QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Coleraine actor Andrew on Arthur Millar and Mumford & Sons

Recently he filmed a leading role in the Northern Ireland Screen short film Bleeding Out and competed as a finalist in the BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship. He can be heard in Cre:8 Theatre’s Company’s audio drama The Chemo Express and is currently in pre-production for his self-written short film All at Sea, which is due to be filmed in December.

Here he answers our questions:

Q. What is your favourite song/album and why?

A. I’ve got a real soft spot for Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons. It was their first album, and even ten plus years later it will get a run out when I’ve got a long journey in the car. However, my favourite song would probably be Guiding Light by Foy Vance. I remember seeing him in concert at the Portrush Playhouse, and it was a really special moment when he had the whole crowd singing along.

Q. What is your favourite film and why?

A. While I’m a fan of the some of the big-budget blockbusters, my favourite movie is a small independent film produced in Ireland, called Once. The acting is superb, the music is spell-binding and it’s simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking. Watch it!

Q. What is your favourite piece of classical music and why?

A. I don’t have a favourite piece per se. However, one of my old housemates is an experienced classical musician. During the early part of the lockdown I became quite acquainted with various pieces of classical music when he was practicing. He specialises in the music of Liszt, so I guess I could say something by Liszt...

Q. Who is your favourite artist (eg van Gogh) and why?

A. It would have to be Dudley-based artist Oliver Pengilley. I first met him when he painted a set for a show I was working on, but after seeing some of the art work, particularly his live painting seminars, I was blown away by his skill. Also, recently I discovered a conspiracy theory about Neil Buchanan, the presenter of Art Attack. Apparently he is Banksy, while he denies it, if this were true he would definitely be a close second.

Q. What is your favourite play and why?

A. This changes quite a lot for me, and if I’m honest the answer is often ‘the last good play I saw’. However, if pushed I would say that A View from the Bridge by Arthur Millar is an incredible piece of writing. The other play would be A Different Drum by Riding Lights Theatre Company. It tells the story of the community of Eyam in Derbyshire. The entire village resolved to stay within their borders as a measure to stop the spread of the plague in the 1600s. Obviously the story is incredibly resonant for our current situation, maybe that’s why it’s been on my mind?

Q. What is your favourite musical and why?

A. It’s a close-run thing between Blood Brothers or Oliver! That may be a tad cliched, but I guess they’re cliched for a reason...

Q. What is your most special moment in the arts and why?

A. In Autumn 2019 I went to see The Man in Woman’s Shoes by Mikel Murfi in the An Grianan Theatre and that night reminded me why I loved theatre. After working as an actor for nearly five years, I had probably become a hyper-critical audience member and may have been somewhat cynical. However, as I left the theatre that night all I felt an immense sense of joy.

Q. What ‘classic’ just doesn’t do it for you?

A. Personally, it would be The Catcher in the Rye. I read it during my A Levels and while I can appreciate lots of things about it, I never fully connected with it. Maybe I should read it again without the pressure of exams?...

Q. What have you been reading/watching/listening to/revisiting during the Coronavirus period?

A. I’ve taken the chance to read back over some of the old texts from my university reading lists, those old acting technique books have a lot of gems in them for both life and performance. I was a regular watcher of the National Theatre’s Live broadcasts on YouTube during lockdown and I was reminded of the brilliance of the US comedy series Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I have also been listening to Jonathan Harden’s superb podcast Honest Actors, and I’ve been listening to quite a few BBC radio dramas.