To close out 2020, it’s a brand new short audio drama from Rise Productions. Commissioned as part of the Arts Council’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Award, “Another Auld Lang Syne” is set on New Year’s Eve, and is written and performed by Aonghus Óg McAnally.
Episode 52: Selina Cartmell
A director of unparalleled skill and vision, Selina Cartmell’s trademark style has been wowing audiences for over 15 years. Here, in our very final episode, she discusses her time at Trinity and Central, the formation of Siren Productions, her mentorship with Julie Taymor, smash hit shows Titus Andronicus and Punk Rock, and her new role as Artistic Director of Dublin’s iconic Gate Theatre. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 52 – Enjoy!
Episode 51: Neil Murray
From South Wales to the Abbey Theatre, via the bright lights of Broadway, Neil Murray’s path through the world of theatre has been both eclectic and comprehensive. Here he discusses paying dues as an usher, stage hand, and front of house manager, his time with 7:84 and Glasgow’s renowned Citizens Theatre, running the Tron, his role in the inception of the ground-breaking NTS, and his current position alongside Graham McLaren as Co-Director of Ireland’s National Theatre. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 51 – Enjoy!
Episode 50: Garry Hynes
An icon and a trailblazer, Garry Hynes is director with a global reputation for excellence. Here, she talks about directing her first play in 5th class, the founding of Druid, the impact of Tom Murphy on the company, her time at the Abbey, becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Director, and how central the Druid ensemble has been to the work. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 50 – Enjoy!
Episode 49: Ronan Phelan
One of the most exciting directors to appear on the scene in recent years, Ronan Phelan is a breath of fresh air. Here, we talk about school plays in Scoil Mhuire, training at DIT Rathmines, his time on the Seeds programme, being resident Assistant Director at the Abbey, and working Boyz II Men into Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 49 – Enjoy!
Episode 48: Colt Cabana – 100th Episode Special
The biggest name in Independent Pro Wrestling and a Godfather of podcasting, Colt Cabana is a legit global superstar. For our 100th episode, Aonghus sits down with the original inspiration behind this podcast to discuss breaking into the business, life on the road as a freelance performer, the similarities between Theatre and Pro Wrestling, the impact of his own podcast, and his love of the Edinburgh Fringe. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 48 – Enjoy!
Episode 47: Tom Lane
A gifted composer and multi-instrumentalist, Tom Lane has shaped much of the soundscape of Irish theatre throughout this decade. Here we talk about his beginnings playing violin as a child, studying music at university and beyond, composing scores for theatre and dance shows, his innovative takes on opera, and his current sell-out production of Hamlet at the Gate Theatre. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 47 – Enjoy!
Episode 46: Thommas Kane Byrne
The physical embodiment of a triple threat, TKB has exploded onto the Irish Theatre scene in the last year. Here we talk about growing up in Dublin’s North inner city, his love of dance, training at both Bull Alley and The Gaiety School, and his prolific career as a playwright. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 46 – Enjoy!
Episode 45: Matt Smyth
One of the most dynamic producers of his generation, Matt Smyth is a man in demand. Here we chat about his brief teenage stint on Fair City, performing stand up in Edinburgh, his groundbreaking work with Anu and Collapsing Horse, and his new venture programming The Cat Laughs festival. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 45 – Enjoy!
Episode 44: Fionnuala Gygax
A writer and performer of exceptional talent, Fionnuala Gygax shines brightly as one of the leading lights of her generation. Here she talks about studying Drama at Trinity, turning down the offer to train at the Lir, her big TV break with Eipic for TG4, her groundbreaking piece Hostel 16, and the formation of her new company Chaos Factory. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 44 – Enjoy!
Episode 43: Liz FitzGibbon
From Shakespeare, to Shaw, to contemporary takes on Synge, Liz FitzGibbon has amassed an enviable acting CV. Here, she chats about studying at Goldsmiths in London before training at the Gaiety, the impact of the global crash on Irish theatre, her love of ensemble work and devising, her background in competitive kickboxing, and her experience with Show in a Bag. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 43 – Enjoy!
Episode 42: Karen Ardiff
An actress of immense skill and talent, Karen Ardiff is one of Ireland's most powerful performers. Here, she chats about making her Abbey debut at 11, touring the world with the English Shakespeare Company, working on contemporary classics like Tarry Flynn at the Abbey, and her recent collaborations with Deirdre Kinahan. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 42 – Enjoy!
Episode 41: Laurence Kinlan
A star of stage and screen, Laurence Kinlan is one of the most likeable characters in Irish Theatre. Here he talks about breaking into the business aged 14, filming with the legendary Heath Ledger, the phenomenon that was Love/Hate, his love for pranks in the rehearsal room, and the time he kidnapped his best friend. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 41 – Enjoy!
Episode 40: Denis Conway
One of the real heavyweights of Irish theatre, Denis Conway is an actor at the height of his powers. Here we discuss his beginning in school plays, his time teaching in Zimbabwe, coming home to Meridian Theatre Company, his breakthrough with Richard III, his relationship with great Irish writers, and his current run in the West End. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 40 – Enjoy!
Episode 39: Caitríona McLaughlin
One of our very finest directors, the current buzz around Caitríona McLaughlin is both palpable and deserved. Here we talk about her beginnings as a scientist, the move to theatre, her time at the Royal Court and influential summers in New York, and her recent towering achievement with Marina Carr's On Raftery's Hill. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 39 – Enjoy!
Episode 38: Des Cave
One of our most iconic theatre actors, Des Cave has been gracing Irish stages since the early 1960's. Here we talk about performing in Gilbert & Sullivan shows directed by Tomás Mac Anna while still at school, training at the famed Abbey school, joining the Abbey company, his breakout role in Cacoyannis's landmark production of Oedipus, filming Friel's Philadelphia, Here I Come with Donal McCann, and more recent work on the Abbey stage. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 38 – Enjoy!
Episode 37: Annabelle Comyn
One of our finest freelance directors, Annabelle Comyn is famous for her rigorous interrogation of text. Here we talk about her competitive streak when it came to school plays, her formative years as an Assistant Director in London, her successes with Hatch Theatre Company and her recent smash hit success Asking For it. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 37 – Enjoy!
Episode 36: Ruth McGowan
As she launches her first festival as Director of Dublin Fringe, we caught up with woman of the moment Ruth McGowan. Here she chats about growing up surrounded by amateur drama in Donegal, studying for a masters in Theatre, her magical year in New York, working with literary greats at the Abbey, and now taking the reigns at Fringe. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 36 – Enjoy!
Episode 35: Caitríona Ennis
One of our most prolific performers, Caitríona Ennis consistently creates magic on our stages. Her she talks about the refuge of childhood drama classes with Hilary Cahill, being Auditor of UCD's Dramsoc, her heartbreaking performances with Anu, and the benefits of having her own theatre company. It’s the Rise Productions: Irish Theatre Podcast, Series 2, Episode 35 – Enjoy!
Episode 34: Christian O'Reilly
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!