BEST MAN
Written by Mikey Fleming & Colman Hayes. Directed by Mikey Fleming. Performed by Colman Hayes.
Best Man is a new Irish comedy laughing at the tragedy of dating in your 30s.
Created by Mikey Fleming & Colman Hayes, two comedians who bonded over their storied history of failed relationships, all whilst watching every last one of their friends settle down.
They’ve transplanted all the worst aspects of themselves (and their dating habits) into Cathal, an eternally single man who’s struggling to come to terms with the choices that have left him in his mid 30s without any dating prospects.
The audience are about to see Cathal give a speech at the wedding of his last remaining single friend... what could possibly go wrong?
Why don't you want me to come to see your show?
I know you wouldn't like something this good. It's immersive, it's interactive, it's hilarious, it's touching - it's just not for you. Has anyone ever allowed you, as a comedian, to be a best man? Surely the risk is too great...Yes they have and yes they regretted that decision.
I was the best man for my brother's wedding where I pretty much roasted my immediate family...to the joy of my extended family. My mother's approach to freezing food was a particular highlight. Why would you bring an interactive show to the Fringe? Isn't that asking for trouble: the place is full of performers who want a piece of the spotlight.
Admittedly, it does run a slight risk, but a worthy one in that it adds an intensity and intimacy to the audience's experience. It's more that the audience are the wedding congregation - some playing the role of family members, etc. The joy is that you don't know who you might end up being. (I'm attempting to alleviate any anxious interested audience members.) I see you trained with Stoke theatre. Is that in Stoke? Did being there help you realise the truth of 'either you laugh, or you cry'?
Stoke Theatre is an Improv Theatre based in Dublin, Ireland and run by Kelly Shatter (a hilarious experienced Improviser). I've no idea why she called it Stoke Improv Theatre. Hold on, let me ask Kelly.
She said she called it Stoke Theatre because the play 'Best Man' is the greatest play of all time.
(not my words, hers...but never ask Kelly directly about this quote)
However, with 'Best Man' we do have that truth of 'either you laugh, or you cry' - at times veering from one to the other. It really is a hilarious, beautiful, touching play.
(I'd know, I'm in it)
You bonded over #failed relationships'. Isn't that just a necessary qualification for comedy?
That and a lonely childhood. Yeah, who would have thought that comedians would have terrible relationships? Myself and Mikey (co-writer & director) have an excessive library of failed relationships that helped inspire this play. Pair of us found ourselves in our mid-thirties, still single and still attending weddings - wondering what choices led us here? Best Man is an exploration, comedically, of those choices - all done via a wedding speech. So come watch a man spiral!
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