walk home and who knows – you might even be invited in for coffee…
Fresh from an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination for best newcomer and a critically acclaimed sell-out run at the Fringe, Kevin Bridges is Scotland’s young comedy prodigy with a unique brand of social commentary, astute observations and sharp one-liners.
Cat Credentials: 13 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Tim Key
Alun Cochrane
Justin Moorhouse
Key (33; fit) is the hunky poet from Newswipe and star of We Need Answers and Cowards (BBC4). He dresses in a suit he tailored himself and recites poetry. He won the Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier) in August 2009.
Alun returns to Cat Laughs following a successful tour of his fifth Edinburgh show. He has appeared on many TV shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock The Week, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Have I Got News For You.
Manchester’s Justin is perhaps best known as Young Kenny from Phoenix Nights, you may have also caught him alongside Eric Cantona in Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric. As well as being a writer and radio presenter Justin is a regular headline comic all over the UK.
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Cat Credentials: 2 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
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Exotic Imports
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Arj Barker
Pajama Men
Arj Barker has firmly established himself as one of the golden boys on the international comedy circuit. He recently performed massive sell out seasons at Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, followed by a four month tour around regional Australia.
A hurricane of bizarre characters are on-board the Pajama Men’s passenger train. Robbers and killers, heroes, housewives… and venom-vomiting demons. Expect split second character switches, high-energy story lines and some of the most hilarious, off-the-wall physical and verbal comedy around. Not suitable for children. Live music by Kevin Hume.
Arj has made numerous appearances on late night talk shows, including the Letterman and Conan O’Brien shows, as well as starring in his own Comedy Central half hour special. Arj also stars as Dave in the HBO Smash Hit Flight of the Conchords.
Solo Shows: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th June Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance 19
Get all show details in our pull-out Festival Planner
Exotic Imports
Tom Gleeson
Moshe Kasher
Carl Barron
Damian Clark
Tom is one of Australia’s favourite comedians. He is the cool, calm, funny fella on a multitude of TV shows, however, it is performing live on stage where he really shines. As a stand up, there is not much Tom hasn’t done. He has performed in the Melbourne, Edinburgh and Montreal Comedy Festivals and has even entertained
Moshe Kasher. Comedian. Jew. Jew Comedian. Pleasure centre. Good tipper. Guiding light. Beefcake. He lives alone in LA.
Carl’s non-threatening observational style of comedy appeals to everyone. He has touched the hearts of thousands of people with his gentle, awkward, self-conscious, relaxed and original approach to comedy.
Damian Clark burst onto the Irish TV scene as the mad Aussie in RTÉ2’s I Dare Ya and featured on The Savage Eye, The Republic of Telly and last year sold out shows in the Edinburgh Fringe, Leith Comedy Festival, Brighton Fringe Festival and Barry’s
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cat Credentials: Festival debut
Cat Credentials: Festival debut
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co
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This extremely popular and gifted comedian has treaded the boards throughout Australia, New York, LA, London, South Africa, Auckland, Ireland, Singapore,
Chinese Takeaway.
Cat Credentials: 4 previous appearances
Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Edinburgh. Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance
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Get all show details in our pull-out Festival Planner
Dom Irrera
Mike Wilmot
Dom is an award winning American stand-up comedian. His TV appearances include The Tonight Show (when it was good), Late Night with David Letterman and his own Comedy Central and HBO Specials.
For over fifteen years Mike has built up a reputation as one of the unsung heroes of the comedy scene achieving rave reviews throughout Canada, the UK and Australia for his unique stand-up.
Cat Credentials: 14 previous appearances
Cat Credentials: 7 previous appearances
Rich Hall
Marc Maron
Rich will be performing in his usual style as the grouchy, deadpan comic genius. Rich is a master of absurdist irony – he particularly likes to lay into Americans and life across the Pond at every opportunity.
Marc performs raw, honest and thoughtprovoking comedy for print, stage, radio and television. He has appeared on HBO, Conan, Letterman and two Comedy Central Presents specials. His podcast WTF was ranked number 3 Best Podcast of 2009 by iTunes Rewind.
The Dominator only missed the first one in 1995!
Cat Credentials: 14 previous appearances You can tell he’s delighted about it
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Cat Credentials: 1 previous appearance
The Vault
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Pajama Men
Idiots of Ants
Dead Cat Bounce
Tim Key
Winner – Best Show 2009 Melbourne Comedy Festival, Winner – Best Show 2009 Sydney Comedy Festival, Double Act of the Year – The Times, London.
Following three sell-out Edinburgh Festivals and an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination (formerly the Perrier) the Idiots of Ants bring their unique blend of fast-paced sketch comedy to Kilkenny. The only show in the country where, not only do you get an evening of ground-breaking new comedy; but also dinner, a romantic walk home and who knows – you might even be invited in for coffee…
Dead Cat Bounce is a rock and roll comedy supergroup made up of Demian Fox (drums), Shane O’Brien (bass), Mick Cullinan (keys) and James Walmsley (guitar and lead vocals). They play all-original songs in variety of styles – from hip hop slow jams to 80s stadium rock anthems – in tight trousers with smoke machines and a lot of rock posturing. In 2010 Dead Cat Bounce will be embarking on a three month tour of Australia and New Zealand; making their first appearances at the Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney Comedy Festivals.
