Words: Kiera Harper
4 Stars
Gearóid Farrelly’s No Pressure is a hilariously witty hour of stand up which explores the uneasy things in life and encourages audiences to embrace imperfection.
Upon entering the stage, Farrelly’s energy is already utterly electric. He starts by discussing all of the changes since his last time performing at the Fringe, most notably his experience on Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars. Although he refers to it almost as being conscripted, Farrelly expresses how his time dancing in the first same sex couple on the show made him embrace different aspects of himself, including the realisation that maybe he can be a sparkly gay and masculine at the same time. Farrelly’s storytelling and humour make experiences like being on a reality TV show relatable to a regular audience, and this relatability is only furthered later in the set when discussing his own life and recent ownership of his cat, Boots. The content surrounding his cat is the funniest part of the hour, with the way he discusses his reluctance to get a cat to his immediate love and eventual loss of Boots. He balances this incredibly well with a bit of dark humour which the audience loved and incredible comedic timing throughout the set.
No Pressure is evidence that Gearóid Farrelly is really great at his craft. With an engaging demeanour, ability to handle and redirect audience interruptions and excellent callbacks, he’s a comedian you’ll want to keep an eye out for, whether that’s on tour, on TV or back at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Gearóid Farrelly: No Pressure
Studio Five at Assembly George Square Studios
19:20
5th – 30th August (no performances on the 18th)