one4review | On 07, Aug 2025

To say that Dan Tiernan is a comedian who stands out from the crowd would be something of an understatement! So much has been achieved in such a short space of time; 2022 British Comedian of the year and BBC New Comedy Award with his debut show in 2023.

Dan Tiernan is neurodivergent and has dyspraxia. This is a fact rather than a narrative.

The comedy is dark and edgy with very adult themes. It is also hilarious with Dan’s manic high octane style and delivery. He enters the stage to a crescendo of music and noise which is almost gladiatorial in style.

If there is a theme to the show, then it would have to be, drugs. Dan is not, by his own admission, an advert for partaking in mind altering drugs. They have definitely landed him in all manner of troubling situations.

We are told of an experience at Glastonbury which resulted in an epiphany and made him reflect on life and on how he should live it going forward.

Dan is masterful at ramping up the audience’s discomfort! Some of the topics are not for the faint hearted. In fact, if you are an audience member who fixes Dan’s stare. Then be afraid, be very afraid! Dan continues to terrify a number of audience members throughout, but always manages to somehow keep them on side when he lets his face relax into a grin.

Dan Tiernan is a brilliantly original performer, who despite a Live At the Apollo appearance, will never be mainstream. He is gloriously original and very charismatic. This is late night Fringe comedy at its best.

****1/2
Reviewed by Margot

Monkey Barrel 1
Until August 24th @ 22:25