A self-confessed “miserable old git” since the age of 23, Ed Byrne is now in his forties – and the comedian has embarked on a national tour to celebrate.
Following on from Crowd Pleaser and Different Class, the Irish comic has been performing on stages across the country since September in Roaring Forties, which takes a wry look at life as a middle-aged man.
The 41-year-old, a regular on TV panel shows such as Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You, visits the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage tomorrow (Friday) to share his everyday frustrations and what it means to be a father.
Speaking about the show, he said: “It’s about getting older, about being at an age where you are not really that old but no-one thinks you’re trendy anymore.
“It’s like a spring-clean of my life and I’ve come up with reasons why you can’t be my friend. There are seven billion people on the planet and I only have the time to be friends with 10 of them and so I have to choose carefully.
“It’s the little things that annoy me – people who don’t indicate on roundabouts, people who use the phrase, ‘touched a nerve there’, or ‘I’m just making conversation’...”
Looking back on his comedy career so far, Byrne added: “One thing that has changed is that I now don’t pretend to think something for the sake of a joke. I mean, there’s always comic exaggeration and embroidering a story to make it funnier, but it’s more true to my life now.
“I used to say I hated kids, for example, and it wasn’t true – I’ve always loved kids and wanted to have them, but that wouldn’t have fitted with the style of comic I was earlier in my career.
“I think being truthful makes it more chancy, but if I take an opinion and try to find a way to make it funny – even if people don’t agree with me – I think it pays off because audiences know what’s authentic.”
True to form, Roaring Forties starts at 8pm sharp, with latecomers not permitted.
Tickets for the show, which is suitable for those aged 12 over, cost £23.50. Call the theatre in Lytton Way on 01438 363200 or visit www.gordon-craig.co.uk to book.
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