Everything is Grand, and I'm Completely Okay - Conor Burke
Today we are speaking with Conor Burke, a current student on the Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media, MA course about his one man play, Everything is Grand, and I’m Completely Okay.
Tell us about your play!
The show is about a young guy named Malachy who has just turned 25, and is coming to terms with the death of his younger brother. It’s playing at The Hope Theatre, Islington, on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 of March. It’s a gorgeous space, and has a really intimate feel to it.
How did the play come about?
This play was originally written for development by the Dublin Fringe Festival, and is directed by IFTA nominee Lesley Conroy. As a performer, it is perhaps one of the most difficult pieces I have ever worked on. Trying to hold the attention of a paying audience for an hour is no mean feat, but I absolutely adore the play. It’s great fun to do.
What made you want to write this play?
I wanted to write a piece that explored the anxieties that twenty-somethings experience. It’s such an exciting, but turbulent, part of anyone’s life - and I was interested in exploring that. The piece is fundamentally a show about hope - and I would love for the audience to walk away feeling better about themselves.
What have you been getting up to?
Rehearsing a lot! The character is often not the most likeable, but he means well. Finding that balance has been a challenge, but I have a great team around me who has made it easier.
How has this project related to your studies?
Writing and creating my own work is the thing I love to do and this course has allowed me to consider it from a different perspective. I’m glad to bringing things I’ve learned on my course into this new show.
What has surprised you most about your experience writing a one man play?
This experience has really led me to conclude that if you surround yourself with hardworking, decent people, who want to try and make good theatre as much as you do, it will only yield good results. That’s something that I am incredibly appreciative for.
How did you find out about Central and decide to study with us?
Central was always the dream school for me, so I was adamant to study here. So far, it has been an absolute blessing - the things I have learned from tutors and fellow classmates have been of monumental importance, and it really is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
Anything I can do - I think the industry that we are entering requires us to be as flexible as possible, so I always try to work on different projects to keep that alive.
You can find out more about Conor and his work by following him on Twitter, @iamconorburke or Instagram, @iamconorburke.
Book tickets for, Everything is Grand, and I’m Completely OK, at The Hope Theatre, London, N1 1RL. Showtimes: Sunday 6 March - Monday 7 March at 7.45pm.
