John Olohan plays the character James Burke in ‘Ride On’ which runs from 6 – 10 November at The Civic.
A Honda 50 Bike-run forms the background of a hilarious new play by writer Seamus O’Rourke. Five members of the Drumkarren Honda Club are sitting in a run-down shed in Co. Cavan, ready to embark on a Bike-ride, awaiting the other twenty members (seemingly “stuck” in a pub in Killeshandra). The Drumkarren Honda Club are about to discover that lots can happen in a shed in Cavan on a wet day with a Honda called Hilda! O’Rourke himself features in this production alongside a stalwart cast of John Olohan (Glenroe), Pa Ryan (Trivia), Ian Lloyd Anderson (The Clinic) and Clare Monnelly.
We did a quick fire round of questions with John Olohan in our ‘Green Room’ so we can get to know him a little better…
When you were a kid, what did you want to be?
A priest until I was about 10, then a Movie actor, and then a member of a band (beat group)
What was your first job?
Working in my Da’s bar from when I was about 4
When did you start your present job?
I joined the Abbey school of Acting in 1969 and got my first job as a professional actor in Borstal Boy at the Abbey in 1972.
What is the best thing about your job?
Each time I start a play I get excited about the newness, the uncertainty, the terror, the buzz, and the sense of achievement – in that order.
Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?
Every play I do I have doubts as to whether I can serve the author, serve myself and serve the audience.
What habits would you like to lose?
Getting irritated and annoyed at others bad driving.
At the moment, what are you looking forward to?
Rehearsing and going on tour with Ride On.
What is you guilty music, TV or movie pleasure?
I have a waterproof MP3 player and I love swimming to music. I can’t wait for Series 5 of Breaking Bad and I love forign language movies.
Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?
Jedward.
What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/iPad?
I like Simply Red, Billy Joel, Coldplay, and I’ve just discovered Susanne Wallumrod.
Describe your dream meal?
A family meal with Catherine my wife and Jack and Max – our two sons.
Describe your dream holiday?
Because I tour a lot my needs are simple I’ve just come back from Turkey with Catherine and it nearly ticked all the boxes – sun, sea, sand, good food and drink, a visit to an ancient site, and a bit of madness.
What would be your dream job?
When we were younger Catherine and I used to work together a lot, but haven’t done so in recent years. I’d like to do something with her again before one of us pops our clogs.
About John Olohan: Actor
John Olohan trained at the Abbey School of Acting, spent a number of years with the Young Abbey Theatre in Education group and was a founder member of Team Theatre. He was a member of The Abbey Theatre Company from 1980 – 1990. Work there includes The Shadow of a Gunman, Big Maggie, Moving, Drama at Inish, Sive, Chamber Music, The Field, The House, The Duty Master, The Museli Belt, Purgatory, Dancing at Lughnasa, Savoy, The Playboy of the Western Worldand Drama at Inish (2005). Other theatre work includes The Wiremen (River Productions at the Gaeity), Our Country’s Good, Aristocrats, Romeo and Juliet, The Threepenny Opera, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, A Christmas Carol and Rough for Theatre 1 and 2 (Gate Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Bickerstalf), Mackerel Sky and The Salvage Shop (Red Kettle), The Taming of the Shrew (Rough Magic), Over and Out and The Field (Lane Productions), Translations (Ouroborus), and Playboy of the Western World and The Silver Tassie – Druid/Murphy (Druid).
John was the recipient of the Irish Times Best Supporting Actor Award for 2011 for the role of Byrne in Druid’s production of Big Maggie.
Television credits include: The Clinic, Showbands, Ballykissangel, Single Handed, The Tudors, Father Ted and Glenroe.
BOOK TICKETS FOR ‘RIDE ON’ HERE OR PHONE 01 4627477
Admission: €20 & €16 concession and €15 & €11 concession early bird offer if booked by 23rd October.
Early Bird offers are available for any night if booked 14 days in advance. If booking online, enter the promo code EARLYBIRD to avail of this ticket price.
