Karen Koren: Late’n’Live finale to another Festival

Patrick Monahan opened the show and compered, he enjoyed a full house of jubilant, happy audience members.

Aisling Bea our Irish winner of So You Think You’re Funny performed a great set, after only having been doing stand-up for four months. We will all be seeing so much more of her in the future.

Marcel Lucant did especially well, he is a brilliant comic and stormed his set, as they say in the business.

Some great stars came to the Gilded Balloon over the Festival to experience what we had to offer. Hugh Grant was seen canoodling with a young lady who shall remain nameless, only because I have no idea who she was, otherwise I would name and shame and become a proper gossip columnist.

But it appears, even if I wanted to, I am not very good at recognising people.

Josh Hartnett was also seen enjoying a drink in the bar, but not knowing who he is, he made no impression. I was told later that he is a Hollywood actor. Of course he is, now that I have Googled him, I know exactly who he is.

I have to say that I do not get as excited as others when someone famous comes in to the Gilded Balloon. I mean, they are only human, aren’t they?

I remember a few years ago one of my staff heard that Tom Hanks was coming and she stood at the front door and waited until he arrived and she followed him in to the theatre.

His son was performing, and she sat behind him and photographed him and did not leave him until he left the premises.

Poor man, the price of fame.