On Sunday 5 October at 8.02pm RTÉ Radio 1 will broadcast the first of a new four part series Different Stages featuring award winning actor Stephen Rea. Different Stages examines the history and heritage of four different performing styles in Irish acting.
Recognised Irish actors, Stephen Rea, June Rodgers, Jimmy Bartley and Collette Proctor will present on their style, interviewing important figures associated with each and gathering information and stories around the history, heritage and traditions of the genre in Ireland. The series will examine how particular acting and performance traditions and skills are learnt and passed on from each performing generation to the next.
International film actor and founder member of Field Day Theatre Company Stephen Rea explores the ‘Abbey Style’ of acting in the early part of the 20th century. Stephen links the style to the political events of the time. He speaks to former artistic director of the Abbey, Tomás Mac Anna and actors TP McKenna and Sinéad Cusack.
On 12th October, the second in the series deals with variety and pantomime and is presented by comedienne June Rodgers. Among the contributors are Frank Kelly, Eileen Reed, and Frank Duggan and Michael Tuomey of Cha and Miah fame.
Jimmy Bartley is well known to Irish TV audiences as Bella in the long running RTÉ series Fair City, but his association with Irish TV dramas goes right back to Tolka Row. On 19 October Jimmy will examine the evolution of TV dramas and soaps in Ireland. Contributing voices include Mick Lally, Mary Mc Evoy, Biddie White Lennon, Hilda Fay and Wesley Burrowes.
The final programme in the series on 26 October is presented by renowned radio performer and director Collette Proctor. Collette explores the rich tradition of radio acting. Daphne Carroll and Pegg Monahan were early members of the original RTÉ Repertory Company, Colette Proctor starts her journey with their memories and brings us right up to date with more recent devised radio plays featuring today’s rising stars.
This series was made with the support of Sound & Vision, Broadcasting Funding Scheme - a BCI Initiative.
