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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Mum got shock diagnosis in darkest days, now we face new challenge on 1st day in mega role, says Fair City's Johnny Ward
ACTOR Johnny Ward will take to the stage in Little Shop Of Horrors next week - but he will be wracked with nerves for a completely different reason. The 7 Johnny Ward with his beloved mum Kathy who will attend the opening night of Little Shop Of Horrors 7 Johnny told how he channels his pain into his work Credit: Alamy 7 The show will run at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre for several weeks 7 Johnny with supportive wife Brenda The 38-year-old told the Irish Sun: "Tuesday is going to be a strange day because we are going to get the results from St Vincent's Hospital about whether a lump my mother found is cancerous or benign and what the next six months will hold." That evening as Johnny is processing the results, the musical will have its opening night in Dublin. Johnny will play the role of the demented dentist Orin Scrivello, made famous by Steve Martin in the movie of the same name. He told us: "This might sound strange, but this is like doing "I want to work in situations like this because I find it strangely therapeutic, in that dancing or acting helps me to escape the pain I'm feeling." 'I WAS GRIEVING' The Johnny said: "I should have taken mum's condition more seriously, but I guess I was grieving myself. "Then lockdown happened, and mum got Speaking of the close bond between mother and son, Johnny said he would always be there for Kathy, who encouraged him to follow his dream and become an actor when he was young. 7 Proud said he'll be there for Kathy no matter what The TV star revealed how he feared he had lost her last year when he got a call to say Kathy was unresponsive in St Vincent's Hospital. However, she has staged a comeback since, so much so that she will be in the Docklands theatre next Tuesday to support him on his opening night, alongside his wife Brenda who he says has 'DARKEST DAYS' Johnny said: "In the darkest days of last year, I never thought we would come so far. "Mum came out of the convalescent home in March and has been making steady progress with us since. "It's the little things that you notice, like she wouldn't know whether you turn left or right for the bathroom at home. "But she really is an incredible woman." Meanwhile, Johnny was thrilled to land a major role in the groundbreaking new production, the first full-scale musical theatre production produced in-house by the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, in partnership with TheatreworX. He said: "I had to do three auditions, then I got the call to come in and meet the other cast. "We've been rehearsing for the past four weeks, and it really is something special." The Walkinstown man is thrilled to be playing sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello in the new production, a role made famous by Steve Martin in the original 1986 movie. Johnny revealed his own experience of suffering at the dentist as a child. He said: "When I was about eight-years-old, I had this dentist who really hurt me. "He stuck a needle in me so hard, I kicked him in the balls. "I remember if your visit to the dentist went well, you got a lollipop, but I kicked this guy, so all I remember is that I got a new dentist really quickly." 'COOLEST THING' But his molars survived, and he had a good enough set of teeth to land a gig in Boyzonly, a Johnny previously told us: "There wasn't a lot of dancing, really, just a step and a click performing No Matter What. "But for about three or four years, we thought we were the coolest thing. "It got very difficult soon after because I was Stephen Gately, and when he came out, I was in an all-boys' school. "I meet the other guys from the tribute the odd time in the pub, and we remember Boyzonly." However, he soon progressed to serious musical theatre, then winning roles in Love/Hate and Johnny's next TV part is in the Amazon Prime drama Suga: Ride or Die, out this September, in which he plays a hitman sent to Holland to recover a gangster debt. He said: "The other actors are literally talking Dutch, but all my lines are in English." 'TOTALLY DIFFERENT' Playing the second lead in Little Shop of Horrors couldn't be further from his last stage role, playing Gino Wildes, the star of the Dublin football team, in Copper Face Jacks: The Musical. Johnny said: "Yes, it's totally different from that. For one thing, Little Shop of Horrors is not set in Copper Face Jacks." Other big names in Little Shop of Horrors include David O'Reilly, who stars as the hapless florist Seymour Krelborn, opposite Jacqueline Brunton, a rising star of musical theatre, who takes on the role of the sweet and soulful Audrey. Producers have hailed the new musical, featuring an entirely Irish cast and creative team, as a landmark moment for Irish musical theatre and a bold new chapter for the theatre itself. The casting process began back in December 2024, with over 2,000 hopefuls applying from across the country. Following an intensive audition process, the list was whittled down to 150 talented finalists who auditioned in January 2025. The final cast showcases a dynamic blend of established names and emerging talent, making this a truly exciting production for audiences to experience. 