Órla Mc Govern is a proud ex-DYT-er and one of the #24HrDub 2018 writers. Always great to welcome our alumni back for this crazy show!
Now based in the Wild West, she is a performer and writer. Her plays have been performed on a moving barge, in a forest, and in a brewery (as well as in numerous ‘regular’ spaces too!). Órla teaches and performs improvised theatre around the world, which stretches her ‘seat of the pants’ muscle. When she’s not doing those things or telling stories, she occasionally assists her good friend Mrs. Nellie Murphy in the noble pursuit of craic. Órla’s first book of Folk Tales is due for publication by History Press in 2018.
Introduce yourself please. You can even describe yourself as if you are being introduced as a guest facilitator at a DYT workshop.
Howyiz! I’m an ex DYT member myself, now based in Galway. I’ve worked as an actor, improviser, storyteller, & playwright over the years.
Hard to pick a favourite, because they all inform each other.
Have you participated in The 24 Hour Plays in aid of Dublin Youth Theatre before? If yes what is your fondest/ most nightmare causing memories? If no what are you looking forward to/ terrified of?
Nope. First time! I’m delighted to be locked up with some lovely people for the night for the sake of DYT.
If you could give your teenage self a piece of advice what would it be?
It’ll be grand. Trust your instincts.
What theatrical experience has had the biggest impact on you?
I did 1448 in Seattle as an actor (a project not dissimilar to this one!) whereby 14 plays are put on in 48 hours. It really is like a bootcamp with a huge team, and you feel so victorious if you manage to survive it.
Describe the craziest costume you have ever worn. I had to wear a waistcoat on stage once. I’m still scarred. (Had to do it again last summer…)
It started out quite regal, a huge heavy but beautiful cloak for a Macnas Parade. The heavens opened up though, and the cloak got deluged, and tripled in weight. Bad enough I could barely lift my arms, but then the dye began to run. I was purple for a week, as were half the children of Galway that I scooped up.
You can find out more about Órla on Facebook.
See you at The 24 Hour Plays in aid of Dublin Youth Theatre supported by BNP Paribas Real Estate. Tickets available online or call Abbey Theatre Box Office on (01) 87 87 222.