Teesside's rising start of stand-up Patrick Monahan is looking forward to a big tour finale at Middlesbrough

PATRICK Monahan has already played an incredible 180 gigs all over the world so far this year, but the Teesside funnyman still reckons his homecoming gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt, on Saturday, June 13, is going to be his favourite night of the year.

“It’s been a hectic year so far,” says Monahan, who grew up in Redcar and Stokesley. “I started off playing seven gigs around London on New Year’s Eve and it’s just cracked on from there.”

Being busy comes naturally for the stand-up, who won ITV’s Show Me The Funny in 2011. Last year saw him hit the small screen again when he appeared alongside Dame Edna Everage on Celebrity Squares.

Now he’s looking forward to ending his current tour back on Teesside. “It’s the last date of the tour, and the best as far as I’m concerned,” he says. “It’s great to finish up at the Town Hall, and we always end up with loads of people back round a friend’s house to help make a real night of it. We're coking and chatting long into the night.”

His show Adventures in Monahan Land is packed with tales of everything from growing up on Teesside to stories about his travels on the road.

“There’s some great tips on how to blag your way into a house party, and dancing. You can expect plenty of dancing,” Monahan jokes.

Having tailored his act for the far-flung hotspots of Egypt, Turkey, Dubai, Bahrain and Costa Rica, Monahan is sure he's got a family-friendly formula.

“It’s great for adults obviously, but parents who fancy bringing their 14 or 15 year olds can also have a top night out and save a fortune a babysitters. And I love the fact that I can play anywhere in the world, talk about Redcar, Boro, Stockton or anywhere else on Teesside and it always goes down a storm. You mention where you’re from and it’s all ‘Juninho, Juninho’ – it’s the first thing you hear. So, yeah, it’s great to be able to play all over the world, but I can’t wait to be back on home turf,” Monahan says.

  • Patrick Monahan: Adventures in Monahan Land. Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt. Saturday, June 13. 8pm. Age: 14+. Tickets: £14/£12 concs. Box Office: 01642-729729 or middlesbroughtownhallonline.co.uk