Fresh fromEdinburgh Festival, Comedian Neil Dougan is coming to An Creagán near Omagh to offer a series of workshops for those with an interest in writing and performing stand up comedy. Funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the workshops will help to strengthen and develop the already strong local live comedy scene, while celebrating this art form and encouraging more people to get involved.
Neil Dougan is one of the strongest established acts on the Irish comedy circuit today. Bitten by the bug following his first ever visit to a comedy club, Neil walked onto the same stage with his own routine two weeks later. Within a matter of weeks he had made it to the final of Channel 4’s So You Think You’re Funny at The Edinburgh Festival. He is now a familiar face in comedy clubs throughout the UK and Ireland where his mix of incisive political satire and acute comical observations on everyday life is in huge demand. If you would like to follow in his footsteps come along and learn the tricks of the trade.
Neil is coming to An Creagán keen to share his wealth of knowledge and experience. The unique workshops taking place over the course of a weekendare focused on writing creative comedy and turning it into a structured, audience-friendly piece. Participants will also learn performance techniques and be encouraged to present their work in a one-off intimate public performance to friends and family as a closing highlight.
The workshops are open to all who would like to take part and is an opportunity to bounce ideas and get feedback from an experienced artist. Complete beginners with an interest in this art form are encouraged to come along and give it a go along with those who have already caught the bug. As well as the workshops participants will be given the opportunity to meet with Neil for one-to-one mentoring.
An Creagan received £39,300 from the Arts Council to deliver a year long programme of arts activity and its Community Arts Officer, Joan Dempster said, “An Creagan’s programme facilitates some of the most innovative community arts activity the area has ever seen. It has transformed the Creggan vicinity, offering local residents and visitors an opportunity to participate in and enjoy the arts. With a mix of artist residencies including comedy and literature, visual arts workshops and environmental arts, this programme opens the arts to a wider audience and supports employment of local artists. I would encourage all avid stand up comedians to sign up to Neil Dougan’s workshop.”
After starting out at The Empire Comedy Club, Neil is now a regular compeer and headline act at The Laughter Lounge in Belfast as well as its sister clubs in Dublin and Waterford. He also regularly headlines The Stand in Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as a host of other clubs in England.
Neil has supported Patrick Kielty on his Almost Live tour and brought the house down at the Gagging for Bass Comedy Festival in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter where he appeared before a capacity crowd along with Perrier winner Tommy Tiernan.
As well as his live appearances Neil’s writing credits include being one of the main writers on Radio Ulster’s Sketch show Don’t Make Me Laugh. He has also contributed material for television shows and was employed as the head writer on UTV’s flagship comedy series, The McKeever Show (3rd Series). He has made appearances on Radio Ulster’s highly successful, The Blame Game.
As places are limited booking is essential. If you would like to take part email arts@ancreagan.com or telephone 028 8076 1112 to book your place.