Tallaght’s Michael Bates cast in Smock Alley show
TALLAGHT actor, director and writer Michael Bates has been cast in the lead role of new Smock Alley Theatre production, ‘Close to the Sun’.
Bates who was raised in Kilnamanagh had big ambitions from a young age, starting out as a musician in a band before pursuing acting classes in his early twenties, moving away and eventually returning to his roots in Tallaght 10 years ago.
Having read an interview in our own Echo Newspaper with actor and Fair City star, Seamus Moran, he was inspired to follow up a similar full-time career.
From there, Bates has gone on to star in a number of television and theatrical productions including taking on a significant role playing Roger Casement in Arnold T. Fanning's theatrical production of 1916 Centenary drama, ‘McKenna's Fort’.
Now Bates is continuing on his theatrical journey as he prepares to star alongside ‘Love/Hate's’ Mary Murray in the lead role in Philip Doherty's ‘Close to the Sun’ which has been selected to be part of the Dublin Fringe Festival this year.
The play’s main theme is said to draw links between Irish and Australian mythology and is produced by the theatrical company, The Corps Ensemble.
Michael took the time to conduct an interview with The Echo regarding details of ‘Close to the Sun’ which will take place from September 13-17 with tickets costing between €14 and €16.
How did you first discover acting as a career?
I was the lead singer and guitarist in a band for years, initially called Vis a Vis and then Jabel (don’t ask, it was the eighties).
We gigged a fair bit on the circuit in Dublin and even got some exposure on the national airwaves at one point. We had a great time but when the band finished I wanted to try something new.
I loved playing in front of a live audience so acting seemed like a natural move. I signed up for some classes and immediately I was hooked. I did a play with Tallaght Theatre Group and shortly afterwards read an interview in the Echo with Seamus Moran (who later went on to star in Fair City for a number of years).
He was looking for local actors to start a new company based in Tallaght called Level 3. I ended up doing a number of plays with that company and got myself an agent on the strength of that work.
How did you hear about ‘Close to the Sun’?
The play was written by award winning playwright Phillip Doherty in collaboration with the Corps Ensemble. We were aware of Phillip’s work and he was aware of ours and we were keen to work together. This Fringe show offered the perfect opportunity.
Was there a casting or audition process involved?
As we are an Ensemble of actors and Phillip was writing the play with us in mind, there was no casting process as such, just a number of workshops in which we developed the play and the characters. It was a very exciting and fluid way to work.
What can the audience expect when watching the play?
The piece is a kind of epic tragicomedy encompassing themes of displacement, emigration, family dysfunction and being cursed. It references Australian and Irish mythology. We have a large, diversely talented team and the show is going to be big, brash and exciting. We are trying to make work that will leave a lasting impression on our audience.
Who do you play and what attracted you to the character?
I play Frankie, an eccentric Australian wedding celebrant and spiritual nomad. The elements of the script that appeal most to me are those dealing with displacement, family, personal and group identity and mythology.
Were there any significant challenges that you faced in taking on the role?
Hard to say as we have only just started into rehearsals with a final draft of the script, but all of the development process has been a joy and we never came away from a session without some revelation about Frankie.
What was the relationship like between you and the other cast members?
We all get on really well. We are an ensemble, after all! But in all seriousness, I feel truly blessed to be working with this group. Every time we gather together to work I am humbled by the amount of experience and sheer talent in the room, not to mention the generosity of spirit.
You recently starred in Arnold T. Fanning’s play, ‘McKenna’s Fort’. How has that experience inspired uou?
I recently played Roger Casement in the award winning one man play, written by Arnold Thomas Fanning. The response to the piece was amazing. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina came to see the show and came back stage to meet me afterwards. It was a remarkable experience, one I will remember for a long time. We are hoping to bring McKenna’s Fort back on the road in 2018.
Are there Any Projects You Are Currently Working On That We Can Look Forward to in the Future?
In September I finish shooting on Full Circle, a feature film written and directed by Noel Brady. In 2018 we will bring back McKenna’s Fort to stages around the country. Also next year I will be touring nationwide with Barnstorm Theatre Company in a reprisal of their 1916 play, The Messenger.
