*Graham Francis.
AN Seomra Spraoi is an independent comedy club set up by Irish comedian Cillian Mac Gabhann.
The club, originally set up in 2022, travels around the country bringing up-in-coming comedians to national stages while also creating a space for comedy as an entertainment platform in Irish towns that may not have an established comedy scene.
Speaking to The Clare Echo Cillian said “The show aims to bring comedy to towns that wouldn’t necessarily have a strong comedy scene, and also it allows smaller comedians to have a chance to perform outside of their usual venues.”
Each show has a variety of acts from different backgrounds and areas of the country. Cillian explained that when selecting his line-up he tries to pick comedians that are less well-known to give them a space to perform and grow their audience. “I try to stick to my principle that I am promoting comedy as entertainment and not a specific act”.
After starting out as a comedian himself, Cillain has moved into a mentorship role. Although he misses performing himself, he is happy to help comedians who are starting out on their journey and provide them with a space to perfect their skills in front of a live audience. “Comedy is an art and a craft in itself. It’s not just about being funny, you have to master timing, stage craft and stage presence, like a form of the arts like acting and playing music it takes time and practice.”
Cork based comedian Graham will be headlining the Friday night show. Graham started out his comedy career performing at open mic nights while travelling around Australia in 2019.
Unlike most comedians starting out Graham brought his jokes directly to large venues. Although it may have taken some time to settle into performing infront of large crowds, Graham found his way through the uncertainty of the beginning months of his career and has now found confidence in his comedic talents.
“The beginning is awful, when you get up on stage in front of a big crowd and you say something that you think is going to be funny and no one laughs. But after my first few shows I realised that literally no harm can come from a bad show, I’m never going to see these people again. It still sucks in the moment but you just learn to be okay with that feeling and try again the next time.
“I’ve been lucky that public speaking has never really frightened me so I have never felt a need to get rid of those jitters that others comics might have. I am at a place now where I know my routine and I comfortable with just being myself”.
After a successful sell-out show last year, An Seomra Spraoi will be returning to Clare with two nights of the “Ennis the Menace Comedy Show” in the Copper Jug. The shows will take place on Friday 28 March and Saturday 29 March. Each show will have a different line up of Irish comedians.
