In this compelling and moving solo play, Downton Abbey’s Ruairi Conaghan tells the story of the murder of a loved one and the lasting and unpredictable trauma that flowed from it. At a time when the violent legacies of Ireland’s recent past have never been more important to talk about, this acclaimed show uses storytelling, song, poetry, humour, cinema and Shakespeare to tell this courageous, joyous, uplifting tale of recovery.
Q&A with Ruairi Conaghan
How does it feel to be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe?
I think I may win the prize for the longest absence from the Fringe this year. The last time I performed here was in 1987. I was 21 and part of Liverpool Polytechnic (now John Moores University). We did a rather good adaptation of Jennifer Wintersons book Boating For Beginners. I didn’t have much to do in it but I did get to write a song for the show and there’s nothing quite like that feeling of someone else singing words that you have written. And Hey. I was 21 and had run away from the madness of Northern
Ireland so it was an extraordinary experience.
So this time, now I’m 57, I’ve been an actor/ writer since then and having had success with this show in Ireland I just knew that I had to bring it to an international audience and there is nowhere better to achieve that than at Edinburgh. So I am excited, terrified, energised, knackered. I’m just going
to try and somehow enjoy it. I think I’ll probably be going to bed a little earlier than I did in 1987 but you never know.
What can you tell us about the show and it’s inspiration?
Lies Where It Falls is my story. What’s so interesting about me, apart from I had 5 scenes in Downton Abbey and have worked with Benedict Cumberbatch a couple of times? Well I had secrets. I lost
my Uncle to IRA violence in 1974 when I was 8 years of age and when I moved to England I spent 30 years keeping all of that a secret until in 2016 the trauma caught up with me. I fell very ill both physically and mentally and at the time I was The Player King in Hamlet. Mr Shakespeare’s words seemed to resonate with the murder of my Uncle and I kinda lost it. However I got through it with the love and support of family and the community of theatre. When it was done I thought, you know what, I have a story to tell here about how child trauma is something that is never healed by silence, but I’m going to tell this story in my way with storytelling, humour, music, cinema, Shakespeare and above all truth.
How do you think audiences will react to the show?
Although my story deals with weighty issues I am an entertainer and it is crucial that people enjoy being in that room with me. Thankfully, I have seen that happen already so I know it works. I just think people
might find themselves with a little more empathy when hearing this story. That trauma is universal and democratic and we all have a story to tell. I hope my audience might want to tell their own story.
How have you been preparing for the festival?
I suspect all of us will have been preparing primarily in the same way. Fundraising! I’m shit at asking people for money but I’ve got better and very occasionally it works but it is great to have the support of Andy Jordan Productions, Theatre and Dance Northern Ireland and The Arts Council. Annoyingly I have a line in the play were I’m advised to put on some weight. So no Chocolate and Pasta for a while. Why did I write that line!!!!
Will you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the festival?
I really hope so. My show is at 2.30 which I’m told is a really good slot for Drama so I will have my evenings free. Edinburgh itself is a beautiful city and I appreciate things like that now I’m a little older. I’m just going to try and take it all in.
Do you have any fringe anecdotes you want to share?
In 1987 I went to see the Brighton Bottle Orchestra. A really fine comedy duo (are they still around?). I was drunk so I engaged them in conversation and they were so brilliant at dealing with me and showing me up for the Arse I was being and I really loved it. So at the end they asked me to come back again. My pay: free beer. I was there for the rest of the week.
Lies Where It Falls is at C Arts from 31 July to 25 August
