Patrick Kielty Help at The Dukes Lancaster Review
Patrick Kielty – Help
The Dukes, Lancaster
29 October 2015
Reviewed by Dotty Winters
Patrick Kielty has a problem: he is happy and it can’t last. Following an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Patrick is currently touring his show “Help”, about happiness, marriage and clashing cultures.
I saw the performance in Dukes Theatre, Lancaster – a lovely arts-centre style theatre. The purpose built theatre space was perfect for this show, and the auditorium was almost full, a great result for a mid-week performance. The theatre has a lively bar area which created a fantastic pre-show atmosphere, and whilst we didn’t eat in the bar, many others did and the food looked excellent. Located centrally in Lancaster the theatre is well signed and surrounded by good affordable parking.
Those more familiar with Patrick from his presenting work may not be aware what an accomplished and sharp comic he is. This show takes a tricky premise; Patrick himself acknowledges that people prefer comedians to be unhappy, and makes it charming and relatable. In less expert hands a show about the struggles of living in LA, being married to a beautiful and independently wealthy woman and having everything you could wish for would run the risk of alienating the audience. Patrick’s unaffected and self-aware schtick perfectly treads the line between acknowledging the absurdity of his situation, and tapping into a shared human fear that if things ARE going well it surely can’t last.
Live-TV experience really comes into play towards the end of the show; the finale is heavily based on audience interaction which is a strong-suit for Paddy. He is witty and unflappable, improvising strong laughs from the audience material and gently ribbing people without being cruel or picking on anyone. Expert ground-work earlier in the show meant that people were more than willing to join in, and no-one he spoke to seemed uncomfortable.
Special shout out to Patrick’s excellent tour support act Steve Bugeja who set the room up brilliantly at the start of the show, delivering great laughs with exceptionally clever and charmingly awkward material and some gentle audience interaction.
Overall this was a very funny, entertaining and effortless evening, full of laughs, charm and home truths. Catch it if you can!
Rating: 5/5 
Patrick Kielty is currently on tour with HELP, for more information and details of tour dates visit www.patrickkielty.com.
For other shows at The Dukes visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.
The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1QE | 01524 598500
