Festival bound director Ivo van Hove wins Tony Award
15 June 2016
The world’s best comedians take to the stage, giant insects roam the streets and rubbish becomes art at #GIAF16’s comedy and street theatre line-up
Comedy
World-renowned sketch superstars Pajama Men have been hailed by The Times as ‘one of the most dazzling displays of comedy theatre’. They’re bringing their outlandish characters to Galway in a blend of stand-up, sketch and improv on July 15. The weird and wonderful duo serve up adventure-story shows, seamlessly moving from one character to another to keep us surprised and side-splittingly entertained.
Two of the most sought after comics in Australia, Sammy J & Randy have gathered accolades from all over the world, from being handpicked to star in Neil Patrick Harris’ Just for Laughs TV Gala to performing at the Sydney Opera House. The charming Sammy J and his crude purple puppet Randy bounce perfectly off each other. If you’re partial to catchy songs, chaos onstage and some outburst of filth, you’ll love this pair.
Lunchtime laughs throughout the Festival come courtesy of Gerry Mallon, who hosts The Laughter Loft at The Kings Head. Where else would you find the cream of Irish comedy performing daily at this hour? The line-up includes Spencer Jones, Al Porter and Colm O'Regan, to name just a few. It changes every day, so come along and come again.
Street theatre
Invading the streets of Galway are Sarruga’s ‘Insects’ (sponsored by The Latin Quarter). Be prepared to be dazzled by fire-breathing insects, beautiful butterflies and giant dragons, accompanied by a soaring musical score as they travel from Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch.
If that’s not thrilling enough, Les P’Tits Bras’ circus show ‘The Scent of Sawdust’ performs heart-stopping acrobatics on an enormous art nouveaux structure, transporting us to the world of a 19th century circus right in the heart of Galway city.
Then there’s contemporary urban artist Francisco de Pájaro, who uses the rubbish on the streets to create striking art in some of the greatest cities in the world, from Barcelona to New York. Bin bags and broken furniture are transformed into monsters, animals and surreal creations. Sometimes controversial, always compelling, we can’t wait to see what he has in store for Galway.
