She’s the Queen of Ireland, her Noble Call ‘I check myself’ speech at the Abbey Theatre in 2014 broke the internet, her show RIOT is the jewel in the Tiger Dublin Fringe crown and she’s finally getting to use the name Pantisocracy (yes, it’s a real word: ‘a form of utopian social organization in which all are equal in social position and responsibility.’) for her new RTÉ Radio 1 programme - a late night cabaret of conversations with, and about, contemporary Ireland on Wednesday 13 September at 10pm.
This week, Ireland’s one of Ireland's favourite performers, activists, pub landladys, and, in her on words, “a national f**cking treasure”, tells us how she balances her mental life. It could only be the inimitable Panti Bliss.
1. Tell us about a typical working day for you, if you have such a thing as a typical day (If not, tell us about your last working day).
The nature of the work I do means I never have a "typical" day.
Yesterday, I woke up very early to do radio interviews with Australia because The Queen of Ireland is being released there this week. Then I had a meeting with the producer of Pantisocracy about recording the next episode, before going to the Mater hospital about my ankle, which I fractured recently during rehearsals (!). Then, I went to rehearsals for the rest of the day for Riot, the show I'm in during the Tiger Dublin Fringe.
2. What do you do in your down time?
I walk the dog and spend way too much time on the internet.
3. How important is down time to you?
Very. I have hermit tendencies and, after a while, if I don't get to spend some quiet time alone at home with the dog, I start to go crazy!
4. How much down time do you get & do you prioritise it?
If I'm touring or rehearsing it can be very hard to get any down time at all, but I always try to find time to just power about on my own, even if that means getting up an hour or two earlier than I need to. Or staying up much later than I should!
5. What do you do to unwind before bed?
I usually potter about on the internet or read. If I've come in from work late, as I often do, I find it impossible to get straight into bed. I need to wind down first.
6. What do you like to treat yourself with that’s ‘just for you’?
The Great British Bake Off! I find it very un-taxing and pleasant. Everybody is so "nice" and the dramas are small. And I love cake!
7. What are the signs that let you know it's time to slow down a bit or take a holiday?
If I go a long time without proper down time and a hectic schedule I start to have difficulty falling asleep, when I'm naturally a great sleeper.
8. Do you pay as much attention to your mental health as you do your physical health?
No. I'm pretty good about exercise and not eating too badly. Though I do find walking the dog a great way to mentally slow down, and thankfully the dog insists on being walked!
9. How important are diet and exercise to you when it comes to maintaining good mental health?
If I don't exercise for a while I start to get very wound up and more easily frustrated or stressed by small things. And if I'm, for example, touring and eating on the run a lot, or grabbing things in airports etc., I start to feel very lethargic and listless.
So I think diet and exercise are hugely important.
10. Do you have a 'calm down quick' tip?
Nothing clears my head quite like walking the dog, no matter what the weather.
Panti Bliss hosts Pantisocracy - a late night cabaret of conversations with, and about, contemporary Ireland on Wednesday 13 September at 10pm.
Riot by THISISPOPBABY runs for 11 nights at the Spiegeltent during the Tiger Dublin Fringe from the 14th to 25th September.
