Neil Dougan is one of the strongest established acts on the UK and Irish comedy circuit today. After starting out at The Empire Comedy Club Neil is now a regular compere at The Laughter Lounge in Belfast.

A familiar face in comedy clubs throughout the UK and Ireland as well as on the corporate circuit where his mix of incisive political satire and acute comical observations on everyday life is in huge demand.

Neil’s writing credits include his very own comedy sitcom for radio ‘It’s not Brazil it’s Northern Ireland’.

His television appearances include:- The Blame Game, The Empire Laughs Back and BBC Northern Ireland’s One Night Stand. As well as performing his own one man show at The Glasgow and Edinburgh Comedy Festivals, Neil has also supported Patrick Kielty and Tommy Tiernan on tour.


THE SKINNY:
REVIEW BY SIMON FIELDING.
PUBLISHED 02 SEPTEMBER 2011

At the centre of Rough Rared lies a deep affection for Belfast. Deeply rooted in the manners, tensions and charms of that city, Neil Dougan sustains a well-balanced set on his Northern Irish background with fresh explorations of family life, health, sectarianism and Viagra.

How can toughness and tenderness co-exist in our closest relationships? This question underpins the most lucid material in the show, as Dougan probes the contradictions inherent in trying to enable his kids to cope in the world whilst maintaining fatherly concern. His straightforward knack of combining tough-minded observations with affectionate warmth releases a fizzing energy in the room as he riffs urgently on Facebook bullying and simple-minded religious fundamentalists. An excellent piece on the decorative idiosyncrasies of Belfast housing provides a key point in the set, with spirited quips on accents paving the way for a gripping finale.

Cumulating in a powerful closing section that steers a course between reflections on his Belfast council estate and the pitfalls of Viagra, Rough Rared is an honest, witty and very likeable hour of comedy.