'I love my job': Marie revelling in her role as an actor

Tell us about yourself;

I’m a proud Corkonian, born and bred, I grew up in Ballinlough, moved around for a while and have now settled in Turners Cross.

I am a professional actor, I love my job - well, you have to in this industry, with the ups and downs and instability of it. But I relish creating and exploring characters and sharing their stories with an audience, it’s incredibly rewarding.

I often portray (and write) multiple characters in such shows like the hilarious The Adult Panto in An Spailpin Fanach.

I am autistic and have ADHD, diagnosed last year. My neurodiversity does not define my life but the knowledge of my diagnosis has transformed my life and given me invaluable coping mechanisms and an understanding of myself that I wish I grew up with.

I love animals and I foster dogs through Dog Action Welfare Group. It’s heartbreaking how some people treat animals when all they want is to be loved. It’s such a joy to be able to give them some TLC and see them transform and then help them find their perfect forever home.

In my downtime, I enjoy taking dogs for a nice walk, some of our favourite places are Fota Gardens, Farran Woods and the Glen Park, then getting cosy on the sofa with my fella, my dog, some snacks and a good gory or mind- boggling TV show (I do enjoy some trash reality TV too but don’t tell anyone).

But I’m also well known for throwing on some glad rags and heading out on the town, some of my favourite haunts being The Roundy, Vibe, The Pav and The Crane Lane.

I have also been enjoying welding a mallet and chisel and ripping out parts of my house to get a head start on house renovations. I am having so much fun rehearsing for Summer Revels and can’t wait to be in front of an audience with this fantastic show with such a talented, stellar cast and crew, honestly they are all fab people, absolute joy of a rehearsal room.

Where were you born?

Cork.

Where do you live?

Cork, in Turners Cross.

Family?

My mum Kay lives in Ballinlough, my older brother Tim lives around the corner from her with his wife Rebbecca and kids Liv and Maitiú, my older sister Suz lives in Somerset with her partner Rich and their kids Senan and Rían. Yes, I’m the baby of the family and only have fur babies.

Best friend?

This is going to sound pretty soppy but my partner, comedian Chris McShane is my best friend. I never thought that anyone could, or that I could let anyone love all my eccentricities, but then he came along and managed to wangle his way into my heart as a permanent fixture. We laugh so much together and are comfortable being the biggest weirdos around each other.

Earliest childhood memory?

I used to think it was on a beach with a bath book when I was about three or four, until I found out my first trip to a beach wasn’t until I was about six or seven, so I don’t know what was real or imaginary anymore.

I do remember for a fact my brother and sister pinning me down and tickling me to tears, I was around seven I think, it’s maybe the reason I’m not ticklish now.

Person you most admire?

Chris McShane (he told me to say that).

Person who most irritates you?

Chris McShane (he also told me to say that, haha).

Where was your most memorable holiday?

It wasn’t really a holiday, but I did some training in The Actors Space near Barcelona, we were in the mountain and the scenery was just breathtaking, and then on days off wandering around Barcelona and soaking in all the fantastic architecture and art, the city was just amazing. The whole trip was food for my creative soul.

Favourite TV programme?

Right now I’m loving The Boys, I’m a big fan of gore and superpower genres. I think my partner finds it a little unsettling how my face lights up in delight at particularly gruesome moments in TV and film.

Favourite radio show?

I don’t listen to the radio very often, but I do enjoy The Arts House with Elmarie Mawe on Sunday mornings on 96fm

Your signature dish if cooking?

Does frozen pizza count, haha. When I put in the effort, I do make a pretty good chilli con carne.

Favourite restaurant?

It’s a toss between Market Lane and Amicus, both have great food and lovely staff.

Last book you read?

A Squash And A Squeeze by Julia Donaldson (at the behest of my three-year-old niece).

Best book you read?

Pillars Of The Earth, by Ken Follett.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I mostly stream, lately I’ve been listening to Ren, he’s brilliant.

Favourite song?

This is a hard choice, different go to songs for different moods across so many genres, but perhaps Postcards From Italy by Beirut.

Do you have a pet?

I’m currently fostering a gorgeous seven year old Collie x GSD called Jack, and myself and Chris have completely fallen for him and are going to adopt.

Your proudest moment?

It’s pretty prideful seeing giant images of me on the side of the Opera House and on billboards and buses around the city.

Spendthrift or saver?

A bit of both, I can meticulously shop around for the best deal on an item but then the next day spend frivolously on an impulse buy

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

Parking, I live near Cork City FC, a funeral home and school, and regularly have people park across my driveway.

What makes you happy?

Happiness can come in so many different forms. I’m happy when I’m chilling on the sofa with my partner. Playing and giving belly rubs to Jack the dog. Hearing my nephews and niece laugh. Performing and feeding off the energy of a live audience. But I also love a good bit of organisation and a clean kitchen counter…. and cheese.

How would you like to be remembered?

She had the talent to make us laugh and make us cry (on the stage and off, haha)

What else are you up to at the moment?

It’s quite a busy few months for me, other than performing in the spectacular Summer Revels in Cork Opera House from July 24, I am also performing in the hilarious dinner theatre experience Hysterical Histories every Thursday to Saturday until September 14 in Amicus, and then I am in The Everyman with the brilliant Noel Coward play Present Laughter from September 24 to 28.

Off the stage, l am in the midst of writing this year’s Chattyboo’s Adult Panto returning to An Spailpin Fanach, and doing a total renovation on my house. Oh, I might sleep at some point too.

For tickets to Summer Revels see www.corkoperahouse.ie