DEIRDRE O'KANE
“Dazzles the audience from start to finish” HHHH - The List
Deirdre O'Kane became a stand-up comic in 1996 and was in the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards of that year. She has played at the Edinburgh Festival every year since then as well as Montreal’s “Just For Laughs”, Melbourne, Adelaide and Kilkenny Festivals.
“Unique star quality” - The Guardian
EMI released DVDs of her stand-up shows “Live at the Olympia” and “Live at Vicar Street” in 2002 and 2004. She has also appeared on “The World Stands Up” (Paramount/Comedy Central)
She spent 2006 touring her latest show “Startled”.
“She won the audience over from the moment she opened her mouth” HHHH - Metro.
Deirdre began her career as an actress and has played every major theatre in Ireland as well as touring to Australia, Canada and the UK. Leading roles include Mary in Juno and the Paycock (The Abbey Theatre), Miss Funny in At the Black Pig's Dyke (Druid Theatre Co.) and Daphne in Present Laughter (Gate Theatre). Her most recent role was Jean in two sold-out runs of Dandelions at the Olympia in 2006.
“O’Kane is an instantly charismatic stage presence and her brand of day-to-day anarchism stormed the place” - Three Weeks Magazine.
Acting credits on television include The Clinic (RTE), Fergus’s Wedding (RTE), Paths To Freedom (RTE/BBC), and The Fitz (BBC).
She also hosted and co-wrote the 10-part series of stand-up and sketches The Lounge (RTE) which included guests such as Rich Hall, Phil Nicholl, Adam Hills, and Dara O'Briain.
“Absolutely Superb” – The Sunday Times
Deirdre’s feature film credits include: Frida in the BAFTA-nominated Festival (Film Four), Grace in Boy Eats Girl (Element Films) and Noeleen in Intermission (Company of Wolves).
“Deirdre O'Kane is most touching of all as a discarded wife making up for lost, libidinous time.” – The New Yorker