Latest news with #TheBrighteningAir
Irish Post
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Nichola MacEvilly talks art, activism, and why every Irish performer knows each other
NICHOLA MACEVILLY, from Sligo, trained in London, studying at Rose Bruford College and Central School of Speech and Drama. She is back in London currently in rehearsals for her latest show. Nichola MacEvilly (Pic: Jake Stewart) What are you up to? Right now I'm in rehearsals for Conor McPherson's Girl from the North Country at The Old Vic here in London. Have you worked with Conor McPherson before? I have indeed. Previously we brought Girl from the North Country to the Olympia in Dublin for six weeks before embarking on a 25 city tour of the UK. Conor's adored by everyone who is lucky enough to work with him. He's one of the greatest playwrights of our time, but he's also one of the best directors I've ever worked with. Most importantly he's very kind, and great craic. There are some other Irish actors in the play - have you worked together before? Colin Conor and I shared the Girl from the North Country stage before so it's great to be reunited with him. Myself and David Ganly had never worked together but we knew one another in that way all Irish actors know each other despite never having met. Great to finally work together. We also have a Tipperary man, James Berkery, as our associate movement director. Rehearsals for Girl From the North Country (Pic: Manuel Harlan) What is your favourite song in the show, and why? Oh, I couldn't pick a favourite but I do love Girl from the North Country as it's the one I get to sing myself. It's a haunting a cappella version arranged beautifully by Simon Hale. It underscores a particular moment in the show. A moment where light and dark, good and evil, reveal themselves simultaneously. I adore it. What led you into an acting career? There is a great theatre tradition in Sligo where I grew up and live. It wasn't uncommon for kids to recite Yeats poems and do Sean O'Casey plays at the Feis. We were very fortunate. I was very taken with theatre as a whole, and I suppose acting was where I landed within it all. I didn't have a eureka moment, or a calling to act. It's something that's settled with me over time. What is your favourite play? I've just developed a small obsession with Conor's new play The Brightening Air. I went to see it twice at The Old Vic, and bought the text. It's set in Sligo so I have a direct line to the world it's set within. It's a beautiful study of family, love, and the magical. I also love Tennessee Williams plays. I'd love to do Suddenly Last Summer one day. You were in a production last year with actor Brian Cox - what was that like? Yes we did Long Day's Journey into Night in the West End. Brian Cox is undoubtedly one of the finest actors of his generation. Eugene O'Neill's plays ask a lot of the actors who perform them, and Brian's character James Tyrone is one of the most iconic and challenging, so it was interesting to observe him navigate the challenges there. His contemporary Ian McKellen was doing Player Kings'in the Noel Coward behind us. The stage doors face each other so we had fun waving across every day. MacEvilly hails from Co. Sligo (Pic Anna Leask) What are your Irish roots? My dad was born in Sligo and my mum in Cavan Town. My mum is a Smyth from Main Street. They were living in Sligo when I was born but were visiting Cavan for Christmas when I decided to make my entrance on Stephens Day. I'm Sligo through and through but proud to have been born in Cavan like my mum's people. Where is your favourite theatre in Ireland? Hawks Well Theatre in Sligo. It was built by the people for the people. A number of the founders have passed away in recent years. We're very aware of their legacy. We owe them a lot. You will be playing Constance Markievicz later this year - tell us about that? Yes very excited about this. It's a project we've been working on for over 6 years. It's called Two Sisters and is created by Kellie Hughes with original compositions by Michael Rooney and Stephen Doherty. It's inspired by the two Gore Booth sisters Constance and Eva. It's a powerful blend of music, song, and spoken word adapted from their original texts and correspondence. It features myself and the singer Niamh Farrell with seven extraordinary musicians. Constance in particular has been unfairly represented in some cases I believe. We don't pass comment on that either way through the work but we do allow her own words and perspective to come through. What would you say has been your proudest moment on stage? Aside from Girl from the North Country of course, I'd have to say the first preview we did of Fun Home at The Gate Theatre in Dublin was a particularly memorable moment in time. The audience were invited members of the LGBTQI+ community and it was humbling to hear their audible reactions throughout the show. You could sense they were screaming 'Yes, I recognise myself in these characters'! It felt like an important moment in which our work had the potential to make a real impact on the lives of people who may ordinarily have felt excluded from the conversation. Which living person do you most admire? This changes regularly but the most consistent person has to be Mary Robinson. From her Irish presidency to her membership of The Elders, she has the ability to cut through the noise and speak with clarity and conviction without personal agenda or fear. What's the best advice you've ever been given? You didn't come this far just to come this far. What's the greatest lesson life has taught you? Be yourself, extremely and unapologetically. Your path is waiting for you when you truly believe that. Who/what is the greatest love of your life? My family and Smythy the dog. Girl from the North Country runs at London's Old Vic Theatre until August 23 See More: Girl From The North County
