Arts Week with Judy Murphy

“I grabbed every opportunity,” says actor Cathal Ryan of his student days at NUI Galway where graduated with a BA in performing arts. Tipperary-born Cathal who will play Jimmy in Druid Theatre’s upcoming production of Tom Murphy’s The House, isn’t exaggerating.

From the moment he arrived in Galway over a decade ago, he involved himself in everything that could advance his acting career – pushing floats with Macnas, working as a volunteer with Blue Teapot Theatre Company and taking part in the Arts Festival’s intern programme, SELECTED.

On campus, he dedicated his time to DramSoc, honing his skills with fellow enthusiasts and writing plays for the drama group where Druid stalwarts Garry Hynes and Marie Mullen had cut their teeth decades previously.

He also found time to help out with the college’s music society productions.

Cathal was so determined to succeed that when he was working on scripts for DramSoc, he’d go to the Lane Café on Druid Lane, right beside the renowned theatre. He’d sit in the café with his back to the wall of Druid’s Mick Lally Theatre, “channelling its ghosts and manifesting”, dreaming that some day, he would be onstage there.

On the morning he speaks to the Tribune about his Druid debut, he’s nowhere near the company’s home as rehearsals for The House are taking place in Dublin.

They’re in Dublin for the first few weeks before the company relocates to Galway for the final fortnight, explains Cathal, who is loving the process.

The 11-strong cast of The House, which is directed by Druid’s Artistic Director, Garry Hynes, includes company co-founder Marie Mullen, as well as Marty Rea – both members of the Druid ensemble.  Like Garry, they have a deep knowledge of Tom Murphy’s work and for an actor like Cathal, who is developing his craft, that’s a huge advantage.

Pictured: Cathal Ryan, right, with Marty Rea in rehearsals for Druid Theatre’s production of The House by Tom Murphy.