ISMO LEIKOLA – The Finnish Comedian

He is from Finland and lives in Finland. He performs also in English.
He has done shows at the Edinburgh Fringe (reviews below) and lots of gigs at
various festivals and comedy clubs in different countries.

CONTACT

for gigs call +358 40 812 6557 / Janne Ruusuvaara

Ismo himself

“Leikola is a Scandinavian Mitch Hedberg; an oddball with a few extra twists.”
**** -The List

“An excellent ambassador for stand-up.”
**** -ThreeWeeks

“For a man speaking his second language, Ismo Leikola is uncannily incisive, charismatic and entertaining.”
**** -The Dubliner.

UPCOMING GIGS IN ENGLISH
oct 26, 2011 – Köln, Germany – Flanagan’s, Köln Comedy Festival
nov 17, 2011 – Helsinki, Finland – Apollo English Night

VIDEO CLIPS
‘Debt’ recorded in Stockholm, Sweden. Other clips in Dublin Ireland.

REVIEWS for Ismo’s show at the Edinburgh Fringe

Scandinavian quality.

How funny is observational comedy with a Finnish accent? Very funny,
actually. With comedy so low-key and off-the-wall it comes right out of
nowhere, his style is decidedly un-energetic, but with a priceless
delivery. Leikola is a Scandinavian Mitch Hedberg; an oddball with a few
extra twists.

**** The List (Issue 583) written by Carmody Wilson

Sometimes a language gap really aids communication; Ismo Leikola has
developed his slightly indistinct mumbling so that it includes the few
words needed to form a joke and no more; the audience is actively involved
in filling in the blanks and the jokes become that much more enjoyable.
That’s my theory anyway. It also helps that the writing is clever and
imaginative; his list of electronic things that wouldn’t work well with
petrol had the audience doubled up to the point of contortion. His rather
shy on-stage presence is endearing, but he is wary of interacting with his
audience, which is a shame, because from his first mumbled syllable he has
them in rapt attention. An excellent ambassador for stand-up.

tw rating: 4/5 ThreeWeeks

For a man speaking his second language, Ismo Leikola is uncannily
incisive, charismatic and entertaining. Somehow he turns the language
barrier to his advantage, hesitating – searching for the right word -
before hitting his audience between the eyes with an unusually sharp
observation. At one point he highlights the absurdity of having so many
comedians in one festival that no-one can get a decent audience. His mock
shambolic style is pulled off with charm and off-beat timing. Opening
material about Finland and its neighbours gives way to more universal
subjects. Throughout it all, Ismo’s honesty and gentle common-sense
perspective shine through. A truly winning performance.

4/5 The Dubliner