At the 2010 Leicester Comedy Festival preview show

More Patrick Monahan videos

Patrick Monahan: Cowboys & Iranians - Fringe 2009
Live Review

EVERYONE knows someone who's a bit like Patrick Monahan. He's the guy at the wedding who flirts with the bridesmaids, tops up the aunties' glasses and breakdances to amuse the kids - a bit of a sweetheart. And that's what his comedy is like; something for everyone, all delivered with cheeky grin.

In his fifth Edinburgh stand-up outing, Monahan sets out to examine the trifling issue of the differences between people, both personal and cultural (though not political). As an Irish-Iranian teetotaller, he is used to standing out in a crowd for one reason or another, and given that he also devotes a significant proportion of his shows to getting to know his audiences, this is well-chosen topic. Astoundingly, the garrulous Teessider even manages to stick to it, for the most part.

In this refreshingly personal show, Monahan uses a quiz from a women's magazine as the springboard for an hour of fast-paced, chatty, observational comedy that seems to come more from the heart than just his usual compulsion to entertain.

He offers some lovely sketches of his childhood, such as his Iranian grandmother's unique take on the idea of democracy, and of his later years, when he would take cakes to warehouse parties instead of Es. Teenagers come under his radar, in predictable but effective fashion, as he parodies the odd choreography of fights. His simple comparison between the American and British techniques is hilarious.

The theme of differences also gives him further excuse to hug, touch and interrogate his audience as he invites two boys to take a quiz to find out how well they know each other and asks couples to shout out the secrets to their marriages, with unexpectedly brilliant results. Ever keen to please, Monahan even throws in a bit of elaborate on-stage dancing with said boys, as the audience revels in the physical comedy of two gawky and unprepared teenagers trying to spin on their heads.

In previous, less solid shows, Monahan's old-fashioned, everyman persona seemed a hindrance to him piquing much interest. When paired with some good writing and strong anecdotes, he makes the case more convincingly.

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Saw Patrick compere at Late n Live at the Edinburgh festival and he's awesome! Best comic on the night by far. Went to his adult show the following day and he didn't disapoint. He didn't repeat any of his jokes from Late n Live and was even more awesome. One to watch for the future. Looking forward to him touring in my area

Ana & Pete, August 2010

Patrick at Eden Court Theatre Inverness was most certainly the best act of the trio of comedians on the night. Good rapport with his audience and lifted the evening and steered it away from being a mediocre gig. A comedian to watch in the future.

Douglas Thomson, June 2010

Excellent. Saw him at Smart Ass Comedy Club in Derby on thursday. Can't wait to see him again, hilarious from start to finish

Dean, February 2010

I have seen Patrick for the first time tonight. He is one of the very good comedians. Open, warm and a nice man who does kinda sweet comedy. :)also his accent cracks me up

Hana Vitkova, May 2009

Having read the comments here, I was expecting a paucity of material, but hoping his on-stage personality would carry it. It didn't. His enthusiasm does see him through, but I don't think you could even call most of what he does stand-up comedy (despite the half-Iranian, half-Irish Teeside backround that could have provided a wealth of material). If you're going to base your act on the people in the first row of the audience, go watch someone like Al Murray do it the way it should be done...

Nigel Lord, October 2006

I saw Pat at Late N Live last year, and thought he was good. He dealt with the heckling using original put downs and got laughs from most his material. It wasn't the best I've ever seen him, but he certainly didn't bomb from where I was sitting

Steve, July 2006

I recently booked Pat to compere a corporate gig - he was incredible. Although it was a quality field of entertainment the audience were waiting for Pat to come back on stage. Either he was on red hot form or he is a outstanding compere.

Don Moses, July 2006

Seen him at Late & Live two years running and he absolutely bombed both times. His solo show might be OK, but I'll not be rushing to see it.

John, June 2006

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