AN ALCOHOL-FREE comedy night in Dublin dreamt up by an immigrant is gaining positive reviews.
Activist and broadcaster Dil Wickremasinghe – an Irish citizen who was born in Italy to Sri Lankan parents – is running the novel event at Accents coffee and tea lounge on Stephen Street Lower on the first Monday of every month.
Wickremasinghe said the event has been “really taking off” since its launch in September.
The comedy night has its origins in her ritual cup of coffee at Accents before heading to the Newstalk studio to broadcast Global Village on Saturdays. According to Wickremasinghe, she got talking to Accents proprietor Anna Young, who wanted to “give something back” to customers in respect of entertainment.
Wickremasinghe, who has gigged at a number of well-known comedy venues, suggested a regular comedy evening at which she is now MC.
She said the event is an ideal forum for lesser-known or would-be comedians, although more established names are also taking part.
Wickremasinghe said that feedback from participants suggests that the alcohol-free nature of the event is comforting rather than intimidating in that “as a performer you can indulge in a more cerebral comedy”.
She added that people from ethnic minority communities are especially welcome to get in touch, and that audiences thus far have comprised a sizeable minority of non-Irish people.
According to Anna Young of Accents, its premise is to be “a sober pub” and the comedy night fits into this ethos in terms of providing entertainment. Several acts take part each night, and proceedings run from 7pm to 9pm. The cover charge is €5.
For further information visit dwickremasinghe.ie or accentslounge.wordpress.com.
