Taking the mick - Bartlett isn’t even sorry

He’s been favourably compared to Billy Connolly, gone down a storm at the Edinburgh Fringe and earned himself a regular slot on a BBC panel show.

And he’s only 26. Micky Bartlett, who refers to himself proudly as an ‘honorary Derry man’ is one of the fastest rising stars on the comedy circuit and he is bringing his latest show ‘I’m Not Even Sorry’ to Strabane and Derry later this month.

Bartlett’s strength lies, according to a reviewer from Comedy bible ‘Chortle’ in his storytelling and observational humour.

Described as a “a stand-up natural with a great command of the audience and engaging everyman approach, full of verve”, Bartlett never shies away from the fact that it all began in Derry.

“I was studying at Magee when I decided to start messing about a bit with comedy. It was then that Eavan King (of King of Comedy Promotions) discovered me and offered to pay me actual money to do a gig at Masons.

“I then started MC’ing at the comedy club and it sort of took off from there.”

And it has taken off in style. Bartlett has earned himself a regular slot on the panel of BBC’s ‘Monumental’ and has supported Paddy Kielty at the Odyssey.

The success of his show at Edinburgh has further promoted his career - but he said even now he still gets “the fear” before a stand up gig.

“I always get nervous,” he said. “And I think it is healthier to be that way - it keeps you fresher. You don’t just go out and assume your act will go down well.

“Comedy is a great leveller. The night after I opened for Paddy Kielty in the Odyssey I came to Derry, to Masons and played in front of a gig of about nine people and died on my arse.”

But the show he is bringing to Derry has been tried and tested - so he’s fairly confident it will go down well with local audiences. His brand of humour is fairly irreverent in places but draws its biggest strengths from tales of his own life.

“It’s a move away from what dominated Northern Ireland comedy for so long - which was done to death,” he said. “But we have to be careful not to pack all those experiences away. It’s good to bring them back out and every now again when issues such as the ‘flegs’ kick off.”

For those looking to enjoy Micky’s brand of humour, he will play The Alley in Strabane on Saturday, September 13 and at the Playhouse in Derry on September 27.