A TRIBUTE TO DEIRDRE O’CONNELL (1939-2001)

Ireland on Sunday is our monthly showcase for new Irish film.

Hold The Passion tells the story of actress and teacher Deirdre O’Connell, who set
up the Focus Theatre in Dublin in 1963. The film traces the history of the theatre and of Deirdre’s own artistic journey which began in New York in the early 1960s, when she studied with the legendary Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. In Ireland she introduced the methods of Strasberg and of Stanislavski to a new generation of actors. The film features interviews with Deirdre O’Connell, Gabriel Byrne, Tom Hickey, Johnny Murphy and Olwen Fouere.

Hold The Passion is directed by Ronan O’Leary and produced by Ann McRory. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and friends of the Focus Theatre.