'TRULY OVERWHELMED' The cast were in full bloom this week as they came together for their very first official group photo at iconic Dublin flower shop Howbert and Mays. Surrounded by vibrant foliage and floral charm, the moment marked a fresh beginning for the production. Speaking at the cast launch, Stephen Faloon, General Manager of the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, said: 'We were truly overwhelmed by the extraordinary wealth of talent that came forward during the audition process. "What we witnessed throughout was every bit as strong as the calibre we've come to expect from the biggest West End productions that have graced our stage. "It's a proud and significant moment for us to announce this phenomenal cast, made up of both established and emerging Irish talent. "We are confident that audiences are in for something really special in this bold, high-energy and unforgettable production of Little Shop of Horrors this summer." Little Shop of Horrors runs until August 9. For more information, check out 7 Johnny dances with Emily Barker on Dancing With The Stars in 2019 Credit: Kyran O'Brien 7 Johnny as Ciaran Holloway on Fair City
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Johnny Ward says brave mam will be in the audience for Little Shop of Horrors
Actor Johnny Ward has told how his brave mother plans to be in the audience for the Irish premiere of the Little Shop of Horrors. Johnny stars in the upcoming show at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, which opens to the public from Friday, July 25. The Dubliner takes on the role of Orin in the theatre's first ever all-star Irish cast. Next Tuesday will see the stars – which include David O'Reilly and Kenneth O'Regan - perform for a special opening night – and Johnny said he will have more than just his lines on his mind. He revealed his mother, Kathy, will receive results after doctors found a lump two and a half months ago. "Yeah, I suppose it's all on Tuesdays. Of all the days, Tuesday is our opening night and Tuesday is kind of where we'll know how things stand with my mother, and what they kind of do for the next six months." Dubliner Johnny said the last year "has been a nightmare". David O Reilly, Jaqueline Brunton and Johnny Ward from the cast of The Little Shop of Horrors on stage in rehearsals at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Picture Brian McEvoy "This time last year she was obviously diagnosed with cancer. Where do you start? Like she just kept collapsing then on top of that, she had a heart attack, and she had a stroke, and then she had something called takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). "I suppose I didn't really take it as seriously as what I should've over the lockdown. It was a no brainer for me to move back in. And then, you know, we've got a really, really amazing arrangement between myself and my wife and my mam. "The last year has been an absolute nightmare, particularly like August to January was very difficult. August to November in particular was so tough, the worst. "We were told the worst at one stage, and she has cancer, and it was stage four and it was in part of her pancreas. "So part of her pancreas had to come out. It was just one step forward and two steps back. On top of that, once he was in the hospital, there's slow, very, very slow and extensive recovery, and then she got Covid, then she had a bad fall, then she had to be put on a feeding tube. "It was very difficult. She went into convalescent care in November and then she got out in January, and since then, you know, it's been great." But he said that on Tuesday, doctors will give them a new indication about what lies ahead for the next six months. "We know that the light is kind of dimming, and we need to go back into the tunnel for a while and kind of see where we stand for the next couple of months. "She's a suitable advocate for immunotherapy. The most recent thing is that they found a lump almost two and a half months ago. "But the professor actually recommended that given everything that she's been through, let's see if it gets any bigger. That's kind of where we stand." Lights, ! It was feeding time on Skid Row as the Bord Gais Energy Theatre and TheatreworX unveiled the set for their dazzling new production of Little Shop of Horrors in Dublin, Pictured were the