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Louise O'Neill among writers pushing the boundaries of theatre at Cork Midsummer Festival
She may have made her name as an author but it turns out that Louise O'Neill's true love is the theatre. When I chat to O'Neill, she is in London, where she has seen two plays in quick succession — Conor McPherson's new play The Brightening Air and the buzzy Broadway transfer Stereophonic by David Adjmi. "I just adore the theatre. Wherever I am, I'm always like 'what play can I go and see?'. There is something about being in a dark room with a few hundred other people and you have all signed this covenant that you are going to suspend disbelief for the next couple of hours.' So, when the opportunity arose to write her own play, O'Neill jumped at the chance. It was an offer with an attractive twist — to contribute a piece to Theatre for One, a very different prospect to the usual theatrical experience. A highlight of the Cork Midsummer Festival, Theatre for One presents a selection of five-minute pieces performed by a lone actor to an audience of one in a confessional-style booth. The unusual format has proved a big hit with audiences in its previous two iterations, and this year, the theme of Made in Cork adds some extra hometown flavour. Clonakilty native O'Neill is one of six Cork writers featuring, along with Cónal Creedon, Katie Holly, John McCarthy, Michael John McCarthy and Gina Moxley. 'It is really pushing the boundaries of what theatre can be and it is just really exciting to be part of that,' says O'Neill. "I had seen previous plays by Marina Carr, Mark O'Rowe, Louise Lowe, and Enda Walsh and it felt so intimate and spellbinding. Theatre is so much about the connection between the actor and the audience. Every night feels different, the energy, the dynamic, because of a new audience and how people respond to the material. There is something so fascinating about boiling that down to two people in one space.' O'Neill may have proven her own talent in a different literary field, but this isn't her first theatrical outing. Her second novel Asking For It, dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault in a small Irish town, became a phenomenon, and was later adapted for the stage, premiering at the Cork Midsummer Festival in 2018. However, long before that, she trod the boards herself, as a member of Kilmeen Drama Group, in their award-winning production of The Playboy of the Western World, which went on to be performed at the Abbey Theatre in 2013. 'Kilmeen was my local drama group and they were just such a wonderful source of inspiration. My mother would take me and my sister to the All-Ireland Drama Festival every year and we would see a different play every night. Lauren Coe as Emma and Paul Mescal as Bryan in Landmark Productions and the Everyman world premiere production of Asking for It by Louise O'Neill. Picture: Hugh O'Conor. "The level of expertise that those people have in writing, acting, staging, sets and lighting, is really quite extraordinary. Being exposed to that from a young age gave me such a love for theatre, and an appreciation and understanding of it that as an adult I feel immensely grateful for.' The surprise factor means O'Neill can't reveal too much about her Theatre for One piece, apart from the fact that it perhaps signals a change in focus inspired by her own stage in life. 'The protagonist of the piece is a woman in her 50s. There is probably an expectation that it would centre on a teenager but I have just turned 40 and I have friends in their 50s and 60s — I do think the interior lives of women of that age are quite fascinating, that shedding of old identities.' There is a pleasing symmetry in O'Neill's involvement in Theatre for One — it is staged by Landmark Productions, founded by Cork woman Anne Clarke, which also brought Asking For It to the Everyman Theatre in 2018. Julie Kelleher, who was artistic director of the venue at that time, is now directing O'Neill's piece and also helped her rein in her novelistic tendencies. 'I'm very used to having a lot of time and space to expand on my ideas. I handed in a first draft which was about 3,000 words. I asked Julie was she sure that my piece couldn't be longer than everyone else's and she was like, 'no',' laughs O'Neill. 'It was a really interesting creative experience, trying to see where I could trim off any excess material and hone it as much as I could.' Another play which O'Neill says she enjoyed recently was A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Paul Mescal as Stanley Kowalski. In another harmonious turn, one of the now world-famous actor's first roles was in Asking For It, playing the brother of the main character. O'Neill uses an apposite comparison when she describes how she felt seeing Mescal acting in Asking For It. 'It was akin to Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire when he comes on screen and there is an incredibly naturalistic, raw energy about him. Paul has a lot of that, you could see there was something special about him. The cast of Asking For It as a whole were absolutely outstanding, as a writer to see your words being brought to life in the mouths of such talent was such a privilege.' O'Neill is busier than ever, and completed her Theatre for One piece while also working on not one, but two books, a novel and an eagerly anticipated memoir, which will be out next year. She won't rule out writing a full-length play at some point. 