After social distancing for most of 2020 and 2021, the Give My Head Peace gang are delighted to return to the Ardhowen stage with a brand-new show on March 23 and 24.

Following their smash-hit, sold-out, riot-of-a-show in 2019, this one is sure to sell out faster than toilet rolls in 2020!

Featuring favourite characters from the hit TV show, as well as the usual topical Northern Ireland humour, the show includes up-to-the-minute satirical stand-up from the main man himself, Tim McGarry, plus – as expected – the odd song or two.

“We can’t wait to get back on stage after being rudely interrupted by Covid-19,” said Tim, explaining that the gang were in the middle of their 2020 tour when everything was shut down due to the pandemic.

Joining the Give My Head Peace gang on stage for the first time is the hilarious Ciaran Nolan, who has been making regular appearances on the TV show as Sandy, the Kneebreakers barman.

“We have all the main characters apart from poor old Uncle Andy – unfortunately, he can’t make it, but all the other main characters are there: Ma, Da, Cal, Billy the Peeler, Pastor Begbie, Dympna and we’ve got a new character; he’s been on the TV show a few times, Sandy, the Kneebreakers barman, who is played by a great actor called Ciaran Nolan,” Tim told The Impartial Reporter.

‘Family’

He added: “It’s like having the family back together that you haven’t seen in a couple of years, so the craic’s been great.”

Outlining what Ardhowen audiences can expect from the new show, Tim said: “There’s a lot of direct-to-audience stuff, a lot of stand-up jokes. There’s a few songs and a lot of topical humour and stuff. It really is a guaranteed night of laughter. We hit all the marks and we’re bang up to date.

“I do a stand-up [routine] and sometimes it’s changed the night before, or even on the day. You have the main characters from the show; there’s a bit of a plot, there’s a very stupid story with fun and laughs. For instance, we are making fun of the ‘Belfast’ film, where Da is doing his own version of Kenny Branagh’s film – which he thinks is a disgrace – so he wants to do his own version, called ‘West Belfast’,” revealed Tim. The show will also cover topical Northern Ireland issues in a humorous way.

“Pastor Begbie and his friend Sandy are very upset about the [Northern Ireland] Protocol so they are having their own protest,” he said, adding: “There’ll also be some stuff about the [upcoming Assembly] election because Da is a big Shinner.

“He’ll be urging the audience in Enniskillen to vote for Sinn Fein and make them all learn Irish as well, because he wants to be the new Irish language commissioner! It’s all sorts of stuff; just silly plotlines as well.”

Returning

Looking forward to returning to the Ardhowen at the end of March, Tim continued: “It’s just great to get back into the theatres again. We do tours every year, and the Ardhowen in particular is just one that we love doing. It’s a gorgeous wee space and the audience are right up close to you; it’s a lovely atmosphere.

“It’s been good to get the gang back together and just to get out there and make people laugh again,” he told this newspaper.

Give My Head Peace Live is a night of guaranteed laugh-out-loud comedy and a show definitely not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now and are available from the Ardhowen theatre box-office and website.