Strabane musical comedian is ready to bring laughter to The Alley

Emer Maguire is something of a polymath. The Strabane woman is a presenter, event MC, TED Talk keynote speaker, science communicator, and – as anyone who has ever seen Emer live or listened to her album knows – a hilarious musical comedian.

In her act, Emer brings the worlds of music and comedy together, combining the two in a fantastically self-deprecating analysis of what it is like to walk through the world in her shoes – or, indeed, any shoes for that matter.

Earlier this month, the local woman launched an album titled ‘Rock Bottom Has A Trapdoor’, comprising of live performances of her ten most-loved songs.

The album opens with ‘Now That I’m 30’ – a comedic analysis of the discordance between Emer’s lived experience as a 30-year-old woman, and the story she was sold 14 years prior by the Scouting for Girl’s song, ‘She’s So Lovely’.

Determined to dispel the stereotype peddled by the early noughties pop-rock propagandists, Emer and her keyboard take five minutes setting the record straight.

Other clinkers on the album include ‘Socially Awkward’, ‘Death to Diets’, and, one that will resonate deeply with all those who long for life before the turn of the millennium, ‘Take Me Back To The ‘90s’.

Emer seems to be riding on the crest of a wave at the moment, and tickets for her live shows seldom go unsnatched for more than a day after release.

She has sold out the Ulster Hall, The MAC theatre – and a heap more places.

But, you do not have to a bonafide property owner in a big city to see Emer live.

No.

Because on January 28, Ms Maguire will be performing a homecoming gig in sweet Strabane – and its one that she said she cannot wait for.

“I’ve been on a great runm and the craic has been brilliant,” Emer told the Chronicle.

“People have really taken to this kind of biographical, observational musical comedy that I have gotten into.

“It’s great!”

“But, coming back to Strabane is something that gets me really excited,” she continued.

“Your hometown is where you get your sense of humour from, and I’ll always love where I’m from.

“I look forward to looking down and seeing my friends and family in the audience.

“See you soon, Strabane!”

You can listen to Emer’s new album on Spotify or Amazon. And I strongly recommend you do that.

Book tickets for Emer’s ‘Up To High Doh’ show via the Alley Theatre’s website.

Don’t just sit there… Get booking!