'With me, it is always about trying to find the time because I always seem to have another project. You never know, I would love to.' Theatre for One, presented by Landmark Productions and Octopus Theatricals, Jun 14, 15, 17-22, free of charge. See for times. More theatrical treats at Cork Midsummer Festival Escaped Alone , The Everyman Theatre, Jun 12 -14. , The Everyman Theatre, Jun 12 -14. Caryl Churchill's satirical play celebrates the voices of older women, showcasing the talents of a superb cast. Stitch , J Nolan Stationary, 21 Shandon St, Jun 13-22. , J Nolan Stationary, 21 Shandon St, Jun 13-22. Making ingenious use of a shop premises, this production starring the prodigious Irene Kelleher exemplifies the Midsummer mission to use the city as a stage. The Black Wolfe Tone , Cork Arts Theatre, Jun 20-21 , Cork Arts Theatre, Jun 20-21 Written and performed by Kwaku Fortune, this thought-provoking production is a powerful meditation on identity and what it means to be Irish. The Second Woman , Cork Opera House, 24 hours from 4pm, Jun 14- to 4pm, Jun 15 (entry slots available at different times) , Cork Opera House, 24 hours from 4pm, Jun 14- to 4pm, Jun 15 (entry slots available at different times) A bold and ambitious production in which Cork actor Eileen Walsh will perform with an unrehearsed cast of 100 over 24 hours at Cork Opera House. Bottlenose: A Mystery for Modern Ireland , Granary Theatre, Jun 19-22 , Granary Theatre, Jun 19-22 A comic dive into the demise of the beloved Fungie, late of Dingle Bay. Read More Wicked: For Good trailer shows Elphaba in exile and first glimpse of Dorothy
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Rick O'Shea: One of America's smartest political minds makes a brave admission about Israel
Ta-Nehisi Coates admits he has a problem with an article he wrote in 2014 in The Message, while Seán Hewitt's Open, Heaven feels like a classic and What a Time to be Alive by Jenny Mustard will appeal to Sally Rooney fans Today at 21:30 Don't ever let anyone tell you that turning 50 is hard; turning 50 is a doddle. For me, it involved an eight-month series of arm-chancing trips to New York, Portugal and Iceland after I made sad puppy eyes at my impossibly lovely and soft-hearted wife. This week I turned 52, an age that is so unremarkable it seems pointless to mention it, let alone celebrate it. That has never stopped me before. I went to London and thoroughly enjoyed Conor McPherson's new play The Brightening Air at the Old Vic, was baffled but sort of entertained anyway by Here We Are, Stephen Sondheim's last musical – or half a musical if you want to be accurate – at the National Theatre, and I finally got to see the joyfully fun and incredibly complicated staging of My Neighbour Totoro.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Most iconic theatres in London
Overview of London's theatre scene The many extraordinary London theatre venues are a major reason why people love residing in or visiting the city. As well as hosting world-leading plays, musicals, comedies and family entertainment, many theatres are also significant architectural gems on their own. There are around 250 theatres in London, the most famous of which are clustered in the city centre, known as the West End. A comprehensive London theatre map would extend out to the far reaches of the capital, but the major London theatre district – what we would consider 'Theatreland' – is based around the Oxford Street to Piccadilly area. Many of the names of London theatres reflect their historic standing or royal approval, while others have been renamed in honour of great actors or artists – such as the Harold Pinter Theatre or the Gielgud Theatre. Sometimes the London theatre address also handily corresponds with its name, like the Shaftesbury Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Follow our guide to some of the most iconic theatres in London. The enormous London Palladium often hosts large-scale musicals, including the upcoming revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, starring Rachel Zegler. Location: Argyll Street, London W1, close to Oxford Circus Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: Evita Apollo Victoria Theatre The Apollo Victoria Theatre is home to the West End's hit musical Wicked, which has played there since 2006. Location: Wilton Road, London SW1V, close to Victoria Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: Wicked Venue capacity: 2,328 London Coliseum The London Coliseum regularly stages both opera and musicals. The current show is the musical adaptation of classic Jazz Age novel The Great Gatsby. Location: St Martin's Lane, London WC2N, close to Leicester Square Tube station. Adelphi Theatre Popular mid-sized West End venue the Adelphi Theatre has been home to the jaw-dropping musical version of Back to the Future since 2021. Location: Strand, London WC2R, close to Charing Cross Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: Back to the Future South London theatres Shakespeare's Globe The Globe is an extraordinary reconstruction of an outdoor Elizabeth playhouse, allowing you to experience what it was originally like to watch a Shakespeare play. Location: New Globe Walk, London SE1, close to Southwark Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: Romeo and Juliet Buy tickets via Telegraph Tickets Venue capacity: 1,570 Old Vic The Old Vic is renowned for its varied, often star-studded programming, such as its newest show: the world premiere of Conor McPherson's play The Brightening Air. Location: The Cut, London SE1, close to Waterloo Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: The Brightening Air Buy tickets via Telegraph Tickets Young Vic The Old Vic's neighbour, the Young Vic, is a leading venue for cutting-edge work such as current show An Oak Tree, in which Tim Crouch is joined by a different actor every night. Location: The Cut, London SE1, close to Waterloo station. Current/upcoming shows: An Oak Tree National Theatre The National Theatre hosts an incredible array of work in three very different performance spaces. Currently you can watch Stephen Sondheim's final musical Here We Are. Location: Upper