August is generally a month of relaxation and holidays to the sun but it certainly wasn't that for Patrick Monahan.

The Iranian-Irish comic, who was raised a Geordie, was probably the busiest stand up at this year's Edinburgh Festival, hosting two shows of his own and a late night performance.

"I've just finished a month there and have been working non-stop," he says.

"But it's fun and I enjoy it, it's not like it is hard work.

"I was doing an adult stand-up show, Cowboys and Iranians, which is the one I am bringing to the Clocktower, and also a story-telling show for kids.

"The latter one came about because I don't really swear in my shows and there are often a lot of families there and the audiences seemed be getting younger.

"I just thought it would nice to do a story-telling show for kids and it was really successful.

"Most of my stories are a bit like stand-up anyway and I have some good banter with the kids.

"I then got asked to do Late and Live too which is a show from 1am to 5am.

"The people that have hosted it in the past have done quite well since so I was an offer I couldn't really refuse.

"It was mad though because I was literally trying to sleep at every chance I got.

"The adult show was born out of this article in a woman's magazine about these women in their 80s who had been friends since they were kids.

"I just kind of thought I would like to find out who would be my friends when I am 80 and the show is based around that to a loose extent."

Monahan is well-known in the comedy world for working as a warm-up act on television shows such as Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, The IT Crowd, The Lenny Henry Show and currently The Paul O'Grady Show.

"It's totally different to stand-up," he says.

"You can do a couple of gags but you cannot go into long stories.

"Apart from a live show like Paul O'Grady where you know you have 15 minutes before and then three minutes in the ad breaks, you never really know if you are going to be on for a minute or 12 minutes.

"You just sort of end up messing about and having some banter."

Patrick Monahan, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, September 23, 8pm, £7.50. Call 020 8253 1030 or visit croydonclocktower.org.uk.