Saoirse Ronan Drops Out of Irish Boarding School

Teen actress Saoirse Ronan has quit a boarding school in Ireland - blaming some of her teachers for giving her a "hard time" over her movie success. "The Lovely Bones" star received critical acclaim for her Oscar-nominated performance in 2007's "Atonement" and is tipped as one of Hollywood's most promising young stars.

But the 15 year old is already discovering the downsides of fame - she has walked away from school over her teachers' and fellow pupils' negative attitudes towards her. Ronan, who now has lessons at home, tells the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper, "The reason was teachers giving me a hard time. Teachers and students. Some of the students were, you know, mean."

She adds, "But I only stayed a while. It wasn't really working out. You know, the school is a good school and the people who go there are good people. But when your schoolmates recognize you before they've met you, and the teachers do, too, it can make things very awkward and difficult. It's a shame." 

Six nominated for IFTA Rising Star

The nominees for the Rising Star Award at the Irish Film and Television Awards have been announced.

Selected by a special jury and sponsored by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, the Rising Star Award "aims to highlight exceptional new and breakthrough talent working in all areas of the Irish film industry".

The six nominees are: Margaret Corkery (Writer/Director, 'Eamon'), Darren Healy (Actor, 'Savage', 'Eamon'), Tomm Moore (Director/Co-Producer, 'The Secret of Kells'), Brendan Muldowney (Writer/Director, 'Savage'), Robert Sheehan (Actor, 'Cherrybomb', 'Misfits'), Ken Wardrop (Director, 'His & Hers').

The Irish Film and Television Awards take place on 20 February.

Irish Talent subscriber lands TV commercial

Irish Talent subscriber Francis Ryan has just wrapped a shoot on a TV commercial that he landed after his profile was spotted by a casting director on Irish Talent.
The Limerick actor was chuffed when he landed the job.
"It's always Dublin actors that land these things but thanks to being seen on Irish Talent it's not the case this time."
Francis is already an Internet star thanks to his extremely popular appearances on YouTube as Concy in Limerick Uncovered 

Want to be in Fame The Musical?

The Search for the Stars of Fame The Musical is Launched

RTÉ Television and Screentime ShinAwiL (Popstars, You're A Star, The Apprentice & Dragons' Den) today (Friday 22 January), launched Ireland's biggest ever musical-theatre search to find the male and female stars of Fame The Musical. The search for the male and female lead will feature in a 10-week TV series on RTÉ One television in April, with the winners embarking on a nationwide tour of the West End production, Fame The Musical.

Leading the search will be stage producer Robert C Kelly, actor and director Simon Delaney and actress and singer Erica Gimpel, who starred as "Coco Hernandez" in the original "Fame" TV series. Auditions will take place in Dublin, Cork and the heart of the West End in London where budding Irish performers can showcase their talent.

The judges are looking for singers with a strong dance and acting ability to step forward and wow them. After auditions and an intense workshop phase where performers will be put through their paces, the judges will select who will go through to the live TV shows and battle it out over eight weeks, on the Helix stage, live in front of the nation. Only two will be crowned the winners and take their pride of place in the nationwide tour of Fame The Musical.

For further details on auditions click here...

Larry Bass, CEO of Screentime ShinAwiL says, "Screentime ShinAwiL are delighted to be back producing a Sunday night family entertainment show on RTÉ One, following seven years of Popstars and You're A Star in a similar slot. We feel Fame is the ultimate family show and a great opportunity to give one boy and one girl a real career in musical theatre by launching one of Ireland's biggest ever musical theatre productions.

We are delighted to have an esteemed panel consisting of Erica Gimpel, an original cast member of the TV series "Fame", the 'Fame the Musical' producer Robert C Kelly, and one of Ireland's favourite and brightest acting talents Simon Delaney. I would encourage all interested performers to register early by clicking here."

Robert C Kelly, Producer of Fame the Musical Theatre Production says, "Having worked extensively in theatre for the past 25 years and in Ireland for the last five, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with some amazingly talented actors, musicians and creative talents. I am delighted that with this show, we are in a position to give this fantastic work opportunity to, as yet, undiscovered talent. That can only be good for us all and for the theatre industry".

