A bonafide classic of Northern Irish theatre, Owen McCafferty’s Mojo Mickybo is a hilarious yet heartbreaking tale of friendship between two boys during The Troubles. Winner of ‘Best Ensemble’ and Nominated for ‘Best Director’ at the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards, 2022, Mojo Mickybo has received outstanding audience feedback and critical acclaim across the board. Here’s a Q&A with actors Conor Quinn and John Travers who play Mickybo and Mojo.
Bruiser’s Mojo Mickybo comes to An Grianán for one night only – Thursday 18 May, see here for more info.
CONOR QUINN – MICKYBO
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Conor Quinn, and I’m from Banbridge town in The County Down
What character will you play on stage ?
I’ll be playing Mickybo in Mojo Mickybo
Who is your biggest influence (in life/on stage)?
My biggest influence is probably my Mum.
Describe yourself as a 10-year-old.
I was a bit of a Mojo at school and a Mickybo at home. Sorry Mum and Dad!
I was also a bit of a nerd.
What’s your best onstage memory?
My best onstage memory is probably singing the final number in ‘Into The Woods’ in our opening show, and finishing my first professional performance.
What’s your worst onstage memory?
My worst onstage memory was when we did a production of ‘Grease’ in High School and I have Sandy a piggyback off the stage. It didn’t end well for either of us!
Where are you at your happiest?
I’m at my happiest in the Mournes on a sunny day with family / friends.
What’s your favourite colour?
Green.
What’s the last book you enjoyed?
The last book I enjoyed as ‘The Song Of Achilles’.
What’s the last film / play you enjoyed?
The last film I enjoyed was ‘Big George Foreman’. The last play I enjoyed was ‘Agreement’ at The Lyric Theatre, Belfast.
What’s your favourite song of all time?
I can’t pick an all-time favourite, but if I had to pick a 70’s one to suit the theme of Mojo Mickybo, I’d say We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters.
JOHN TRAVERS – MOJO
Tell us about yourself:
Hi. I’m John Travers. I grew up in North Belfast and I’ve been an actor for 20 years – since I was 13 in film, then theatre when I was 19. I still love it and I learn something new with every production.
What character will you play on stage?
I will be playing Mojo in Owen McCafferty’s brilliant play, ‘Mojo Mickybo’ along with many other characters. Landing this role has been a real dream of mine! The story being told through the eyes of two children during the height of the Troubles in Belfast with almost nothing phasing them, their spirit, or the friendship they develop. No better time to do it than now, as the story is so relatable to this day in Ireland and the world.
Who is your biggest influence (in life / on stage)?
I have been very lucky to work with very many talented actors and directors from the age of 13, (now 34), that have inspired me so it’s hard to pinpoint… but if we are solely talking theatre, I would have to say ‘Hurricane’, a one-man show based on Alex Higgins’ life, performed by Richard Dormer in the Waterfront Hall. His performance blew me away when I was 15 and gave me the fire to do that one day … which I have … Woohoo!!
Describe yourself as a 10-year-old.
A mixed bag I’d say, shy around certain folk, and a bag of energy around others. I loved being adventurous and remember the game ‘Tomb Raider’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ the movie bolstering that sense. I was, and still am, a massive movie and game fan. Fun fact, I boxed from the age of 8 until 16.
What’s your best onstage memory?
Performing for the first time in the OMAC (Old Museum Arts Centre) in Belfast at 19 years old. A 2 man show – I remember not being nervous at all before walking into the bright lights! and pulling out all the stops … although prior to accepting the role and during rehearsals in another case haha.
What’s your worst onstage memory?
Forgetting lines or messing up what had been perfect in rehearsals – I think most actors will agree.
Where are you at your happiest?
Being on holiday with my other half or with my animals, although I’m not going to lie, I love a good ol’ pint in the sun! But there’s a time and a place.
What’s your favourite colour?
Red or Black or Blue or Green – sorry I can’t pick just one !
What’s the last book you enjoyed?
I just recently read ‘The Shining’ by Stephen King, after my girlfriend pushed me to do it. Loved it, but I was also frightened by it ! Can’t wait to move onto ‘Doctor Sleep now. The movies are great, but there is so much more depth in the books.
What’s the last film / play you enjoyed?
I just watched ‘Renfield’ a wonderful funny, gory, modern take on Dracula at ‘The Avenue Cinema’ a lovely new cinema in Belfast, with an old school vibe, which I would highly recommend.
The last play I enjoyed was ‘The Song Of The Bones’ a beautiful play performed at The Lyric Theatre. It was a mix of a live band, poetry narration and the story projected with shadow puppetry, a real class mix of art.
What’s your favourite song of all time?
It’s hard to pin down, it changes with my mood … but I do like Tenacious D’s ‘Tribute’. I have fond memories singing the who song list with a cast, touring Ireland, from venue to venue, in a van.
Conor Quinn is an actor – musician from ‘Banbridge Town In The County Down”. He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2020. During his training, his credits included: Ensemble in ‘Assassins’, Stone in ‘City of Angels’ and Barnaby in ‘The Baker’s Wife’.
Conor made his professional debut with Northern Ireland Opera as Jack in their production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’, which won Best Production at the Irish Times Theatre Awards 2022.
Other credits include: Soloist in ‘Bernstein 100; Bernstein Mass’ with Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall), Soloist at ‘Christmas is Cumming’ in 2020 with Alan Cumming and Eddi Reader (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Cottiers), Soloist at the Northern Ireland Bureau’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in Washington DC, 2022 (NI Opera, Washington, DC), Paddington (Histrionic Productions, Dalkeith Palace), Cinderella (Cahoots NI, The MAC), Cabaret de la Boîte (NI Opera, The Black Box), The Lost Boy (NI Opera, The New Orpheus Ballroom).
John Travers began his acting career in 2003 starring in Aisling Walsh’s multi award winning film ‘Song For a Raggy Boy’ picking up a Best Actor award at the Cherbourg film festival along the way kick starting his career in the arts industry. He has appeared in 18 feature films with a few top billed, collecting awards with some being BAFTA and Oscar nominated. Working with inspirational directors including the late Lord Richard Attenborough in ‘Closing the Ring’.
John broke on to the Irish theatre scene in 2008 with Rosemary Jenkinsons’ two-hander ‘The Johnny Meister and ‘The Stitch’ at (The MAC, Belfast) going onto Edinburgh & Dublin Fringe Festivals with 5* reviews and critical acclaim. John then went on to work on many theatre productions, including: ‘Sign of the whale’ (Tinderbox/The Grand Opera House, Belfast); ‘Tartan’ (Etcetera/The MAC, Belfast); ‘I Never See The Prettiest Thing’ (Partisan); ‘Basra Boy’ (Brassneck/The Grand Opera House, Belfast); ‘The Laughter & The Tears of Robin Williams’ (Tread the Boards/The Waterfront); ‘PlayCraftLive’ (The Playhouse Derry/BBC) to name a few.
Recent work in film & theatre includes: ‘HouseJackers’ (NI Screen, Post Production); ‘We’ll Walk Hand In Hand’ (Green Shoot Productions/Lyric Theatre); ‘Vivarium’ (Bruised Sky/Edinburgh & Dublin Fringe Festivals); ‘Albino Parts’ (The Playhouse, Derry); ‘Billy Boy’ (East Side Arts/Edinburgh Fringe/The MAC, Belfast); ‘Nightride’ (NIScreen/Netflix) and ‘Black Medicine’ (NI Screen/Amazon Prime).
