Q&A with Olivia Byrne – The Ferryman – Gaiety Theatre

DATES: 27th Jan. – 15th Mar.

Was there any production that you saw during your childhood or adolescence that really sparked your love for theatre?

My mam tells a story about me seeing a pantomime for the first time. She thought I wouldn’t like it (I was only 3), but the second the curtain opened, I stood up and put my hands up like I was seeing God! But a specific show would be Matilda, the Musical. It made me feel powerful, and as a young girl, I needed that.

Can you tell the readers a little about this play and what they can expect from it?

This play is an epic family tale set in Armagh in 1981 with a backdrop of the Troubles. The Carney family are having their harvest day which is basically Christmas. When we get news that our uncle who was missing for 10 years has been found dead. The adults try and act as if nothing’s going on but they can stop the troubles seeping in.

Olivia Byrne – Headshot supplied by Susannah Norris Agency

The play is inspired by real events. Does this add an extra element of authenticity to it?

I think it adds a lot because we have so much media to consume surrounding this time in our history. It was so recent, that many of our cast members lived through it. In rehearsal, we’re hearing first-hand stories of life at this time. It makes it easier to connect to but does add the pressure of wanting to get it right and do these people and their stories justice.

Can you tell us about your role in the play?

I play Shena Carney. She is the oldest daughter but falls in the middle of the siblings having two older brothers (played by Alex Murphy and Robert Hamilton) and three younger sisters. She’s been a bit parentified because her mother is quite absent. She takes care of the baby a lot and the young girls. I think she’s underestimated. She knows and notices more than everyone thinks which is very fun to play.

There is a large cast in this production, with 23 listed cast members on the website. What is rehearsal like with that many actors in the show?

Honestly, it’s a bit mad! But in a very fun and exciting way. We’re very lucky to have such a great group we really help each other and it doesn’t feel like there are too many cooks! I think that comes from our joint respect for Andrew Flynn, our director. He is amazing and allows us to explore. But lunch is loud! I always try to sit next to Niall Buggy. He has the best stories!

Do you suffer from opening night nerves? How will you feel before the curtain lifts?

I feel quite lucky that I don’t really get nervous. I will be nervous on opening night just because it’s the first one but after that, I try to let myself enjoy it as much as I can. I know how privileged I am to actually get to act as a job so I try to soak it in rather than obsess. I’ve wanted to do this for so long so when I get on stage it feels like home as cheesy as that sounds. I’ll be nervous at the beginning of Act 2 only because I start it with the baby alone! But it’s a bit like skydiving I’d say. You have a moment of fear and then the curtains up and you can’t go back so you just have to let yourself fall. The people around you are the parachute. They will hold you up if you fall.

The Ferryman – Photo Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland