Interview with Wil Johnson | The Great Goat Bubble | Galway Arts Festival

Interview by: Caomhan Keane

Based on Julian Gough’s short story, and the first ever short story published by the Financial Times, The Great Goat Bubble is a tight, smart comedy of whirlwind economic triumph and catastrophe. Set in 1986 as a sleepy Ireland dreams of a modern and exciting future, any resemblance to recent events is entirely in your head.

It’s star, Wil Johnson (Cracker) talks to Caomhan Keane here

Tell me about the Great Goat Bubble?

It's the story of two people waiting in Balinsalsoe for the train to Dublin. One, Ciaran O Brien, is an Irish boy; the other is a Somalian economist. Through this chance encounter the Somalian accountant starts telling the story about how he created an economic bubble in Somalia. So what we get for the hour and change is a shortened down version of how economics works that is at the same time, very, very funny.

Did you have much doings with the playwright Julian Gough?

He's phenomenal. To take a subject such as economics, and the creation of economic bubbles and to turn it into this very funny play is just a remarkable achievement.
We didn't really have many dealings with him after the first initial workshops where he came in an explained all the various economic theories to us. It doesn't always serve to have the writer in the room. It's more important for the director and the actor to get their vision out over the writers. Ideally, they should compliment one another.

You work across all mediums. Radio, Film, Theatre, Telly. Do you have a preference?

You have to go wherever the opportunity presents itself. You work job to job. If I ever get in the position to do a play where I can afford to do the play then I jump in. Because theatre is where you are pulled over the hot coals. It stretches you like no other. You have to be razor sharp. But it's a commitment. And some times you literally can't afford to do it.

You used to have quite a bad speech impediment. How did acting help you get over it?

All stutterers will tell you that they can talk fine if no one else is around. 99% of the time it is around other people where we cant control our breathing. When you can read fluidly in front of hundred of people and not stutter but start the minute you get off stage that’s when you know it is a confidence thing. When you are rehearsing plays you have to speak NOW. Not tomorrow, not ten minutes or three minutes time. It makes you speak properly. It makes you get through that barrier. Other wise you will never be an actor.

The Great Goat Bubble is a Fishamble: The New Play Company and Galway Arts Festival co-production and runs at Druid Theatre until July 29th.

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Wednesday 18th July 2012 | Theatre

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