A genuinely unique artist in the world of Irish theatre, Eimer Murphy is one of the truly unsung heroes of the Abbey. Here we talk about growing up in the USA, the transition back to rural Tipperary, trying to make it in the Film industry, touring the world with Barabbas, and being in America with Riverdance on September 11th 2001. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 12 – Enjoy!
Episode 11: Marion O'Dwyer
One of our very finest actors, over a glittering career Marion O'Dwyer has amassed a CV that is as impressive as it is varied. Here we talk about taking acting classes at The Gate while still a schoolgirl, breaking into the business, her time with RTE's radio rep company, her long association with Brian Friel, and starring alongside Anjelica Huston on Agnes Browne. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 11 – Enjoy!
Episode 10: Jonathan White
With nearly 40 years experience across stage, screen, and radio, it's fair to say Jonathan White has done it all. Here we chat about his formative years growing up in New York, securing his Equity card whilst still at TCD, early work with the Gate and Rough Magic, the last minute legal madness surrounding Anglo: The Musical, his role at Landmark Productions, and of course, Fr. Ted. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 10 – Enjoy!
Episode 9: Rachel O'Byrne
Having achieved so much in such a staggeringly short period of time, Rise Productions regular Rachel O'Byrne is at the very top of her game. Here we talk about growing up in the business, being part of the "First 15" graduates from the Lir Academy, clocking up the credits at the Abbey, Gate, Druid and Dublin Theatre Festival, her work with independent companies like Rise and Anu, and her ambitions for the future. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 9 – Enjoy!
Episode 8: Loughlin Deegan
With one of the most varied and impressive CVs in Irish theatre, Loughlin Deegan has more than made his mark on the industry. Here he talks about his time at Limerick's Belltable Theatre, working with Druid and Rough Magic, his career as a playwright, his time as Artistic Director of Dublin Theatre Festival, and his current role at The Lir Academy. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 8 – Enjoy!
Episode 7: Lian Bell
It's the Christmas special! Designer and Arts Manager Lian Bell chats about her time at Players, her masters in London, being Programme Manager at Dublin Fringe, her work on Artist Support schemes, and of course, the phenomenon that was Waking The Feminists. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 7 – Enjoy!
Episode 6: Jen Coppinger
From her roots in West Cork to becoming one of the most important players in independent Irish theatre, Jen Coppinger has done it all. Here we chat about her initial aspirations to work in Film and TV, her time at Players in TCD, helping to create Show in a Bag while at ITI, her time with Rough Magic's Seeds programme, and her upcoming role at the Abbey Theatre. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 6 – Enjoy!
Episode 5: Ste Murray
Equal parts actor, designer, and photographer, Ste Murray has almost single-handedly shaped the aesthetic of how independent Irish theatre is presented to the public. Here we chat about his beginnings as a student architect, his time at UCD's DramSoc, his process as a designer and photographer, and his continuing career as an actor on stage and screen. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 5 – Enjoy!
Episode 4: Clare Monnelly
A superstar of stage and screen, Clare Monnelly has been making waves at home and abroad. Here we chat about her route into the business, working a 9 to 5, training at the Gaiety School of Acting, the worldwide success of Moone Boy, and her burgeoning career as a writer. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 4 – Enjoy!
Episode 3: Stephen Jones
One of Ireland's hardest working actors, Stephen Jones is at the top of his game. Here we chat about his time at UCD's DramSoc, studying for his masters, taking to the Gaiety stage in Corn Exchange's Dubliners, and his cult hit web series The Goo. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 3 – Enjoy!
Episode 2: Ian Lloyd Anderson
Fast becoming the go-to leading man of his generation, Ian Lloyd Anderson is on a serious roll of late. We talk about breaking into the business, his time at the Gaiety School of Acting, his love of the Abbey Theatre, and how he's now beginning to make waves internationally. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 2 – Enjoy!
Episode 1: Kate Gilmore
One of the brightest stars of her generation, Kate Gilmore can do it all. We talk about breaking into the business, her time at the Gaiety School of Acting and how she turned down TCD to be there, winning awards for both acting and writing, the importance of music in her work and the differences between acting for stage and screen. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2. Episode 1 – Enjoy!
