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Comic Details

Mary Bourke

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Reviews

Mary Bourke: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
Live Review

 rated 4/5
Mary Bourke: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

There are so many beautifully crafted turns of phrase in Mary Bourke's show that there really should be a massive queue jostling to get into this tiny, out-of-the way room.

As she notes at the top of the show, and the reason for the 'contrary' of the title, this isn't what comics usually do for a Fringe show. There's no catharsis, no sentimental journey or revelations, just pure stand-up. And she delivers.

She's performed on the circuit for more than a dozen years and the experience shows. Bourke's utterly composed on stage, performing with a relaxed delivery, and the soft sing-song of her Irish lilt contrasts nicely with her punchy and somewhat acerbic material.

Indeed the hour is a mixture of the poetic and the acidic. She punctuates the pomposity of the Mumsnet website with list of unreasonable demands on the Albanian nanny with the refrain 'am I being unreasonable?', reading like feisty performance poetry. Elsewhere Metro's poll of the most inspiring woman is cut through with a sardonic edge highlighting the vacuous nature of media, and there's a similarly sarcastic deconstruction of Dan Brown's incredibly clunky prose.

Bourke has the uncanny ability to draw you into to her world and on to her side, there's a lovely gossipy piece about a young American comedian with whom Bourke gigged in Dublin who has with a lot to learn about comedy, and history and geography too.

Hers is a no-nonsense approach. She'll stand no messing, as three fellas, who were obviously not committed to the show, found out. Unfortunately it happens a lot in free shows, because the lack of financial investments means some punters seem to think it's OK to drift in and out. Sensing that they weren't entirely happy Bourke asked them to leave, which they duly did. Despite noting how awkward that had made the gig and that she had to win around the audience again, she didn't really have to, she had us on side already.

Date of live review: Monday 22nd Aug, '11
Review by Marissa Burgess
New Variety Lives! at the Barbican
New Variety Lives! at the Barbican

Friday 10th Sep, '10- Barbican
Mary Bourke : Original Review
Mary Bourke : Original Review

Wednesday 7th May, '08-
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Comments

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Have just returned from seeing Mary at the Artrix in Bromsgrove. I am so shocked to see negative comments about her comedy! All I can say to the people writing them is that if they have no humour, do not go to a comedy night! She is a fantastic comedian, I laughed so much. Her humour is clever and her sarcastic wit is superb ! Would highly recommend her!

Claire, September 2012


Saw Mary at The Stand last night. Had the audience howling, especially with the 'I have another shoe' joke. Also the tweet or delete section. Wearing my badge with pride. You must see this at the Fringe if you can

Andy Brown, August 2012


Had the unfortunate event of having to sit through 10 minutes of this woman's so-called 'comedy' act. Let's just say a funeral would have been more fun. Felt like I was sitting in a classroom being taught by a nun with a ruler in her hand waiting to slap you if you spoke without permission. Absolutely not funny and her attitude was appalling. To think I spent ten euros to relive my awful school days again!

Dolores McEntire, April 2012


Just extraordinarily talented and funny. Go see!

Mandy Allan, November 2011


Saw Mary at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. The funniest act there. Had the whole audience howling with laughter. Why is this very talented woman not on television?

Thomas McGrath, August 2011


Saw a fabulous act at the Street in Edinburgh, Mary can certainly raise a smile and we would go see her againVery entertaining and very funny :)

Stevie Reid, August 2011


Saw mary at the Street in Edinburgh. Crap venue but great show.Went back to see her a second time. Very witty great fun even with a harf-assed audience in the afternoon.

Ian cameron, August 2011


Saw her last night and she was superb - she covered a variety of subjects but each and everyone had the audience roaring with laughter - I can't wait to see her again and am surprised by the amount of negative comments here about her.

Alex Finch, May 2010


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News
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Where can I see Mary Bourke next?

Where can I see Mary Bourke next?

20:00~22:30 - Thursday 23rd May, '13
Venue: Ryan's Bar
Prices: £2
Comics: Mary Bourke, Stella Graham
Info: Edinburgh Previews
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
21:00 - Saturday 25th May, '13
Venue: The Hob
Prices: £9 (£6 concs)
Comics: Andrew Bird, Mary Bourke, Rob Heeney, James Redmond (MC)
Show starts: 21:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:30 - Tuesday 4th Jun, '13
Venue: Bloomsbury Theatre
Prices: £15 (£12.50 concs)
Comics:
Info:
Stand Up For Women benefit Plus: Abi Roberts, Brenda Gilhooly
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
21:00 - Friday 5th Jul, '13
Venue: Ye Olde Rose & Crown
Prices: £20
Comics:
Info:
Work in progress shows.
Show starts: 21:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
21:00 - Sunday 7th Jul, '13
Venue: The Bedford
Prices: £10 to £16
Info: Edinburgh preview. Part of the Balham Comedy Festival
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 21:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Friday 12th Jul, '13
Venue: Bracknell South Hill Park Arts Centre
Prices: £10
Comics: Mary Bourke, Matt Richardson
Info: Edinburgh previews
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
17:45~18:45 - Wednesday 31st Jul, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Friday 2nd Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Saturday 3rd Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Sunday 4th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Monday 5th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Tuesday 6th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Wednesday 7th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Thursday 8th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Friday 9th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Saturday 10th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Sunday 11th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Tuesday 13th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Wednesday 14th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Thursday 15th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Friday 16th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Saturday 17th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Sunday 18th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Monday 19th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Tuesday 20th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Wednesday 21st Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Thursday 22nd Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Friday 23rd Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Saturday 24th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
17:45~18:45 - Sunday 25th Aug, '13
Venue: Stand 3 and 4
Prices: £6 to £8
Show: Mary Bourke: Muffragette
Show starts: 17:45
Mary Bourke
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Mary Bourke's Shows:
Edinburgh Fringe 2011
Mary Bourke: Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Edinburgh Fringe 2012
Mary Bourke: Hail Mary!

Edinburgh Fringe 2013
Mary Bourke: Muffragette