Winner 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award.
A hurricane of bizarre characters are on-board the Pajama Men’s passenger train. Robbers and killers, heroes, housewives… and venomvomiting demons. Expect split second character switches, high-energy story lines and some of the most hilarious, off-the-wall physical and verbal comedy around. Not suitable for children. Live music by Kevin Hume. Solo shows Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 June at Set Theatre. ‘I doubt you will see a more accomplished show’ The Guardian 24
‘The best sketch show of 2009, rock ‘n roll hysteria meets sharp and brilliant comedy’ Time Out
Key (33; fit) is the hunky poet from Newswipe and star of We Need Answers and Cowards (BBC4). He dresses in a suit he tailored himself and recites poetry. He won the Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly the Perrier) in August. ‘He’s a genius plain and simple’ Time Out
For ticket bookings see www.carlsbergcatlaughs.co
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‘Tightly written… flawless timing… barnstorming’ Sunday Times 25
Special Events
The Carlsberg Cat Laughs Festival Football Match More controversial than any of the comedy you’ll see over the Festival weekend and certainly more likely to result in physical violence, the annual comedians’ football match returns to Kilkenny’s theatre of dreams, the Fairgreen. Don’t miss your chance to see ancient grudges settled in comedy’s very own Derby as Ireland once more tackle the Rest of the World in the ugliest display of the beautiful game.
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The Pursuit of Happiness – The Carlsberg Cat Laughs Treasure Hunt
Exquisitely commentated by Ireland’s Karl Spain and Scotland’s Fred MacAulay. Let the battle commence!
Me e t i
ng P
o i nt The Fa irgree n at 2.30 pm on Sunda y 6 Ju ne F re e E nt r y !
Our fair city of Kilkenny prides itself on being a medieval hotspot filled with historical wonders and ancient beauty. We also put on a darn good comedy festival! Why not combine both with the first ever Kilkenny Comedy Treasure Hunt. Our tricky clues will weave you through this magnificent city on the hunt for the perfect Saturday hangover cure – the Comedy Mish Mash with Andrew Stanley and Fred Cooke.
We’ve always thought you’d make super sleuths. Put your skills to the test and be rewarded with a fantastic comedy show at a secret venue. Free biscuits as well!
Me e t i
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o i nt Ormon de Hot el, Kings S u it e , 3 pm S a t u rd ay 5 Ju n e T i c ke ts €10 27
Ticketing Information
Festival Venues
Getting Your Paws on Tickets Head to carlsbergcatlaughs.com/cheaplaughs and get your laughs that little bit cheaper.
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Cat Naps
Join the Cat Laughs membership club Scratch! Be the first to find out about advance ticket sales, new show announcements, special offers, comedy news feeds and up to date information on the Carlsberg Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. Join Scratch! now by visiting carlsbergcatlaughs.com/scratch
Accommodation for the Festival weekend is snapped up very quickly so book fast! Here are some helpful websites to use when planning your trip: kilkenny.ie kilkennytourism.ie aaireland.ie for travel via car cie.ie and jjkavanagh.ie for travel via bus or train.
Be Kind to Cats – Festival Sponsorship Please contact info@carlsbergcatlaughs.com for sponsorship information.
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Patrick St.
Join the Cat Pack – Scratch!
And of course you’ll find us on Facebook and Twitter. Cool cats!
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In Person: At the Cat Laughs Box Office at 27 Patrick Street, Kilkenny. Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm.
For ticket bo okings see www.carlsbe rgcatlaughs.co m *Service charge €2 per ticket for laser and credit card transactions. Tickets may be purchased in person from the box office. Programme details correct at time of going to print. The Carlsberg Cat Laughs Comedy Festival reserves the right to change or alter the programme.
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Phone: 056 776 3837 from 10 May 2010.
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Our Kilkenny Box Office will be open from 10 May 2010 for phone and in person bookings. Please note we have moved to a new location.
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Tickets to all shows are available online now! Visit carlsbergcatlaughs.com.
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Cheap Laughs
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Tickets are on Sale Now!
To New Ross
To Clonmel
To Waterford
Ok so you have your tickets, the travel and accommodation are sorted. Well done. Now for the important part! Getting to the show. 1 Watergate Theatre 2 Cleere’s
9 T he Ormonde Hotel
(Kilbride Suite, King’s Ballroom and the Venue Bar)
3 Kilford Arms Hotel
10 The Village Inn
4 Langton’s Ballroom
11 Hotel Kilkenny (Orchard Suite and the Skyline)
5 Langton’s Set Theatre
12 Kyteler’s Inn
6 The River Court Hotel
13 Newpark Hotel
7 Left Bank
14 The Fairgreen
8 The Club House Hotel
In 1883 our idea changed brewing forever. Until Carlsberg developed a new yeast called ‘saccharomyces carlsbergensis,’ brewing consistently great tasting lager had proved very difficult. Just as we would today, we shared this discovery with our rivals. Confident in the knowledge that once something is perfected, it may be imitated but never bettered. Perhaps this is why Carlsberg is probably the best lager in the world. YOU CAN’T BEAT THE ORIGINAL.