The International Federation of Actors (FIA) held a very successful four-day international conference on live performance in Liberty Hall, Dublin, from 4th to 6th June.
Irish Equity Executive at the Labour Court
Members of the Irish Equity Executive at the Labour Court, fighting the case for royalties for actors (July 2015).
Diarmuid Mac An Adhastair
Ros na Rún actor Diarmuid Mac An Adhastair has died at the age of 71, Diarmuid was a member of Irish Equity.
He played Séamus Mhicil Tom on screen since the first episode of the Irish-language soap opera in 1992.
He passed away in hospital in Galway on Sunday (12th July) following a short illness.
Diarmuid is survived by his wife Máirín and his two sons Caomhán and Diarmuid, and daughter Gráinne.
The cast and crew of Ros na Rún have paid tribute Diarmuid saying it was to great honour and pleasure to work with him.
Irish Equity would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the Diarmuids family.
The Stage on the FIA conference
Read featured articles from The Stage Magazine, June 2015 on the FIA Conference in Dublin Read now
Irish Equity extends condolences to the Philips family
Irish Equity would like to extend their deepest sympathies to Janet Philips and her family at the tragic and sudden loss of their beautiful daughter Georgia.
Ireland/UK Action Group
Read the notes from the latest Ireland UK Action Group meeting that took place in Liberty hall on 3rd June
FIA delegates at Smock Alley Theatre
FIA delegates enjoying dinner in the historic Smock Alley Theatre Dublin, on Thursday 4th June.
FIA Live Performance Conference
For the second time in its history the International Federation of Actor (FIA) and its worldwide members gather for a 4-day international conference on live performance.
Hosted by FIA member unions Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland, – the event will gather some 200 performers, union and industry representatives from around the world with the aim of discussing challenges, trends and best practices in the live performance sector. From June 4th to June 6th 2015 in the city of Dublin, Ireland, almost 50 speakers from different backgrounds and countries will take the floor to uphold the rights of performers and their role in society.
Prior to the event, FIA carried out a wide survey among its members with a view to best capturing the variety of national situations regarding the live performance sector and published a status report revealing the challenges, constant evolutions, but also the tremendous vitality the sector is witnessing.
Ferne Downey, FIA President, commented:
“The live performance sector remains at the heart of the entertainment industry. Despite the constant growth of the audiovisual sector, live performance continues to be the main source of employment for performers. Discussing current trends and new challenges forartists working in live performance is definitely a priority.”
The Federation and the unions hosting the event – Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland – are honoured by the presence of two distinguished guests at the conference opening session: the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure,Carál Ní Chuilín on Wednesday 4 June and welcome all participants under a single motto: Performing live, acting together.
Stephen Rea BAFTA TV award
Irish Equity Congratulates Stephen Rea on winning his BAFTA TV award for best supporting actor for his role in the popular British political spy thriller series [Read more…]
Joyce Campion – 1923-2014
Joyce Elaine Campion was born in Ireland in 1923 into a loving family. Her father was a clergyman who fell in love with her mother when he heard her sing beautifully. Joyce was born on her mother’s birthday and was soon joined by her brother and best friend, Brian (later, also a clergyman), with whom she got up to countless escapades, often fondly recounted.
She attended Alexandra College where, accordingly to her diary at age 11, she adored riding (Prince and Quicksilver were her favourite horses), played hockey, appeared in The Pied Piper and was frequently disciplined for talking too much.
Joyce fell in love with the theatre and it fell in love with her. She began her professional life in Ireland and England but spent most of it in Canada and occasionally the U.S. No ill, no misfortune could overwhelm if ‘Doctor Theatre’ was present in her life. Indeed, after suffering a devastating fall during a rehearsal for a play I was directing in 1995, Joyce’s determination to return to her beloved profession not only resulted in her rejoining the production later in the season but led to many more years of delightful performances. As her director and close friend, I was deeply distressed by her injury and remain eternally grateful for her recovery. We were all thrilled to see her subsequent triumphs – amoung them her literally scent-stealing maid Saunders in Fallen Angels and her miraculously appropriate final role, Anfisa, in Three Sisters.
Joyce never retired, regarding herself as an actor to the end. Though her last years were very difficult, she always found comfort in talking about the theatre, reciting her beloved Yeates and amusing her friends with the comic poem ‘If I Were a Lady’. And there were many friends – deservedly so. All of us miss her and will livingly remember her great generosity, her fierce loyalty, her irreverent wit and her joy in being a working actor.
by Marti Maraden
