David O'Doherty – ULTRASOUND

A staple of the comedy festival and one of the hardest working stand-ups in the business, David O’Doherty is back for another round. Armed with his mini music machine and his unique brand of storytelling, the comedian is, as always, in top form.

It’s frankly a marvel that O’Doherty has produced such consistently good material over his tenure at MICF. Though each show adheres to the comics trademark blend of silly stand-up and Casio keyboard tunes, the material has always delighted fans and newcomers alike. ULTRASOUND is, unsurprisingly, no exception, and sees O’Doherty mine his own life for hilarious and often cringe-worthy tales with side-splitting synth flair. From a truly harrowing tale of a home rat infestation to his well documented love of cycling, the Irish comic delivers the goods like only he can. 

O’Doherty has never exactly broken the mould when it comes to his image or even comedy in general, but it’s in his consistency where his audience find comfort. His inconsequential daftness is a respite from the more highfalutin offerings from the festival, and allow punters to simply sit back and enjoy the ride without trying to unbox the layers of irony and meta-detachment. It’s simple comedy that has taken a backseat in recent years, and O’Doherty remains the undisputed master.

ULTRASOUND doesn’t pretend to be worldly or meaningful – the show knows what it is and draws within the lines of the established O’Doherty conventions. However, in a sea of experimental comedy and brilliant yet difficult subject matter, this show is a carefree dinghy that bobs untroubled along the surface. No matter what, the good ship O’Doherty is always worth a visit.