Having worked with Disney in Florida - one of the most successful entertainment companies in the world - I saw the business behind the magic first-hand. They are running a lean, cost-efficient business. They are the performers and they are also their own managers and agents. They write all their own funny and very intelligent material. Their show is made up of a series of sketches with gags every 20 seconds. They formed The DirtBirds just over a year ago and, already, are making a great name for themselves across Ireland. Some of that material has even made its way to the BBC. Sinead Culbert and Sue Collins have been working together writing comedy for 10 years. And guess who was brought up on stage to help with injecting botox into a facial crevasse? I may be the Change Agent, but seriously? The DirtBirds took us on a rip-roaring 'p***-take' of the beauty industry, yummy mummies and so on. I don't think I have ever laughed as much in one evening. They have products or services to sell, customers to please, distribution channels to consider, overheads to pay and profit and loss accounts to manage.Ī few weeks ago, I was invited to an evening in the Viking Theatre in Dublin's Clontarf. They too are self-employed business owners that have to earn a living.

We are regularly seduced by the famous A-listers such as the Hollywood set, global brands like U2 and writers like Cathy Kelly who have made it big in terms of fame and money.īut spare a thought for the millions of other artists around the world who have chosen sport, entertainment and the arts as a way of life.

Actors, artists, athletes, musicians, performers and writers know well that 'there is no business like showbusiness'.

Female comedy actors