Cork actor: Our mission is to make the works of Shakespeare relevant for young audiences

TELL us about yourself: 

I’m an actor/writer/director/singer-songwriter/occasionally a few other bits, or if you’ve seen me around town, I’m the fella with the big mop of red hair.

In my own work, I tend to look at the surreal, the philosophical, I’m interested in what makes people tick and how the society we’ve made influences our perceptions. 

I love to take a humorous look at all things, as I believe that can be the best medicine for a tough world. 

’ve most recently performed in The Local with Asylum Productions in the Kilkenny Arts Festival, and now I’m gearing up to play Hamlet in Hamlet: CyberMadness by Cyclone Rep. This continues our mission to make the works of Shakespeare relevant for young audiences.

In Shakespeare’s day, many mental health problems were simply labelled as ‘madness’, a key theme in Hamlet. In this production, we propose young Hamlet’s ‘madness’ is fuelled by his addiction to smartphone technology, resulting in anxiety, paranoia, feelings of isolation and depression. Hamlet:CyberMadness will showcase great performances, enlightening discussions and the use of modern technology for an innovative take on this timeless classic.

Where were you born? 

I believe in Kilkenny Hospital, but I was raised out in the ‘shticks’ in Tipperary, a sort of ‘two households, both alike in dignity’ tale emerging there already, major rivalries if you’re a GAA lover, so I’m told (as a child, I was more likely to flee a sliotar than chase the fella holding it). 

My family home is well off-the-beaten-path. If you know Thurles, I grew up outside of there. If you know Holycross, I grew up outside of there. If you know Ballycahill... yeah, I usually lose people after Thurles.

Where do you live? 

Just outside Cork city, I moved here four years ago and have really enjoyed it since, for all its idiosyncrasies, Cork has a gorgeous arts community and I’ve made a lovely menagerie of strange friends here

Family? 

My family and I wreck each others’ heads, many families do, but they’ve always been very supportive of me. 

I could not be where I am now, doing what I do without that.

My mother and a father separated when I was very young, though they remained amicable enough to have both of them as presences in my life throughout. 

I’ve my technical step-father Paul, though he’s been as much a father to me as anybody could be to anybody else. Then there’s my two younger brothers, who should be presented with military medals for bravery for surviving childhood with me.

Best friend? 

Undoubtedly, fellow actor/artist/musician Ellie-Doris Fogarty, an incredible human and a bit of an inspiration to me. A very different person to me in a number of ways, much more nurturing and spiritual, and never afraid to tell me I’m being an eejit (which is very often very true). 

Actually, somebody robbed her grey and red bike a while ago, so if that was you, can you please give it back?

Earliest childhood memory? 

Oddly enough, it is being handed a shoe in the house I was born in. Absolutely no emotional or narrative value to the moment as far as I can tell, but it’s the oldest thing in my head.

Person you most admire? 

Damian Punch, he runs Cork Ghost Tour and has been a huge supporter of mine. If it were a different time, he’d be a high-druid or perhaps some kind of Jack Sparrow-esque pirate captain. As it stands, he’s simply one of my favourite human beings.

Where was your most memorable holiday? 

I went on a trip last year to the Netherlands for this medieval/ fantasy festival, it was like a giant burning-man festival for nerds (like myself). I made up a gargoyle costume with special effects make-up that I’m pretty proud of, but the best part was that, alongside all the fantasy and dark ages merchandise they were just selling bits of Irish culture which I found hilarious.

Favourite TV programme? 

I recently watched Flowers by Will Sharpe, one of the best TV series I’ve ever seen.

Favourite radio show? 

I wouldn’t listen to much radio but I have been loving fiction podcasts (almost like radio plays) of late, particularly Wooden Overcoats, a hilarious British sitcom about two competing funeral homes.

Signature dish if cooking? 

I cook a great curry. The secret is adding pineapple juice.

Favourite restaurant? 

Wok N Roll is a modern cultural institution.

Last book you read: 

Fahrenheit 45, I did not realise it was so beautifully written, each page sings like poetry.

Best book you read? 

A toss-up between Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy and Discworld by Terry Pratchett.

Favourite song? 

It changes from week-to-week, though I usually tend to be into anything with great lyrics. The last week I’ve been looping Hozier’s Francesca and The Bug Collector by Haley Heynderickx.

One person you would like to see in concert? 

I would love to see Twenty One Pilots.

Do you have a pet? 

I grew up surrounded by big dogs, but currently have no pets, instead I have two housemates. They’re much easier to keep exercised.

Morning person or night owl? I’m very much a night-owl, I do all my best work in the wee hours after midnight.

Your proudest moment? 

I’m lucky to have a few. I played two sets of original music on the Edinburgh Fringe main stage one time. I’m not a very sentimental person, but when my first self-written/directed show debuted, I was extremely proud to have fully booked out the performances. That felt really special to see.

Spendthrift or saver?

 I can be very spendthrift, I have a few nice things that I’ve invested in, and I like to get nice things for others, but for myself I can be quite a scrooge.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? 

A cycle lane.

What makes you happy?

Lots of things. I love meeting weird new people, and being reminded how lovely it is that everybody is strange if you give them the chance to show you. Making others laugh also brings me great joy.

How would you like to be remembered? 

I’m not sure, I’m still figuring out who I’d like to be, never mind what that will look like in hindsight once I’m done being.

What else are you up to at the moment? 

I’m currently working on a few different things. I’ve nearly finished work on a comedic one-man show with a silent protagonist, about how people are just animals and how that can bring us all together, I’ll hopefully announce that some time next year. 

I’m in the early stages of co-writing a funny show for young audiences about grief with a theatre-maker named Emma O’Grady, she’s amazing.

Music is kind of on the back-burner the last while, but a few performances and some sound-design I’ve done have really got me toying with the thoughts of recording a little album. Then the next big project is Hamlet: CyberMadness.

More about Cyclone

Cyclone Rep, Ireland's leading Shakespeare theatre-in-Education Company, is delighted to announce its highly anticipated adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" tailored specifically for Junior Cycle students. This unique theatrical experience, titled "Shylock's Revenge," promises to captivate young minds while offering a fresh perspective on the Bard's timeless work. Cyclone Rep is bringing this interactive production directly to schools providing an immersive learning opportunity like no other.