cast including David O Reilly Johnny Ward and Jaqueline Brunton ahead of the shows opening this Friday 25th, it will run until until 9th August. But he said his mam will be in the audience with Johnny's wife Brenda cheering him on. "Tuesday is going to be very eventful. My mum will be there on Tuesday. My wife will bring her in. "From what you learn is you just take so many things for granted, and you have to be grateful for the last six months. "She's out walking now. She's doing it on her own. "She's got an amazing sense of independence, and I honestly thought that door was closed a long time ago. She's doing really, really well. And she just, yeah, she can't wait to come on Tuesday, regardless of the results." Speaking about the Little Shop Of Horrors, Johnny said: "It's great to be a part of. Everything feels brand new and it feels really special. It is the first in-house production ever to be in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, which is really, really special to be a part of. "It's a lot of excitement, it's a lot of fun, it's a fantastic atmosphere and it doesn't feel like work. It's the most amazing bunch of people. "I suppose for a long time, to make it as a musical theatre performer it was a no brainer that you had to go over to the UK to make it in the West End so the fact that they have put on a production is hopefully a stepping stone for many more in house production from Bord Gais to come." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
RTÉ News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Cast unveiled for Little Shop of Horrors at BGET
An all Irish cast has been unveiled for the upcoming production of the hit musical Little Shop of Horrors at Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The show will have its Irish premiere this summer, running from Friday July 25 to Saturday August 9. This will mark the first full-scale musical theatre production produced in-house by Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, in partnership with TheatreworX. Featuring an entirely Irish cast and creative team, the production represents a landmark moment for Irish musical theatre and a bold new chapter for the theatre itself. The casting process began back in December 2024, with over 2,000 hopefuls applying from across the country. Following an intensive audition process, the list was whittled down to 150 talented finalists who auditioned in January 2025. The final cast showcases a dynamic blend of established names and emerging talent, making this a truly exciting production for audiences to experience. The cast were in full bloom earlier today as they came together for their very first official groupphoto at Dublin's iconic flower shop, Howbert and Mays. Surrounded by vibrant foliage and floralcharm, the moment marked a fresh beginning for the production. Photos from the event, captured by Brian McEvoy. Speaking at the cast launch, Stephen Faloon, General Manager of Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, said: "We were truly overwhelmed by the extraordinary wealth of talent that came forward during the audition process. "What we witnessed throughout was every bit as strong as the calibre we've come to expect from the biggest West End productions that have graced our stage. "It's a proud and significant moment for us to announce this phenomenal cast, made up of both established and emerging Irish talent. "We are confident that audiences are in for something really special - a bold, high-energy and unforgettable production of Little Shop of Horrors this summer." The cast includes Johnny Ward (Fair City, Love/Hate), Garry Mountaine (The Lobster, Game Of Thrones), Kenneth O'Regan, Michael Joseph, Rachel Gaughan, Amy Penston, Micheal Lovette, James Deegan, Zoe Talbot, Eimear Barr, and Cian O'Riain. Bringing West End star power and comedic flair to the role is David O'Reilly (Book of Mormon, Brassic), who stars as the hapless florist Seymour Krelborn. Opposite him, Jacqueline Brunton, a rising star of musical theatre, takes on the role of the sweet and soulful Audrey. Together, they promise electric onstage chemistry! The role of the Street Urchins, the soulful and sassy trio who guide us through the mayhem of Skid Row - will be brought to life by three phenomenal performers: Ghalia Conroy, Aoife Dunne, and Precious Abimbola. The Irish creative team includes Claire Tighe (Director and Choreographer), David Hayes (Musical Director), Maree Kearns (Set Designer), Kevin Hynes (Costume Designer), John Gallagher (Lighting Designer), Jason Fallon (Sound Designer), and Chris Corroon (Puppeteer). This beloved musical has captivated audiences worldwide for over 40 years. Written by the legendary duo Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin), Little Shop of Horrors combines tongue-in-cheek comedy, unforgettable songs, and an iconic cast of characters.
