RTÉ has announced that it will screen Dave Allen at Peace, a biopic starring Aidan Gillen as the legendary comedian Dave Allen, on RTÉ One on Easter Monday (2 April). Today, the first images of Aidan as Dave were released by RTÉ.
Dubliner Allen was one of the most popular but also controversial comedians of his time, enjoying a 40 year career. He died in March 2005.
Aidan Gillen will play the provocative godfather of modern stand-up, while comedian and RTÉ presenter Tommy Tiernan will play Dave’s father. Pauline McLynn and Ian McElhinney are also playing roles in the show. Other cast are Joanne Crawford (Line of Duty), Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones), Simon Day (The Fast Show) and Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet).
Dave Allen at Peace was commissioned by the BBC in association with RTÉ. Filming took place last year in Northern Ireland. Produced by Darlow Smithson Productions, the hour-long factual drama will focus on the controversial comedian’s forty-year career, from performing alongside his brother as a Butlin’s Redcoat to becoming one of Ireland and the UK’s comedy greats.
Written by Stephen Russell (Peaky Blinders), this film will explore how Dave’s comedy genius was shaped by the tragic loss of his father, his brother… and his finger. How he survived decades of the Catholic Church’s wrath, death threats from the IRA and a ban by Irish and Australian TV, only to have his television career end in controversy when he used the f-word in an innocuous joke.
The film will be structured in affectionate homage to Dave’s original television format. From his famous bar stool, the comic will reflect on his formative years and showbiz career. Flashbacks, some visualised as comedy sketches, will intercut his bar stool repartee bringing significant moments to life.
Dave Allen at Peace will air on RTÉ One on Monday 2 April at 9.30pm