EDINBURGH (Sputnik), Mark Hirst — One of Ireland's best known personalities, stand-up comedian Tommy Tiernan told Sputnik Friday his decision to perform in Moscow later this month was inspired by his appreciation of Russian cinema and a sense of "huge affection" for Russia.
The award-winning comedian who has previously won "Best Stand-Up" at the British Comedy Awards and also the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh International Fridge Festival is set to perform live at the Central House of Actors in Moscow on March 21.
"In the same way people might come to Ireland because of the music or literature, my connection to Russia is cinematic," Tiernan told Sputnik. "I am genuinely excited about going over and it is with huge affection that I travel."
Tiernan added that he has no specific expectations of the Russian audience, but is a huge fan of Russian cinema. "I tried very hard to get into [Andrei] Tarkovsky in my early thirties and was unable to. But now in my mid-40s he is so important to me as a filmmaker. I'm also a huge fan of modern Russian cinema," Tiernan said.
Tiernan told Sputnik some commentators had expressed surprise and concern at his decision to perform in Russia at a time of increased political tensions between East and West, something the comic dismisses.
"A few people have said, 'oh my God, is that safe?' But I'm speaking to you in Belfast and people used to be afraid of coming to Ireland because of the Troubles in Belfast. But when you are here it is very easy to avoid trouble… I have no concerns about that at all," Tiernan said.
Tiernan added that he was not sure how Muscovites might react to his brand of comedy but told Sputnik, ironically, he was attracted by the seriousness of Russian culture.
"I still don't know what the Russian sense of humour is. The filmmakers and movies that I mentioned are not really full of jokes," Tiernan said. "What I enjoy about Russian culture is the seriousness of it. But I wouldn't be familiar at all with Russian comedy."
But the comic is aware of Russia's emerging stand-up comedy scene and hopes Russian comics might someday be inspired to travel to Ireland and the UK to perform.
