Deirdre O'Kane became a stand-up comic in 1996 and easily found her
way in to 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.
Deirdre 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)
and Daphne in Present Laughter (Gate Theatre).
Television credits include the leading role of Helen in Paths to
Freedom, a six-part spoof-documentary for RTE/BBC, and last year
Deirdre starred in the RTE comedy series, Fergus's Wedding. 2002
was an incredibly busy year for Deirdre. In July she appeared at the
Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, in August it was back to Edinburgh
with her second solo show. More rave reviews won the audience over from
the moment she opened her mouth. O¹Kane is an instantly charismatic
stage presence and her brand of day-to-day anarchism stormed the place.
September was filled playing the part of Noeleen in the feature film,
Intermission with Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meany and
Kelly McDonald – the film is due for release internationally later
this year.
Also in 2002, Deirdre toured extensively around Ireland with Pat Shortt
and released her debut video Deirdre O'Kane, Live At The Olympia.
This year she plans a nationwide tour, kicking off with six nights in
Vicar Street.