Comedian Diane to bring breastfeeding comedy to Axis Centre
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A COMEDIAN, who got her first taste of being onstage when she was a member of Tallaght Youth Theatre, will be detailing the trials and tribulations of being a first-time mother who breastfeeds in her solo stand-up show ‘Breastfeeding Alfresco’ in the Axis Centre in Ballymun this March.
Firhouse woman Diane O’Connor gave birth to her daughter 18 months ago, and found comedic inspiration in the awkward and amusing situations she found herself in while breastfeeding.
Prior to this, Diane performed her well-received debut comedy show ‘Pregnant and Standing’ while she was heavily pregnant, taking a light-hearted look at the experience of being an expectant mother.
While the past pupil of Firhouse Community College has found a wealth of comedic inspiration in motherhood, she has been performing stand-up since 2012 and her passion for comedy was developed when she did improvisation as a teenager as part of Tallaght Youth Theatre.
Diane told The Echo: “Being in Tallaght Youth Theatre gave me my first taste of being onstage, the improvisation I did there then led to me doing stand-up comedy.
“It was such a confidence builder, and it was amazing for things like personal development.”
The comedian, who has previously performed in Smock Alley, Whelan’s and The Workman’s Club, takes an observational and anecdotal approach to her comedy, and in a bid to make her shows as accessible to parents as possible, children under two-years-old are welcome to sit on their parents’ laps during her performance.
Diane said: “I’m a part of the Mothers Artists Makers group, which is for mothers who are artists.
“We advocate for child-friendly events, whether it be a show where children are welcome or where childcare is available on site, we want to make it accessible to families.”
Diane said that the audience can expect an “honest and humorous account of breastfeeding”.
Describing a funny moment when she was feeding her daughter, Diane said: “My daughter has been doing great on her animal noises, she can bark at a dog, meow at a cat and the other day when I was feeding she mooed at me.
“I’m not sure if she understood the connection but needless to say I was very proud of her comic timing!”
Diane added that she ultimately hopes that people who come to see the show will feel more comfortable about talking about breastfeeding and being around mothers when they’re breastfeeding.
‘Breastfeeding Alfresco (And Other Adventures)’ will be held in Axis Ballymun on Thursday March 15 at 11am and 8pm, tickets are €12 or €10 concession and you can purchase tickets online at www.axisballymun.ie.
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