Comedian Bernard Casey brings his show Local Gossip to Dublin’s Vicar St on Saturday, February 29th. We caught up with the funny man to discuss his viral videos, cheap props, and gigging outside of Ireland.
"It's a big notch for the comedic bedpost," says Bernard Casey, discussing his upcoming Vicar Street show.
Located in Dublin's city centre, the iconic venue is often seen as a benchmark for Irish comics who have seen the likes of Tommy Tiernan, Dylan Moran, Dara Ó Briain, and Deirdre O'Kane tread the boards before them.
"It is the pinnacle in the Irish comedy world," he continued. "I did the INEC before Christmas, I did two sold-out nights there, so hopefully that will stand to me, but it's a different room, a different audience and a different part of the country... I'm looking forward to the challenge."
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Unsurprisingly, the road to such a prestigious venue is no cakewalk. Having started in the UCC Comedy Society, the stand-up has spent years gigging his way across the country, working his way up the comedy chain from the Ha'penny Bridge Inn in Dublin to the Coco Club in Cork.
"My first gig was on Valentine's Day, actually, eight or nine years ago in a lecture theatre. We all had to do ten minutes and I don't remember anything of it, just the fear and the sweat coming out of my brow," he laughs.
To give himself a helping hand, and to keep up the skills he learned in the Gaiety School of Acting, Bernard began making sketch videos in 2013, finding the funny in everyday Irish life whether it be GAA stereotypes to the voice Irish Rail intercom.
Seven years later, it seems that his hobby has paid off.
With over 80,000 online followers and 10 million views, the Kerryman has acquired a loyal following thanks to his viral videos - the ones you've undoubtedly seen on Facebook like The Polish Barman and The Irish Listening Test - not to mention his popular characters, 'The Local Gossip' and 'The Nephew'.
"The Irish aural video was in 2016 and that brought me up, definitely up to Dublin, because it was everywhere - all of Ireland had done an Irish listening test," explains Bernard. "That video put me into a different realm of influence."
"I wouldn't be understood too well in Germany and places like that, I'd have to take the teeth out."
"The characters that I'm popular for now only came about in the last year and a half," he continues. "That's literally the backbone of my career at the moment."
That's right, folks. The backbone of this young's man career comes down to his imagination and a pair of Barratts Milk Teeth. And at 240 pieces for €13.99, it's turning out to be a cost-effective career move.
"These boyos are my breakfast, lunch, and dinner," he laughs.
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According to the comic, audiences of his upcoming show can expect to see The Nephew, The Local Gossip, The Polish Barman and The Dublin Taxi Man as well as straight stand-up and a spot of choice audience interaction. And although he acknowledges that his material won't travel too well, he says he's quite content to play on home ground.
"I wouldn't be understood too well in Germany and places like that, I'd have to take the teeth out," he smiles. "You can have material that is broader and, obviously, in time I might have to think about going over and doing gigs and stuff abroad - but I'm happy enough in Ireland for the moment."
Bernard Casey will bring Local Gossip to Vicar St on Saturday, February 29th. Tickets on sale now.
