Cast interview – Jack Ireland
12th August 2016 2:04 pm
Cast interview – Jack Ireland
Where do you come from and currently live?
I was born in the England and I live in Mattishall, Norfolk. I currently live with my parents.
Do you own any family pets?
No, sorry! But my Nan has a dog called Charlie who is always coming over to our house to visit us.
When did you first start performing?
I started performing from the age of eleven at my local high school performances and local drama group.
What was your first professional experience?
My first professional experience was to be a part of the original cast for the “Christmas Spectacular Show” based in Tatton Park, Manchester.
Where else have you performed in your career?
I have performed at many venues in Blackpool such as the Winter Gardens, the Grand Theatre and the Tower Ballroom. The past two and a half years I have been working on board cruise ships for Costa Cruise Lines & Costa Cruises Lines Asia.
What’s your biggest professional achievement to date?
I would say my biggest professional achievement to date would be working as Production Manager and Production Dancer for Costa Cruise lines.
Who have you worked with in your career?
During my career so far I have had the opportunity to work with ITV alongside Warwick Davies. I have also worked with Red Ice Promotions, JD Parties and Costa Cruise Lines.
Where is the best place you have performed and why?
My favourite place I have performed so far would be The Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. The Tower Ballroom is an amazing place to perform because of its stunning architecture and historical background. Also the ballroom has seen many celebrities perform there over the years, so to have the chance to perform in the same venue as some of the greats is an honour.
And where is the worst place you have performed?
I would say the worst place I have performed would be in a massive marque in a National Trust park where the heating had stopped working during rehearsals in the middle of winter!
Have you ever had any embarrassing things go wrong during a performance?
During one of the production shows on board the Costa Magica, I was dancing in a Voodoo dance number where all we had to wear were grass skirts and feathers around our necks. As we were dancing, my thumb got caught on the popper of my grass skirt and pulled it off me, throwing the skirt across the stage. I was left stood at the front of the stage with nothing else but a pair of nude colour pants and feathers around my neck!
What are you looking forward to most about spending the summer in Cromer?
I am really looking forward to performing on a stage in such a great venue and to an audience close to where I grew up.
Who do you have to thank for where you have got to in your career so far?
I would have to thank all the teachers of Phil Winston’s Theatre Works College & Agency, for believing in me and really pushing me to be the best I can be.
Who inspired you to do what you are doing?
Bob Fosse has been a real inspiration to me throughout my career. Fosse was an American dancer, musical theatre choreographer, director, screenwriter, film director and actor and has won 8 Tony Awards for choreography. He is best known for his choreography in Chicago, which is one of my favourite musicals.
Who will be coming to support you this year?
My family will be coming to support me this year at Cromer as well as past cast members from Costa Cruises that I have worked with, along with my friends from Phil Winston’s Theatre Works.
What will you be doing on your precious days off?
I am really excited to spend my days off around Cromer, exploring the beach, crabbing, and hopefully winning on the 2p slot machines! And, of course, spending some quality time with my family.
Any additional information you’d like our audience to know about?
I like to spend my free time keeping myself fit at the gym and socializing with my friends. I like to go to the theatre to watch musical’s. I would also have to say I like to travel as I have seen some fantastic places on my travels around the world.
