Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.
This month’s Comedian Of The Month is the ever articulate and artistically mature Eleanor Tiernan, a comic who is particularly recognisable on the stand up circuit as a result of her time spent supporting acts such as Tommy Tiernan, Stewart Lee, Reginald D Hunter, Ardal O’Hanlon and Jason Byrne. Irish comedian Eleanor Tiernan first began performing stand up in 2004; she starred in a play at the Edinburgh Festival in 2007 as well as performing solo stand up shows in later years, beginning with Irish American where she performed on a bill alongside American comic John F. O’Donnell.
Tiernan’s comedy is insightful and educational, and each performance has a rather sophisticated feel, reflected in the subject matter of the material: past shows have explored ideas such as feminism and national identity. Timing is clearly an important aspect of Eleanor Tiernan’s creative process and the swiftness of her material benefits as a result, with the comedian showing a successful balance of slightly awkward silences with a delightful, chatty demeanour.
Upon visiting her website I came across a very thoughtfully written FAQ page which is proof enough of this comedian’s refined writing skill and natural ability regarding the posing of insightful existential questions in relation to religion, comedy and general life-living, without appearing pretentious or presumptuous in her answers. Modesty is a virtue in this day and age, and it is refreshing to come across it in such an unassuming, endearing performer.
Eleanor has been performing her latest hour Don’t Cry For Me Eleanor Tiernan at the Edinburgh Festival and is continuing to travel around Ireland and the UK with her stand up.
For more information, visit Eleanor Tiernan’s website and follow her on Twitter.