Editorial: Elaine Murphy

Dream List: what plays should we be reading, putting on and going to see?

For new writing anything from Conor McPherson, Mark O’Rowe and Enda Walsh but I still think Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams can teach us a thing or two.

Describe your first theatrical epiphany

Stephen Berkoff’s production of Salome at the Gate Theatre in Dublin over ten years ago was quite simply magnificent.  The performances, set and the dream like quality he infused throughout the whole show is something that will stay with me forever.  My friend and I couldn’t even speak afterwards. It was that good!

Who would you invite to your fantasy theatrical dinner party?

Oscar Wilde for entertainment, Dominic West to look at and Anthony Hopkins to read the menu.

What are your career highlights so far?

Little Gem’s sell run out at the Peacock Theatre in the Abbey (Ireland’s National Theatre) in January.  After all the hard work and accolades collected over the last year it felt like a real homecoming for the cast and company.

What's the strangest experience you've had in the theatre?

Many years ago I was performing in an ‘intimate’ space and there was a gentleman sitting in the front row with a notebook and pen. He was twiddling his pen throughout and at one stage it flew out of his hand and hit me on the arm mid-sentence. In truth, it was probably the most dramatic thing to happen during the play so I wasn’t too bothered by it.

Who is your favourite actor of all time?

I don’t really have a favourite actor, I prefer ‘most memorable performance’, but if I had to choose…Daniel Day Lewis, to see what he’s going to do next.

Who is the greatest influence on your career?

It really is touch and go whether I open up the laptop everyday. I thought if I got the first play out of the way it would get easier but it didn’t, so I'd have to say myself!

Where do you want to be in 5 years time?

The last time I answered that question I told my boss in a telephone company that I’d like to be where he was sitting, so I’ll skip it and just say wherever it leads me.  I firmly believe in the old saying ‘Make plans and God laughs’.

What' s the best thing you've ever seen at the theatre?

Salome still stands up as number one but a close second was Druid’s Production of Lonesome West.  I remember sitting in the theatre rocking with the laughter but I also had tears streaming down my face thinking of what they’d done to that poor dog.

What are you up to at the moment?

I’m half way through writing my new play for the Abbey Theatre and working on storylines for a soap opera on Irish TV, both completely different but equally as exciting.

Biography: Elaine Murphy

Elaine is an actress and writer from Dublin. As an actress she has appeared in Becoming Jane, Boy Eats Girl and Happy Ever Afters, for RTE - Prosperity, The Clinic and Pure Mule. Her debut play Little Gem premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2008 where it picked up the Fishamble New Writing and Best Actress award. She was awarded the BBC Northern Ireland Drama Award from The Stewart Parker Trust, ‘Best Theatre Script’ from the Irish Playwright and Screenwriters Guild and The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award at the closing ceremony of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009.  She is currently under commission for the Abbey Theatre.

Little Gem is now being transferred to the Bush Theatre. The production opens for previews tomorrow evening and runs until May 22nd. For further details please click here.