An actor with an enviable CV, and an award-winning writer, Ian Toner's career is in rude good health. Here he chat's about his time at DramSoc and the Gaiety School of Acting, his work on screen, his writing process, and the challenges in tackling difficult parts. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 21 – Enjoy!
Episode 20: Patrick Lonergan
One of the most vital voices in Irish theatre, Patrick Lonergan is an academic with an unique perspective on the industry. Here we chat about discovering his love of theatre at Belvedere, the excitement around Dublin theatre in the early 90s, the importance of the digitised archive at NUIG, and the potential for change presented by Galway 2020. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 20 – Enjoy!
Episode 19: Michael Scott
With over 50 years experience across almost every theatrical discipline, Michael Scott is a genuine trailblazer. Here he chats about growing up in a theatrical home, making his debut as a child actor, woking with many of the greats of Irish Theatre, his formative years at Project, his work with iconic writers from Yeats to Keane, and his innovative touring model. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 19 – Enjoy!
Episode 18: Jeda de Brí and Finbarr Doyle
One of the most dynamic partnerships in Irish Theatre, Jeda de Brí and Finbarr Doyle are the engine behind Sickle Moon Productions. Here we chat about their roots into the business via Film School and DramSoc, how their writing partnership began, their ambitious residency at Theatre Upstairs, their process for making new work, their freelance careers outside the company, and the revival of their Fringe smash hit Tryst. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 18 – Enjoy!
Episode 17: Nick Dunning
With a multi-award winning career across both stage and screen, Nick Dunning is one of the very best in the business. Here we talk about finding his love of theatre at school, training at the prestigious RADA, his time in rep, the differences between working for camera and a live audience, his techniques for constructing a character, and his groundbreaking approach to NLP for actors. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 17 – Enjoy!
Episode 16: Kate Ferris
With a leading role in shaping the new breed of Irish theatre technicians, Kate Ferris is an integral and invaluable part of the Irish theatre machine. Here we talk about growing up in small town Australia, getting a formal training in stage management in Queensland, staging epic events in Doha, arriving in Ireland by accident, her role at The Lir, and her passion for creating theatre for young audiences. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 16 – Enjoy!
Episode 15: Conor Hanratty
With a love of the classics, a flair for opera, and a keen eye for comedy, Conor Hanratty's skillset is constantly in high demand. Here we talk about school plays at Belvedere, being part of a golden era at Trinity, studying and working in London, Greece, Japan and Los Angeles, learning from mistakes along the way, his collaborations with composer Tom Lane, and his exceptional Hamlet Podcast. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 15 – Enjoy!
Episode 14: Jane Daly and Siobhan Bourke
Two titans of Irish theatre, Jane Daly and Siobhán Bourke are a formidable force for good in our industry. Here we talk about their earliest days in the business, the vibrant theatre scene of Dublin in the 80's, their involvement in the birth of Rough Magic and the evolution of Druid, touring Irish work internationally, their jumps from secure jobs to the freelance world, and the journey from Theatre Shop to the invaluable resource that is Irish Theatre Institute. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 14 – Enjoy!
Episode 13: Dr. Tanya Dean
One of our most respected Dramaturgs and academics, Dr. Tanya Dean has forged a career that seems to perfectly balance the theory and practice of making great theatre. Here we chat about her first forays into acting, discovering her love of academia, her time at Irish Theatre Magazine, moving to America to study at Yale, and her groundbreaking research for #WakingTheFeminists. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 13 – Enjoy!
Episode 12: Eimer Murphy
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!