THERE probably aren’t many people who could spin a positive out of being labelled a “Marxist, terrorist supporting scumbag”, but Tadhg Hickey has somehow managed.
The Cork comedian, 41, has named his latest tour after an insult which was hurled at him on Twitter/X.
“I was christened that by a troll on Twitter. That seems to be what you get called if you're partial to some leftist causes I suppose," Hickey told The National.
Ahead of his gig in Glasgow on Tuesday evening, the comic spoke about mixing politics and comedy, his views on Scottish independence and his new memoir on alcoholism.
The tour
Hickey’s videos on YouTube and TikTok – where he tackles topics like loyalism and the royal family – have racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
One particularly notable sketch is titled “Loyalism, but in a house share in Cork” and it sees the 41-year-old play the roles of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales as though they were all flatmates.
Like his videos, his new show puts the spotlight on political issues.
“There’s some straight-up stand-up observational comedy, probably a little bit darker than regular, some political satire and some music as well”, he explains.
Hickey continued: “We’re doing four original songs in and around the theme of colonialism or politics in Britain and Ireland.
“There’s one on racism as well. I feel like we’re taking the piss out of ourselves, we’re certainly taking the piss out the British establishment and the Irish establishment.
“It has something for everyone I think.”
Mixing politics and comedy
Politics is of great interest to Hickey (below) and it’s turned out to be something that’s helped him gain a number of opportunities.
But given how much politics leaves people feeling down these days, it can be difficult to keep audience engaged.
“You should just do what you know which is an old cliché but I was interested in politics and history but I used to keep them separate from my comedy”, he said.
“You have to be prepared if you venture into that area you might get some hate. People will disagree with you and give you hassle but that doesn’t bother me."
He also notes how Ireland has a history of taking difficult subjects and laughing at them.
“We have a history post-famine of satirising these things and we’ve got a history of great satirists so I’d like to think I’m playing a tiny part in that process.”
Views on Scottish independence
Hickey admits that he’s a keen supporter of Scottish independence. His gig comes just a day after the nine-year anniversary of the 2014 independence referendum.
He explained: “I’ve developed relationships and friendships with Scottish people over my career and they would remind me of my friends in the north of Ireland who would feel like the Tories are lurching further to the right and to their own self-interest with no regard for supporting Scottish needs or the needs of people in the north of Ireland.”
Hickey’s career doesn’t just revolve around comedy – he’s spoken at a Welsh nationalist rally and was invited to a Scottish economics conference in Dundee last year.
“All you see is underdevelopment. Things are devolved until it doesn’t suit the Tories and then the Tories do what they want”, he said.
“I’m from an Irish republican background so the idea of a republic of Scotland and a united Ireland is something I’d aspire to.
“Even on an economic ground it’s something I’d like to see. All the ideas there were dependent on independence so it’s always been my viewpoint that for social and political issues we need to think about unity first and foremost.
“I’m sure Scottish nationalists think the same – they need independence before they can make those changes.”
New memoir
Hickey is keeping himself busy as he recently released his new book – A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man.
He explained: “It’s a memoir about alcoholism. It’s basically all about my experiences of getting into heavy drinking and then my recovery from that.”
The book has been met with positive reviews and Hickey says he’s been heartened by some people saying it’s helping them on their own road to recovery.
Tadhg Hickey will be performing at Cottiers in Glasgow on September 19. Doors will open around 6pm for a 630 start and more information can be found HERE.
