We caught up with actor Dave Fleming to ask him a few questions about his dramatic life and his feelings on the cusp of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS in aid of Dublin Youth Theatre. If, like Dave, you can’t feckin’ wait for THE 24 HOUR PLAYS book your ticket now and don’t come crying to us next week when they are all gone!
Have you taken part in THE 24 HOUR PLAYS before?
No, I’m a first-timer!
What is the most memorable dramatic experience you have had, and why?
Seeing a production of Waiting for Godot in the Gate in 2002 or 2003 I think. Bawling crying and feeling like I was actually going to explode from all of the feels it was giving me. It’s my favourite play and getting to see Barry McGovern and Johnny Murphy work they’re never to be equalled magic made me realise that, at its best, there is no art form that can touch theatre.
Either that or appearing as Alfred in Batman: A Musical Tragedy at the ISDA festival in 2002 in Limerick and experiencing an audience’s genuine hatred for the first time…that was pretty powerful…
When did you first know you wanted to be involved in the performing arts?
In my first year in college in UCD I got lost in the Arts Block one day. After passing through the looking glass, I eventually found myself in the Dramsoc Theatre. For some unknown reason they put me in a (dreadful) Christopher Durang play and I was instantly hooked. That was 2001 and I’ve been involved in this industry of insanity ever since.
Who (living or dead) would you most like to work with?
Ciaran Hinds. I think he’s one of the most powerful, vulnerable and truthful actors I’ve ever seen. He’s also just a lovely fella.
If Ciaran wasn’t available, I suppose I’d settle for the lads who made White Chicks. A truly inspirational piece of work…
Tell us a little about your next big project.
I’m currently shooting Season 2 of The Goo, a webseries I co-wrote and co-created with Stephen Jones. Season 1 was pretty well received last year so we decided to continue the lads’ journey for a second season. At the end of Season 1, my character (imaginatively named “Dave”) received some bad news in the last line of the show. In Season 2, Dave and Jonesy have gone in seperate directions and Dave is not taking it too well. Very much inspired by Nell’s line in Endgame “Nothing is funnier than unhappiness…” Season 2 should be ready to air on our Youtube Channel by mid summer.
What are you anticipating the most about THE 24 HOUR PLAYS?
Not falling off the stage on my Abbey Stage debut. That would be a win for me.
Sum up your feelings about THE 24 HOUR PLAYS in five words or less!
I can’t feckin’ wait!