Comedy: A Serious Business with Billy McGrath

Course Summary

This introductory course is focused on writing comedy for the stage (plays, stand-up, one-person shows) and screen (sitcoms, sketch, online, shorts and features).  Over the 6 weeks we focus on the varied uses of comedy styles, proven techniques and narrative devices you can import into your creative work. With printed examples, screen clips and live discussion/readings, the group explores the dramatic  world of the comic voice, character and style.

All participants are encouraged to prepare and submit a one-page dialogue scene/sketch/monologue or stand-up with a view to a group editing and rewriting exercise.

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to all things Comedy – the basic rules and tips of the trade. The beginnings and the rise of the comic voice (the clown) on TV, Radio, Stage and Screen.

Week 2:  From Bilko to Father Ted, Friends to The Office, Mrs Browns Boys to  MASH, we will explore the key ingredients of creating your characters and cast.

Week 3: Finding your own comic voice. Radio V Screen comedy;  mechanics of joke writing and the importance of creating ‘funny characters’ rather than ‘funny voices’.

Week 4: Shared work and readings. The importance of the ‘audience’ as  editor. Both as a live reaction and how your peers can have a positive input into improving your work.

Week 5:  How heightened emotions and dramatic drama can boost your comedy. We look at examples of ‘serious’ themes where a comedy boosted the final product.

Week 6:  Workshop group submissions and live performance/readings. Recap on the course and an outline of opportunities for Irish comedy writers in 2026.

(Note –session content may change according to group suggestions and feedback)

Course Outcomes

All participants will leave armed with the tools to explore their comic voice to re-appraise and improve their creative work.

Billy (Magra) McGrath is a pioneering force in Irish comedy and an award winning radio and TV producer/director.  He opened up Irelands 1^st stand up clubs in the early 80s and later developed, script-edited and produced 100s of hours of stage, radio and screen comedy plus co-managed the career of Perrier award winner Sean Hughes. He designed Comedy Workshops for Screen Ireland; European Comedy Producers (Rose D’Or) and The Entertainment Masterclass (Ire and UK). In 2000 Billy was appointed Commissioning Editor for RTE Entertainment before establishing Sideline Productions in 2004. See sideline.ie

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.