An award-winning writer for both stage and screen, Christian O'Reilly is one of our finest contemporary playwrights. Here he talks about his aspirations to be a professional soccer player, his first forays into writing, the highs and lows of working on big British TV series, and of course, his work on The Good Father. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 34 – Enjoy!
Episode 33: Michael Sheehan
One of thew most recognisable faces on Irish TV, Michael Sheehan is a star of stage and screen. Here he talks about studying law in Wales, coming home to train as an actor, his background in boxing and being a Pro MMA fighter, playing Dan Coyle Jnr. in Fight Night, his ongoing role in Fair City, and breaking out into action movies. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 33 – Enjoy!
Episode 32: Gus McDonagh
Portmarnock's finest, Gus McDonagh is on a serious roll of late, and things are only set to get better. Here he talks growing up with Paul Reid, his theatrical family, training at DIT Rathmines, his early work for Children with Barnstorm, working in the Corn Exchange's trademark style, The Brownbread Mixtape, and his recent run of form with work on screen. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 32 – Enjoy!
Episode 31: Julie Kelleher
Artistic Director of Cork's iconic Everyman, Julie Kelleher is a powerhouse of Irish theatre. Here, we talk about her early days in the business, the significance of her time "apprenticing" in Dublin, why living and working in Cork is so important to her, and her vision for Theatre outside the capital. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 31 – Enjoy!
Episode 30: Olwen Fouéré
One of the most iconic artists ever to grace an Irish stage, Olwen Fouéré has been at the cutting edge of theatre for over four decades. Here we talk growing up in a French speaking home in Connemara, early work at the Focus Theatre, her approach to making work and why she never uses the word "career." It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 30 – Enjoy!
Episode 29: Gemma Reeves
Growing up surrounded by leading lights in Irish Theatre, it's no surprise Gemma Reeves has made such a mark on the business. Here we talk about being the child of two theatre artists, her parents remarkable successes, breaking into the business as an ASM, playing iconic leading roles at the Abbey, transitioning into theatre administration, and her current role as General Manager at Rough Magic. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 29 – Enjoy!
Episode 28: Louise Kiely
With one of the most fascinating routes through the business, Louise Kiely has a unique perspective on performing. Here, we chat about growing up in South Africa, studying Law in Cork, training at the Gaiety School, taking the leap into Casting, and how she collaborates with directors to assemble the perfect cast. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 28 – Enjoy!
Episode 27: Dan Monaghan and Marie Ruane
As a welcome break from the grind of touring, this week we sit down with the cast of The Good Father, Dan Monaghan and Marie Ruane. We chat about training after training, luxury yachts in Cannes, making the move to London and also moving back, plus what it's like to be stuck in a van with Aonghus for 13 weeks. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 27 – Enjoy!
Episode 26: Jim Culleton
It's the halfway point of Season two, and we're marking it by sitting down with the great Jim Culleton. We chat about his beginnings as a child actor, his time studying at TCD, the formation of Pigsback and its evolution to Fishamble, his dedication to new writing, and marking 30 years in business. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 26 – Enjoy!
Episode 25: Ciaran Bagnall
One of the brightest lights (see what we did there?) in theatre north of the border, Ciaran Bagnall is a designer's designer. Here we chat about his early experience as an actor, his time training in Cardiff, making the leap from technician to designer, coming home to Ireland from the West End, and the importance of his ongoing collaboration with Belfast's Prime Cut. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 25 – Enjoy!
Episode 24: Lisa Lambe
A worldwide star of music, theatre, and musical theatre, Lisa Lambe can do it all. Here she chats about her formative years with Billie Barry, her appearances on the iconic Late Late Toy Show, her training at Trinity, and weaving her twin passions of Theatre and Music into a brilliant career. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 24 – Enjoy!
Episode 23: Laura Honan
With one of the most diverse skillsets in Irish Theatre, Laura Honan is a hardworking powerhouse with a serious passion for new writing. Here we talk growing up with Red Kettle in Waterford, her first forays into working lights and stage management, her ongoing work at the Abbey, and her pivotal role as Creative Director of Theatre Upstairs. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 23 – Enjoy!
Episode 22: Clare Dunne
A star at home and abroad, Clare Dunne is truly one of our finest and most inspirational actresses. Here, she talks about her struggles during drama school, her dream debut with Druid, the phenomenal all-female Shakespeare trilogy, and her burgeoning career as a writer for both stage and screen. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 22 – Enjoy!
Episode 21: Ian Toner
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!