Irish actor, podcaster and stand up Gearóid Farrelly is furious about a lot of things in life. And he’s made a Fringe show about it. Because when Gearóid gets furious people often start laughing.
Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
My show is called Gearóid Rage (a pun on my name provided you know it sounds like road!) its a personal show about the thing that annoy me and about trying to decide if being annoyed is reasonable or if I’m actually a bit of a Karen.
You should see my show when you are fringe-bored and need to freshen up. It’s a funny show that will pick you up.
What makes you laugh?
Nothing!!! I’m a comedian. We don’t laugh we just say “that’s funny” then get annoyed we don’t think of it. I love watching a different type of comedy than what I do because I don’t look for the strings and reallly relax. I love Paul Foot, Nina Conti and Gary Delaney. I love comedians that just pull you right into their world and batter you with jokes. I love Josh Jones, Joanne McNally, Chris Kent, Sarah Millican. I like my Fringe shows to be funny-forward!
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
Upbeat, cheeky, joyful. I love doing standup it is the best job in the world. I have a ball on stage and work hard. The audience deserve it. They’ve got babysitters and paid for parking. They have to have a good time.
Do you have nerves about going on stage and how do you cope with them?
I used to have the most awful stage fright. I’m quite a quiet shy person off stage. During the pandemic I thought it was time to give up comedy and did a postgrad. Since I’ve come back I haven’t had stage fright or nerves even once and I’ve done the biggest shows of my life since then. I guess I assumed I would never do standup again so I’m just relishing every bit of it.
What’s your idea of a perfect Fringe feast and where will you eat it?
Storries pies! It’s a 24 hour bakery on Leith Walk and the food is amazing. I love a chicken curry pie (they put the rice in too) at around 1am.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
I think my show will send them back out into the Fringe feeling uplifted and positive about the world. I will shine a light on all of their petty anger and ensure they feel ok in it. Actually it will probably destroy their lives but they’ll feel good about it and hoppefully will have laughed a lot.
When did you first realise you were born to be on stage?
School nativity. I was f***ing brilliant. Not a note in my head, but I was loud and at the front. Nothing has changed.
Why do you think Edinburgh Fringe is so important to performers and artists around the world?
I think it’s important that anyone that wants to perform gets the opportunity to do it. The Edinburgh is a true fringe. Anyone can sign up and do it, there are no gatekeepers. I think the world has enough barriers it’s nice there is a place where there aren’t any around art and performance.
How do you plan to relax and enjoy the city when you’re not performing?
Myself and my comedian friends will be enjoying the finest pastries Edinburgh has to offer. Daily. I’ll also be bringing my car so I’m going to try and get out of the city and explore places I haven’t been before. I’ll also be visiting as many record shops as I can and open to recommendations for places that stock 90s pop!
Who is your showbiz idol and why?
I loved Victoria Wood because she did everything so brilliantly. She is my comedy hero. I also loved Joan Rivers. I did some shows with her and she was 78 at the time and she still loved stand-up. She loved it and was so energised when she came off stage. That was amazing to be around.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
Seeing your name on the sold out board and the five stars board…. With a storries pie in your hand… obviously.
Gearóid Farrelly:Gearóid Rage, 19.20, Assembly George Square until August 25
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/gearoid-farrelly-gearoid-rage
