2011 Edinburgh Fringe

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Keith Farnan has established himself as one of the Fringe's, and the circuit's, most thought-provoking stand-ups and this year's show, Money Money Money, will prove no exception. Taking a long hard look at our obsession with money, Keith explores Ireland's brief love affair with vast amounts of money and fiscal meltdown, and presents some cunning plans to repay the €85,000,000,000 Ireland now owes to Europe and the IMF. This may include hoodwinking Abba Fans into paying money to see a show that's not about Abba, but sounds like it might be.

In the past year, Keith has toured the major economic hotspots of the world; Switzerland, China, Greece, and obviously Ireland. He tried to get into Iceland but it was a bit volcano-ey that day. Looking at how the world went from simple bartering souls to credit loving quadzillionaires, Keith asks what the price of happiness and love is, and why can't we get a stock market going on emotions? Was Jesus a capitalist or a communist, and will we discover whether credit default swaps are really just financial swingers' parties? Most importantly he'll look at the devastating psychological effects money has had on the Irish psyche as it attempts to take itself, not just out of recession, but out of a depression as well. As we all know, there are no therapists in Ireland, only barmen. Even Freud said, "Psychoanalysis is of no benefit to the Irish." Keith might just prove him wrong.

Keith's previous shows, Sex Traffic (addressing women's rights), No Blacks. No Jews. No Dogs. No Irish. All Welcome (on racism and fascism) and Cruel and Unusual (about the Death Penalty) enjoyed sell out runs at the Fringe, and subsequently the West End, and in the past year Keith has seen his success expand when he was invited to perform on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow (BBC) last August and is currently filming an adaptation of his 2010 show, Sex Traffic, for Irish Television.

A former solicitor, Keith has the natural ability to delve into themes other comics may shy away from and it is this aptitude that is placing Keith in the lead of investigative comedians. He has been a regular guest on radio, both in Ireland and the UK, from BBC, RTE, Talk Sport, Today FM, Newstalk and all sorts of other warm and welcoming studios. His television credits include BBC 3's Most Annoying People, Dave's One Night Stand, Liffey Laughs (RTE), Michael McIntyre's Roadshow (BBC1) and he has written for and performed in The Insomniac Club for BBC Radio as well as appearing on Colin Murphy's Great Unanswered Questions(BBCNI).