A New Double Act at the Montforts' Helm
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TERAPROOF:User:johndolanDate:23/08/2012Time:11:27:58Edition:24/08/2012Frifriecho240812Page:28 Zone:EE EE - V1 /,)( (YHQLQJ (FKR Friday, August 24, 2012 The Reluctant COLETTE SHERIDAN reflects on the 50th anniversary of one of the Emigrant great Cork artistic institutions by Denise Hession in Abu Dhabi THE abandonment of strict censorship in Ireland takes a little digesting when one is used to the A new double act at stringent laws and social rules around sex and innuendo back in Abu Dhabi. Since I’ve returned to Ireland for the summer, it’s been impossible not to notice the many puns and plays that exist in marketing and advertising. The overtone being sex and the undertone tacky, the Montforts’ helm it is one of the aspects about life in Abu Dhabi that I prefer — tackiness is nowhere to be found. Expats in the Middle East generally keep their heads down and see out their years there just POSITIVE outlook on He adds: “I discovered thatI earning and saving, and not getting in trouble with life, high energy levels loved it. Valerie O’Leary taught the authorities or offending neighbours. and a passion for the me until I was 18. I then got my Atheatre — these are the teaching qualification from So in everyday expat life in Abu Dhabi, one doesn’t see much ruffling of feathers; no going key elements that keep founder LAMDA (London Academy of against the grain; very few piercings and tattoos; of the Montfort College of Music and Dramatic Arts).” no top-shelf filled with naughty magazines in the Performing Arts, Eileen Nolan, Trevor says thatthe Montfort local supermarket; no mini-skirts; few string tops committed to her job. College of Performing Arts and not a mention of sex in public. That is, no talk Celebrating 50 years, the college “offers great opportunities.” of sex in public, the act of having sex in public is is embarking on anew phase He explains: “I was very lucky generally prohibited across the world, as far as I with the appointment of actor, that Eileen gave me the opportun- know. director and drama teacher Trevor ity to direct when Iwas 20. Up to So, it was when sitting, second in line, in the Ryan as a partner and director. 10 or 15 years ago, the Montforts local beauty salon waiting for one of the glamor- The college’s new headquarters would have been known for their ous young attendants to show me to a treatment are at Penrose Wharf in Cork city productions of straight drama. room that I overheard a conversation that began and the drama school is introdu- Thefirst play Idirected forthem my awakening to the realization that sex is very cing adatabase of students for was Brighton Beach Memoirs. much alive in Ireland... and more so than ever film and TV companies looking to That’s one of the highlights of my since the launch of )LIW\ 6KDGHV, mommy porn for cast young performers. career. ” the Irish housewife. Aged ‘a little over 70’, Eileen Trevor is looking forward to “Hi luv,I’m here for the Hawaiian with a skinny Nolan has no intention of retiring: directing Camp Rock. landing and a loveheart vajazzle, oh and a touch “I love going out to work,” says “A s well as casting students up on the gel please,” said the lady in her late the woman who regards her stu- from the Montforts,we’re going thirties confidently. I cast my eyes back to the dents as her family. to have open auditions as we’re price list to seek some kind of confirmation that Married to Tony Nolan, the looking to recruit new talent. this was indeed a Beauty Salon and not a café. couple don’t have children of There will be acast of between 80 The skinny Hawaiian could be their own. When she was 25, and 100.” some type of pineapple Eileen underwent a serious Founder of the Montfort College of Performing Arts, Eileen Nolan, TheMontfort College of coffee and the mention of operation on atubercular gland. and right, actor, director and drama teacher Trevor Ryan, apartner Performing Arts is planning a a loveheart vajazzle re- It resulted in a huge abscess. and director in the Montforts. Picture: Larry Cummins new role in film. As well as the minded me of my Granny “In taking it out, the doctors database for film and television and the delicious mini ma- Shocktualone didn’t know whatthey interfered Sound of Music at the Opera companies, there are going to be caroons she used to nearly flung with. Iwent to Lourdes and said PAST PUPILS House, Eileen says 90% of the cast workshops given by film practi- my prayers but Ididn’t geta would have been members of the tioners. make, sprinkled with icing me