Latest news with #ThePlayboyoftheWesternWorld
Irish Independent
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Talented Wexford actors impress in their production of ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan'
Written by Martin McDonagh, the tale is a dark comedic story centred on orphan Billy Claven, who is physically disabled, and is pitied by the local community. When a Hollywood film crew arrives on a nearby island, he sees an opportunity to escape his stifling environment and make a life for himself. A big and challenging element to the story is the cast of local residents who throughout the plot tell wild and exaggerated stories, a reflection of the islander's hunger for gossip and meaning outside the mundane perimeters of their everyday lives. Nonetheless, the young cast took it in their stride, perfectly encapsulating each character and standing out amongst the tall tales. 17-year-old Billy Stafford stepped seamlessly into the role of Billy Claven, having got into drama through Fintan Kelly's acting classes. Before this leading role, he played Padraic Pearse in The Plough and the Stars. A sixth year student in Coláiste Bríde with a love for the arts thanks to her father Fintan, Jennifer Kelly confidently took on the role of Helen McCormack in her third production with the company. Over the years, she has been in numerous short films and has various theatre credits to her name. Sam Doran was first bitten by the acting bug in transition year when he took part in an one-act play and now in his sixth year of secondary school, his love for performance has only grown with him taking on the role of Bartley McCormack – Helena's brother with a neverending sweet tooth. 14-year-old Mary, and sister to Jennifer, has had her fair share of onstage and backstage roles before assuming the role of mammy in this production. Despite her young age, she has previously worked in the assistant stage management of the Enniscorthy Musical Society's Happy Days as well as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With an affinity for music, she is a strong guitar player who hopes to also learn the ukulele, harmonica, tin whistle, banjo and keyboard. From the young age of eight, 17-year-old aspiring actress Niamh Lawlor took her first steps onto the local panto stage and never left. Having participated in a number of theatre training programmes, Niamh was more then ready to perform her version of Eileen Osbourne, Billy's Aunt and local store owner. Joining her on stage was 17-year-old Ava Duffy who honed her crafts in The Playboy of the Western World and The Plough and the Stars before she assumed the role of Billy's Aunt who has a habit of talking to stones. ADVERTISEMENT Having over ten years of experience on stage, young Caoimhe was an excellent choice to bring to life the character of Babby Bobby, while 15-year-old Grace Boland encapsulated local docter, Dr. McSharry. Rounding out the cast was passionate Éanna O'Reilly, who used his love for Irish, music, literature, film, and drama, to embrace the role of nosy newsman Johnnypateenmike. And last, but certainly not least, no production can run smoothly without an expert stage manager working their magic behind the scenes. Anna Boyce proved her strength in making sure each actor shined without any technical difficulties. With her wide-array of passions in visual arts, acting, and music, as well as behind the scenes experience with the Enniscorthy Musical Society, Anna was in her element throughout the three night run.
Extra.ie
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Nicola Coughlan reveals she almost quit acting before landing Derry Girls
Nicola Coughlan has opened up about how she considered quitting acting and moving back to Galway before landing her big break. The Irish native has enjoyed an illustrious career since starring on Channel 4 hit, Derry Girls, landing roles alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names. While she may have landed on her feet, Nicola admits she was close to calling it a day before Lisa McGee's iconic script landed in her lap. Nicola Coughlan has opened up about how she considered quitting acting and moving back to Galway before landing her big break. Pic: Lisa O'Connor/Shutterstock for SAG The now 38-year-old recalled leaving drama school and feeling discontent with the auditions she was landing. She remembers roles for women being largely 'someone's girlfriend or the woman with two lines who sat behind a desk', explaining how she found it difficult to land work in her 20s. Chatting to the Radio Times, Nicola revealed: 'There were definitely lots of moments where I thought, 'Should I quit?' The Irish native has enjoyed an illustrious career since starring on Channel 4 hit, Derry Girls, landing roles alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names. 'It's a difficult industry to break into and I didn't have any connections or money. It didn't seem sensible for me to keep going, but I got Derry Girls at 30, which was an amazing turning point.' Nicola is soon to be reunited with one of her Derry Girls co-stars, and we couldn't be more excited. Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney, also known as Clare Devlin and Sister Michael, are set to reunite on the stage in a star-studded revival of The Playboy of the Western World. The dynamic duo will also be joined by Normal People actor, Éanna Hardwicke, rounding out an incredible Irish cast. The highly anticipated production will be directed by the artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland, Caitríona McLaughlin.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Derry Girls reunion! Nicola Coughlan to reunite with co-star for exciting new project
Derry Girls stars Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney are set to reunite for an exciting new project. The actors, who played Clare Devlin and Sister Michael on the hit '90s-set comedy series, are teaming up once again for the National Theatre production of John Millington Synge's The Playboy of the Western World. They'll be joined on stage by The Sixth Commandment's Éanna Hardwicke, Declan Conlon, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack and Marty Rea. Caitríona McLaughlin will direct the play, which will be staged in the Lyttelton Theatre from 4 December 2025 to 28 February 2026. The official synopsis for The Playboy of the Western World reads: "Pegeen Flaherty's life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he's killed his father. Related: Best streaming services "Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…" Coughlan and McSweeney starred in all three seasons of Lisa McGee's award-winning comedy series Derry Girls, which came to an end in 2022. While fans had hoped for either another season or a potential movie spin-off, McSweeney explained she wasn't very keen. Related: "I think the thing that makes shows great is that you want to end them, and don't ruin them by dragging them out for years and years and years," she told Digital Spy back in 2023. "So I think we've left the characters in a good place, a good place of hope, a place of peace. So why not leave them there for the time being? I see Sister Michael every time I open my eyes anyway. She's always with me." The final season of Derry Girls had huge success at the BAFTA TV Awards, where McGee won Best Scripted Comedy and McSweeney won the award for Best Female Comedy Performance. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online now, priced at £7.99. at at £49.99 at at at Amazon at Audible£328.00 at at EE£18.99 at at EE at at at at at at at Amazon at at at at at Game at at EE at at at Pandora at at at at Sky Mobile£1200.00 at Game at at at at Pandora at Three at at at £79.99 at at at at AO at at at at at at £39.99 at at at at Fitbit£49.99 at at at at John Lewis£119.00 at at at at at at at at at at at £157.00 at John Lewis£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at at at at at Amazon at Fitbit£119.99 at at at at John Lewis & Partners at at Three at at Amazon at at at at Amazon at at Apple£293.81 at at at Three£189.99 at at at at Amazon£699.00 at at at at at at at at at at EE at Audible at at at at at John Lewis at at at at at at at at at EE at at at John Lewis at Apple£32.99 at Amazon£379.00 at at at at Samsung at at Three$365.00 at Microsoft£229.00 at John Lewis at at Apple at at at at Samsung£22.00 at Amazon£449.00 at John Lewis at at at AO at crunchyroll at at at Microsoft£79.98 at at at Microsoft at John Lewis & Partners at at at at John Lewis at at at Amazon£269.99 at at at at John Lewis & Partners at now£16.00 at Microsoft at at at at at at at John Lewis at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
Extra.ie
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Nicola Coughlan set for major reunion with fellow Derry Girls star
It looks like a Derry Girls reunion is on the cards, and we couldn't be more excited! Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney, also known as Clare Devlin and Sister Michael, are set to reunite on the stage in a star-studded revival of The Playboy of the Western World. The dynamic duo will also be joined by Normal People actor, Éanna Hardwicke, rounding out an incredible Irish cast. It looks like a Derry Girls reunion is on the cards and we couldn't be more excited! Pic: Lisa O'Connor/Shutterstock for SAG The highly anticipated production will be directed by the artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, the National Theatre of Ireland, Caitríona McLaughlin. Nicola shared the news on social media, writing: 'Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre. Reuniting with an old friend for a new adventure doing an Irish classic. So excited to be bringing the Wesht of Ireland to the @nationaltheatre.' The play's synopsis reads: 'Pegeen Flaherty's life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he's killed his father. Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney, also known as Clare Devlin and Sister Michael, are set to reunite on the stage in a star-studded revival of The Playboy of the Western World. Pic: Rowben Lantion/BAFTA via Getty Images 'Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…' The production will be staged in the Lyttelton Theatre in London from 4 December 2025 to 28 February 2026. Nicola isn't the only Irish star returning to the stage, with Paul Mescal taking the short stroll up O'Connell Street to appear on the Abbey Theatre stage in 2027. The Normal People and Gladiator II star is set to make his debut at London's National Theatre in A Whistle In The Dark, which will then transfer to the Abbey.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Paul Mescal to star in A Whistle in the Dark in Dublin's Abbey Theatre and London's National Theatre
Both 20th century plays will take place in the Lyttelton Theatre, and focus on dysfunctional family relationships, the struggle for identity, and societal and familial expectations. Co-Director of the Abbey Theatre, Artistic Director Caitríona McLaughlin said: 'It is very meaningful for us at the Abbey Theatre to have such fulsome engagement in this next chapter of the National Theatre of Great Britain. It will be an honour to bring The Playboy of the Western World and A Whistle in the Dark before audiences in London. Every generation deserves to see these two seminal works of the Irish canon.' The productions will take place as part of National Theatre co-chief executive Indhu Rubasingham's inaugural programme, with dates for the performances yet to be announced. Tom Murphy play A Whistle In The Dark will be directed by Caitriona McLaughlin, while Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman will be directed by Rebecca Frecknall. Further casting and ticket sale dates will be announced in due course. Speaking about the new programme, Rubasingham said: 'The National Theatre is a very special place at the heart of our national discourse, and I am incredibly proud to be its seventh director. 'I am so excited about everything to come, and the wealth of projects and artists announced today. 'The National Theatre is a beacon of creativity, humanity and possibilities. It holds the stories of so many people who have made this place mean so much to so many. 'This is just the beginning, a flavour of what's to come, the start of the next chapter.' The National Theatre will also work with rapper Stormzy on a production. The news about Mescal came after it was announced the 29-year-old will play Paul McCartney in four films directed by Sam Mendes about The Beatles. He shot to stardom during the pandemic for his role as love interest Connell Waldron in BBC miniseries Normal People, based on the novel of the same name by Irish author Sally Rooney. Mescal also won an Olivier Award for a stage adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, before starring in Gladiator II, directed by Sir Ridley Scott, as an arena fighter who tries to bring down two maniacal emperors.
