Latest news with #AbbeyTheatre
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
The Lunch Punch Power Hour: Fionn Foley on office life, unhinged
'I knew it was a unique opportunity to be part of work that embodies everything I love about theatre; high comedy, sharp satire and characters that feel real in surreal circumstances...' Actor Fionn Foley introduces Caitríona Daly's new play The Lunch Punch Power Hour in Conference Room 4, coming to the coming to the Peacock Stage at the Abbey Theatre from 31 July. "What do you do yourself anyway?" A perfunctory question we've all been asked at some point by a taxi driver, barber or a silence-averse uncle at a family gathering. For actors, it's a tense moment. Do you tell the truth and in doing so, open the conversation up to a wide-ranging series of follow-ups that include but are not limited to: 1) Do people give you money in exchange for doing that? 2) Would I know you from anything? (this one induces existential crisis instantly) 3) Would you, in fact, give 'the ads' a go? (followed by specific brand suggestions) 4) Are you one of the Gleeson brothers? (you're usually not) "I'm a chartered accountant" I say. And what starts off as a sad attempt at stifling what would no doubt be a well-meaning interrogation of craft evolves into a daring attempt to pass myself off as a gentleman of numbers. A chance to live in the skin of another - like what Daniel Day Lewis would do if he returned to the screen in a film about chartered accountants. However, I am wearing a bright blue bomber jacket, floral shirt and my hairstyle adds four inches to my heightso the taxi driver/barber/uncle has not believed a second of the masquerade. I am about to play Daniel in Caitríona Daly's The Lunch Punch Power Hour in Conference Room 4 on the Peacock Stage at the Abbey Theatre. Daniel is a Senior Associate at Gresham Professional Services, a hedge fund management firm. He's a thirty-something Offaly man who found himself ascending the totem pole of corporate finance with minimal levels of effort and interest. He's always felt uncomfortable in Dublin, yet he'd be seen as a jackeen in the midlands and this crisis of identity has caused him to start behaving erratically. Like his colleagues Clodagh, Jess and HR Lady Susan (played by the superb Caoimhe O'Malley, Emma Dargan-Reid and Helen Norton respectively) he is only now starting to lift the veil that corporate strictures have placed on his life. Theatre-wise, I've been lucky enough in recent years to be able to focus on writing (and sometimes performing in) my own work and have been living in London for the last year with my wife and a very large bird-of-paradise plant. However, within minutes of reading Caitríona's deeply funny and intelligent play I knew it was a unique opportunity to be part of work that embodies everything I love about theatre; high comedy, sharp satire and characters that feel real in surreal circumstances. You could say it would have been the perfect chance to perfect my 'chartered accountant-type' persona, but as it turns out, there is no such thing. The Lunch Punch Power Hour in Conference Room 4 follows four individuals that have the same hopes and dreams, faults and failings as everyone else - but are bound together in a corporate system that can only succeed when they are ground down to faceless, homogenized employees. When they reject it, the fun really starts.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Barmy, chaotic comedy tackles the world of corporate philanthropy
'The Lunch Punch Power Hour in Conference Room 4' on the Peacock Stage, Abbey Theatre is clever and bamboozling but perhaps too unruly to fully take a deep dive into the serious themes it explores The Irish business world is having a moment on the Dublin stage, with this absurdist frolic into corporate shenanigans following on from Sugarglass's production of Molière at Smock Alley. Caitríona Daly's new play has a lot going for it, but it only really gets into its stride towards the end. The play follows two senior colleagues and a roped-in recent hire having a meeting to determine what a social responsibility budget surplus should be spent on. Executive assistant Clodagh (Caoimhe O'Malley) wants it spent on saving the bees. Working-from-home executive Daniel (Fionn Foley) wants it spent on his daughter's Offaly GAA club. Jess, the recently hired receptionist (Emma Dargan-Reid), is mainly trying to find her feet and not get fired. And Susan (Helen Norton), the HR head, is hovering outside the room, trying to gain access through the locked door.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Tributes paid to Strumpet City star Frank Grimes
Tributes have been paid to the Dublin actor Frank Grimes, best known for his roles in Strumpet City and Coronation Street, following his death at the age of 78. The Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in Hammersmith, London, announced Frank Grimes's passing after a short illness. It described him as "a dearly loved friend of the ICC" and one of Ireland's "truly great actors". In its tribute, the ICC said: "Frank Grimes was born in Dublin, he trained at the Abbey Theatre, and was a member of the Abbey Players. "He scored an early success as Brendan Behan in Borstal Boy at the Abbey in Dublin, Paris, and on Broadway, where he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor and was voted Most Promising Actor by the New York critics." "Frank worked extensively in the theatre in London; at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court and in London's West End," it continued. On television, Frank Grimes was hailed for his role as the naive, young priest Father O'Connor in the RTÉ adaptation of James Plunkett's Strumpet City, winning a Jacobs Award for his performance. His other television credits included playing Barry Connor in Coronation Street and roles in Mrs Brown's Boys, Doctors, Casualty, Fair City, The Bill, and Blind Justice, among many more. His film credits included A Bridge Too Far, When the Sky Falls, War of the Buttons, and Britannia Hospital. Frank Grimes also wrote and starred in the one-man show The He & The She of It - A Portrait of James Joyce. "We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him, and seen him perform," the Irish Cultural Centre concluded. "We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette, his daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his 7 grandchildren, and to all his extended family." Paying tribute, Gerry O'Brien, president of the actors' union Irish Equity, described Frank Grimes as "a fine performer who brought a sense of vulnerability and, as a result, a humanity to all his performances".
