Tullamore funnyman hoping to take Edinburgh by storm
Thirty-year-old Shane Hughes from Tullamore explained that he “can’t really tell lies or jokes” in the same breath as outlining plans to to perform his show ‘Over the Influence’ in Edinburgh next month as part of the city’s renowned comedy festival.
“If I was to tell a joke nobody would laugh,” he explained, adding that his comedy is instead high energy honesty.
“I sort of just talk about myself,” he explains. “Life stories, and observations on life stories - all true stuff.”
Originally from Tullamore, Shane only returned to Offaly four years ago after spending 18 years in England with his family - parents Ann and Paul, brothers John and Mark and sister Debbie. The baby of the bunch, he says he’s “always liked making people laugh”.
The motivation to properly get into stand-up comedy came three and a half years ago, when he moved back to Tullamore and didn’t have a job.
“I knew nobody, so I had to start from scratch,” he explained. “I found an open mic night in Dublin, and started there on January 28 three years ago.”
Shane obviously has an aptitude for comedy, coming second in a competition the first time he tried stand-up, and winning the same competition twice since.
Those who know Shane from his work with The Carphone Warehouse in Tullamore will have to do without his phone advice for the next month, as Shane gives Edinburgh his all.
“It’s what I’ve been striving for,” he explained. “I didn’t want to do it until I was ready, but late last year I came up with the show, applied and got accepted for a solo show for the full length of the festival.”
Shane’s show ‘Over the Influence’ will show nightly at 8.20pm in Serenity Cafe in Edinburgh from August 2 until August 23.
“I’m going over there with no real goal,” he said. “The main thing I’m hoping to get from it is to improve. I’m going to be doing comedy at least an hour a day - everything is going to improve. That’s the thing I’m excited about.
“I’m just looking forward to going over now. I have excited nerves waking up and going to bed, but I’m looking forward to having that month away to work on comedy and nothing else.”