Deirdre O'Kane
Encyclopedia
Deirdre O'Kane originally from Drogheda
, County Louth
, Ireland, became a stand-up comic
in 1996 and got into the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards
of that year. She has played at the Edinburgh Festival
every year since including 2001 where she not only performed her own solo show, Deirdre O'Kane is Crystallized, but also the two-hander Tis Pity She's Anonymous. She has also played The Melbourne, Adelaide and Kilkenny Cat Laughs
Festivals and has toured the Middle East, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Prague, Brussels and London. O'Kane began her career as an actress and has played every major theatre in Ireland as well as touring in Australia, Canada and the UK. Leading roles include Mary in Juno and the Paycock
(National Theatre), Miss Funny in At the Black Pig's Dyke (Druid Theatre Co.
) and Daphne in Present Laughter (Gate Theatre).
Television credits include hosting the ten-part TV series of stand-up comedy and sketches called The Lounge (RTE
) which included guests such as Rich Hall
, Adam Hills
, Jeff Green
and Dara Ó Briain
. She also played the role of Fiona in Owen O'Neills sit-com The Fitz (BBC
).
In 2001 O'Kane (described in the Sunday Times as "absolutely superb") played the leading role of Helen in Paths to Freedom
, a six-part spoof-documentary for RTÉ/BBC Choice and starred in the RTÉ comedy series, Fergus's Wedding.
She portrayed the role of Noeleen in the 2003 motion picture Intermission
, directed by John Crowley.
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland, became a stand-up comic
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
in 1996 and got into the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards
BBC New Comedy Awards
The BBC New Comedy Awards first appeared in 1995 and were considered to be one of the top UK comedy newcomer awards until they were axed in 2006. It was announced in the summer of 2006 that they were being replaced by a nationwide talent hunt that places its emphasis on sketch writing and filmed...
of that year. She has played at the Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
every year since including 2001 where she not only performed her own solo show, Deirdre O'Kane is Crystallized, but also the two-hander Tis Pity She's Anonymous. She has also played The Melbourne, Adelaide and Kilkenny Cat Laughs
Cat Laughs
The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is a comedy festival held over the first weekend in June each year in Kilkenny, Ireland. It was founded in 1994 in response to the burgeoning wealth of Irish comic talent with no clear national outlet for expression...
Festivals and has toured the Middle East, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Prague, Brussels and London. O'Kane began her career as an actress and has played every major theatre in Ireland as well as touring in Australia, Canada and the UK. Leading roles include Mary in Juno and the Paycock
Juno and the Paycock
Juno and the Paycock is a play by Sean O'Casey, and one of the most highly regarded and oft-performed plays in Ireland. It was first staged at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1924...
(National Theatre), Miss Funny in At the Black Pig's Dyke (Druid Theatre Co.
Druid Theatre Company
The Druid Theatre Company, founded in Galway in 1975, was the first Irish professional theatre company to be established outside Dublin. The theatre company was founded by Garry Hynes, Marie Mullen and Mick Lally after the three had met and put on productions together while members of the...
) and Daphne in Present Laughter (Gate Theatre).
Television credits include hosting the ten-part TV series of stand-up comedy and sketches called The Lounge (RTE
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
) which included guests such as Rich Hall
Rich Hall
Richard "Rich" Hall is an American comedian, writer and musician.-Early life and career:Hall was born in Alexandria, Virginia and grew up in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He is part Cherokee Indian...
, Adam Hills
Adam Hills
Adam Hills is an Australian comedian and television presenter. He has appeared on Australian and British television and is best known for his role hosting the Australian ABC music trivia show Spicks and Specks...
, Jeff Green
Jeff Green (comedian)
Jeff Green is an English comedian and writer. He lives in Victoria, Australia with his wife and two children.- Stand-up :...
and Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain is an Irish stand-up comedian and television presenter, noted for hosting topical panel shows such as The Panel and Mock the Week....
. She also played the role of Fiona in Owen O'Neills sit-com The Fitz (BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
).
In 2001 O'Kane (described in the Sunday Times as "absolutely superb") played the leading role of Helen in Paths to Freedom
Paths to Freedom
Paths to Freedom was a popular comedy on the Irish television network RTÉ Two. The shows stars two characters, Jeremy and Rats , who have both recently been released from a Dublin prison...
, a six-part spoof-documentary for RTÉ/BBC Choice and starred in the RTÉ comedy series, Fergus's Wedding.
She portrayed the role of Noeleen in the 2003 motion picture Intermission
Intermission (film)
Intermission is a 2003 Irish comedy crime film directed by John Crowley which tells a story of a young couple and people surrounding them. The film is set in Dublin, Ireland and is filmed in a TV drama style with several storylines crossing over one another during the course of the film.Mark O'Rowe...
, directed by John Crowley.