Person to Person: Performer Ray Scannell is returning Leeside for a new project 

Where were you born?

The Bons!… in Cork.

Where do you live?

I now live in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Family?

Last year I visited An Súgán in the Muskerry Gaeltacht with my Dad (a new Irish language Museum opening down there) where he grew up. One of the characters proposed for the audio tour is my great grandad, who taught there and was a prominent member in establishing the college. Rehearsals for Making History have involved a lot of detailed research, facilitated by the brilliant team on the show. The play asks questions of how our stories and histories are passed down.

Best friend?

A gang of friends from where I grew up in Monkstown had a reunion last year, as some of them have started moving back to Cork. Most of us know each other since primary school and have still stayed in touch, which I know can be rare!

Earliest childhood memory?

We grew up in a house looking out to the bay. So I always remember the horizon (where sometimes you’d be able to see a storm approaching).

Person you most admire?

At the moment? Des Kennedy, our Director on Making History. He’s a very passionate and brilliant individual. And he leads a rehearsal room where you feel comfortable to contribute, fail and create… which is not always the case on a gig. He can unlock something in a playful way which all just leads to people making better choices. And it gives an actor more agency over their work. I have a lot of respect for the type of atmosphere he creates.

Person who most irritates you?

Without getting specific, what frustrates me most are polarised, black and white opinions online. I don’t feel like the online arena is always the healthiest place for debate.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

From never having been, I finally made it to Rome a couple of years ago. And have been obsessed since. It’s been useful to have a sense of the setting, as my character, the younger Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Armagh, is closely connected to the Pope of the time. And, as an agent of Hugh O’Neill’s, is trying to garner support from Rome and military support from Spain.

Favourite TV programme?

What We Do In The Shadows (TV Series) which has recently had its final season. It’s delicious fun. And Wolf Hall. It’s made with such attention to detail. It never feels like a period piece - it’s delivered so naturally. And the acting is excellent across the board. Just like the amazing cast on Making History - some of which have never seen it, so I’ve envied them watching it for the first time.

Favourite radio show?

Cerys Matthews’ show on BBC Radio 6 is the perfect soundtrack to a Sunday morning. A great mix of guests, poetry and music curated with real care and passion. And an honourable mention to my old mucker, Cathal Murray, who presents Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1. Cathal was in my first play out of UCC Dramat, Breathing Water. We toured it to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000. An unforgettable time.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Moussaka.

Favourite restaurant?

Glas in Dublin.

Best book you read?

Trainspotting was a very important book when I was first starting to write as a late teen. Irvine Welsh wrote in a phonetic vernacular which suddenly made everything possible. You felt you could write about the youth culture of your own city, to use your own slang-uage. (And Danny Boyle’s adaptation is the rare case where a film version does the book justice… and creates something new. Not to mention the soundtrack.)

Favourite song?

At the moment? Perfume Genius (feat. Aldous Harding) No Front Teeth. All time? Prince - Raspberry Beret.

One person you would like to see in concert?

I’d love to see Arooj Aftab at the Brighton Festival this summer. Anoushka Shankar is the guest director of the festival. The programme looks huge!

Do you have a pet?

I don’t currently own a pet. But we had a blue budgie growing up. Don’t laugh. I recently defended budgies at a party where the guests were comparing house pets. I showed my friends a clip on Youtube (just look up any clip of a budgie talking/mimicking). They are remarkable creatures. Incredibly intelligent for their size. And full of personality. Don’t underestimate the budgie!

Morning person or night owl?

It’s changed over the years. When I lived in Cork, you would have found me walking home on a Sunday morning from Sir Henry’s nightclub. Now I’m asleep most nights by 10pm!

Your proudest moment?

Winning ‘Best Sound Design and Composition’ with Ben Delaney at the Irish Times Theatre Awards for our work on Philly MacMahon’s Town Is Dead, a show which was produced at the Abbey on which I was the composer.

Spendthrift or saver?

Something in between.

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

More supports for addiction treatment, in Dublin (but also countrywide). And not just frontline help… ongoing supports, like the brilliant SAOL project. I once worked with artist Veronica Dyas who led a group at SAOL, creating a song of empowerment - which I was employed to write (in collaboration with the group). The organisation is doing amazing work. Our understanding of addiction has come a long way but it can still be largely misunderstood and stigmatised in Ireland. And there are good news stories too, which rarely make the news.

What makes you happy?

Sharing time with people who make you feel 100% comfortable being yourself.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I’ve been approached to work as the playwright on a project developing Cónal Creedon’s novel Passion Play to the stage. It’s a privilege. Cónal Creedon is a hero. And as we all know, is the Dickens of Cork.