As an actor, John Olohan has many roles on stage and on screen under his belt. Most notably he played Finbarr in Glenroe and also appeared as Sergeant Deegan in Fr Ted, while his theatre credits include performances of Shakespeare and John B Keane.
Despite vast experience in both areas, it is work on stage that John prefers, and at present he is indulging that passion by playing Doctor in The Cripple of Inishmaan, which is currently showing at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.
“I prefer the theatre by far, you’re in control,” explains John.
“When you’re on stage, you’re in charge.
"Whereas when you’re behind the camera, you might have given the best performance of your life, but it’s depending on so many other people as to what they think, whether the lighting is right or whether the camera angle is right.”
Starring alongside John in The Cripple of Inishmaan are Jamie-Lee O’Donnell and Phelim Drew.
Both the calibre of the cast and fame of playwright Martin McDonagh have attracted much attention to this run.
People who gossip all the time, people who fight all the time and still say the Irish are the friendliest people in the world
But, John feels it is the messages conveyed, despite the play’s madness, that really resonate with audiences.
“It’s crazy stuff. It’s like looking at something real through a prism, it’s very fragmented.
"Yet, through the madness he [Martin McDonagh] hits on so many truthful situations.
“Like the doting Irish mammy, or in this case, the aunties. That kind of thing.
"People who gossip all the time, people who fight all the time and still say the Irish are the friendliest people in the world.
"All that kind of stuff that goes on in this country all the time.”
Science and shows
Growing up in Kells, Co Meath during the 1960s was a wonderful experience says John, and with The Beatles in full flight, everyone was in a band, including himself.
His road to acting was an interesting one, seeing as his initial intention was to be a scientist.
John first studied maths, chemistry and physics at UCD, a million miles from gigging with the lads.
However, the band was always a priority and after some time John decided to give acting a go, studying at the Abbey School.
As an actor John has a long history with the Abbey Theatre. Of late, he was one of more than 300 actors, writers and designers to put their names to a letter to Minister for Culture, Josepha Madigan, highlighting the lack of work available for Irish artists in the Abbey – Ireland’s national theatre – since the appointment of new directors.
There was a huge tradition at the time of passing on the ethos of the Abbey from generation to generation
“As an actor I grew up in the Abbey Theatre. I started off there in Abbey School.
"There was a huge tradition at the time of passing on the ethos of the Abbey from generation to generation.
“There was a great sense of the place, it was nearly like entering a religious order. All the actors in there were under contract. I remember a teacher telling me, if you meet a member of the Abbey Company in the corridor, don’t look them directly in the eye, because every night they’re in contact with God,” John says with a laugh.
“There was great respect for the older actors, with the result that the Abbey was kind of a sacred place, and over the years that has diminished.
John Olohan, Ruairi Heading and Phelim Drew in the Gaiety Theatre's new production of Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Inishmaan. \ Pat Redmond
"It would be lovely to see something like it back again.
“There was a great feeling of tradition in it and of things being passed on, whereas that has all ceased in a way.
"The Abbey School doesn’t exist anymore, also the permanent company doesn’t exist anymore.
“I think the national theatre should employ Irish actors. I’m not saying all the time, but it should be a source of employment for Irish actors. If you go to the national theatre of France, well you don’t expect Greek actors to be acting on the French national stage.”
But, does John think changes will be made?
“Yes I do. I think there has been enough furore now. I don’t think there was something malicious or underhand about the policy [implemented by the directors]. People get lax and things happen without people knowing. It’s good that people pull them up and go, ‘Hold on a minute folks, things are getting out of hand here’."
There’s no such thing as a steady job anymore. I mean look at all the architects that were out of work, builders and everything that just went to the wall during the crash
Speaking with Irish Country Living, John’s feelings on the ‘Abbey issue’ come across clearly, but so too does his level-headedness.
He acknowledges acting as a precarious profession, but says that if it is the path you want to follow, you should go for it.
“You have to follow your passion. You have to, you must do that. Give it a go and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.
"But look, there’s no such thing as a steady job anymore. I mean look at all the architects that were out of work, builders and everything that just went to the wall during the crash.
“The whole jobs landscape has completely changed. I mean years ago you went into a job, making a decision, it was a decision for life back then when I was a young fella. That’s all changed. You can change jobs now when you feel like it, with the result that if you wanted to try acting, then why not.”
John has seen a lot in his long acting career and while his eyes are wide open, he is still hopeful for and passionate about his profession.
The Cripple of Inishmaan runs at the Gaiety Theatre until 9 March. For more information see www.gaietytheatre.ie.
