Person to Person: 'I wish I could be a spendthrift, but in this economy, I’m a saver'

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Maeve Scannell, I’m a producer and arts administrator, currently working in The Everyman full time, and I also produce creative projects throughout the year.

Where were you born?

Essex.

Where do you live?

Cobh.

Family?

My parents are Mary and Aindrias, and I have two brothers Conor and Hugh. They were both sensible and work in finance while I’m the black sheep who works in the arts and always has a weird show my family has to come see.

Best friend?

My partner Patrick. He’s the best company and we’re always on the same wavelength. As my mom says, we’re a great pair.

Earliest childhood memory?

I remember the first time I broke my arm when I was four years old. I was watching the Teletubbies on TV and tripped myself climbing in and out of my toy boxes and I ended up missing my first day of school. (The second time was a week after I got the cast off, I fell in the school yard and broke the other arm.)

Person you most admire?

My friends, who are always hard-working, creative and inspiring to be around.

Person who most irritates you?

Cork city drivers who constantly run red lights.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

New York. It’s such a fun city to explore and I got to see Lea Michele in Funny Girl on Broadway.

Favourite TV programme?

I recently just finished Buffy The Vampire Slayer which was amazing. I’d watch it over again just for the ’90s fashion inspiration.

Favourite radio show?

Movies And Musicals on RTÉ Lyric.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Prawn fried rice, it never fails to get a compliment when I’m heating up leftovers in work and the smell fills the green room.

Favourite restaurant?

Paladar maybe? More so for their cocktails than food, a liquid dinner!

Last book you read?

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. It’s an alright book but the TV show is much better. A better recent read was Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, the book was great, the movie was great, Ryan Gosling is great!

Best book you read?

Hard to pick just one, I recently loved I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman but Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier is also a classic page turner, and Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie is a favourite, a long read but worth the perseverance.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I’m not a big music person so don’t go for albums much. I did buy a Blu-ray of The Princess Bride after Rob Reiner passed away. I’d be much more likely to collect movies over music. Inconceivable!

Favourite song?

Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits. I love doing an impression of the line “hey it’s Romeo” in the deep husky voice.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Queen doing their Live Aid set.

Do you have a pet?

No, I really like cats but I’m allergic unfortunately.

Morning person or night owl?

Try as I might to be a morning person, my brain always kicks into gear when I should be going to bed.

Your proudest moment?

I hope it keeps changing over the years but I was delighted with my work producing the play Bottlenose: A Mystery For Modern Ireland in the Cork Midsummer Festival in 2025. The play is a madcap comedy about the assassination of Fungie the Dolphin a la JFK and follows an American detective who goes to Dingle to investigate the conspiracy. Bringing that to life and having audiences laugh so much and react to the piece was really nice to experience.

Spendthrift or saver?

I wish I could be a spendthrift, but in this economy, I’m a saver.

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

I wish there was a bookshop in Cobh. I always dream of opening one like the plot of a small town romcom.

What makes you happy?

Watching a dumb movie with friends and making fun of it. A great one is The Da Vinci Code, the scene when the woman drives her tiny two-seater car in reverse through the streets of Paris is incredible.

How would you like to be remembered?

Just as a nice, friendly person.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I’m training for the Sonia O’Sullivan 10 mile race in Cobh for April though time is running out on me and there’s so many hills. I’ve also just started a Substack ‘Maeve Talks and Talks’ to publish some writing. And as always, I’m busy at work in The Everyman prepping for all the shows we’re welcoming for the year ahead.

The Everyman will launch its new season on April 21.

• See: www.everymancork.com