Episode 52: Fiach Mac Conghail
Thursday 1 November 2012
For this, the final podcast, there was only one person we could have as our guest – the Vince McMahon of Irish Theatre, Fiach Mac Conghail. Here he chats about his early days directing Irish language student drama at Trinity, highlights from his time at Project Arts Centre, the challenges of taking over the Abbey at such a tempestuous time in its history, his work with Brother Films, and balancing the day job with his new role as Senator. It’s Episode 52 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 51: Mark O'Rowe
Thursday 25 October 2012
One of the most gifted and compelling writers of his generation, Mark O’Rowe is a distinctly Irish voice that has deservedly gone global. Here he chats about his early days breaking into the business, the phenomenal success of Howie the Rookie, the challenges of rejection from the Abbey, taking the reins as both writer and director for the world tour of Terminus, writing the massive hit movie Intermission, and his recent forays into adapting work for the screen. It’s Episode 51 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 50: Aonghus Óg McAnally
Thursday 18 October 2012
The ego has landed! He’s finally given in and agreed to sit on the other side of the mic for this special episode, so here goes: Widely regarded as the second best Portmarnock actor of his generation, Aonghus Óg McAnally is available for work. Here he chats about growing up in a theatrical family, his first professional gigs as a teenager, the importance of his time training in Trinity, the birth of Rise Productions, the significance of Fight Night and the Show in a Bag project, and his feelings as he looks back on the year-long podcast project. It’s Episode 50 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 49: Willie White
Thursday 11 October 2012
Without question the most influential figure in Irish theatre over the past decade, Willie White has been at the forefront of shaping contemporary performance and bringing on a whole new generation of Irish theatre makers. Here, he chats about his first forays as an actor and director at UCD DramSoc, the formation of Loose Canon Theatre Company, his role in Arts programming at RTE, his decade in charge of Project Arts Centre, and his new position as Artistic Director of Dublin Theatre Festival. It’s Episode 49 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 48: Jonathan Shankey
Thursday 4 October 2012
Having worked as an actor for a decade and represented some of the biggest names in Irish theatre and film, few people have as full an understanding of the Irish theatre scene as Jonathan Shankey. Here he chats about his time at Players in Trinity and the exceptional group of that time, his time studying in America, playing a chicken in Conall Morrison’s landmark production of Tarry Flynn at the Abbey, his role in Kilkenny’s Cat Laughs festival, joining Lisa Richards and being at the heart of Colin Farrell’s international success, and his advice to actors on how to get the best out of their relationship with their agent. It’s episode 48 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 47: Aaron Monaghan
Thursday 27 September 2012
Arguably the most successful Irish actor of his generation, Aaron Monaghan has had a career that others can only dream of. Here he chats about almost becoming an architect, the significance of his time training at Trinity’s Beckett Centre, his phenomenal early run with the Abbey Theatre, his ambivalence towards the awards and accolades that have accompanied his success, his association with the great Druid Theatre Company, and his passion for working with his own company, Livin’ Dred. It’s episode 47 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 46: Jimmy Fay
Thursday 20 September 2012
One of our most industrious freelance directors, Jimmy Fay is equally at home handling Sheppard at the Abbey or Ross O’Carroll Kelly at the Gaiety. Here we chat about growing up in Tallaght, his first steps into the business, the formation of Bedrock and their huge early success, the birth of the Dublin Fringe Festival, his love of movies and his thoughts on the director as creative rather than interpretive artist. It’s episode 46 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!
Episode 45: Roise Goan
Thursday 13 September 2012
One of the most influential figures in Irish Theatre, Róise Goan’s time in charge of Dublin Fringe Festival has been a resounding success. Here she discusses breaking into the businiss as a child actor, the significance of relocating to Connemara as a teenager, her first forays as a writer, studying at Trinity College, her time with Randolf SD, and taking on the Fringe Festival at such a young age. It’s episode 45 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!