Sher delight
Mescal’s West End Desire is realised Director Jim says Irish punch above weight after Oscars joy
BY
DIRECTOR Jim Sheridan said “the Irish punch so hard above their weight” as he celebrated our 14 Oscar nominations yesterday.
Ireland enjoyed a record-breaking year, with The Banshees of Inisherin writer-director Martin Mcdonagh and its stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon all shortlisted.
Also getting the nod were Aftersun’s Paul Mescal and An Cailin Ciuin. Sheridan – whose 1993 film In The Name Of The Father was nominated for seven awards at the 66th Oscars – said Mescal is a “special talent” but Farrell is the frontrunner to receive the gong for Best Actor.
He added: “I think Colin has a great chance. I think the problem for Paul Mescal is he is up against Colin. Colin is a front runner. Paul Mescal is a
special talent.
Barry Keoghan is amazing. And Martin Mcdonagh, like for God sake, is he not one of the greatest writers? Like six plays on Broadway and three or four films nominated.
“I personally hate him,” he joked. “I love him. He’s so amazing and successful. He’s a huge talent.
“Back in 1992 Neil [Jordan] got six for The Crying Game and the following year I got seven. Those two records have stuck for 30 years so then I mean the nearest was Room.
“It used to be the same on Broadway. Every 10 years or so you would have an Irish play on Broadway – until Martin Mcdonagh came along and he was on Broadway three or four times.
“There is a kind of glitch because he’s English and Irish, we don’t fully report him as Irish. The Irish punch so hard above their weight.”
And he reckons if Irish language flick An Cailin Ciuin had been in English, its star Carrie Crowley would also have been nominated for an Oscar.
He added: “She was great. She always was. I thought An Cailin Ciuin was a great movie.”
Sheridan, who directed My Left Foot which saw Daniel Day
Lewis and Brenda
Fricker win acting
Oscras in 1990 – said he is confident
Ireland will bring home at least one gong in March, adding: “I’m not sure which one.”
But the Dubliner said he thinks our success during awards season lately is down to the Government who have “finally woken up” to support the arts, insisting more needs to be given to the film and TV industry.
He added: “Some of it is down to the policies of Screen Ireland. I think the Government has finally woken up and has started to fund the arts. They’ve got €15billion, they should get more.
“The problem is it is a no-win situation because somebody is sitting in their house, not able to pay their electricity bill and looking at millions saying why are they getting that?
“That’s an unequivocal way to look at it. You’d have to look at what other
MIKE BEDIGAN
BY
PAUL Mescal is to move to the West End to reprise his starring role in A Streetcar Named Desire.
The Normal People actor will be joined by original castmates Patsy Ferran, Anjana Casan and Dwane Walcott for the six-week run.
It comes after he was nominated for his first Academy Award for best actor, for his role in the comingof-age drama film Aftersun.
Last week he was also nominated for a Bafta, in the equivalent category of leading actor.
The play sees Blanche, played by Ferran, come to live with her sister Stella, Casan, and Mescal’s character Stanley, her husband, before slowly losing grip on reality.
Originally staged at Islington’s Almeida Theatre, the production will transfer to the Phoenix Theatre, from March 20 to April 29.
Mescal said: “I’m incredibly excited Streetcar is being transferred to the West End with this formidable cast and creative team, led by the exceptionally talented Rebecca Frecknall.
“It’s my favourite play and it’s wonderful to be able to share it with a wider audience.”
Mescal’s theatre credits include The Plough And The Stars at the Lyric Hammersmith and Abbey Theatre in Dublin; The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Gaiety Theatre and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Kilkenny Arts Festival. departments are getting. The truth is the film and theatre world are very efficient with the money they are given.”
There were celebrations after the nominations on Sunday. Mescal said: “This is a special moment for everyone involved in Aftersun. To be recognised by the Academy is such an insane honour and I’m so utterly grateful.”
Farrell added: “Just so grateful to the Academy for all the love it’s shared with the Banshees cast and crew. Also, beyond honored to be lumped together with my fellow nominees. A heartfelt congratulations to all the lads.”
And his co-star Gleeson said: “What a day for the Irish film industry on a world stage – feels like a huge family outing on the cards. Thank you all!”
An Cailin Ciuin’s Catherine Clinch added: “I’m so grateful to be part of this very special film.”