Comedy Lab - Channel 4

Interviews - John Colleary

My name is John Colleary and I started doing stand up comedy in March 2003 via the much-lauded and unstoppable medium that is Tony Ferns' 'battle of the axe' on Tuesday nights in the Ha'penny Inn on the cusp of Dublin's Temple Bar area.

By Christmas of that year I had begun hosting a monthly club in my hometown of Sligo. Since then it has expanded to include two more venues in Roscommon and Leitrim, all of which host the very best in comedy from Ireland and beyond.

My act relies on the observational, and this - coupled with some wicked mimicry - makes up the bulk of the show.

I travel extensively throughout Ireland, taking in the majority of the clubs on this nation's rapidly expanding comedy scene. I have performed at the Kilkenny Catlaughs comedy festival on three occasions, as well as two appearances in the Comedy Carnival at the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin.

I have performed at the Best of Irish at the Edinburgh Fringe twice and have performed in Holland once for a laugh (nobody laughed).

I do work frequently as a support act for some of the big acts in Ireland at the moment. These include Des Bishop, Neil Delamere, Colin Murphy to name a few.

I have a green VW Passat... It's a bit of a square but it likes open road. That is all.

What do you think your part is in the dynamic of Headwreckers?

I'm the one who tries to get everyone to agree on stuff but I'm also prone to some ridiculous outbursts as a result.

What's your hidden talent?

I haven't found it yet... It's very well hidden.

Did you always want to be a comedian?

I think so.

Did the writers' room style of Headwreckers provide more freedom when you were coming up with ideas for sketches?

Definitely.

What's your favourite sketch in Headwreckers and why?

I really like the 'bull mick' because it never fails to make me laugh.

How did you feel when you were told Headwreckers would become a Comedy Lab?