Friday, February 10, 2006

'Avin a laff

Laughter is the best form of medicine, so say happy people. Sad people probably think that Zanax is the best form of medicine, but I digress. There were plenty of laughs last night at the launch party for the brand spanking new Laughter Lounge on Eden Quay.

After 3 years of re-development and a cost of over €6million The Laughter Lounge is back with a bang as Ireland’s premier comedy venue. In the past it has played host to a variety of acts including Bill Bailey, Des Bishop, Phil Jupitus, Dara O’Brian, Johnny Vegas and Rich Hall.

The original Laughter Lounge, which was based in a former cinema, opened its doors in December 1997 and quickly established itself as the leading comedy venue in Ireland. During the recent re-development, The Laughter Lounge went ‘on the road’ with gigs in a range of venues in Galway and Dublin.

The first eight weeks of operations will see performances by the comedians that rated highest on the ‘hot or not’ poll on The Laughter Lounge’s website.

The entertainment on offer last night was no exception with the hilarious Meave Higgins from Hidden Camera fame stealing the show, Eric Lalor and US comedian Tom Rhodes. MC for the evening was Paddy Courtney, whose overuse of profanities suggested to me that he was a little bit nervous at hosting this big gig.

He needn’t have been however, as the guests were well lubricated on champagne cocktails and Boru Vodka. Among those were comedy agent Naoise Nunn, Robbie Fox of Renards, Alan Amsby and Frances Winston, DJ Keith Foran and Jonathan McCrea.

Model Jenny Lee Masterson looked stunning, as did TV presenter Izabela Chudzicka. Actor Liam Cunningham, Denis Desmond of MCD fame, Simon Carmody and Dylan Bradshaw were also in attendance.

All this talk of The Laughter Lounge got me thinking of one of my favourite jokes …

Reverend Mother gathers the nuns: "I have to tell you, sisters, that we have discovered a case of gonorrhea at the convent."

Nun: "Thank the Lord! I'm sick of that Chardonnay."

Thank you, thank you. Have a good weekend!