Michael McIntyre review: Cork welcomes 'Macnificent' comedian to the Marquee
Comedian Michael McIntyre on stage during his 'Macnificent' show at Live at the Marquee, Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson
After a season celebrating familiar faces and homegrown talent at this year’s Live at the Marquee, Cork welcomes an old friend to close out this year’s diverse festival in the iconic blue and yellow tent.
While it may have been a while since last performing here, Michael McIntyre needs no introduction, having already solidified himself as a household name.
Arguably one of the most successful comedians in the world, McIntyre holds the record for the highest-selling artist at London's 02, the UK's biggest arena, for 33 sold-out shows.
The comedian’s long-standing career spans over two decades and includes standout moments from Live at the Apollo and his namesake’s comedy roadshow, successful talk shows, and an extensive category of Netflix specials, making his return to Cork highly anticipated.
Following on from a series of high-profile comedians to garner laughs at this year’s festival — among them comedy veteran Dara Ó Briain, national treasure Tommy Tiernan, and local favourite Chris Kent — Michael McIntrye is arriving in style, with Friday night marking the first of three sold-out gigs for this highly acclaimed show, ‘Macnificent’.
Drawing in an audience of a certain vintage is a testament to a career spanning more than 20 years, while a notable minority of Gen Z show-goers speak to his enduring relevance and appeal to a younger crowd.
Opening the evening is UK-based rising star Jake Lambert, whose early comedy career was helped by appearances on McIntyre’s Big Show as well as his own well-received sets on Live at the Apollo.
His intellectual wit and skillful storytelling set the mood for the night, with a banter-filled love/hate riff with the crowd's older members adding further to excitement.
A laughter-packed 20 minutes featuring humorous ghost tales and awkward teenage memories is followed by a short interval before tonight’s main event graces the Marquee stage.
Having already performed to a sold-out 3Arena crowd in May last year, McIntrye has allowed for plenty of space for Ireland on his current world tour, with three Cork dates following on from two sold-out gigs in Killarney’s INEC and a further two full-houses in Galway’s Leisureland last March.
If that isn’t enough, the seasoned comic will return to Ireland once again in September for four more shows, two in the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre in Castlebar and another two in Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, tickets for which are already scarce.
But as he takes his first steps on the famous Cork stage, Friday’s sold-out marquee crowd let McIntyre know that he’s more than welcome on the Leeside, with a roaring cheer filling the tent.
McIntyre's prior memory of gigging in Cork remains fresh in the mind.
“A few years ago I played here, I pulled a muscle in front of all of you on stage,” the comedian reminisces to an attentive crowd.
But avoiding any major incidents this time round, McIntyre runs effortlessly through a perfected 90-minute show doing what he does best, garnering effortless laughs by applying belly-aching takes on everyday mundanities.
Humiliating airport stories and tales of misguided attempts to stay healthy ensure there is never a quiet moment, with McIntyre unafraid to play into the stereotypes associated with the local crowd.
“You’ve been amazing, Cork,” he says as the show closes.
“From the bottom of my heart, thanks a million.”
