Funny man Dave Young Christmas Green Isle show

By Mary Dennehy

GROWING up in Walkinstown, Dave Young is continuing to crack people up with his crazy, off-the-wall, madcap comedy shows – which definitely don’t follow the norm.

While every comedian offers something different, they have their own brand of humour, most of them pretty much follow the same format when it comes to their live shows – dark stage, table with water, or beer, a mic and a suit.

Anybody who has seen Dave Young before will know that anything is possible, with the Walkinstown native putting on a show that you’ll never forget.

This reporter saw Dave Young perform in the nightclub of the Red Cow Hotel, then called Club Diva, a few years back and still remember Dave in a baby’s paddling pool, full of water and blow up crocodiles, doing his version of River Dance.

Dave is back in the area this December and staging six nights in the Green Isle Hotel, on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 – with a number of the shows already sold out.

Despite a hectic schedule, Dave, who is a really genuine, hardworking comedian, who has also appeared on TV, film and in theatre, took five to speak with The Echo.

Where did you grow up?

I came into the world in the usual way on the August 16 1969, same birthday as Madonna and the same day Elvis died. I was born a boy and as the years went on I got older. Dragged up in Walkinstown and currently living in Wicklow or as one fan put it “upper Tallaght!”

What’s the first joke you remember hearing that really made you laugh?

The midwife saying “is this a joke?”

Were you funny as a child? Did you like to perform?

I’m an only child, so I’m a natural performer… you kind of have to be cause although you get spoiled you also get the blame for everything.

When you have brothers and sisters you can say “it wasn’t me” but when you’re an only child you get asked about your movements the day the Pope was shot.

Were you inspired by any comedy greats growing up?

Never, I can’t stand comedians. The thought of sitting there and listening to some self-obsessed guy talk about himself for an hour would cure a house full of insomniacs.

What I do is different, I’m not a comedian…I’m Dave Young and that’s very different. You have to give your work a title, so I’m labelled a comedian, but for me it’s not work, its me doing what I love to do and I’m built to do it! I’m Dave Young that’s it.

On the road to comedy, did you have any other jobs?

I was a trainee gynaecologist looking for new openings, an incontinent trapeze artist, I used to warm up the crowd, and a professional cinema ticket tearer upper – my CV for that job was a bunch of confetti!

What made you take the plunge and take that step towards the stage?

It found me really. I think my parents could see that I had talent, whatever that is, and from there away I went and was a lead singer in a band to a magician, who thought Keith Barry, to now being….Dave Young.

How long have you been performing?

Since birth really… I did laugh when the midwife slapped my father for me being an ugly baby!

What inspires your material?

Life, nothing else. We all live on this beautiful big blue and green ball and there is nothing more interesting or funny than life (certainly beats the alternative…death).

Did anything make you laugh or inspire you today?

Well the whole American elections where quite amusing…imagine out of 380 million people it came down to them two.

You’re coming to the Green Isle this December with your Christmas Show, what can people expect?

To have the best night out they will have this year! We have the Adele and Pussycat Girls tribute bands, dancers, surprise guests and a whole lot of jokes to laugh off those after dinner bellies (all my humour is fat free). DJ The Big GR will also be on later.

This year my Christmas Show is the best one yet. We have a beautiful venue, a very very funny show, excellent singers and dancers and tasty food. I’m only [at the Green Isle] for six nights and already four of those are sold out.

If you want to give yourself a great night out with the only comedy….whoops nearly said it… the only Dave Young, then this is the place to be this December, all you have to do is sit back ,relax, loosen any protective clothing, cause you’re in for a great time! Ill see to it personally.

What do you love most about being a comedian?

Hey I’m not a comedian!! I’m Dave Young.

For more from Dave Young and tour dates visit www.DaveYoungLive.com