Episode 33: Declan Conlon

Thursday 21 June 2012

An exceptionally gifted actor, Declan Conlon is without question one of Irish theatre’s leading men. Here we chat about his unlikely introduction to the business, his formative years training in Ireland and America, his extensive work with both the RSC and the National in London, his numerous roles at the Abbey theatre, what he looks for in both a director and scene partner, and his ongoing relationship with the plays of the man he considers a true genius, Tom Murphy. It’s episode 33 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 32: Lynne Parker

Thursday 14 June 2012

One of our finest and most influential directors, Rough Magic’s Lynne Parker has set the standard for truly great Irish theatre. Here she discusses the influence of her uncle Stewart Parker in setting out in a career in theatre, the formation of Rough Magic, highlights of her many productions, her ongoing commitment to artist development, the current funding conditions for emerging companies, the recent experiment with large-scale commercial productions, and her ambitions for the future. It’s episode 32 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 31: Megan Riordan

Thursday 7 June 2012

The driving force behind acclaimed theatre company Making Strange, Megan Riordan has tread a distinguished path from Las Vegas to the Irish Stage. Here she talks about auditioning as a child actress in LA, her time training at NYU and with Anne Bogart’s SITI Company, what brought her first to Ireland, the huge success of shows for her own company like Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and the global hit that is her one-woman show Luck. It’s episode 31 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 30: Louise Lowe

Thursday 31 May 2012

With landmark shows like World’s End Lane and Laundry, Louise Lowe has firmly established herself as one of the most important theatre makers in the country. Here, we chat about getting a start in the business with Peter Sheridan, the importance of going to London for her M.A, the formation of Anu, recent freelance work with Fishamble, Performance Corporation and Prime Cut, her work with Project Brand New, and the phenomenon that is The Monto Cycle. It’s episode 30 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 29: Amy Conroy

Thursday 24 May 2012

One of the most exciting new voices to emerge in Irish theatre of the past few years, Amy Conroy is on an unstoppable roll. Here she discusses falling in love with the business while growing up in Kerry, her time training at Inchicore, her ongoing relationship with Barabbas Theatre Co, and in particular Veronica Coburn, the arrival of Hot for Theatre, her participation in both The Abbey’s New Playwright’s Programme and ITI’s Six in the Attic, and the runaway success of both I (Heart) Alice (Heart) I and Eternal Rising of the Sun. It’s episode 29 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 28: David Parnell

Thursday 17 May 2012

One of the most influential figures in Irish theatre, David Parnell has just about done it all. Here he chats about his formative years training at DYT and Trinity, the many major roles he landed in his first few years as an actor, his evolution to becoming both a writer and director, the birth of his own company Gúna Nua, and his recent tenure in the challenging role of Head of Theatre at The Arts Council. It’s episode 28 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 27: Andrea Ainsworth

Thursday 10 May 2012

An integral part of the Abbey Theatre machine for the past 16 years, Andrea Ainsworth is the leading voice coach in the country. Here she discusses her method training at The Actor’s Workshop in Canada, moving to the UK to attend drama school, then specialising in voice at London’s prestigious Central School, landing the job as voice coach at both The Abbey and Trinity’s renowned Acting programme, and memorable highlights from her tenure at our National Theatre. It’s episode 27 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 26: Frank Laverty

Thursday 3 May 2012

It’s the 6 month anniversary of the podcast, and we’re celebrating it with the brilliant Frank Laverty. We chat about discovering his love for the business in rural Donegal, his time training at the prestigious Gaiety School of Acting, being offered a year-long contract at the Abbey Theatre by Garry Hynes, his role in hit RTE drama “On Home Ground,” recent successes at the Old Vic in London, and the Abbey’s forthcoming production of Tom Murphy’s “The House.” It’s episode 26 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 25: Pat Kiernan

Thursday 26 April 2012

For over 20 years, Pat Kiernan’s Corcadorca have been at the cutting edge of Irish theatre. Here he chats about the initial spark that ignited his love for theatre, how the company came together, why they moved towards their trademark off site aesthetic, how audiences queued around the block for their groundbreaking production of “A Clockwork Orange,” the phenomenon that was “Disco Pigs,” the importance of maintaining their base in Cork, and their ongoing development work with the new generation of Cork theatremakers. It’s episode 25 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy! 

Episode 24: John Morton

Thursday 19 April 2012

Arguably the most exciting emerging theatre company outside the capital, John Morton’s Devious Theatre Co. are on an astonishing roll. Here the Kilkenny man discusses his time training as an actor, juggling the roles of writer/director/performer, his parallel work as a film maker, his passion for the physical storytelling of Pro-Wrestling, and their forthcoming epic production of Night of the Living Dead. It’s episode 24 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy! 

