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The irony of Ireland finally becoming a pro-choice nation just as the United States begins rolling back abortion rights for women has not been lost on Irish comedian Katie Boyle. Particularly as she found herself navigating the American citizenship web site in 2025, now with a “Make America Safe Again” box for her to click if she so chose to deport herself and abort her own citizenship process??!
The stark differences between Boyle’s homeland and her adopted one are brought to bear, as she recounts her relationship with an American and meeting his very Republican family in Arizona, who may have little in common with her Irish relatives. Boyle herself was the product of a one-night stand. Boyle’s father wound up meeting her stepmom by working on an abortion-rights case, and yet they’ve had four kids together.
Where does the “versus Katie” comes in? At least twice, as she tells us what it was like getting the Plan B pill in America at age 24, versus looking for the pill in Ireland at age 34. It wasn’t so easy, for a variety of reasons and complicating factors. But Boyle has no regrets. And where her life takes her from here is a bit up in the air, politically as well as personally and professionally.
But these things are certain. Boyle can handle whatever comes her way, even if it’s performing in the basement with rowdy bands and bar patrons threatening to interrupt her stories. And she shouldn’t be jealous of all of the Fringe shows that come complete with slides and videos. “Oh fuck. I only brought words,” she quips. Her words are plenty good enough!
Katie Boyle: Roe v. Wade versus Katie plays Monkey Barrel’s The Tron through Aug. 24, 2025.
