Entertainment

Nualas star Anne Gildea: Chris de Burgh appeared to me in a dream and said 'I'm God'

Brian Campbell puts artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week: Anne Gildea of comedy trio The Nualas

The Nualas will play Derry, Belfast and Armagh as part of their 18-date Irish tour
The Nualas will play Derry, Belfast and Armagh as part of their 18-date Irish tour The Nualas will play Derry, Belfast and Armagh as part of their 18-date Irish tour

1. When did you think about comedy as a career and what were your first steps into it?

'Career' is it? The Nualas is something we do like those people who walk tightropes over canyons, or juggle seven tennis racquets with their pants on fire – for the love, the passion, the financial absurdity. If we'd wanted 'careers' we would have been barristers or Ant and Dec or what have you. Our first foray into 'what is not our career, but our passion' was the Claremorrris Feis Ceoil.

2. Best gigs you've been to?

Claremorris Feis Ceoil ’87, ’88 and ‘89. If we say so ourselves, we were amazing, even if we were disqualified for: 1) The wrong squiggles on our jig dresses – 1987; 2) Inappropriate smirks on our faces during a ballad – 1988; 3) Juggling harps with our pants on fire – 1989.

3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?

The Corrs drummer on drums, Brian May on guitars and washboards, us on vocals and Adele on après-gig catering.

4. The record you'd take to a desert island?

A big inflatable one, with three paddles attached.

5. And the book?

101 easy castaway meals.

6. Favourite authors?

Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, EL James.

7. Pet hate?

Cat litter.

8. What s your favourite:

Dinner? Chops.

Dessert? Cake.

Drink? Tea.

9. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

Chris de Burgh. He appeared to us in a dream one night, said 'Let's get it on, I'm God'. He's had a very special place in all our subconsciousnesses since.

10. Is there a God?

See above.

The Nualas start their 18-date Glitterbomb tour of Ireland on Friday in Waterford, and take in the Derry Playhouse (February 20), Belfast Lyric (February 28) and Market Place Armagh (March 19). For all dates, see TheNualas.com