Philippa Dunne talks Eureka Day, trusting in timing and acting as a form of play for adults
Castlebar’s very own Philippa Dunne is best known for her role as Anne in Motherland and Amandaland, and is now making her Gate Theatre debut in Eureka Day.
Philippa Dunne’s film and television credits include her iconic role as Anne in both Motherland and Amandaland, as well as performances in Derry Girls, This is Going to Hurt, Tall Tales & Murder, The Cleaner, and The Woman in the Wall.
Now making her Gate Theatre debut in Jonathan Spector’s timely comedy Eureka Day—which runs until Saturday, March 7—Philippa plays the role of Suzanne. High up in the hills of Berkeley, California, is Eureka Day; an independent, alternative school where liberal values and inclusion reign supreme. Every child matters and is welcome in this progressive paradise. That is, until a health scare shakes the parents and community to its core. As the executive board attempts to navigate the crisis, we see that mumps might not be the only thing that’s contagious.
Tell us about Eureka Day, and your role of Suzanne.
Eureka Day is an independent, alternative school in Berkeley, California and Suzanne is president of the Eureka Day executive board. The play follows how the five-member executive board navigate their way through a mumps outbreak at the school. Suzanne has some really strong feelings about how they should handle it and we learn why. Some of the themes of the play include community, love, power, commitment and understanding, amongst others.
How do you go about taking a story or character from the page and bringing it to life on the stage?
What helps for me is finding something I have in common with the character, somewhere I can align my thoughts and motivations alongside them and remain true to what my version of that character looks like.
Who is someone you look up to in the world of Irish theatre and television?
Right now it’s definitely the cast and crew of Eureka Day for their incredible hard work, wonderful companionship and the trust I have in all of them.
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about working as an actor?
There’s so much rejection, you really have to have a very thick skin, which leads me to my next answer…!
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone hoping to have a career in the arts?
Don’t take rejection personally or let it break your spirit. Trust in timing and that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.
Philippa Dunne’s life in culture
The last thing I saw and loved… Season 3 episode 9 of Love, Death + Robots, it’s called ‘Jibaro’.
The book I keep coming back to… My diary. I have to write everything down.
My favourite film is… It’ll probably always be Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.
My career highlight is… I have so many. Working with Lucy Punch, appearing on Inside No. 9, working with both Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders and of course getting to tread the boards at the Gate Theatre.
The song I listen to to get in the zone is… Chloe x Halle’s 2020 VMA performance of ‘Ungodly Hour’, I happily watch it on loop.
The last work I recommended is… The Blindboy Podcast.
I never leave the house without… Wearing perfume.
The scene I still think about is… Aunt Viv going to dance class in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I first saw it when I was about ten and I’ve never forgotten it.
My dream role would be… I’m letting fate decide that one!
The best advice I’ve ever gotten… Never compare yourself to anyone else.
The most challenging thing about being an actor is…. Not always feeling like you have full control of your life or your career, you really have to trust the process.
After a day on set, I… Have a soak in a magnesium bath.
If I weren’t an actor, I would be… Deeply unsatisfied, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.
The magic of acting to me is… As an adult, you still get to play.
Photography by Helen Murray.
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