Think new, Irish female comedians and one name comes to mind: Aisling Bea.
This over-achiever is not only a classically-trained actor, she is also the first woman to win the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny? competition in 20 years and is co-writing a film called Beachslap, which has been commissioned by the Irish Film Board .
Better still, she’s a big fan of avocados so we felt we had a lot in common and decided to have a quick chat.
Tell us one surprising thing about you.
I had a surprise line dancing birthday party when I was nine, with a teacher from the line dancing school that Colin Farrell worked for. We can’t remember the teacher’s name, but the family legend remains that it was Colin who drove to Kildare to do it.
What is the most embarrassing thing that you’ve ever done?
I was recently trying to set up my friend with a new friend I’d made and I sent the text saying “balls, think he has a girlfriend, check out his Instagram”… but I sent it to him. BLEEDIN’ SCARLET!
If you could delete someone’s entire existence, who would it be?
Probably some morality lacking lad high up in the pharmaceuticals industry, turning keeping people unwell into the biggest business in the world. Don’t know the guy’s name.
Which trait do you most love and hate about yourself?
I hate my chronic procrastination and I’ll get round to what I love most in a bit.
Who would be your four perfect dinner party guests?
Stephen Fry, Jo Brand, Bosco and Gay Byrne.
What’s the worst chat-up line that you’ve ever used?
“Here young fella, have you seen the size of me gee?”
What is your favourite biscuit and why?
A Bourbon Cream, makes you look classy as hell.
Which Irish celebrity do you secretly fancy?
Bosco.
If you could live in any era, which one would you choose and why?
Maybe in the 1990s before I got a mobile phone and Christina Aguilera’s Dirrrrty came out? I liked things as they were before texting and chaps.
Dogs or cats?
Dawgs.
If you were to take the Her.ie team for dinner, where would we go?
No way. How many of you are there? Is this some kind of trick?
Aisling Bea joins a host of top comedians at the Vodafone Comedy Festival in the Iveagh Gardens next weekend, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July. For more information and tickets, click here.
