Katie Boyle’s Edinburgh Fringe Debut Is A Comedic Journey Through Abortion, Identity, And Reproductive Rights

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Irish comedian Katie Boyle’s Edinburgh Fringe debut, Roe v. Wade versus Katie, is a sharp, heartfelt comedy show exploring abortion, identity, and reproductive rights as an Irish immigrant in Trump’s America.

Roe v. Wade versus Katie

Irish comedian Katie Boyle is set to make her Edinburgh Fringe debut with her bold and poignant show, Roe v. Wade versus Katie, running from July 31 to August 24, 2025, at Monkey Barrel – The Tron. This hour-long performance blends sharp humor with raw honesty, exploring womanhood, religion, abortion, and identity through the lens of an Irish immigrant in New York City. Boyle’s story navigates the shifting landscapes of reproductive rights in Ireland and the United States, delivering a narrative that is both deeply personal and politically charged.

A Tale of Two Countries: Abortion Rights in Ireland and the USA

Boyle’s life has been shaped by the contrasting trajectories of abortion rights in her home country of Ireland and her adopted home, the United States. When she left Ireland in 2014, abortion was illegal there, while the U.S. offered legal protections under Roe v. Wade. A decade later, Ireland has progressed toward legalizing abortion, while the U.S. has seen a rollback of reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade during the Trump presidency. This reversal left Boyle navigating a system where her bodily autonomy was increasingly restricted, a reality she confronts head-on in her show. Through humor and candor, she highlights how these shifts impact women, exposing the misinformation, stigma, and systemic barriers that persist in both nations.

Katie Boyle

Born in County Kildare, Ireland—home to Saint Brigid, a figure tied to the country’s first recorded abortion in 500 AD—Boyle grew up steeped in Ireland’s complex history of religion, patriarchy, and reproductive rights. Her father’s involvement in a landmark 1990s abortion case, which paved the way for legalization, and his meeting with her stepmother through that work, deeply influenced her perspective. Moving to New York in 2014, Boyle expected a more progressive environment, only to find herself caught in America’s culture wars. Her show weaves these experiences together, contrasting Ireland’s Catholic guilt and conservative roots with the challenges of navigating reproductive healthcare in a politically divided U.S.

At the heart of Roe v. Wade versus Katie is Boyle’s decision to terminate a pregnancy at age 34, during a time when abortion rights in the U.S. were under attack. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy from reconnecting with a childhood crush, she made a clear choice: she wasn’t ready to become a mother. Boyle shares the realities of this experience, from the failure of emergency contraception to the grueling process of accessing abortion care, including being unable to eat for 24 hours before the procedure. She also critiques the gaps in sex education and the stigma that surrounds abortion in both Ireland and the U.S., such as the invasive interviews required to obtain abortion pills in Ireland.

Humor with Heart: Blending Satire and Storytelling

Boyle’s comedic style is a potent mix of wit, vulnerability, and social commentary. She tackles heavy topics—Catholic guilt, gender politics, and the legacy of Ireland’s famine—with a lightness that makes her show both accessible and impactful. Her anecdotes, from navigating conservative in-laws to the absurdities of reproductive healthcare systems, resonate with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. By linking personal stories to broader themes of colonization, immigration, and women’s rights, Boyle creates a performance that is as informative as it is entertaining.

A Rising Star in Comedy

Katie Boyle is no stranger to the comedy scene. Based in New York City, she has built a strong following with her debut special, I’ll Do It Myself, which garnered over 500,000 YouTube views and topped the iTunes Comedy Charts. Her second special, Terapy, further solidified her reputation. A 2023 Just For Laughs New Face, Boyle has performed at major festivals like the New York Comedy Festival and Women in Comedy Festival, and she regularly sells out shows in the U.S. and Ireland. She also hosts The Shift, a popular podcast exploring sex and dating from an Irish perspective, and has been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, Irish Independent, and The Irish Times.

Why This Show Matters

Roe v. Wade versus Katie is more than a comedy show—it’s a fearless exploration of choice, identity, and resilience. Boyle’s willingness to share her story, coupled with her incisive humor, offers audiences a chance to reflect on the personal and political dimensions of reproductive rights. For anyone who has felt isolated in their choices or curious about the realities of abortion, this show is a powerful, laughter-filled reckoning.

Find more from Katie Boyle now:

Show:                          Katie Boyle: Roe v. Wade versus Katie

Dates:                          31^st July – 24^thAugust 

Time:                           10:05pm

Venue:                         Monkey Barrel – The Tron

Address:                      36-38 Blair Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QR

Price:                           £11/£12

Box Office:                 https://edfringe.com