At The Ford with Ian Toner: DTF Interview

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015 at 7:12 pm | Alumni Interviews, News & Events

Ian Toner graduated from The Gaiety School of Acting in 2013.  Having starred in Romeo and Juliet in The Gate earlier this year, Ian will be performing in At The Ford as part of The Dublin Theatre Festival, from the 23rd September to the 3rd of October.

 

Can you briefly tell us what At The Ford is about?

It is the story of 3 siblings whose father, a once successful business man, has recently died leaving them to inherit a huge amount of debt, and their struggle with how best to deal with it. It is a very much a state of the nation play, a look at Ireland in 2015, maybe you could call it a post-post-Celtic Tiger play. It has a lot of reference to Celtic mythology as it is in essence a modern retelling of the Cuchullain story. Except it’s set in a nice house in Portmarnock.

Gavin Kostick writes some really excellent characters – what part do you play in At The Ford?

I play Ferdia, younger brother to Cullen (Cuchullain) and older brother to Mags. The title ‘At the Ford’ is a reference to the 3 day battle between Cuchullan and Ferdia, best friends and step brothers who were equally skillful in combat, at the Ford. The play opens on Cullen and Ferdia, who have been literally fighting for days on end, as Ferdia tries to convince the proud Cullen to accept defeat at the hands of their creditors and move on with their lives. It’s very heightened, very poetic and highly physical.

You’ve worked with your co-star Aonghus Og McAnally previously – were you looking forward to reigniting that creative partnership?

Aongo was my manifesto mentor in the Gaiety School. It’s great to have a shorthand with someone in advance of working with them. I’d be a fan of his work and what Rise does- but don’t tell him I said that. It’s been a brilliant job actually with a great team behind it.

Who do you think At The Ford will appeal to?

Maybe anybody who has seen and enjoyed previous Rise shows like ‘Fight Night’ which was obviously a roaring success for the same team. I think it has shades of Marina Carr in it too. Anyone who is interested in Irish Theatre and the Irish situation. But that’s a hard question- that’s why producing is hard. I just have to remember my lines and try not to fall off the stage.