Steve Carson, Director of Programmes, RTÉ TV said, "The success of RTÉ shows such as The All Ireland Talent Show proves there is a huge appetite for home-produced programmes showcasing Irish talent. Not only does Fame the Musical provide a platform for emerging talent, but it creates a real career opportunity for the winners. It also looks set to be a thoroughly entertaining and engaging family show and is among many new programmes that RTÉ Television will be delivering this Spring/Summer to be announced shortly".

Imrovisation Workshop

IMPROVISATION!
BEAT THE WINTER BLUES AND RECESSION BLAHS WITH THIS NEW SIX-PART, CRAIC-FILLED, INTENSIVE WORKSHOP WITH JOHN DAWSON

Improvisation develops creativity, confidence, collaboration skills and spontaneity. In addition to being a mode of live comedy, it can be used as a tool to create characters, develop original dramatic and/or comedic material and as part of a rehearsal process to explore written text.
In this six-part beginner/intermediate level workshop, participants rediscover their natural ability to \'play\' while exploring collaborative games, exercises and techniques used by North America’s Second City Theatre (the forerunner of 'Saturday Night Live') and 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'.
The elements of narrative such as plot, theme, conflict and resolution are emphasized and explored so that storytelling skills are developed. This is perfect for both the trained performer who wants to stretch and expand their abilities as well as for the curious who want to explore new creative experiences. The workshop concludes with a live performance in a Dublin venue.

WHEN: 6 Monday evening classes; starting February 8th to March 15th
TIMES: 7:15PM to 10:15PM
WHERE: Smithfield/Stoneybatter area, Dublin 7
COST: €170.00 (€155.00 for full-time students and 3 or more members of a troupe or theatre company) A €70.00 deposit is required by Jan. 28th to enroll

BIO: John Dawson has studied, written and acted with numerous theatre companies and comedy troupes including N. America’s famous Second City. John works internationally and has taught at The Gaiety School of Acting, London’s Actors Centre, Trinity’s Samuel Beckett Centre and Toronto’s Equity Theatre. As a playwright and director, he has had productions at Andrews Lane Theatre, The Project, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2005. He is a produced screenwriter/director with numerous projects in development.

To enroll, email to: dawsondramaworks@gmail.com

For info about other classes: http://www.dawsondramaworks.com

Actor convicted of assault in line for award

AN actor who was convicted of assault has been nominated for a prestigious Irish Film and Television Award (IFTA).

Darren Healy was nominated for the first time in the best actor category for his role in a new Irish film called 'Savage', described as "an exploration of violence and masculinity".

In 2007, the actor, who is from Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to assaulting Philip Bryan causing him harm at Eamon Doran's pub in Temple Bar, Dublin. Mr Bryan later developed a blood clot on his brain and died. Doctors believed this clot was unrelated to the assault.

Last June the Court of Criminal Appeal replaced a three-year term imposed on Healy for the attack with a two-year suspended sentence.

However, Mr Healy (31) last night said he hoped coverage of the case would not stop him winning his category in which he faces stiff competition from leading Irish actors Colin Farrell, Stephen Rea and Ciaran Hinds.

"There was a lot of bad publicity. I took a year off after that because it was so bad," he said.

When asked if he regretted what happened, Mr Healy said: "Jesus Christ. Absolutely. Yes. Absolutely." His conviction has also added to controversy about the film he was nominated for.

Revenge

'Savage' -- directed by Brendan Muldowney and produced by Conor Barry -- has been nominated for six IFTAs. It tells the story of a Dublin man, who after being brutally beaten, seeks out his attackers for revenge.

"It's a really, really disturbing film and it makes Dublin look horrible. It's going to stir a lot of talk," Mr Healy added.

Coronation Street to be demolished?

The set of Britain's most famous soap street could be demolished as part of plans by 'Coronation Street's makers, ITV, to relocate its central Manchester offices.

The Guardian reports that talks are underway to move the offices - also home to the set - to the £600m MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays, Manchester.