Rob Murphy – Actor & Director returns to Civic Theatre
By Cody Hutchison
INCHICORE, Dublin-born professional actor and director, Rob Murphy is returning to the Civic Theatre to direct Camp Revolting, a summer camp in its fifth year running.
Rob received his professional training with Bull Alley Theatre Training Company through its four-year course in Performing Arts, graduating with an A.T.C.L from Trinity Guildhall, London. He has landed acting roles along with directing a number of shows.
In December Rob is also set to direct the Civic Theatre's highly anticipated and first professional Christmas Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. The panto will be featuring an all-star cast and the Tallaght community is just as excited as Rob - with auditions being staged this August.
Rob took some time out to speak with The Echo about his acting/directing career and returning to the Civic.
How and where did your acting career begin?
My career began when I started in a local group called Spotlight Theatre Group where I’m from in Inchicore and then I went to Bull Alley Theatre Training Company in Dublin for their four-year course in Performing Arts.
What inspired your acting career?
I went to theatre and pantomime shows as a child and that is when I knew I wanted to be on stage. I would watch Maureen Potter and June Rodgers perform comedy knowing it was something I wanted to do. They were a big inspiration for me because when I watched them perform it made me want to start my career as an actor. Since childhood I knew that being on stage performing is what I wanted to do.
What has been your favourite acting role in the past 10 years of your career?
My favourite role has been playing Buffy in the Cheerios Panto. I have enjoyed performing in it every year and I am now going into my seventh year in the role. It has been very successful and I look forward to playing Buffy for another year.
What led you in the direction of being a director and choreographer?
I started directing at 18 years of age and from there on I directed pantos and shows for my old college. Once I realised that I got as much out of directing as I do from acting I knew that it was something I wanted to do. Being in the background is just as much fun for me because realising that I have created the show and it is successful is very satisfactory. Being able to see my work being performed from the background is amazing, it’s what made me love directing as much as acting.
What do the next six months look like for you?
The next six months are really busy. First, I will be directing Camp Revolting, a summer camp program in the Civic Theatre for the fifth year running.
In December the Civic Theatre and I have put together a Panto which is amazing for the Tallaght community as it’s the first professional Christmas panto to come to the Civic. The Christmas Panto will be Jack and the Beanstalk. I am very excited because it’s an amazing cast we have. It will begin in December, but I will only be directing Jack and the Beanstalk, after that I will also be staring in another panto, Snow White.
I am just very excited. Not only do we have an exciting cast, like Sorcha Furlong (Orla, Fair City) as the Evil Baroness, Enya Martin, a YouTube sensation as the InstaFairy, Morgan Crowley (West End Star) as Dame Dottie, Ciara Murphy as Jill, Cormac O’ Broin as Jack and Dean Mulraney as the Giant – but this will also be an amazing thing for the Tallaght community since a professional panto has never been performed in the Civic before.
The Civic Theatre is calling on all juniors to audition for the 2018 Panto Family. Doors are opening for all junior auditions on Saturday August 18. Registration for 7 – 11 year olds is 11 am and from 1 pm for 12 – 17 year olds. If you have any questions please contact panto@civictheatre.ie
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