Tag Archives: Alex Kealy

+3 Interview: Alex Kealy: The Art of the Keal

Posted in EdFestivals 2017, Plus 3 2017 - Features, Written Interviews by

” It’s a political hour about nationalism, nostalgia, rhetoric and history, but there’s actually loads of great silly jokes if i’m honest.”

WHO: Alex Kealy, Performer and writer

WHAT: “Watch a ‘marvellous stand-up’ (Skinny) funnify the slow-motion explosion that is 2017 liberal democracy. Politics, amirite?! ‘Hilarious… fresh, insightful and original… a great hour of cerebral stand-up comedy – and Alex Kealy is a name to watch’ **** (FringeGuru.com). ‘Ferociously quick-witted… flawless script’ **** (EdFringeReview.com). ‘A fascinating hour’ (Skinny). ‘Sure to be a hit… Clever and original… Kealy’s style worked a treat’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘I came here for comedy not a political lecture’ (Audience member, April 2017). ‘Sharp comedy… charming, self-deprecating… has the potential to be very big’ (TheNorthernPH.wordpress.com).”

WHERE: Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)

WHEN: 16:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

What’s the biggest thing to have happened to you since Festivals ’16?

A whole host of political and personal things happened that had a great effect on me this year, like everyone else, presumably.

Specifically and most relevantly, I’ve really enjoyed having to write a whole new hour of political comedy when politics has been shifting and slurring faster than drunken quicksand. It’s certainly *not* been having to can entire chunks of material because Trump has randomly fired someone or May has called a snap election.

Tell us about your show.

It’s a stand-up show written and performed by me, Alex Kealy, called “The Art of The Keal”. Which is a pun on the book The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump. Do audiences in Britain know the book well enough for my title to make sense? No. Do I currently have the capacity to tour this show in America where the pun would more clearly resonate with the audience? Also no.

Still, I’m having a lovely time – nice audiences and have enjoyed the little final tweaks to the show. It’s a political hour about nationalism, nostalgia, rhetoric and history, but there’s actually loads of great silly jokes if i’m honest. Laughing AND learning!

*The Cliche Police brandish their batons menacingly*

I mean, er…like it’s good, basically.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I’ve really enjoyed:

Mat Ewins – brilliantly innovative comic who uses tech and videos to great effect

Rose Matafeo – extremely likeable performer does super funny show

Found Footage Festival – bizarre training videos and infomercials collated by an American comedy duo, mashed together

Getting Some Early Nights – a very moving interactive piece whereby you make sure occasionally not to stay out late and instead go home, watch a little bit of TV, eat some vegetables and call your parents

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!

+3 Interview: Alex Kealy Is An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Posted in EdFestivals 2016, Written Interviews by

2016alexkea_apk

“This is my first full hour of comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe.”

WHO: Alex Kealy – Comedian

WHAT: “So You Think You’re Funny finalist and land mammal Alex Kealy presents his debut show. Rejected titles include Kealing Me Softly and Touchy Kealy.”

WHERE:  Underbelly Med Quad, Daisy Room (Venue 296)

WHEN: 21:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

An answer in two parts; this is my first full hour of comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe but I’ve been coming up over the last few years to split hours and perform half hour sets. It’s been really fun this year, it’s a much more exciting prospect to be doing a full show and I’m enjoying the whole experience a lot.

Tell us about your show.

My show is stand-up comedy, and it’s split between self-deprecating gags about my own appalling romantic life and political comedy about the US election, Brexit and privilege.

I also wrote it because I’m a renaissance man (if a renaissance man meant “performing and writing stand-up comedy”, which it doesn’t).

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Well, I’m typing this at The Scottish Parliament building near Holyrood as there’s the Festival of Politics on so there’s your Not A Comedy Thing recommendation from ol’ Keals.

I’m about to watch a speechwriter with the highly improbable name Barton Swaim give a talk – he wrote a great book about his time working for South Carolina Governor Mark Sandford, a charismatic man who spoke in mangled sentences and whose promising political career was brought down by a sex scandal. It’s gonna be great.

Other than that, go see Goose’s show Hydroberserker at Assembly George Square Gardens; it had me laughing the whole way through and is a fantastically bold comedy show which uses music, video and audience interaction in consistently innovative ways.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!