By Julie Waters
HOMEGROWN comedian Dave Elliott is making a return to Portaferry’s Portico with his latest show ‘Obsessed’.
Having completed a successful run of United Kingdom dates, the Bangor comedian is looking forward to playing one of the biggest nights of his tour at the historic venue on Friday, October 2.
In his latest stand-up show Dave turns his attention to the petty annoyances, strange habits and completely unnecessary grudges that he simply cannot let go of.
It has been hailed as a sharp, personal and highly relatable hour from a comedian who can find ridiculousness in the smallest details of everyday life.
Sharing the inspiration behind his latest show, Dave said: “Obsessed is about all the tiny things we become completely consumed by: social media nonsense, getting older, family life and all the strange, unwritten rules of modern life that everybody follows without ever stopping to ask why. Then we get annoyed when someone else breaks them.
“The inspiration came from realising how much time I spend thinking about things that really don’t matter. I can let something incredibly minor annoy me for three full working days, so I thought I might as well turn that into a show and get paid for it. It’s the first time my inability to let things go has become a professional asset.
“It’s probably my most personal show, but also my most relatable. It’s very honest, occasionally a bit brutal and, in my opinion, the funniest show I’ve written. If you’ve ever become far too annoyed by something completely insignificant, you’ll feel right at home.”
Dave has been performing as a stand-up comedian for 14 years and explained what spurred him to pursue a career in the entertainment business.
“I started while I was still working in social housing and spent years fitting comedy around everything else,” he said. “I’ve been doing it full-time for four years now and, so far, I’m getting away with it.
“I’ve always loved making people laugh. At school, it was mostly a way of hiding the fact that I wasn’t the brightest, and I’m still using it as cover for being a bit dim. It’s a long- term strategy now.”
Looking back at the highlights of his career to date Dave said: “I’ve performed two solo shows at the Ulster Hall, become a regular at some of the biggest comedy clubs in the UK, supported Kevin Hart and acted in a scene with Hannah Waddingham (blink and you’ll miss me).
“Being brought into the Blue Lights team with the sole purpose of winning them a BAFTA was pretty special too. Some people even refer to me as Davy Day-Lewis now. Those people are me, but I’m hoping repetition will eventually make it official.”
Said Dave: “The biggest privilege, though, is having an audience who continue to come and see me.
“Comedy has also led to me becoming an ambassador for Action Mental Health, and that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of. It’s nice to be involved in something meaningful, especially when most of my working day is spent complaining about minor inconveniences.”
Dave is now looking forward to performing in front of a home crowd.
“I’ve performed at the Portico before, and I’m really looking forward to coming back. It’s one of the best venues in the country, if not the whole of the UK and Ireland. It’s such a unique place, and one of the most impressive rooms you’ll ever do stand-up in.
“It does make you feel a bit naughty though, because it’s a functioning church. I’m hoping it doesn’t affect my access to heaven or anything like that down the line. I’d hate to get to the pearly gates and be told nah on a technicality.
“It’s the only date I’m doing in the North Down and Ards area, therefore it’s the closest to home so I am calling it my home show – plus I’m never out of Exploris with the kids so it feels like home anyway.”
Said Dave: “I’ve loved taking this show on tour and have had brilliant nights in Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Liverpool. As much fun as they’ve been, nothing beats coming home.
“There’s something special about doing a local show and being back in your own bed afterwards.
“That’s when you know you’ve made it when the big shows end and you’re brushing your teeth in Bangor.”
Dave Elliott: Obsessed, will take place at The Portico of Ards, Portaferry, on Friday, October 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced £21 and are available on: https://www.porticoards.com/
