“I dabbled in it, and it became my life”, comedienne Katherine Lynch- who has a local connection- told the Limerick Post, paraphrasing her infinitely talented grand -uncle, Patrick Kavanagh.
The comic, who sounds nothing like her outlandish characters, is to kick off her tour in Limerick this November 14, in the company of Sheila Chic, Bernie Walsh and Liz Hurley, with promises of a night of laughter and crazy antics, to distract her audience from today’s stresses.
The tour, called Diddy Diddy Dongo, is named after the husband of one of her characters, ‘Umbongo Diddy Diddy Dongo’, and though Katherine confesses her alter-egos are not based on any specific individuals, she says: “They are inspired by various people she has met around the country”.
“Everyone knows someone like Liz Hurley”, she continues, “a typical country girl who still lives at home with the mammy, and is dedicated to coaching her beloved football team”.
But it is Katherine’s original creation, Bernie Walsh, who is her favourite character to play. “She is the kind of person you can bring anywhere”.
Katherine has a connection to Limerick, in that her late aunt, Sister Padraig, was a prominent member of the community.
“Sometimes I think its a good thing she hasn’t seen some of the antics my characters get up to, but seriously, I’m sure she’d be very proud and delighted for me”.
Katherine’s favourite comedian is Pat Shortt. “He is a great talent and such a sound guy”.
The Leitrim lass was discovered when her friend, and co-writer of all her material, Warren Meyler, entered her into the Alternative Miss Ireland competition, for which she took the crown.
“I didn’t know if I should enter because, as far as I knew, it was always men who entered the competition, but I thought ‘why not’. It led me into a whole subculture world that was new to me, and I loved it. As my grand-uncle, Patrick Kavanagh, would have said; ‘I dabbled in it, and it became my life'”.
Katherine became involved in cabaret, and was discovered by the producer of RTE’s Podge and Rodge show.
After having a cameo in the late night comedy “The Unbelievable Truth”, the comedienne was offered a series on the national station, entitled ‘Katherine Lynch’s Working Girls’.
She also went on to create ‘Wonderwomen’ and ‘An Audience with Katherine Lynch’, along with Warren Meyler.
Although her characters send up stereotypes of women from around the country, she promises that, in her debut performance in the Treaty city, she won’t “take the mick” out of the people of Limerick too much, though she may find inspiration for a new character…!
She will appear in UCH on November 14.
