Alumnus of the Month – Paul Reid
Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 at 10:51 am | Alumni Interviews, News & Events
Paul graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting’s Two Year Full Time Intensive Professional Actor Training Programme in 2004. Since then, he is best known for his appearances in The Clinic (RTÉ 1), as the title role in MacBecks (Long Road Productions) and as Dylan in Ecosse TV/RTÉ series, RAW.
Paul is currently touring nationwide with his critically acclaimed one-man show Man of Valour with The Corn Exchange. This show saw Paul nominated for Best Actor in the 2011 Irish Times Theatre Awards and Absolut Fringe Awards.
Did you always want to work in the theatre/acting business?
Nope. I wanted to be an artist… or a super hero. Seriously.
How did you start off in the business?
My friend was a model when we were in school, and I was in town with her when she was collecting a cheque at her agent’s office, so I just asked if there was any gigs going, for the craic. They took some photos of me then I got a call for a casting the next day, for an ad, which I got. I loved being on set etc., kept going from there..
Any tips for aspiring actors?
It’s a cliché for a reason, but If you don’t believe in yourself, then No one else will.
What did you like most about being at The Gaiety School of Acting?
I cant believe I’m saying this, but the Discipline. In the craft and in the time keeping! Both of which you need in the real world. Big time!
Favourite actor?
Just to name a few…Daniel Day Lewis. Will Farrell. Barry Mc Donagh. Janet Moran. Robert DeNiro. Peter Daly. Al Pacino. Rory Nolan. Cate Blanchett. Domhnall-Brian-Brendan Gleeson (It’s really just one person). Michael McElhatton. Liv Tyler. Buster Keaton. Charlie Chaplin. Mary-Amy Huberman (Again, one person.) Andrew Bennett. Ed Harris. Nick Lee. Tina Fey. Don Wycherly. Zach Galifinakis. Emma Thompson. Louis Lovett. Anthony Hopkins. Hugh Laurie. Matt Damon. Leonardo Di Caprio. Tadhg Murphy. Francis McDormand. Jeff Bridges. But not Laurence Kinlan.
Favourtie Writer?
Arthur Miller. And a million more..
Favourite Play?
Em…I’ve a special place in my heart for the ones I’ve done as you get very involved with them. Such as A View From a Bridge, Metamorphosis, Monged, Dublin by Lamplight and loads of others. But Death of a Salesman breaks my heart every time and I look forward to playing Willy Loman someday. Oh! And of course Man of Valour!
Who has been the most influential person in your life so far?
My parents. My brothers and sister…and Tadhg Murphy.
Earliest Memory?
Playing with a white truck under our dining room table in our first house. And constantly crashing it.
What would be your idea of the perfect day?
Just relaxing on a hot beach somewhere and corking with my friends. Except Laurence Kinlan.
Update March 2017: See Paul at The Corn Exchange’s production of Dublin by Lamplight at The Abbey Theatre
Paul is on twitter @pauloreido