Rachel Galvo – Mad Hatter Q&A: "Dresses are so easy because you don’t have to put together a whole outfit. Just remember to wear knickers"

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
Any of my exes... or Donald Trump. Can’t imagine he’d be great at charades.

Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
Beyoncé.

Favourite saying?
What’s the craic ladssss?

Favourite record?
Anything Mumford & Sons.

Favourite book?
101 Sex Positions To Try Before You Die.

Favourite film?
Anything Nancy Meyers. Just comfort films with high budgets and low stakes.

Favourite author?
Myself. You wouldn’t believe the stories I make up in my head.

Favourite actor / actress?
Olivia Coleman... What diversity!

Favourite musician?
Florence Welch is a genius. And Charli XCX is pretty cool.

Florence + The Machine at Malahide Castle in 2023

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
When I was 17, I did a production of Cats. I was in a skintight catsuit. About seven shows in, the seams at my crotch started to go. I had to finish a dance on stage with my whole arse hanging out.

Favourite food/drink/stimulant?
Coffee. Love it. Can’t get enough.

TV programme?
Only Murders In The Building.  

Favourite TV personality?
Oliver Putnam from Only Murders... I see a lot of myself in him. Extremely flamboyant and theatrical.

Oliver Putnam (played by Martin Short) in Only Murders In The Building

Favourite item of clothing?
Dresses are so easy because you don’t have to put together a whole outfit. Just remember to wear knickers.

Most desirable date?
I just came across KJ Apa on Instagram this morning... holy Christ. That’s not Archie from Riverdale anymore!

Favourite method of relaxation?
Walking around Dublin alone with a podcast. I need one hour of being alone and not speaking to anyone each day.

If you weren’t pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?
A lawyer. Towards the end of college, I became pretty serious about law. I actually got accepted into Law at Edinburgh Uni the day before I got into acting school.

Biggest thrill?
We’re just back from a girls’ trip in Portugal. We took one of those sea couches they attach to the back of the speed boat. It’s gas. You’re wetting yourselves laughing, but also wondering if you’ll make it out alive.

Biggest disappointment?
School. Nothing like Grease.

Your concept of heaven?
A world without war and oppression.

Your concept of hell?
An office job with no creativity.

What would be your dying words?
Peace out, bitchez. Party at my funeral.

If you weren’t a human being, which animal would you have chosen to be?
My friends and family always say I’m like a monkey. Cheeky and hyper.

If you were told that the world was ending tomorrow morning, how would you react/what would you do?
I’d probably have a panic attack, take a Xanax and cry in my mum’s arms.

Your nominee for the world’s best-dressed person?
My mum. She’s so fashionable, I’m not sure she owns a pair of sweats or jeans. I also love Helena Bonham Carter’s approach to dressing. She clearly doesn’t give a shit about current trends, but dresses for self-expression and I think that’s pretty sick.

Favourite term of abuse?
‘You feckin eejit’. Or ‘Jesus you look desperate’. My best friend Kate and I say that to each other after a heavy night out.

Biggest fear?
That lad in Harry Potter who had Voldemort living on the back of his head. Terrifying!

Humanity’s most useful invention?
Washing-up scrubbers that dispense soap for you. Class.

Rachel Galvo’s one-woman show The Shite Feminist comes to the the Academy on October 17 & 18, and the Ambassador Theatre from December 12-14.