Ardal O’Hanlon

From playing Dougal in Father Ted to appearing in Dr. Who to hosting doco’s to writing a novel, Ardal O’Hanlon wears many hats. In town for the Comedy Festival, we catch up with the Irish renaissance man.

It’s been three years since you were last in Melbourne. Anything you’re planning to see while you’re here?
Well, I’m a rugby fan so to see the Rebels, and an AFL game if I can. I think sport’s a great way of getting to know a city, though I prefer seeing games a local ovals where there’s a great sense of community. I’m also trying to catch Reggie Watts, a very funny man.

You do a lot of things: author, stand-up comedian, presenter, actor. Which do feel most affinity with?
All the things I’m interested in feed into each other, writing helps my stand-up, stand-up helps my acting, at least I hope so.
I don’t feel like I’ve mastered anything really. I suppose I just get bored easily and look for variety. I mean, I’d hate to be touring relentlessly, so it’s nice after taking a break to come to something like the Melbourne Comedy Festival and feel the buzz in the city.

What can audiences expect from your show?
Australian audiences are pretty much like Irish audiences, we both like to take the piss, so there’s quite a bit of that in there. But I guess if there’s a theme, it’s that even though the world seems a little grim at the moment, what with natural disasters and the like, it’s important to stay positive. Yes, my show is about staying positive, having a laugh.

Ardal O’Hanlon plays The Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston St, Melbourne
7.30pm Wed – Sat, 6.30pm Sun
Tickets: www.comedyfestival.com.au/2011/season/shows/ardal-o-hanlon