Ex-Love/Hate star Johnny Ward is relishing playing a new ‘psychotic' part
'I think this is the most psychotic part I'll ever play,' Johnny tells the Sunday World , referring to his upcoming performance as an evil dentist in the musical Little Shop Of Horrors at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre.
'Little Shop Of Horrors is a love story about a guy call Seymour who works in a flower shop that's not doing well,' Johnny explains of the 1980s movie and stage production.
'He discovers that one of the plants that he bought from a random man in a Chinese shop eats people.
Actors David O Reilly, Johnny Ward and Jacqueline Brunton
'Seymour is attracted to Audrey who works in the shop and, here we go yet again, I'm Audrey's abusive boyfriend Orin, a biker dentist.
'He beats her up and takes great pleasure in getting pain out of a lot of people when doing dental surgery on them.'
Johnny's character ultimately meets a grisly end involving the human-eating plant.
'It's a far-fetched story, but it's phenomenal and the music is amazing,' he says.
'The songs I get to perform are Dentist Song, and a duet song with Seymour, played by David O'Reilly, called It's Just The Gas. So I'm really looking forward to it. We start rehearsals on Monday.'
The Little Shop Of Horrors role is the latest in Ward's hectic work life, which these days involves teaching young people in drama classes.
'Teaching is my bread and butter and I absolutely love it,' Johnny says. 'On a Monday I teach out in Dizzy Footwork Drama Academy opposite The Square in Tallaght… Tuesdays I'm in a primary school in Wicklow, Wednesday I'm in Cavan, Thursday in Leixlip, Friday I'm in Trim and I'm off Saturday and Sunday.
The cast of the Little Shop of Horrors musical
'Thankfully the people that I work for are like brothers and sisters to me and when something acting-wise comes up they provide cover for me. They are very accommodating.
'Usually at this time of the year I do summer camps, but this year I can't because my hands are tied with the Little Shop Of Horrors'
'I love passing on what you've learned to young kids. I love it when they come in in September and they are all shy and nervous and by June they are like a different kid. You can't shut them up, they are full of confidence and they become the role models for the next year's kids.
'And I really love writing scripts for kids to perform. We had an amazing show just there on Monday.
The popular entertainer says he would encourage parents to get their children involved in drama.
'It's great for kids, especially in this day and age because kids don't have the attention span that they used to. That's not their fault, it's just the modern world.
'Our attention span back in the day was going to watch a movie like Jurassic Park for two hours on a Saturday. Kids don't do that anymore because their attention span is just flicking through their TikToks and stuff… their attention span is a max of about 30 seconds.
'I do think that for an hour or two hours a week putting the phone down is good for the head. I go to a philosophy class every Monday with my mother and I love it.
David O'Reilly and Jacqueline Brunton in the Little Shop of Horrors musical
'My mother started it in 2022 and she said, 'I've signed you up.' And it's the best thing I've ever done. It's just a reminder of the tools that are so simply accessed that we don't use. Little things when you are in a situation of anxiety, pause, take three seconds, breathe and ask yourself 'What would a wise man do in this situation?' It's very good and you meet some really great people.'
Johnny credits his mother, Kathy, with fostering his love of acting.
'Without her I wouldn't have made a career in this,' he says. 'My mum was very much adamant that we all do drama growing up. Just before this interview we went over the script of Little Shop of Horrors together.'
Johnny's mum, Kathy, has suffered a series of health issues since the passing of her husband in 2019.
She was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is also referred to as a broken heart.
Johnny as Ciaran in Fair City
'Last July Mum was diagnosed with cancer and we all feared the worst. Her pancreas, gallbladder and a large part of her bowel were taken out.
'Then she got Covid, she had a fall and it was one nightmare after another. But she's brilliant and she's doing well and she's back to her usual self now.'
Johnny also paid tribute to his wife, Brenda, who, he says, is his 'biggest supporter.'
The couple met while out walking in the Curragh when lockdown restrictions were relaxed and will be two years married next month.
'Brenda is an amazing person, there is never any arguing and if there is we just have a laugh about it,' Johnny reveals.
'And she has just been magnificent with my mother — she's just like another daughter to her.'
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