Image: BBC Press
By Jon Donnis
BBC Northern Ireland has commissioned five new comedy shorts, produced by Nice One Productions. The series will debut on October 7th, underscoring the broadcaster's commitment to fostering new talent in comedy writing, acting, and production. These eagerly anticipated shorts will be available on BBC iPlayer in their entirety from 6 a.m. on Monday, October 7th, and will air weekly on BBC One Northern Ireland, starting the same day at 11:35 p.m.
Here's a sneak peek at what each of these shorts has in store:
The Frick
The opening short, The Frick, revolves around Pepper, a woman from west Belfast who delivers Chinese food for a living. Things take a comedic turn when Pepper realizes her former best friend, Eve, has left her behind for a more posh, socially elite life. After some advice from her tough-love mother, Pepper decides to confront Eve at a dinner party in a hilarious attempt to mend their friendship – and to return a borrowed t-shirt.
Written by Claire Rafferty and Michael Elliott, The Frick promises a delightful combination of humor and heart. Claire Rafferty, Niamh McGrady, and Tracey Lynch star in this witty exploration of class dynamics and friendship mishaps.
The Spar
Next in the lineup is The Spar, which centers on two Belfast boxers, Tommy and Tyrone, who find themselves in financial trouble. In a bid to make quick money, their manager arranges a sparring match. Unfortunately for Tyrone, his opponent turns out to be a massive, seemingly unstoppable fighter. As chaos looms in the ring, Tommy devises a risky plan to earn the prize money and keep Tyrone out of the hospital.
Written by and starring Tommy McCarthy and Tyrone McKenna, this physical comedy taps into the competitive world of boxing while delivering plenty of laughs, with additional performances by Dan Gordon and Abdul Seesay.
How's She Cuttin'?
Set against the rural backdrop of Northern Ireland, How's She Cuttin'? Cattle Mart follows Claire, a single woman desperate for a date to her cousin's wedding. She hatches a plan to find the perfect farmer at a cattle mart, believing it's the best place to find a man. However, things quickly unravel as her wing-woman Charlotte fumbles, and Claire accidentally ends up bidding on livestock instead of making romantic advances.
Written by and starring Claire Corrigan, this comedy showcases her comedic timing alongside co-stars Charlotte Turnbull and Padraig Ryan in a fresh and humorous take on rural life and the complexities of dating.
Country Rogues
The fourth installment, Country Rogues, introduces the unlikely duo of cousins Caoimhe and Dara. Together, they form a mismatched country music band, each with their own personal quirks – Caoimhe suffers from stress-induced anxiety and an addiction to energy drinks, while Dara, who has Down's Syndrome, harbors a fondness for illegal fireworks. Despite their differences, they share one goal: to become Northern Ireland's next big country music stars. As they prepare for their first gig audition, chaos (and fireworks) inevitably ensue.
Written by Eoin Cleland and PJ Hart, Country Rogues delivers an unconventional and heartfelt story about chasing dreams. The short features a stellar cast, including Eimer Bailie, Chris Patrick Simpson, and Oscar-winner James Martin.
Lightbulb Moment
Rounding out the series is Lightbulb Moment, a comedy that takes a heartfelt dive into obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Bee, a young woman suffering from OCD, tells her disbelieving mother that her compulsions – performing actions in sets of four – are necessary to prevent her mother's death. In a comedic twist, her skeptical mother has a sudden change of heart and urges Bee to continue her rituals, demanding that she flicks the light switch one more time.
Written by and starring Bronagh Diamond, Lightbulb Moment touches on mental health with humor and sensitivity. Cathy Brennan-Bradley and Dan Gordon round out the cast in this poignant yet laugh-out-loud story about family, love, and compulsions.
The Future of Comedy in Northern Ireland
Chris Jones, Executive Producer at Nice One Productions, expressed excitement over the project, stating, "It's probably never been more challenging to be in the business of making new TV comedy – but with the new writing and performing talent in these shorts, I believe our producer Jason Butler has uncovered authentic and refreshingly funny local comedy gems for the future." He also acknowledged the vital support provided by BBC Northern Ireland, the BBC Small Indie Fund for Comedy, and Northern Ireland Screen in bringing these comedic visions to life.
The five shorts highlight the rich comedic landscape emerging from Northern Ireland and promise to offer audiences a diverse range of stories filled with wit, charm, and local flavor. As the series launches, BBC Northern Ireland is setting the stage for the next generation of comedians, actors, and writers to shine on screen.
With new, relatable characters and unique, locally rooted stories, this series of comedy shorts is poised to make its mark, offering laughs, thought-provoking moments, and a refreshing perspective on contemporary life in Northern Ireland. Make sure to tune in to catch these original comedies starting October 7th!
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