I WISH I WERE . . .

IN BERLIN, says Karen Egan

IN BERLIN, says Karen Egan

"I'd like to be eating some pfifferlinge (sautéed chanterelles) in Gugelhof, the Alsatian restaurant on Kollwitzstrasse in Prenzlauerberg, and sipping a chilled Riesling. I had the opportunity to work in the German capital earlier this summer and, apart from being a truly spectacular city, it is also the home of cabaret, so it was wonderful to visit the haunts of Brecht, Weill and Dietrich.

Every day on my way to work I cycled past Unter den Linden, a boulevard in the centre of Berlin famous for its linden trees, with a view of the Brandenburg Gate, and magnificent architecture on my left and right. The Berliner Dome, in particular, springs to mind. It's the perfect spot to sit and have a strawberry ice-cream, overlooking the River Spree. Just watch out for the wasps.

BUT I'M NOT . . .

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So, right now I'm preparing a last-minute lunch for six hungry musicians. I've just found out that Cian, my pianist, is allergic to wheat and Oleg, my violinist, is allergic to eggs, so I've opted for a plain bacon and avocado salad. As for the Riesling, I'll defer that until September 7th."

In conversation with Marie-Claire Digby

• Karen Egan performs La Charlatanneat the Hennessy Spiegeltent, Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2, next Sunday, on the second day of the Dublin Fringe Festival. Tickets: www.fringefest.com, tel: 1850-374643