Entertainment

Tim McGarry back on tour with 1916 themed comedy show

1916: Tim McGarry goes 'Over the Top' debuts at EastSide Arts Festival on August 20
1916: Tim McGarry goes 'Over the Top' debuts at EastSide Arts Festival on August 20 1916: Tim McGarry goes 'Over the Top' debuts at EastSide Arts Festival on August 20

HAVING already proved himself capable of milking the past for laughs with his hit show Tim McGarry's Irish History Lesson, the Hole In The Wall Gang leader is back with another historically themed set focused exclusively on every republican's favourite year, 1916.

However, as well as discussing the Easter Rising, McGarry will also be talking about the Battle of The Somme, perhaps the only 'military action' in history that republicans have ever been coy about admitting a family connection to.

Debuting at the EastSide Arts Festival next month before touring, the north Belfast funnyman's 1916 show will in fact cover the early 1900s, from Oscar Wilde and Edward Carson to the Titanic and the build-up to the Easter Rising and The Somme.

A press release written in a 'voice' that sounds suspiciously like that of McGarry himself reveals the following:

"In 2016 we have be inundated with worthy and serious dramas and documentaries about the meaning of 1916. There has been much chin stroking and nodding of heads sagely.

"Tim McGarry doesn't want that. He wants to give you jokes.

"Expect myths to be exploded and sacred cows to be slaughtered – but above all, expect laughs.

"And who knows? We might accidentally learn something."

:: Tickets £18 via Eastsidearts.net