Underground Venues, Comedy
11 Jul, 7:15pm-8:15pm; 17 Jul, 8:45pm-9:45pm; 20 Jul, 10:45pm-11:45pm; 21 Jul, 10:00pm-11:00pm
Reviewed by Alice de Cent

Caimh McDonnell (if you wouldn’t know how to start pronouncing his first name, don’t worry, he’ll guide you through it) talks about social ineptitude – from his hatred of small talk, to how even his own hair is against him.

For a guy who says he struggles with conversation, McDonnell is pretty good company. With a natural charm and ability to engage with the audience, McDonnell is an entertaining storyteller.

The Art Of Conversation is a personal show, made up of anecdotes, warmly told. There aren’t many surprises here – but the laughs, though not explosive, come steadily, making for a solid hour of comedy.

But the show’s premise feels more like a jumping off point than an overarching theme. McDonnell’s style is relaxed and conversational, which can lean towards seeming a little haphazard. There’s room to work on more strongly tying the show together.

McDonnell isn’t breaking any new ground here, but The Art Of Conversation is an enjoyable hour with enough to send you away satisfied.