Review by Stuart McNiff

The Empire Laughs Back – The Belfast Empire Tuesday 14^th April 2009

The doors open at 8pm, but if you want to get any kind of decent seat, I suggest that you get in line well before 8. I didn’t and was surprised that when I joined the line at ten past eight it was snaking around the building, and I was informed that this was a quiet night!

The Empire Laughs Back is on at the Empire, Botanic Avenue Belfast every Tuesday evening and features Jake O’Kane as compere and two other acts. On my visit Jake was on fire with his controversial material about the troubles and the very succinct observational comedy involving the audience, which he carries out with absolute sincerity but following the golden rule of comedy, never picking on any one member of the audience for too long before moving on to a new victim. If you sit anywhere within twenty feet of the stage, it’s  guaranteed, Jake will seek you out and make you part of the show.

After warming up the audience Jake asked them, Catholics are you ready? Protestants are you ready? Then give it up for a fantastic new comedian Liam Watson.

Liam came on stage and appeared very nervous but managed to deliver some very funny original material involving the aftermath of a malfunctioning bonnet of his car whilst driving on the motorway, he dipped in and out of his relationship with his ex-girlfriend and his relationship with his mother. Although it was a bit sketchy in parts I would say that given some more exposure this comedian of some nine months has a bright future ahead of him.

After a short 20 minute set from Liam, Jake O’Kane was back with some more razor sharp wit and had the audience in his hand before the interval.

Following a short 15 minute interval, Jake was back to introduce the main act of the evening, Damien Clark.

Hailing all the way from Australia, via Dublin, Damien let loose on all aspects off life, from Traffic Camera signs to the credit crunch and house party’s. As with many great stand up’s, you can’t repeat much of his material, but Damien had the audience in stitches with his mix of visual and observational comedy.

The evening was rounded off by another quick fire set by Jake O’Kane and left the audience wanting more. At a very affordable £7 and £6 for concessions this is a great night out in Belfast and I would recommend a visit whether you are visiting the city on business or for pleasure.

Review by Stuart McNiff