The Mescal effect
Drama school sees 58% rise after the success of students in Normal People
THE acting academy that produced nine of the stars of Normal People has received a surge in applications from budding actors.
Several graduates of The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College, Dublin, landed roles in the coming-of-age love story set in the country’s oldest university. In the wake of the global success of the TV phenomenon, the school has recorded a 58% year-on-year increase in applications. Jessica Hilliard, director of marketing at the academy, said: “Applications open in September and it was quite evident early on that there was a significant increase in the amount of students that were applying. “We were thinking Brexit is a factor because a lot of EU students who ordinarily would have probably ended up in the UK attending an Eng l i s h - speaking drama school are now looking elsewhere. “We definitely would think the profile that was raised around Normal People is one of the reasons they are now looking to the Lir. “We’re still halfway through the process. There are just 16 places so it’s quite competitive.” The most famous past pupil on the Normal People credits is Paul Mescal, in the starring role as Connell, but nearly a dozen other characters studied the art of acting in its hallowed halls. Eanna Hardwicke, who plays Connell’s friend Rob, is close pals with Mescal from their days in the academy. Past pupil Frank Blake, who graduated in 2016, played Marianne’s abusive brother in the series, which was produced by Element Pictures. New graduate Meadhbh Maxwell was still in the college when she won the role of Rob’s girlfriend, Lisa. Kwaku Fortune’s character, who
graduated in 2017 alongside Mescal, played Phillip, one of Marianne’s college circle.
And Megan Mcdonnell plays Niall’s girlfriend Elaine, one of Connell’s Trinity friends.
Domhnall Herdman plays Connell’s college pal Matt while graduate Clinton Liberty play Kiernan, a Sligo classmate while Ross Gaynor is Marianne’s tutor.
Ms Hilliard revealed there has always been a lot of interest from casting agents in the 16 acting students who go through the course each year.
She said: “It was always kind of bubbling. We would have a strong profile in Dublin and Ireland but we also present showcases in London and in New York on occasion, so we do have an international presence. “But it does all help in raising the profile when we see a success like Normal People.”
The intense, threeyear training course would have prepared the Lir graduates for some of the very raw, emotional screens in Sally Rooney’s adaptation.
The Lir is amazingly still only in its infancy as it opened its doors in 2011 with its first graduates taking to the stage and screen in 2014.
The casting of the students was particularly fitting given Trinity has almost its own role in the coming-ofage drama which features in numerous beautifully shot sequences.
The academy provides conservatoire training with degrees in acting, stage management and technical theatre, along with masters in playwriting, theatre directing and stage design.
Ms Hilliard said she would love to see the Normal People cast return to give advice to current students.
She added: “We’re very proud of all our alumni. We’d love to think we could invite the cast of Normal People back in to give advice to our students on their future careers.”
COUPLE Connell and Marianne