D'Unbelievables

D'Unbelievables on another nationwide tour? So what did you expect, Broadway?

Well, yes as it happens. The two comedians are on tour at the moment but this time it is not with their own show. They are starring in the new Druid production of Martin McDonagh's play The Lonesome West. They play viciously bitter brothers locked in a sort of war of attrition.

Well, that doesn't sound like a laugh-a-minute, thigh-slapping night at the theatre.

You're missing the point. It's not comedy and Broadway could very well be on the cards. The director, Garry Hynes, has said there is already interest in the show from America where McDonagh's other play, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, is still packing 'em in.

And these are the guys who answer to the names Butty Brennan and Roundy Mooney?

Well, it's better than an air kiss at at a luvvie fest - and anyway that was in the Lotto ads, and for the sort of money the Lotto people spend on their advertising, I'm sure most performers would be willing to tap dance on their heads and be called Brenda.

By the way, what exactly are those ads about?

Haven't a clue, but then again only about 12 people in the entire country know the answer to that one. And they're the ones who already fully understand the rules of that 5,4,3,2,1 business.

But why get D'Unbelievables to do the ad?

The idea presumably is that if two terminally thick eejits can understand how to play the National Lottery's betting game, then anyone can.

The ads are hilarious though.

And they get funnier every time you see or hear them. A sure sign that D'Unbelievables, played to perfection by Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny, are excellent comedians.

So they're not just professional culchies then?

Oh dear. Spoken like a true Dub - the sort that barely suppresses a smirk every time a rural politician refers to one of his colleagues as a fellow "dippity" or talks about "millins" of pounds.

Well, D'Unbelievables are not exactly the usual type you find on the Irish comedy circuit.

True, they don't bang on about a spotty adolescence or ramble on about the Catholic church ruining their lives. No, D'Unbelievables put on hectic shows which take a sharply affectionate look at rural Ireland. They have a huge following and every time they take their shows anywhere - including Dublin - they're packed out.

Yes, but wait a minute, isn't audience participation one of the features of their shows?

Yes, but clearly they won't be holding one of their famous sandwich-making competitions on stage in their new venture. Martin McDonagh fans would hardly go for it.