straight THE following are past sugar before serving. out of my miracle.However,Igot peace of Montfort College of Performing “We will have three sessions a mind and Tony is the wind be- pupils of the Montforts: Arts in the past. Trevor played year on acting for the camera. Looking around, I was Birkenstocks. ● Michael MacCarthy, who definitely satisfied that neath my sails.” Max in the musical. We’ll be setting up our own cast- Upon further Originally from Turner’s Cross, starred in Les Miserables As well as teaching drama, ing agency service, operating as a this was indeed abeauty nosiness, I on Broadway and the salon and not acafé —I Ballyvolane-based Eileen comes singing and dancing, Eileen says point of contact forfilm and TV learned that from a theatrical family. Her West End. the college is all about instilling production companies.We’re mean, no café in Ireland ● Alf McCarthy and Mary would have large posters vajazzling is a father,James O’Brien was an am- confidence, explaining: “To love going to give all our students a new popular ateur actor and her mother was a Kingston from RTÉ. yourself is the greatest love of free head shot whichwill form of bronzed women strutting ● Marion Wyatt, director on the beach and the lines trend among violinist who played with the all.” part of their profile. Cork Symphony Orchestra and and drama lecturer. Eileen would like to see speech “Richie Hayes, runner-up on of nail polish up behind women of ● Catherine Mahon- the desk was a giveaway. varying ages appeared in numerous musicals. and drama on the school The Voice of Ireland is going to As a child, Eileen learned how Buckley, teacher and curriculum and she travels give a workshop to our students “No problem, love, I’ll from 18 to 40. director. heat up the wax now and to play the violin. She went on to around the county to teach on musical theatre. study speech and drama at ● Elaine Symons, of speech and drama. “Killian Donnelly, who has you can pick out your own Waterloo Road and Holby vajazzle.” Icouldn’t even understand this new Trinity College in London and “The Transition Year students forged a hugely successful career obtained a teaching diploma from City fame. love to do musicals.I’m doing a in the West End, will give a Les language, not to mind her order. All this talk was ● Damien Delaney, who making me and my monthly treat of an eyebrow Maria Assumpta College in production of Oklahoma in Miserables workshop in the new Dublin. starred in Billy Elliott and Clonakilty in November and I’m y e a r. shape seem unsophisticated. Cats. So, when the attendant asked me ‘What are Since then, she has devoted doing Grease in Midleton.” “Sean Hackett, an ex-pupil of her life to teaching speech and ● Michael Sands, of Les Trevor will be directing ours, will give dance workshops. you having done, love?’ Ididn’t have the heart to Miserables and Fiddler on tell the truth, so instead I replied cockily: “I’ll have drama and employs 12 teachers Disney’s Camp Rock at the We want our students to benefit who teach drama, singing and the Roof fame. Everyman in October.It will in- as much as possible from in- the same, whenever you’re ready thanks.” ● Actor Frank Twomey. In the claustrophobic waiting area, I clenched dancing. volve as many Montforts students dustry professionals.” my back teeth with anticipation of what lay ahead. “I love teaching and directing as possible. Trevor says thatthe showbusi- Relief washed over me when the girl invited me and I love going out to schools but Trevor,aged 40, will now be ness and acting world has become to look at the previous girl’s vajazzle to see if the I’m absolutely hopeless at new- dividing his time between his job very competitive. position of the lovehearts was OK for me. fangled things likethe iPad and at Shandon Travel and his new “One of our students, Sally programmes such as X Factor and Well, nothing could have prepared me for what the iPhone and all the technology. position. O’Leary (daughter of Valerie) is The Voice of Ireland, children are I was about to see —the silhouette of the over- Iwas advised by the CorkOpera “I’ve been teaching at the the only Irish student to be accep- exposed to the idea of acareer in indulged body of a near 40-year-old with a sparse House that I wouldn’t be able to Montforts forthe last 20 years.I ted on the full-time drama course showbusiness. Do they all want to pubic area apart from three diamante lovehearts continue my work and bring it to started with the college when I at LAMDAthis year.Last year, be stars? which guided the way to Utopia, or so I imagine fruition without some help.” was 12.