13 February 2012 (Theatre Interview)

Interview by: Caomhan Keane

The excellent I Heart Alice Heart I ends its run at the Peacock Theatre this week. If you haven't already seen it, why the hell not! Caomhan Keane catches up with writer/director/star Amy Conroy who tells us what next for both the Alices and herself.

 

 

 

Did you ever imagine The Alice's would so vividly capture the hearts and the imaginations of theatre goers?

Well, I really hoped it would... But you can never tell how people will react to something. I'm so delighted that people have taken this piece to heart, the audience seem to own it now, I reckon this is a good thing.

For people who don't know, what is the show about?

The show is two things really, it's a play on the form and structure of documentary theatre and it's a love story. It tells the story of Alice and Alice, two 60 something year old women who have lived a full life together, it's a testament to both women, their lives together and their journey to get here. On the stage.

Where did the idea come from?

From running on a treadmill in the gym listening to Roisín Murphy.

Tell us about the form the show takes?

It's a gentle poke at documentary theatre. I wanted to explore the notions of honesty, integrity but to do it in a structured way.

How early in the process did Clare Barrett get involved?

Clare was fantastic enough to get involved from the very beginning. We really worked closely on developing these women, on the delicate elasticity of the relationship between the two Alice's

Tell me about the plays journey so far?

There has been phenomenal feedback from the play so far, we first ran in ABSOLUT Fringe 2010, were subsequently ReViewed in the Ulster Bank Theatre Festival and now we're running in the Peacock Theatre. It's been a fantastic journey so far. And I'm delighted to say that we're heading to The Irish Arts Centre in New York next. We run from February 28th to March 17th.

Have you had much personal reaction from the public? I mean post show?

I get a lot of emails from people. All saying lovely things. It's really lovely that people have such personal responses and reactions to the piece; it's the point after all. I'm always genuinely touched when people are compelled to get in contact, and when people stop and say nice things.

Did you do much research or did this come from the heart?

This is a labour of love really. From the heart.

What next for Hot For Theatre?

At the moment I'm working on a first draft of a new play for the Abbey New Playwrights Programme, and I'm also at the baby stages of developing and writing a new piece for HotForTheatre.

Congrats on the Irish Times Theatre Award nomination. Can you tell is about the best performance you ever saw and why that was? What did it to for you as an actor and as a human being?

Firstly, thanks a mill. It's incredible to be nominated with such fantastic actors. A pleasure to be in such great company. As for the best performance I ever saw. I don't know, it's difficult. I've seen so many great performances. Watching someone great, really go for it, lose themselves, makes me feel alive. It makes me feel like my nerve endings are exposed. It makes me want to work, to do more, to make more.
 

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