My Weekend: Work, play, improv combine in weekends ahead for Wolfe

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work?

Declan (he/him). I identify as “A problem”. I have no shame and yet I am full of guilt and shame, I think this makes me very Irish. Catholic guilt threatened to consume me but now it’s just an echo in my head telling me to behave myself.

I grew up in Douglas during the era when the shopping centre had no roof and there was a big lump of dirt outside the library. I’m obsessed with Cork and I still live in the same area I grew up in, my business is there and so is my heart. Cork is the centre of the universe — don’t argue, it just is.

I love to tell people what to do, but I am incredibly lazy. This haphazard combination has led me to the perfect career choice of teaching drama and performing in pantomimes — places where people run around a lot, and make stuff up.

My sister Careen has been my lifelong champion, business partner, life coach, and best friend.

Being a complete spoofer, I learned to rely on my wits which in turn led me into the wonderful world of improvisation and making stuff up — then I turned it in a career.

I would describe myself as a delicate lilly who wasn’t really designed to work for a living. Being the idle rich is my life goal, I’m convinced I’m going to win the lotto.

My family would describe me as “the whiney one who is always sick”. I take everything seriously and I take nothing seriously — I am a walking contradiction.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I’m lucky enough to work with creative young people teaching them about drama and improvisation and don’t finish work until very late on a Friday.

However, if I wasn’t working, I’d have my closest friends call over for drinks, chats, food, music, and laughter.

The two are more similar than you might think — work and play can be the same thing. Every time I get to work with ‘The Improv Panto’ team it doesn’t feel like work at all.

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

Everybody knows that I am not a morning person. I’ve had to design my life that I work in the evenings. Unless I’m racing into Cork’s 96FM to chat with the amazing Elmarie and Conor on The Arts House on Sunday mornings.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Absolutely, when you take your passion and turn it into a career, work and play intermingle. The highlight of my weekend can be when my improv team suggests a rehearsal or attending a workshop to upskill.

I’ve never been good with boundaries or balance but I’m learning to be a better person and strike that balance. Spending time with improvisers will never disappoint you, the craic is always to be had.

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

I love the energy and creativity of London’s theatre scene, there’s always something new to see and discover. I’m lucky enough to have some fantastic friends who live there, and they never fail to make me laugh.

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

I lived and worked for many seasons as a singer in Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, Co Galway. It’s on the edge of the Burren and it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.

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

Yes, family is very important to me. My parents call in every Sunday after Mass and we have an enormous catch-up with cake and tea.

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

My biggest passion is improv and unscripted theatre. Sunday evenings is the time ‘The Improv Panto’ team put aside to run drills, rehearse, and perform — it is chaotic craic at its finest. I’m often in awe of my fellow players and their talent. The atmosphere they create is sensational, which perhaps is why the show has been so successful with audiences.

Laughter is like medicine, it rejuvenates the soul. We need more laughter and distraction to remind us of the good things in life.

Entertain or be entertained?

I love to have people in my home. As a younger man my house was the party spot for cast parties, New Year’s Eve, birthdays. Now I’ve gotten older and wiser, it’s more tea, cake, chats, and dinners.

I do a very good Blackforest gateaux — cake is king in my house.

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

Brunch is my favourite meal ever. The Bakestone Cafe in the Fota Retail Park never fails to deliver. The brownies in Lab 82 are out of this world. Tara’s Tea Room give an amazing welcome on a Sunday morning after The Arts House.

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

With my Improv Panto team, laughing, sharing stories, planning and creating divilment and mischief.

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

Urgh, mornings — but I must be up early to catch the latest podcast from Red Raw with the legendary Laura O’Mahony and Rob Heffernan.

Anything else you are up to right now?

I’m knee-deep in preparation for ‘The Improv Panto’ at Cork Opera House. Due to phenomenal demand and need for laughter we’ve extended the performance run after Christmas and as a result we added a few extra special surprises for our audiences this year.

Never been? Come take a wild ride that will leave you speechless but rolling in the aisles with laughter.

• Catch Declan Wolfe in ‘The Improv Panto’ at Cork Opera House on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28. Tickets: €25 (€21.50 student/OAP); groups of 20 or more €20; groups of 30 or more €18.50. Time: 10.30pm.
  Not suitable for children.