Chris Kent: Time offline meant getting creative and staying away from toxic culture wars

'I went back to work during the pandemic as an electrician. It was probably one of the happiest periods I was ever doing comedy, because I didn't have the financial pressure'

Comedian Chris Kent: "You’re always kind of just waiting on a little break or a little phone call or a little email to say you’re on the TV show or you’re doing that. And then that sort of turned into, ‘You can do that yourself now on social media.’" Picture: Dan Linehan

A qualified electrician, Chris Kent knows a few things about getting people wired up. In his latest show, however, the Corkman is more focused on his own disconnection — specifically, from the internet.

The 41-year-old, from Knocknaheeny in Cork City, crafted Offline from an old idea, and one that likely has huge appeal to the smartphone-weary hordes now sinking in a sea of online vitriol and ambient, algorithmic rage.