Episode 23: Bryan Burroughs

Thursday 12 April 2012

One of the hardest working men in the business, Bryan Burroughs is at the forefront of physical theatre in Ireland. Here he talks about his time training at Trinity’s Beckett centre, his intensive two-year stint with Loose Canon, juggling a career as actor, director, movement coach and teacher, his new position at The Lir, and his key role in the creation of Rise Productions’ Fight Night. It’s episode 23 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 22: Alan Stanford

Thursday 5 April 2012

A stalwart of Irish theatre since 1969, few figures loom as large over the theatrical landscape as actor, writer, and director Alan Stanford. Here he talks about what first brought him to Ireland, the explosion of new talent during his tenure as director of Project, his enduring friendship with the Gate’s Michael Colgan, those iconic productions of Salome and Waiting For Godot, the birth of Second Age, and his latest adventures in the United States. It’s episode 22 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy! 

Episode 21: Ronnie Masterson

Thursday 29 March 2012

With a career already spanning eight different decades, actress Ronnie Masterson isn’t planning on slowing down any time soon. Here she recalls joining the Abbey school on a scholarship, the infamous fire, leaving the security of the Abbey company to form her own company with her husband Ray McAnally, her work with John B Keane, and more recent movie successes, with Alan Parker’s Angela’s Ashes and Neil Jordan’s forthcoming Byzantium. It’s Episode 21 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 20: Judith Roddy

Thursday 22 March 2012

Since shooting to prominence at just 22 with her award-winning performance in The Wild Duck at the Abbey, Derry’s Judith Roddy has continued to light up the Irish stage. Here she talks about her formative years training at Trinity, her work with internationally renowned director Laszlo Marton, the birth of her creative partnerships with Conall Morrison and Annabelle Comyn, and her hugely successful recent collaborations with Pan Pan, including the world tour of Playing the Dane and the multi award winning All that Fall. It’s Episode 20 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 19: Tara Furlong

Thursday 15 March 2012

So often the backbone behind many of the Abbey Theatre’s best shows, stage manager Tara Furlong is one of the real unsung heroes of Irish Theatre. Here she talks about her early days working box office in the old Project, her evolution into the role of Stage manager, the perceived divide between between “Techies” and “Creatives,” the differences between The Gate and The Abbey, and her views on future plans for our National Theatre. It’s episode 19 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 18: Rory Keenan

Thursday 8 March 2012

With a staggering 20 years of professional theatre already under his belt, Rory Keenan is truly one of the finest actors of his generation. Here he talks to us about his early days as a child star, almost being booted out of his Trinity drama degree for his work on RTE’s flagship Sunday night TV drama, his continuing run of leading roles since his early 20’s and his recent successes, both on high profile Irish movies like The Guard, and on the London stage – hell, we even get a naked Tadhg Murphy story! It’s episode 18 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 17: Peter Crawley

Thursday 1 March 2012

An insightful, articulate and distinctive voice in the world of Irish theatre, Peter Crawley is that rarest of animals: a theatre critic that’s liked and respected by theatre people. Here he discusses his route to journalism from studying Drama at Trinity, the merits of constructive vs. destructive criticism, maintaining the delicate balance of insider knowledge with an outsider’s objectivity, and that infamous run in with Chris de Burgh. It’s Episode 17 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 16: John Olohan

Thursday 23 February 2012

With his boundless enthusiasm and infectious laughter, John Olohan is truly one of the most likeable characters in Irish theatre. Here, he chats about his early days playing in bands, his time with both the Abbey School and Company, touring with the ITC, juggling his stage work with his Glenroe schedule, the key to a successful marriage between two actors, and his recent acclaimed work with Druid. It’s Episode 16 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 15: Keith Hanna

Thursday 16 February 2012

A fine actor, and an accomplished singer and dancer, Keith Hana is a performer on the brink of a real breakthrough. Here he talks about his near 15 year relationship with the legendary Billie Barry Stage School, the many world tours with Jury’s Cabaret, his transition into acting and his extensive work on Shakespeare with Second Age, the challenges he faced as a local boy when filming “Stardust” for RTE, and his new role in the hotly anticipated “Alice in Funderland” at the Abbey Theatre. It’s Episode 15 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!

Episode 14: Karl Shiels

Thursday 9 February 2012

A true rock star of Irish Theatre, Karl Shiels has done it all. Here he discusses leaving his job as a qualified sparks to follow his dream of being on stage, his journey from being almost kicked out of the Gaiety School of Acting to currently serving on its board, the huge successes of his own company Semper Fi, his extensive working relationship with Mark O’Rowe, and his recent world tour with the renowned Druid Theatre Company, not to mention all his upcoming screen roles for 2012. Hell, we even get in a naked Tadhg Murphy story! It’s Episode 14 of the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast – Enjoy!