Pat Cahill @ Heroes Monkey Barrel
Pat Cahill goes fishing for laughs
Pat Cahill is tired of Edinburgh shows and longs for the peace and quiet he feels when sat by the side of a river looking to catch anything, even if that’s just some time to himself. Known for his surreal flights of fancy, Cahill here is more reserved. He sits at the front with his rod dangled into a bucket smiling serenely at the crowd as they filter in.
There’s no big introduction: he just wants to talk about fishing and the joy one can acquire without catching anything. Of course, old habits die hard. It isn’t long until Cahill pulls on a balaclava with dog ears and plays a canine with no want for delayed gratification – and the antsy side of Cahill’s split personality is released.
It is a manic hour that certainly peaks and troughs, some of the songs don’t entirely work but Cahill is contented and one musical ditty about Brexit is the best song you’ll hear all festival; it should really put the whole conversation to bed. The show has a catch and release feel rather than looking to reel in marlins off the back of a yacht, a knockabout time with friends as opposed to anything competitive. And sometimes that’s all you desire in a comedy show, and in life.