Read more
Cork via Derry
Beat the January blues and make time for the theatre
As an actor, John Olohan has many roles on stage and on screen under his belt. Most notably he played Finbarr in Glenroe and also appeared as Sergeant Deegan in Fr Ted, while his theatre credits include performances of Shakespeare and John B Keane.
Despite vast experience in both areas, it is work on stage that John prefers, and at present he is indulging that passion by playing Doctor in The Cripple of Inishmaan, which is currently showing at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.
“I prefer the theatre by far, you’re in control,” explains John.
“When you’re on stage, you’re in charge.
"Whereas when you’re behind the camera, you might have given the best performance of your life, but it’s depending on so many other people as to what they think, whether the lighting is right or whether the camera angle is right.”
Starring alongside John in The Cripple of Inishmaan are Jamie-Lee O’Donnell and Phelim Drew.
Both the calibre of the cast and fame of playwright Martin McDonagh have attracted much attention to this run.
People who gossip all the time, people who fight all the time and still say the Irish are the friendliest people in the world
But, John feels it is the messages conveyed, despite the play’s madness, that really resonate with audiences.
“It’s crazy stuff. It’s like looking at something real through a prism, it’s very fragmented.
"Yet, through the madness he [Martin McDonagh] hits on so many truthful situations.
“Like the doting Irish mammy, or in this case, the aunties. That kind of thing.
"People who gossip all the time, people who fight all the time and still say the Irish are the friendliest people in the world.
"All that kind of stuff that goes on in this country all the time.”
Science and shows
Growing up in Kells, Co Meath during the 1960s was a wonderful experience says John, and with The Beatles in full flight, everyone was in a band, including himself.
His road to acting was an interesting one, seeing as his initial intention was to be a scientist.
John first studied maths, chemistry and physics at UCD, a million miles from gigging with the lads.
However, the band was always a priority and after some time John decided to give acting a go, studying at the Abbey School.
As an actor John has a long history with the Abbey Theatre. Of late, he was one of more than 300 actors, writers and designers to put their names to a letter to Minister for Culture, Josepha Madigan, highlighting the lack of work available for Irish artists in the Abbey – Ireland’s national theatre – since the appointment of new directors.
There was a huge tradition at the time of passing on the ethos of the Abbey from generation to generation
“As an actor I grew up in the Abbey Theatre. I started off there in Abbey School.
"There was a huge tradition at the time of passing on the ethos of the Abbey from generation to generation.
“There was a great sense of the place, it was nearly like entering a religious order. All the actors in there were under contract. I remember a teacher telling me, if you meet a member of the Abbey Company in the corridor, don’t look them directly in the eye, because every night they’re in contact with God,” John says with a laugh.
“There was great respect for the older actors, with the result that the Abbey was kind of a sacred place, and over the years that has diminished.
John Olohan, Ruairi Heading and Phelim Drew in the Gaiety Theatre's new production of Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Inishmaan. \ Pat Redmond
"It would be lovely to see something like it back again.
“There was a great feeling of tradition in it and of things being passed on, whereas that has all ceased in a way.
"The Abbey School doesn’t exist anymore, also the permanent company doesn’t exist anymore.
“I think the national theatre should employ Irish actors. I’m not saying all the time, but it should be a source of employment for Irish actors. If you go to the national theatre of France, well you don’t expect Greek actors to be acting on the French national stage.”
But, does John think changes will be made?
“Yes I do. I think there has been enough furore now. I don’t think there was something malicious or underhand about the policy [implemented by the directors]. People get lax and things happen without people knowing. It’s good that people pull them up and go, ‘Hold on a minute folks, things are getting out of hand here’."
There’s no such thing as a steady job anymore. I mean look at all the architects that were out of work, builders and everything that just went to the wall during the crash
Speaking with Irish Country Living, John’s feelings on the ‘Abbey issue’ come across clearly, but so too does his level-headedness.
He acknowledges acting as a precarious profession, but says that if it is the path you want to follow, you should go for it.
“You have to follow your passion. You have to, you must do that. Give it a go and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.
"But look, there’s no such thing as a steady job anymore. I mean look at all the architects that were out of work, builders and everything that just went to the wall during the crash.
“The whole jobs landscape has completely changed. I mean years ago you went into a job, making a decision, it was a decision for life back then when I was a young fella. That’s all changed. You can change jobs now when you feel like it, with the result that if you wanted to try acting, then why not.”
John has seen a lot in his long acting career and while his eyes are wide open, he is still hopeful for and passionate about his profession.
The Cripple of Inishmaan runs at the Gaiety Theatre until 9 March. For more information see www.gaietytheatre.ie.
Read more
Cork via Derry
Beat the January blues and make time for the theatre
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