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Coronation Street' star and stage actor Frank Grimes dies aged 78
Irish actor Frank Grimes, widely celebrated for his work across theatre, film, and television, has died at the age of 78 following a short illness. The Dublin-born performer passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, August 1, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in London. Grimes was hailed as 'one of Ireland's greatest actors' by the ICC, which remembered him as warm-hearted and full of 'Dublin wit and charm.' The centre paid tribute to his remarkable career and presence, calling him a rare talent who brought unforgettable energy to the stage. Over his decades-long career, Grimes gained acclaim in both Ireland and the UK. He trained at Dublin's Abbey Theatre and appeared in numerous productions there between 1965 and 1972, performing works by iconic writers such as Sean O'Casey, J.M. Synge, Lady Gregory, and Shakespeare. One of his standout early roles was playing Brendan Behan in the 1967 world premiere of Borstal Boy, a production that later transferred to Broadway and earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. In television, Grimes became known to UK audiences through his role as Barry Connor on Coronation Street, appearing in over 50 episodes between 2008 and 2015. He also appeared in Mrs Brown's Boys, A Bridge Too Far, Tulips of Harlem, The Outsider, and Blind Justice. Grimes was also a noted James Joyce enthusiast. His self-written performance, The He and the She of It… A Portrait of James Joyce, earned him standing ovations during multiple runs at the ICC. He is survived by his wife Ginnette, children Tilly and Andrew, and seven grandchildren. Tributes continue to pour in for the actor from across the theatre and film communities.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
On This Week: Women 'invade' the Forty Foot
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (14th - 20th July) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 14th - 20th July. This Week In Irish News Before 1974, the Forty Foot was traditionally a men-only spot until a group of women decided to protest by gathering and swimming there. The Dublin City Women's Invasionary Force protested on the shore with placards and took to the waters located in Sandycove, Dublin. Since the protest, women have been swimming at the Forty Foot. 1979: Cork gets first female bus conductors in Ireland For the first time in Ireland, three female bus conductors were employed by CIE in Cork City. The three women taken on were Geraldine Horgan, a former hospital attendant; Angela Stout, a retired bus conductor on London Transport; and Maura Wallace, who holds a Diploma in Youth and Community Work. The women were employed under the same conditions as the male conductors, earning the same wages and wearing the same uniforms. This Week In Irish Sports 1972: Muhammad Ali wins fight against Al 'Blue' Lewis in Croke Park Heavyweight boxers Muhammad Ali and Al 'Blue' Lewis met in the ring in Croke Park on 19 July 1972 in a non-title fight. The eagerly anticipated fight saw Ali beat Lewis in the 11th round by a technical knockout. After the fight, Ali gave credit to his opponent, saying he was awkward to fight and that he "hit him a lot of times, but he just coming through and through". Ali's next fight would be against former world Champion Floyd Patterson, which he won. 2013: Ireland's women's football team kick off first World Cup campaign Ireland's women's football team arrived for their first World Cup, where they played Australia, Nigeria, and Canada in Group B. Ireland opened the tournament by playing the hosts, Australia, in front of a 75,784-strong crowd. Despite a spirited and hard-fought performance, the hosts won 1-0 thanks to a 52nd-minute penalty from Steph Catley. This Week In Irish Entertainment 1987: Having a Lark in the Park for the fifth time The fifth successive 'Lark in the Park', a free rock music concert, took place in St Anne's Park, Raheny in Dublin. The Lark in the Park was a series of free, open-air music concerts held in public parks, organised by RTÉ Radio 2 and In Dublin magazine. For the first time, the concert had five acts instead of four, with Touchdown, Montage, Blue In Heaven, Lord John White, and The Subterraneans all performing. This Week In Irish Culture 1966: The New Abbey Theatre opens its doors The President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera, officially opened the new Abbey Theatre in Dublin. It marked fifteen years to the day since the old Abbey was destroyed by fire, except for the front offices and the vestibule. The theatre was designed by architect Michael Scott and was built on the site of the old theatre. 1993: Mayo celebrates 5,000 years Ballina in Co Mayo was the site for celebrating Mayo 5000 with pageantry, fireworks and a Beat on the Street. Mayo 5000 was a year-long cultural celebration of 5,000 years of rural settlement in the county. The 2FM roadshow provided entertainment with a three-hour Beat on the Street. Then, there was a colourful pageant telling the county's history throughout the ages with President Mary Robinson as the guest of honour before ending with a spectacular fireworks display. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1972: 'Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day' by Gilbert O'Sullivan The song was the first of three consecutive number ones on the Irish Singles Chart for O'Sullivan. 1986: 'The Lady in Red' by Chris de Burgh The song was responsible for introducing de Burgh to a mainstream international audience, reaching number one in several countries. 2013: 'I'm Glad You Came' by The Wanted The Wanted's second single peaked at number one in the UK and Ireland, and reached number two in the US. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week Michael Flatley (67) Former professional dancer and choreographer, best known for Riverdance. Annie Mac (47) DJ, broadcaster, and writer who has hosted shows on BBC Radio 1. James Kavanagh (36) Influencer, and presenter who co-hosts 'The Simpler Life?' podcast. Other Irish Trivia From This Week 2008: When the Smurfs descended onto Castleblayney Castleblayney in Monaghan enters the Guinness Book of Records by holding a meeting of 1,253 Smurfs. To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the popular cartoon characters 'The Smurfs', the people of Castleblayney broke the record for the most Smurfs gathered in one place. The record attempt was conducted as part of a local festival, with the effort exceeding the previous record of just over 500 people, which was set in Croatia. Looking Ahead Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
