Review: Tommy Tiernan: Crooked Man – Stockton Arc

Tommy Tiernan

Tommy Tiernan is like a force of nature in comedy. He takes punters on a whirlwind journey through anecdotes and routines, hitting punch lines that fly at you out of nowhere with military precision. At times you can’t even explain why you’re laughing or what you’re laughing at. As Tiernan says himself at the top of the show, at this point the audience will be wondering whether he’s brilliant or shit.

As a massive star in his native Ireland and a controversial figure with his outspoken beliefs and choice of subject matter, Tiernan has been on my list of ‘top stand-up comedians to see’ for years now alongside the likes of Billy Connolly, Bill Bailey and Daniel Kitson. And thankfully after tonight’s show, I can tick one more comic off the list.

Hailed as a superstar of comedy in many parts of the world, and having performed extensively in countries like Canada, Australia and Ireland, Tiernan has turned his back on arena level comedy in favour of more intimate rooms as apparent by the venues on this tour including tonight’s Stockton Arc show and a date at Newcastle’s Hyena Café last Thursday.

The comedian took to the stage in a low key manner, emerging from the darkness into the spotlight at 8pm without announcement. This understated opening held no forewarning of the unbelievably good night of comedy about to be performed to the Stockton crowd.

Many of Tiernan’s stories are based around his family and life as a touring comedian, among these anecdotal tales are impressive routines on religion, childhood, sex and the story behind Tiernan’s apparent ‘attack on the Jews’. After comments made in an interview about the Holocaust (which led to Tiernan’s face being printed on the front of the Jerusalem Times and the comedian receiving several death threats), it was obviously an issue he felt the need to address in his set.

True, Tiernan might not lead your average life and he may have had his fair share of success and exposure, but he underplays it drastically and seems happier about his family life in Galway with his wife and children than the fame and fortune that arose from being an internationally known stand-up comedian.

For my money, Crooked Man is the best comedy show I’ve been lucky enough to attend on Teesside, and I am constantly surprised by the level of solo shows hosted by the Stockton Arc venue. Long may they continue.

I’m happy to finally say I’ve ticked Tommy Tiernan off my list, and caught him on his long awaited UK tour. Now how about getting Billy Connolly to play some North East dates…

Tommy Tiernan: Crooked Man will be touring the UK and Republic of Ireland throughout November and December. Details for this tour can be found here.