Haunting O'Brien play brings superb cast to Belfast

Interview by Pauline Rea

Haunted, a play by renowned Irish author Edna O'Brien comes to the Grand Opera House this month, boasting a superb cast and flawless script that is causing something of a stir of excitement in the world of theatre.

O'Brien is known for her classic novels and short stories, but now as she approaches 80, she is witnessing success with this intriguing and extraordinary play.

A play about love and betrayal, Haunted tells the story of a captivating young stall holder, Hazel (Beth Cooke), who enters the life of the quixotic Mr Berry played by Niall Buggy.

In his desperation to ensure she returns, he starts secretly giving away his wife's clothes in exchange for elocution lessons. But as the redoubtable Mrs Berry played by the highly acclaimed Brenda Blethyn, searches for an explanation as to her fast-diminishing wardrobe, Mr Berry soon finds that both of his relationships are increasingly under threat in this poignant and enchanting tale of desire and regret.

I caught up with the very charming Niall Buggy earlier this week to talk to him about this much-anticipated production and his enviable career which has spanned theatre, television and film.

"The play has been very well received - we hope to be taking it to the West End after this tour. There is also a great deal of interest in New York, and it's the sort of play I think would do very well in New York. I am so pleased for Edna that it is doing so well," he enthused.

The title of the play gives the impression of an eerie ghost story, but as Niall explained this is not the case: "Originally it was going to simply be called 'Mr Berry', but Haunted was thought to be a more compelling title. He is haunted by his past and his present and he does have ghostly things within his own mind, so thats really where the title comes from.

"It's a beautifully written play. Edna uses such beautiful language - something you don't often hear in the theatre now. Both Mr & Mrs Berry share a great love of language in the play too, which is one of the things that brought them together. The play also looks at the areas of holding on to ones youth, and he does fall for a younger girl.

"Its really a story of love and loss and how we handle losing something we love so very much."

Niall was born in Dublin and began his career in the Abbey Theatre after a little bit of fibbing: "I wasnt very good at school to be honest, I just wanted to act. So I went along to the Abbey Theatre when I was 16 and pretended I was 18! I played little roles to begin with - a lot of them elderly people! I was always very good at playing older people," he laughed. "When I was 18 or 19 I met Siobhan McKenna, who was from Belfast. We became great pals and she became a great promoter of my work and it all progressed from there."

Niall has a biography any actor would be proud of, with a wonderful variety of theatre roles and television appearances. In recent years he was delighted to be part of one of the most successful films of all time Mamma Mia, in which he played the priest.

"Oh it was a wonderful film to work on - everyone was just so happy! There is something about that music you know as soon as people hear it, it just stirs something in them. I had no idea it would go on to be just as successful as it has been its one of the biggest grossing films of all time - just a shame I wasnt getting some of the royalities! he laughed.

Mamma Mia may have been the most successful film Niall has starred in, but a less successful film was the most memorable: "I starred in a film alongside Richard Gere called King David. It wasn't very successful, but I did get to spend three months filming in Italy which was wonderful. I took my mother with me, and ever since then she just kept asking 'when are you going to do another film!'

"I would love to do more film and was lucky enough to have a leading role in a Chekhov film last year, The Duel. At the moment I am just delighted to be part of this tour.

"I can't wait to come back to Belfast I do love it. It's funny, as I performed along with Beth Cooke's (who plays Hazel in Haunted) mother, one of the Cusacks, in the Opera House some 30 years ago it's amazing that I will not be standing on the same stage with her daughter."

Haunted runs at the Grand Opera House from February 15 to 20. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 02890 241 919 or online at www.goh.co.uk