Claire Corrigan is cuttin’ it rightly…

IN the world of comedy, creativity is currency, but you need to put in your fair share of hard work, too, if you are to distinguish yourself from the pack.

With so many comedians competing for so little opportunity, the crowd is dense, the competition is fierce, and the chance of ‘making it’ is slim.

However, every so often, somebody catches a break.

Recently, Loughmacrory woman, Clare Corrigan – the first and probably only exponent of so-called ‘female culchie comedy’ – caught her break when she had a short programme commissioned by the BBC.

The programme is called ‘How’s She Cuttin’, and it is now available on IPlayer.

“It is featured as part of iPlayer’s ‘Two Minute Masterpiece’ project, and it is a script I wrote about bagging yourself an unsuspecting farmer as a husband,” said Claire, who had just returned from an elbow-rubbing session with the channel’s top brass, in London.

“It is the perfect life hack for surviving the cost of living crisis.

“’How’s She Cuttin’’ provides some tips on how to go about it.”

It seems that, through a mix of talent, industriousness and sheer perseverance, Claire has finally got the comedy gatekeepers to answer the door to her.

Devoid of flies, Claire has affected a faux facade of cool, and calmly stepped inside.

“I am not getting my hopes up too much yet,” said Claire. “But there are three different producers looking to work with me on what I am doing next.”

One of these producers is based in Belfast, while the other two are in England and Dublin.

“Now, it is all about picking the right one; someone who understands the characters, and where I am coming from.”

Because, while Claire is grateful for the opportunity she has been afforded by the BBC, the host of Daly’s ‘Green Room Comedy Open Mic Night’ is not entirely satisfied with how the final film turned out.

“I loved how it looked,” said Claire. “The lighting was great, the camera work was perfect, but my mentor steered the script in a cruder direction than I initially intended, and I slightly regret allowing that to happen.”

However, despite Claire’s artistic angst about some of the more vulgar lines in the show, she is hopeful that what comes next will be more in keeping with her vision.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into my next piece of film,” said Claire, wringing her hands at the prospect.

“It will be hard work, but that is just part and parcel of it.”

In the meantime, you can find Claire hosting the final Green Room Open Mic Night of the summer on June 27, and you can also listen to her new ‘Shape of You’ podcast, which she co-hosts with another up-and-coming local comic, Charlotte Turnbull.