ED Byrne was one of the hottest young stars of stand-up in the Nineties, when comedy was the new rock ‘n’ roll.

He became a regular on TV’s Mock The Week, co-presented Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure and follow-up Dara & Ed’s Road To Mandalay, and managed not to disgrace himself on Top Gear.

Now, with a 25-year comedy and TV career under his belt, the Irish comic is exploring the frustrations of middle age. His show If I’m Honest, heading for Bradford this month, digs deep into his sense of responsibility as a father, what it means to be a man in 2022, and whether he possesses any qualities whatsoever worth passing on to his two sons.

“I’m bored looking for stuff, because I can never find it and it is entirely my fault,” says Ed. “Nobody’s hiding my stuff from me. Although my wife did actually move my passport on one occasion.”

Now 50, Ed broke through in mid-1990s Lad Culture. He admits that if the times have changed, he’s changed with them. He reflects ruefully on one of his most well known jokes. “There’s an attitude towards Alanis Morrisette in the opening of one routine that I’m no longer comfortable with, where I call her a moaning cow...slagging off the lyrics of the song is fine, but there’s a tone in the preamble that I wouldn’t write today.”

Gender politics is something Ed readily engages with. “There are things where men get a raw deal,” he says. “We have higher suicide rates, and we tend not to do well in divorces, but representation in action movies is not something we have an issue with. It was Mad Max: Fury Road that kicked it all off, even though nobody complained about Ripley in Alien or Sarah Connor in Terminator 2. Of course, social media means this stuff gets broadcast far and wide in an instant, which emboldens people. The problem with men’s rights activists is that it’s not about speaking up for men’s rights, it’s about hating women. If you’re a men’s rights activist, you’re not going to care about the fact that there’s an all-female Ghostbusters remake. That’s nothing to do with men’s rights or female entitlement. That’s everything to do with being, well, a whiny baby.”

He adds: “I like to make a point, but the majority of stuff is just to get laughs. People who come to see me aren’t political activists, they’re regular folk. In between talking about your struggles with ageing, or discussing your hernia operation or whatever, you can toss in something that gives people pause as regards to how men should share the household chores.”

Age, it seems, hasn’t withered him. “You see comics my age and older still retaining a level of ‘cool’ and drawing a young crowd. I can’t deny I’m quite envious of that. But there’s something satisfying about your audience growing old with you.”

Ed Byrne is at St George’s Hall on Friday, May 27. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk

* PIONEERING theatre maker Balbir Singh has announced that the world premiere of his new dance collaboration will be at Kala Sangam on June 1. Bradford’s Balbir has collaborated with acclaimed dancer Sooraj Subramaniam on Reflections of an Indian Dancer, featuring three solo pieces in the classic traditions Subramaniam is trained in. Monologues accompanying the dance takes the audience into the performers’ world.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Balbir Singh’s new show is at Kala Sangam. Pic: Emma LedwidBalbir Singh’s new show is at Kala Sangam. Pic: Emma Ledwid

Says Balbir: “Reflections of an Indian Dancer has been a delightful adventure in the world of the literal with the exquisite writing of

Sooraj, whose script offers a unique insight into the thought processes that race through a dancer’s mind as he glides around the stage.”

Founded in Bradford, the Balbir Singh Dance Company fuses classical Indian and western contemporary dance. Trained in both, Balbir has created dance productions around the world. His choreography has been presented in swimming pools, ice rinks and woodlands, and at the 2012 London Olympics, as well as conventional stages.

* AT a Bronx church, progressive priest Father Flynn asks in his sermon: “What do you do if you’re not sure?” It is 1964 and things are changing, to the chagrin of Sister Aloysius. A terrible accusation has been made against Father Flynn and she decides the only way to get justice is to create it herself. As for the truth of the matter, Father Flynn says: “Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: L-R: Rachel Conyers (Sister Aloysius), Caroline Auty (Sister James) and David Kirk (Father Flynn) in Bingley Little Theatre’s production of Doubt: A Parable L-R: Rachel Conyers (Sister Aloysius), Caroline Auty (Sister James) and David Kirk (Father Flynn) in Bingley Little Theatre’s production of Doubt: A Parable

Bingley Little Theatre presents John Patrick Shanley’s powerful play Doubt: A Parable, which was an Oscar-nominated film starring Meryl Streep. Director of the BLT production is Deborah Mouat, who says:”This play asks us to challenge everything we’re told and question everything we see. At the end you’re left to make the decision yourself.” Doubt: A Parable runs at Bingley Arts Centre, May 23-28 at 7.30pm. Call (01274) 567983.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Marba Bell and David Kirk in Doubt: A Parable Marba Bell and David Kirk in Doubt: A Parable

* CHILDLIKE in innocence, grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered Creature is cast out by his horror-struck maker. In a cruel and hostile world, the friendless Creature becomes desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal.

Halifax Thespians’ production of Frankenstein, adapted from Mary Shelley’s gothic novel by Nick Dear, is a “humane, intelligent retelling of the original story which looks at the process in which a new life learns what it is to be human...”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: L-R: Sharon Kelly, Patrick Higgins, as the Creature, and Luke Beevers as Victor Frankenstein in Halifax Thespians’ production of gothic classic FrankensteinL-R: Sharon Kelly, Patrick Higgins, as the Creature, and Luke Beevers as Victor Frankenstein in Halifax Thespians’ production of gothic classic Frankenstein

Says director Mike Bellenie: “This story gives you everything from the original and more. Nick Dear has given the Creature a voice, allowing the audience to see the story through his eyes. Leaving the question, just who is the Monster?” Frankenstein runs from May 16-20 at Halifax Playhouse.

* BAT Out of Hell - featuring the legendary hits of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf - hits the highway to Bradford next month.

The show, at the Alhambra from June 7-11, brings to life Bat Out of Hell, one of the biggest-selling albums ever, selling over 50 million copies worldwide. Steinman later scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Martha Kirby and Glenn Adamson in Bat Out of Hell. Pic: Bradford Theatres Martha Kirby and Glenn Adamson in Bat Out of Hell. Pic: Bradford Theatres

The musical has much-loved songs from both albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as previously unreleased songs. It’s an “epic story of rebellious youth and passion” as Strat, immortal leader of The Lost, falls for Raven, daughter of tyrannical ruler Falco.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bat Out of Hell is roaring into Bradford. Pic: Chris DavisBat Out of Hell is roaring into Bradford. Pic: Chris Davis

The tour is dedicated to the memory of Jim Steinman, who died in 2021 and Meat Loaf who died in January.