Ground, London SE1, close to Waterloo Tube station. Buy tickets via Telegraph Tickets London arts centres Royal Albert Hall The iconic Royal Albert Hall is home to everything from the BBC Proms to pop concerts, comedy and dance – such as Christmas ballet favourite The Nutcracker. Current/upcoming shows: The Nutcracker Royal Opera House Both the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet are based at the Royal Opera House, which produces world-leading work such as the current production of Bizet's Carmen. Location: Bow Street, London WC2E, close to Covent Garden Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: Carmen Barbican Centre The Barbican Centre has a striking, contemporary theatre space where plays and musicals are staged – including the Olivier Award-winning revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Location: Silk Street, London EC2, close to Barbican Tube station. Current/upcoming shows: Fiddler on the Roof FAQs Where are the theatres in London? London has numerous theatres spread all around the city. However, most of the big commercial theatres are gathered in the centre of the capital in what is known as the West End, close to Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly and Oxford Street. How many theatres are there in London? There are around 250 theatres altogether – with new venues opening all the time, including pop-up spaces. Around 40 theatres are classified as West End venues, which attract enormous audiences: in 2024, more than 17.1 million theatregoers went to a West End show. What is the biggest theatre in London? Many West End theatres have huge auditoriums: for example, the London Coliseum seats 2,359 and the Apollo Victoria seats 2,328. However, the Royal Albert Hall beats them all by capacity, with an astonishing 5,272 seats. What is the oldest London theatre? That title belongs to one of the grandest of all West End buildings. The majestic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, on Catherine Street, has remained in use since it opened in 1663. It is currently owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and it recently underwent an impressive £60 million restoration and refurbishment. What is the best theatre to go to in London? All of the city's historic theatres are well worth a visit, as much for their beautiful architecture and heritage as for the fantastic shows that they host. You can even take a tour of some venues, such as Shakespeare's Globe and the National Theatre, to learn more about them.
RTÉ News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Brendan Gleeson to make his return to the Irish stage
Brendan Gleeson is to make his return to the Irish stage for the first time in a decade in a new production of Conor McPherson's acclaimed play The Weir at the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin this August. The Dublin actor will also make his West End debut when the play transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre in London from 12 September to 6 December 2025. The Weir is at 3Olympia Theatre from 8 August to 6 September, with tickets, priced from €25 on sale Saturday 3 May at 12pm. This will be the first time McPherson, who has also written works such as The Brightening Air, Girl from the North Country and the movie I Went Down, will direct the play. The synopsis of The Weir reads, "On a stormy night, four local men gather in an isolated pub in rural Ireland. Their usual banter and everyday lives are disrupted by the arrival of a woman called Valerie. "The stories they weave to impress her are gripping, haunting and deeply unsettling. Little do they know that she has a profoundly personal story of her own, the sharing of which will leave them all shaken." Brendan Gleeson began his acting career in the late seventies with the Passion Project in Dublin's Project Arts Centre and has gone on to star in numerous movies, including The Banshees of Inisherin, In Bruges, Gangs of New York, the Harry Potter movies, Paddington 2, Braveheart, and The General. His TV credits include Mr. Mercedes, A Higher Loyalty, and Into the Storm. Speaking about appearing in The Weir, the actor said, "Conor McPherson's The Weir is one of the rarest plays around. The last time I appeared on stage was ten years ago, at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, where I started my career. "I can't wait to be back there, and then to play in the West End for the first time, at the beautiful Pinter Theatre - and to work with Conor on his profoundly moving, inspiring and ultimately hopeful play." McPherson said, "I can hardly believe it's thirty years since I wrote The Weir - and about thirty years since I first met the wonderful Brendan Gleeson. "It's an absolute honour to bring this play to life again with one of the great titans of Irish acting. I'm hugely looking forward to directing my play for the very first time and sharing this production with audiences in Dublin and in London very soon." Co-producer Kate Horton added, "Along with a multitude of theatregoers, I was spellbound by Conor McPherson's play The Weir when it first premiered at the Royal Court. "I've since been granted three wishes; to have Conor agree to direct his own masterpiece for the first time, for the magnificent Brendan Gleeson to agree to lead the cast, and for the brilliant Anne Clarke to join me as co-producer. "Together, they are titans of Irish and International theatre. The Weir is a beautiful play about human connection, the endurance of hope and the essential power of storytelling. It will be a joy to share this production with audiences." The Weir had a critically acclaimed revival at The Abbey Theatre in 2022, with an ensemble cast featuring Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle, who featured in the original London production of the show twenty-five years ago.
