Belfast-based actor Frankie McCafferty toasted the success of box office smashxa0Philomenaxa0which won a BAFTA last night for best adapted screenplay.
Frankie was unable to attend the red-carpet event because he is currently performing at the Lyric Theatre in Brian Friel’s poetic play,xa0Molly Sweeney, but watched the awards ceremony from home.
[caption id="attachment_47202" align="alignleft" width="270"]
Frankie McCafferty who played the role of a barman in Philomena with scenes shot in the Dufferin Arms in Killyleagh.xa0[/caption]He said: “I’m delighted that the script has received this prestigious award,” he said. “It was a very good script, very subtle, not unlikexa0Molly Sweeneyxa0which deals with very delicate and emotive issues and still manages to do that with humour and gravitas.”
Frankie plays a barman inxa0Philomena, which was filmed in the Dufferin Arms, in Killyleagh, Co Down, with another well-known Belfast actor/playwright Marie Jones.
“It was great to work with Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. Judi is famously down to earth and friendly, and Steve is also very funny,” said Frankie.
The success of the film, Frankie said, reflects the strength of the film and television industry in Northern Ireland.
“I’m in a film by Marie Jones calledxa0Shooting for Socratesxa0which is due out this May. It’s a comedy about the 1986 Northern Ireland World Cup campaign in Mexico. We hope to see it at the BAFTAs next year!”
Frankie added that the burgeoning film industry owes a lot to the strength of local theatre.
“We depend on the Lyric and various independent theatre companies in Northern Ireland to keep actors and creatives in employment and hone our skills, so it is vital audiences continue to support the local arts scene,” he said.
Frankie is currently captivating audiences in the first ever professional production ofxa0Molly Sweeneyxa0in Northern Ireland. The critically acclaimed play is a co-production from the Lyric Theatre, Belfast and Print Room, London.
Directed by Abigail Graham,xa0Molly Sweeneyxa0also stars Co Tyrone actress Dorothy Duffy, best known for her role in the heart-wrenching filmxa0The Magdalene Sistersxa0alongside formerxa0Downton Abbeyxa0actor Ruairi Conaghan (The Crucible) from Magherafelt.
Blind since infancy, this poetic tale revolves around a woman who is persuaded to have an operation to restore her sight. Her husband Frank is convinced she has nothing to lose; her ophthalmologist Mr Rice (played by Frankie) is not so sure. Through a journey of memory, hope and despair, the play begs us to not only see, but also understand other people’s points of view.
Molly Sweeneyxa0is part of a Brian Friel double bill at the Lyric Theatre which is also stagingPhiladelphia, Here I Come!xa0asxa0part of a celebration of the Irish playwright’s 85thxa0birthday this year.
Molly Sweeneyxa0will thenxa0tour to the following venues:
10 & 11 Marchxa0– Millennium Forum, L/Derryxa0www.millenniumforum.co.uk
12 & 13 Marchxa0– Marketplace Theatre, Armaghxa0www.marketplacearmagh.com
14 Marchxa0– Alley Theatre, Strabanexa0www.alley-theatre.com
15 Marchxa0– The Great Hall, Downshire Estate, Downpatrickxa0www.downartscentre.com
18 Marchxa0– The Braid, Ballymenaxa0www.thebraid.com
19 Marchxa0– Riverside Theatre, Colerainexa0www.riversidetheatre.org.uk
20 Marchxa0– Strule Arts Centre, Omaghxa0www.struleartscentre.co.uk
21 Marchxa0– Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillenxa0www.ardhowentheatre.com
Tickets priced £10 – £15, check individual venues for times.
Molly Sweeneyxa0is currently running in the Naughton Studio of the Lyric Theatre untilxa08 March 2014; Tue to Satxa08pm; weekend matinees atxa03pm. Tickets from £10 to £16.xa0For more information on the Lyric’s season or to book, go toxa0www.lyrictheatre.co.ukxa0or contact the Box Office on (028) 9038 1081.
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