My Weekend: I miss sitting with an audience... but it's great to attend shows from the comfort of your home

Emilie Peneau is a Marketing Assistant at the Everyman Theatre. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am originally from Brittany in France and came to live in Ireland 21 year ago, initially in Waterford city and I have been living in East Cork since 2008. I originally came to practice speaking English and never left. I have since completed a BA in English and an MA in Literature in UCC – I started a PhD on Margaret Atwood’s short stories, but never completed it unfortunately.

I share my house in Cloyne with four rescue cats (a consequence of my involvement in cat welfare). I love East Cork as it is close to everything: only a short drive to the city, close to the sea and I can see the cows in the nearby field from my house!

I currently work as a marketing assistant at The Everyman Theatre. I love theatre and used to be a regular visitor when studying in UCC. 

It’s a brilliant and stimulating environment to be working in, incredible building and amazing people. I really miss the social interaction and buzz now as I have been working from home since March.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? 

I’m lucky to work part-time, so Thursday is my Friday! I love going out for dinner and a play or a gig. At the moment, I tend to make dinner and sit down with a glass of wine to listen to the Play It by Ear audio plays broadcast live from The Everyman. There is one on most Thursdays and Saturdays. I miss the experience of sitting with an audience, but it is great to be able to attend shows from the comfort of your home! It is a different experience to listen to a show. I wasn’t too sure about it at first, but I enjoy the fact that you don’t have to be glued to a screen.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

Lie ins, although I try to get up at a reasonable time and not waste the day.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

After running a cat welfare charity as a volunteer for eight years, when I was working seven days a week, I have learnt that it is crucial to keep time for yourself and to find the right balance in life. I left the charity last Spring and still find it very strange to have all this free time to myself. I have dedicated work hours and mostly stick to them (unless there is something important to do – I am flexible when needs be), although I do keep an eye out on what is happening in our industry on social media. Before lockdown, I would sometimes “have to” attend a show opening, but that can hardly be called work?!

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would love to go to any European city really. I had a trip organised to visit Prague last Spring, which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. I was meant to go with a friend and was so much looking forward to the fun we would have had discovering a new place and culture. We had booked a show at the Black Light Theatre – check it out, it looks like a very different experience of theatre.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

I am spoilt for choice in East Cork. It is a truly beautiful area. There is a gorgeous spot only five minutes walk from my house where you can see Ballycotton island on one side and Cobh on the other. I also love going for a walk on Ballynamona Beach. It’s a quiet beach and is home to many birds. I find it resourcing and it never fails to make me feel serene. It’s as beautiful under a blue sky or in the drizzle!

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

I enjoy meeting friends for coffee or dinner and show when we get a chance. I don’t have any family in Ireland, but I have been keeping in touch with them more than ever this year on WhatsApp. I also have regular catch up with my best friend in France through video calls. We both grab a glass of wine and might end up talking for a few hours!

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I love reading – as long as I have a book, I am happy. 

I recently read Summerwater by Sarah Moss and thought it was a brilliant read. I highly recommend it!

Recently I have taken up yoga and going for walks on a daily basis, which I find very calming. I went for a few yoga practices on Garryvoe beach at the end of the summer; it was quite an experience, very enjoyable.

I also like doing crafts. I make costume jewellery (I worked in a shop selling beads when I was young in France). I also do a bit of rock painting – I’m not very talented, but I find it fun and relaxing.

Entertain or be entertained? If it's the latter do you have a signature dish?

I worked as a waitress for many years and got used to being fed, so I like to be entertained!

I like to have guests over, but I am not a great cook! For this reason, a cheese raclette is probably my signature dish as you can’t fail it!

We have so many places to eat out in Cork - where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

I have been to The Tavern in East Ferry a few times this year and love it! They have had a tough first year, but are keeping the chin up. The seafood and fish there are delicious! I was also lucky to go to Sea Church in Ballycotton for dinner and to see Mick Flannery just days before lockdown and had a great night! The food is very promising. When in the city, I often go to Son of a Bun as it is handy when going to The Everyman. I am not really a meat eater, but when I do, I do it in style!

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Chilling out with a book.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

7am. I find it difficult to get up so would hit the snooze button a few times!

UPCOMING STREAMING SHOWS

In October, following six months of closure, they launched Play It by Ear, a programme of live performance from The Everyman stage - which was received with great applause.  The Everyman are now taking the next step to video streamed live performance, with their December programme of Christmas shows, while maintaining and continuing their Play It by Ear programme.

The Everyman Christmas Songbook Happy Holiday: Christmas with Andy Williams strams on Monday December 14 at 7.30pm

Live from The Everyman stage JOHN SPILLANE AND FRIENDS perform on Sunday December 20 at 8pm.

The Everyman and CADA Present A CORK CHRISTMAS CAROL on December 22, at 7.30pm

The Everyman and CADA present Once Upon a Time with The Everyman Panto Stars on December 23 to January 31.

Tickets can be booked via The Everyman’s website: everymancork.com