Entertainment

Arts Q&A: Terence Keeley on Christy Moore, The Beatles and Guinness

Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, west Belfast actor Terence Keeley

West Belfast actor Terence Keeley stars in Bruiser Theatre Company's production of Owen McCafferty's Mojo Mickybo
West Belfast actor Terence Keeley stars in Bruiser Theatre Company's production of Owen McCafferty's Mojo Mickybo

1. When did you think about a career in music and what were your first steps into it?

My first step was joining The Rainbow Factory in Belfast around 1996. I then started a degree in politics at Queens. That's when I knew I had to go to drama school. And I did...

2. Best gigs you've been to?

I don't know if I've ever been cool enough to go to 'gigs'. But I have seen Christy Moore about five times and he's always been brilliant.

3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. And if Johnny Cash wants to pop by with Freddie Mercury that would be fine with me.

4. The record you would take to a desert island?

The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It's the only album that I even sat up to all night and listened to on repeat.

5. And the book you would bring to a desert island?

I'm not a huge reader of fiction (except for plays), but I'd take anything historical or by David Attenborough. It might also come in handy on a desert island.

6. Top three films?

The Fellowship of The Ring (Extended Edition) with the extras would be about the same length as three films so I'd take that.

7. Worst film you've seen?

One that always sticks out in my head was a film called Underworld. It was about vampires, Bill Nighy was in it and I just remember laughing at how bad it was.

8. Favourite authors?

William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov and Harold Pinter.

9. Sport you most enjoy and your top team?

I love the Six Nations Rugby Championship. But anything that Ireland play in I'll watch.

10. Ideal holiday destination?

I really want to go to Japan and New Zealand. Failing that, Donegal.

11. Pet hates?

People that are late (for things, not being dead).

12. What's your favourite:

Dinner? My Ma's (sorry mummy) chicken pepper soup.

Dessert? Guinness.

Drink? Guinness.

13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

I literally have far too many to single one out. But I was best man at Techie G's (Gerard Hughes) wedding, so he's winning at this point.

14. Is there a God?

According to her, aye.

Terence Keeley stars alongside Michael Condron in Bruiser Theatre Company's production of Mojo Mickybo. The play, by Owen McCafferty, shows the friendship between two boys growing up in Belfast – a friendship that at first is immune to the sectarian violence taking place around them, but which is ultimately destroyed by it.

It tours to Derry's Waterside Theatre on September 25 (Watersidetheatre.com) and Belfast's Lyric Theatre from September 28 to October 3 (Lyrictheatre.co.uk).