My Weekend: Even on days off I am up by 6am or 7am

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Irene Warren, and I am the founder and director of the Performers Academy Cork. I am currently in rehearsal for The Everyman Panto Beauty and The Beast where I play the role of Barbie, the Feather Duster. Beauty and The Beast opens on Saturday, December 2 and continues until January 14. Booking is on 021 4501673 or www.everymancork.com. An audience described performance and touch tour takes place on January 5.

I was born in Cork and Cork will always be my home, but I lived in London for 11 years.

I left home at 18 to join the cast of Les Miserables in London and the rest is history, I suppose. I spent much of my career working in the West End. I have performed in Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Starlight Express and many more. Starlight Express was all on roller skates so I may make an appearance on my skates as Barbie in Cork. I have performed in many productions in The Everyman and The Opera House, including Mary Magdelene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Maria in The Sound of Music, Kitty Kiernan in Michael Collins and a sell-out, one woman show Tell me on a Sunday.

My first panto gig was when I was 16 and played principal girl in Goldilocks.

I’m the youngest of five children and the only girl and my mum dressed me in ribbons and pigtails and frilly dresses and absolutely loved sending me to all my dance and drama classes as a kid. It’s kind of ironic really as I’m certainly not a girly girl and have a strong ‘tomboy’ streak.

My favourite gig to date is being a mum though, to my wonderful son Ben. We are besties and no matter how challenging a day has been, he is always the constant steady in my life.

Ben is now studying music on scholarship in Notre Dame, USA. I miss him but grateful we now live in the world of video calls. Ben is the son of the legendary Bryan Flynn so he couldn’t ever really escape music and theatre now, could he?

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

My ideal Friday night is probably PJs and a movie and winding down. Well obvious, after the wash goes on, the house is cleaned, and the food shop done.

Occasionally a dinner date with friends but it’s not always easy to fit these in.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

I am an early riser. Hate lying in as I always feel I have missed the best time of the day.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Even on days off (what actually are these?) I am always up by 6 or 7am. Work always creeps into my weekend! I am not sure if it ever doesn’t for anyone in the arts.

If I am not answering emails, then I am prepping for the week ahead.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Oh, I’m torn between London and New York … but definitely a big bustling city.

I am a city girl through and through. I tried living in the countryside once and although fab, definitely not for me.

I would bring my son as we have travelled so much together and he’s great company.

To be fair, he is also good on Google maps and I have a tendency to get lost.

So Ben for company and navigation.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

My favourite place to go to in Cork, is Garrettstown. I have so many memories of going there as a kid and I find it is my haven for recharging and re grounding.

When I have days that are overwhelming, I go there, and it reminds me of how far I’ve come and I’m doing just fine. I think, in this world, we all need places like that.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

I try my best to catch up with friends at the weekend as much as possible.

My job entails that I am always interacting with people so sometimes, I love just having time alone.

I think I am an introvert by nature, which is ironic for a performer, but I love just time on my own to take stock.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

On my odd time off, you could find me in some shamanic drum class or having a Reiki session and I love going to the gym or climbing some mountain.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

It would have to be entertained! I wouldn’t subject anyone to my cooking! I am a disaster in the kitchen. Signature dish…. porridge, only thing I don’t burn!

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

My favourite place to eat is Ecos in Douglas as it’s so close to where I live and always has great food and service.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Sunday night is sacred. It’s my calm before the storm. I usually have Pjs on and watch TV or a Netflix documentary.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

My alarm goes off at 5.45am on Monday morning…. and most mornings after that.

Bookings for the Everyman panto on

https://everymancork.com/