1. When did you think about a career in theatre and what were your first steps into it?
It was not until I trained as a joiner, and worked for many years in the building industry that I found a passion for theatre. I loved singing, and through that I got into local amateur dramatics. At the age of 26 I remember there were quite a few younger actors in the am dram societies going off to train in London at various colleges. I remember one person asking me was I thinking of doing the same? When I said “No”, his reply was “Why not?" So, I sold my tools (well, some of them) and gained entry to Drama Studio London on a two-year course.
2. Best gigs you’ve been to?
Glen Hansard in Derry last year, The Saw Doctors at Barrowlands, Glasgow in 2012 and best of all, Slane 1993. I was 13 and my sister was 10, when our parents took us to see Neil Young, Pearl Jam, James, The Saw Doctors and Van Morrison to name a few.
3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?
Oasis. I was mad into Oasis growing up and learnt all their songs on the guitar.
4. The record you’d take to a desert island?
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd – just a mighty tune and in my eyes it has the best guitar solo.
5. And the book?
I would maybe need to bring some acting techniques books and use my time wisely. But I would prefer a pen and paper to write a play.
6. Top three films?
I thought Parasite was truly amazing. A really smart film looking in on two very different families from opposite social status backgrounds, which shows happiness does not always come from the dream of wanting more. Second would be Lion about a young boy's journey from India to Australia and back again to find his real parents. Third is the MMA-based film Warrior. Not just another Rocky-type story but again looking in on a dysfunctional family.
7. Worst film you’ve seen?
The Alex Higgins film, The Rack Pack… just awful. A pity, because the story had potential.
8. Favourite authors?
William Shakespeare, and Chloe Walsh from Cork. I have narrated a few of her books, so this is a “please hire me again” plea.
9. Sports you most enjoy and top team?
Football, badminton and rugby. I’ve played football from the age of eight when I started playing for Hillsborough boys. My football claim to fame was that I used to mark the legend David Healy.
10. Ideal holiday destination?
Out of all the places I’ve been, Croatia was the nicest. Would love to go back there, but there are so many beautiful spots I would still like to try.
11. Pet hates?
People crossing the road 100 feet away from a crossing, especially when they have kids.
And people not letting you in on a filter lane. It’s a filter lane!
12. What’s your favourite:
Dinner? Mum and Dad’s Christmas dinner
Dessert? My Nanny's pear velvet. She’s not with us anymore, but this always brings back happy memories
Drink? Coffee, coffee and coffeeeeee.
13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?
My best friend is Chris Kingsberry. I’ve known him since we were six. Unlike me, Chris was an amazing footballer, who played for Manchester United and Northern Ireland schoolboys. Now he is a pro football coach and has his own soccer academy, CK Coaching.
14. Is there a God?
I don’t believe in God. If there is, he has a lot to answer for.
:: Matthew Forsythe can currently be seen starring in the Marie Jones play A Night in November streaming on The Irish Arts Center’s YouTube channel. He recorded and performed the play from his own home during the Covid-19 lockdown. Matthew has also just finished narrating Willie Carlin’s book Thatcher's Spy: My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin, which can be found on Audible.
