Next up Lisa Garvey who shouldn’t have this much experience AND look so fresh faced. Keep your eyes peeled for her comedy shorts which are short programmes, not clothing. Over to you, Lisa.
Have you taken part in THE 24 HOUR PLAYS before?
This is my first time taking part in THE 24 HOUR PLAYS.
What is the most memorable dramatic experience you have had, and why?
When I performed in ‘Rhubarb Crumble’, the sell out show at last year’s Tiger Dublin Fringe which I also co-wrote with my comedy group Ghost Train Willy. It was an amazing experience to hear the audience’s positive reaction to our original work. There is nothing like the pleasure of hearing the crowd laugh at scenes you wrote. The stakes are always higher when you’ve written the piece, as well as acted in it – so the rewards are even sweeter when it turns out well
When did you first know you wanted to be involved in the performing arts?
I knew I wanted to be in the performing arts when I was 8 years old and I was asked to read the spoken part in the song ‘When a Child is Born’ at our Christmas concert. Now, this was probably just part of a plan to ensure I wouldn’t sing. However, the thrill of performing in front of people for those few short minutes gave me a kind joy I had never experienced before. I was hooked.
Who (living or dead) would you most like to work with?
Apart from the obvious ones like Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson and of course the entire cast and creative team working on the 24 Hour Plays, I would love to one day have the pleasure of working with Olivia Colman, whose dramatic and comedic work is incredible in equal measure. I greatly admire Kristen Wiig’s ability as a writer and an actress.
I have also been following the career of Simone Kirby for some years now. Impressed by her stage work and her most recent role in ‘Peaky Blinders’ – I also loved her various hilarious portrayals in the show ‘Meet Your Neighbours’. I am thrilled to be sharing a playbill with her and possibly a stage.
Tell us a little about your next big project.
I will be starring in ‘Tidy’, a series of comedy shorts for the RTÉ Player which I co-wrote and produced with Ghost Train Willy. The series features a Tidy Towns committee in Middle Ireland, desperate to win at any cost.
I will also be back on RTÉ Radio One with Callan’s Kicks from February 20th. And there’ll be a new series of Callan’s Kicks on RTÉ Television later in the year.
What are you anticipating the most about THE 24 HOUR PLAYS?
I am excited about the idea of creating something in such a short space of time while getting the opportunity to work with incredibly talented people. I’m also relying on the theory that amazing ideas will flourish under immense pressure. The fact that we’re raising money for Dublin Youth Theatre at the same time is the icing on the cake. If I’m honest – on the 1st of February – I’ll be getting the chance to live out a personal dream of performing on the Abbey stage. It may sound clichéd and predictable but ever since I worked in the Abbey 14 years ago showing people to their seats and serving them drinks at the interval – I have been waiting for the opportunity to be on that stage and I can’t believe it’s soon to become a reality.
Sum up your feelings about THE 24 HOUR PLAYS in five words or less!
Mixture of terror and exhilaration.