CHANNEL 4 drama Derry Girls offers a refreshing new take on the comedy of the Troubles.
Derry writer Lisa McGee’s writing proves gritty and reflects the teenage humour of the 1990s.
The first two episodes proved to be genuinely funny and if they are anything to go by the series is really is worth a watch.
Much of the comedy in the first episode centres on Michelle’s English cousin James and the usual teenage dilemmas - and dress codes - for first days back to school.
Episode two focuses on Erin’s family’s Friday treat from Fionnuala’s fish and chip shop.
A backdrop to the episode is the attack by the IRA on Erin’s great uncle, Colm (Kevin McAleer). The IRA leave him tied to his radiator by the new shoelaces he bought just the week before.
The humour in Derry Girls sits somewhere between The Inbetweeners and the hugely popular Mrs Brown’s Boys although, in truth, Mrs Brown herself might blush at some of the lines delivered.
There’s also likely to be a few raised eyebrows over Michelle’s description of Clare on a charity fast as “Bobby Sands.”
But for all that, it’s well worth a watch.
