From a Rose to Reno
Former Rose of Tralee winner, Róisín Ryan Egenton, will transport us back to the 1930s as she plays the sultry character of Reno Sweeney in the upcoming GMS production of Anything Goes at the Town Hall Theatre from March 24th – 28th. The talented lass with the beautiful voice is a Galway girl at heart and has not let a serious back injury in 2011 stop her from entertaining the crowds.
Age: Old enough to remember when there were 9 planets
Loves: My fiancé, friends and family, laughing, musical theatre, dogs, horses, pizza, sushi, music, playing the violin, reading, cooking (I’m a feeder!), Christmas, thunderstorms, hot baths and the electric blanket.
Hates: Bad parking, fried liver, animal cruelty, people who judge others based purely on their job or education, flat-pack furniture put together incorrectly.
Tell us about your character in the upcoming musical Anything Goes?
Reno Sweeney is an evangelist nightclub singer living in1930s New York City. She’s sexy, charismatic, and confident. She has friends in high and low places, a devilishly fun sense of humour, and a big heart.
Do you share any similar traits?
Some - I love a good laugh and I have friends from all walks of life, but I’m probably a bit more shy and goofier than Reno. I really have to come out of myself to portray her razzmatazz!
Are you still recognised as a Rose of Tralee winner?
Sometimes, yes! Some people have incredible photographic memories, despite me being 15 years older, carrying a few more pounds and sporting a different hair colour.
Did it open many doors for you?
Yes, but at the time I was too young and naive to notice doors opening. Sure, I could have been more shrewd and seized my opportunities for “big breaks”, but that wasn’t me - and moving to Ireland on my own was exciting and challenging enough! I just took the year at face value and enjoyed it. I represented the Festival and Ireland both here and abroad, I had the opportunity to impact positively on others, and I met really wonderful people all over the world who I continue to call friends. I’m very proud of my Rose of Tralee experience and the Rose ‘family’.
How did you end up in Galway?
My aunt, uncle, and cousins live in Renmore and I’m close to them so Galway was my first port of call when I moved here. And my aunt has a craft shop “Án Pucán” out on the Aran Islands - I used to (and still) love going out there. I moved to Kilkenny in 2005 for work and, even though I enjoyed it, I always hankered to get back West, so I was delighted to move back to Galway in 2011.
How do you balance your working life and the musical society schedules?
It’s a juggle! My work in the HSE is wonderful but demanding, I might be on the road 7am-7pm then straight to rehearsals until late. I also teach violin and play gigs at the weekends. But while show season is hectic, I love rehearsing and I miss it when it is over.
How many shows have you been in and when did you start?
I was in my first show when I was 7 years old, playing Marta in “The Sound of Music”. My big line was “I’m going to be seven on Tuesday and I’d like a pink parasol!” Since then I’ve been in about 20 shows, between school and adult productions.
How do you keep fit?
Walking my dog, horseriding, pilates, dancing… I used to run and completed the Dublin Marathon in 2010, but I broke my back in 2011 in a horseriding accident and can’t do high impact exercise as I used to. My knees are grateful.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring with you?:
My fiancé Nicky, my dog Coco, and MacGyver.
Favourite place to go out in Galway: Galway is full of quirky restaurants, coffee shops and pubs! Be it a cozy meal with my fiancé in Cava Bodega followed by a glass of wine in the Brasserie.... or meeting a gang in the Asian Tea House and then heading to the Dew Drop and The Stock Exchange... or getting a coffee and muffin in Renzo’s... I’m spoiled for choice!
