Master Craftsmen

David Kelly and Milo O'Shea are two of Ireland's most accomplished actors. Between them they have worked on stage and screen for a over a century. Not surprisingly, Paul Farren is a little nervous about meeting them to talk about their latest film, Mystics.

I am not normally this nervous when about to interview famous individuals. However, at this moment I feel like letting loose a proverbial brick. In the hotel room I am approaching are not your usual common or garden famous people. In this room are Milo O'Shea and David Kelly two of Irelands greatest actors, between the two of them they have over a hundred years experience as performers. They have trod the boards of many theatres all over the world and worked with the cream of stage and screen during the course of their careers. So what's there to be nervous about?

It's too late to run and before you can say "Duran Duran" I am ushered into the room. Sitting opposite each other at the far end of the plush hotel room sit the two gentlemen looking dapper and at ease. They are here to promote Mystics, an amusing tale of two con artists who are working a fake séance scam. Unfortunately their 'talents' get them embroiled with a gang of criminals, led by Maria Doyle Kennedy, who need to contact their recently deceased former boss to find out where he stashed the takings from a heist. For the first time ever they perform their act with real success, leading to further complications when the spirit from beyond the grave wants his gang to plan his dream robbery. Mystics is a whimsical light-hearted piece with a firm nod to the days of Ealing comedies. But what is most entertaining about it is seeing these two great actors on the screen together.

The full article is printed in Film Ireland 96