Entertainment

Arts Q&A: Michael Condron on Snow Patrol, pal Oliver Jeffers and boozing with U2

Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, actor Michael Condron

Michael Condron appears in the upcoming production of The Playboy Of The Western World at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre
Michael Condron appears in the upcoming production of The Playboy Of The Western World at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre Michael Condron appears in the upcoming production of The Playboy Of The Western World at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre

1. When did you think about a career in acting and what were your first steps into it?

I wanted to be an actor ever since I watched Michael J Fox in Back to the Future. I set myself a goal at that age to walk a Hollywood red carpet. I did this in 2016 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in LA with Game of Thrones.

2. Best gigs you’ve been to?

The Killers and Lewis Capaldi, this summer at Belsonic, Ormeau Park, Belfast; Snow Patrol’s first gig at Ward Park in Bangor when I got the opportunity to take my son Conan to U2 at the Odyssey arena around four years ago, where I got to go for a drink with them afterwards.

3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?

For a good knees-up (and a gurn) I’d have Shane MacGowan and The Pogues. 

4. The record you’d take to a desert island?

Hungry Heart by Bruce Springsteen I’ve known all the words since I was four and it makes me think of my mum ironing on Somerton Road.

5. And the book?

How To Survive on a Desert Island?

6. Top three films?

Star Wars, Stand By Me and The Goonies.

7. Worst film you’ve seen?

I went with my friend Colin, who loves movies, to see Black Mass and even he had his rucksack packed to go after 45 minutes.

8. Favourite authors?

Roald Dahl (because he reminds me of my primary school days), Tom Harris (because Hannibal is my favourite book of all time) and Oliver Jeffers. (My good friend since Primary 2, he dedicated a book to me and I’ve been immortalised as Mitch the Cat in his book Stuck).

9. Sports you most enjoy and top team?

I genuinely love any sport, but I’m a massive Liverpool fan, and I also love cricket (I support India due to Sachin Tendulkar).

10. Ideal holiday destination?

I went on something of a dream holiday last January to the Dominican Republic with my girlfriend Lucy and it was amazing. I’d love to go to Santorini, Greece.

11. Pet hate?

Firstly, people who decide to rearrange their wallets/handbags/lives at the till when you’re waiting behind to try and pay for a pint of milk. Secondly, people who stand way too far back at the ATM to prove to the person at the machine that they’re not stealing their PIN number.

12. What’s your favourite:

Dinner?

You can’t beat a really, really, good steak.

Dessert?

A Daim bar.

Drink?

A really good bottle of red wine. 

13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

Tony Flynn. We’re currently working together on The Playboy of the Western World at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre. We’ve been friends for over 15 years, so it’s great to get the opportunity to work with your best friend on such a great gig.

14. Is there a God?

Absolutely, yes. What form that takes, however, is up to the individual.

Michael Condron will play Shawn Keogh in The Playboy of the Western World by JM Synge at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre from October 8 to November 2. This is a Lyric Theatre and Dublin Theatre Festival co-production in association with the Belfast International Arts Festival. Tickets at Lyrictheatre.co.uk