A quick-fire questionnaire with the camp comedy queen, June Rodgers.

Hi June! Of all the characters you’ve played over the years, which is your favourite and why?

It would be the first character I ever played, which is the child
character whose nemesis is that wagon, Jacinta O’Brien. It’s the
character that started my career and the reason people took her to
their hearts is that they could relate to her. I think there’s a
Jacinta O’Brien in everyone’s life!

Tell us something about June Rodgers that nobody knows.

I won the Miss Tallaght pageant in 1978! I was the only one who entered the swimwear
 competition.

Name five famous people, living or dead, that you would invite to a dinner party.

Mahatma Gandhi, the Dali Lama, Kate Moss, Mother Theresa and Ryan
Turbidy. None of them eat a lot, so it would be a cheap night.

Who is your favourite female comedian of all time?

I would have to say Lucille Ball (showing my age here!). She was one
of the first ballsy comedians on our screens at a time when women were
portrayed as demure and ladylike. I still laugh at the chocolate
factory sketch. If you haven’t seen it, Google it!

Who would play you in your Hollywood biopic?

It would have to be Cameron Diaz. We have the same body shape.

If the world was ending tomorrow, what would you do today?

Keep setting the clock back 24 hours!

If you weren’t a performer, what would you be doing?

I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m lucky enough to love what I do and it never
feels like work to me. Having said that, I always fancied myself as a professional
skier.

What’s your proudest moment?

I suppose being asked to be godmother to my niece, Karen. My three
nieces are a huge part of my life and I have watched them grow up. Now Karen has children of her own and I get to repeat the cycle again.

Why should the gays see your new show?

Because it funny, entertaining, colourful and fresh and, of course, camp
in places! I have a big gay following, and I really appreciate all the support!

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June Rodgers and her wonderful cast, featuring all her hit characters will embark on her first ever Nationwide Tour starting in Waterford on June 6 and continuing to Glor in Ennis, Cork Opera House, Galway Town Hall, Mullingar Arts Centre, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (June 14), and finishing in Limerick on June 15. Click here for booking.