Explore every episode of the podcast Playing Pretend with Chris McIlvenny

Abi Carter-Simpson is a stand up comedian and musician. She is a regular on the comedy circuit, was the support act for Simon Brodkin in 2019 and has reached great heights in prestigious comedy competitions, she studied musical theatre at the Guilford School of Acting and has appeared on BBC, ITV2 and in the movie Blinded By The Light.  In this episode we talk about Abi's experience in musical theatre, being in the semifinals of a comedy competition in her 3rd gig, her comeback to comedy after lockdown and we share our drama school stories.

Tierna McNally is an Irish actor currently finishing her final year in the Arden School of Theatre. Prior to her training she appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Beautiful Game’ in London’s The Other Palace. In this episode we discuss Tierna's journey from a shy young girl to a professional actor, performing musicals with Fusion Theatre, being a cast member in ALW's The Beautiful Game in London and life as a drama school student in a global pandemic.

Zoe Watkins is an Actor, Writer and Director. She has directed pieces in the National Theatre in London and has been seen in Channel 4’s Lee and Dean and FX’s Louie starring Louis CK. She is also directing a new one-man play Unanswered Prayers by Chris McIlvenny.  In this episode we discuss my new play, our favourite Broadway and West End musicals, Zoe's big move to New York City, her experience working with Louis CK and teaching theatre to children.

John Acres is a Radio Presenter and Sports commentator. He hosts the breakfast show on BBC Radio Stoke and he commentates on football for Final Score, Radio 5 Live and Match of the Day. In this episode John's start in radio as a volunteer in community radio, what goes into the production of a breakfast radio show, football commentary and life without fans in both sport and theatre.

Jenny Aurthur is a writer and a yoga instructor born is Los Angeles. She has worked for CAA as an assistant agent and as a story Editor for Demi Moore’s production company. She is now a Yoga teacher in New York City. In this episode we talk about Jenny's unusual upbringing, clubbing experience at age 13, favourite movies, writing and suicide.

Debra Hill is an Actor from West Belfast. She trained in both Queens University in Belfast and The Acting Studio in New York City. She has performed in TV, Film and Theatre and was in the Terra Nova production of the Belfast Tempest in T13 Warehouse in front of 10,000 people. In this episode we discuss Debra's performance in 'Oliver!' in High School, our holidays as kids, performing Shakespeare at the RSC and training at the Acting Studio in New York City.

Marty Maguire is an Actor from Belfast. He has performed in New York, Los Angeles, Edinburgh, London and the list goes on. He has acted in such projects such as, Pulling Moves, The Chronicles of Long Kesh, A Night in November and Mixed Marriage. In this episode we discuss Marty's stage debut in Grease as Danny Zuko at a young age, moving to Los Angeles, performing A Night in November all over the world and his advice to young actors on going far in the industry.

Aiden Brooks is an Actor, Comedian and Teacher. He has had shows in Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe festivals as part of a double act. He now teaches comedy in the Arden School of Theatre. In this episode we talk about Aiden's early days of working as a Butcher's apprentice, his desire to perform, starting his comedy career with the other half of his double act and what he teaches in the Arden School of Theatre.

Caroline Curran is an actor and writer. Best known for her performances in Soft Border Patrol, Holy Holy Bus, her self-penned Christmas shows every year in Theatre at the Mill and her ground breaking turn as Maggie Muff in the 50 Shades of Red, White and Blue series. In this episode we discuss Caroline's first performance in a gold sequins dress for the nuns, her stage management experience willing her on to be an actor and her journey into the world of writing.

Brendan Quinn is an actor from West Belfast. He has studied at the prestigious Gaiety School of Acting and has since appeared on both Stage and Screen. In this episode we discuss Brendan's early introduction to acting the Rainbow Factory, moving to Dublin for drama school, transitioning back into the Belfast acting scene and the adrenaline rush that comes with live Theatre.

Paddy McDonnell is a stand-up Comedian from West Belfast. He has performed in venues all over the world and later this year he will be performing his sold out show ‘On the Tools’ in the Ulster Hall. In this episode we talk about how Paddy got into Stand-up Comedy, performing a show in Irish for a Loyalist audience, giving a Black Taxi Tour for Janice Dickinson and fooling Jack Whitehall into thinking Paddy was the biggest Comedian in Ireland with nothing but West Belfast Confidence.

Diona Doherty is an Actor and Comedian. She is best known for her appearances in Derry Girls, Give my Head Peace and Soft Border Patrol. She also has a comedy podcast on BBC Sounds, ‘What happens in Ulster’.  In this episode we discuss Diona's flawless Shakira impression, being 9 months pregnant, the Belfast comedy scene and filming 'Give my Head Peace' during a Global Pandemic.

Conor Grimes is an Actor, Writer and Comedian. He is one half of the comedy duo Grimes and McKee, producing such works as The history of the Troubles according to my Da. He has also had an illustrious TV and Theatre career in his own right.  In this episode we discuss Conor's childhood in Tyrone,  his love for Gaelic Games, the lonely nature of a one-man play and when Grimes met McKee.

Gerard Jordan is a TV, Film and Theatre actor. He is best known for his roles in Pulling Moves, Game of Thrones and Brassic. 

In this episode we discuss Gerard's accidental journey into the world of acting, performing in the Royal Court in London at the age of 17, working with Joe Gilgun and his two-man Christmas sketch show 'Em 2 Balloons' with Ciaran Nolan.

Ciaran McCourt is an Irish Actor who has appeared on both stage and screen. He has recently started a new Podcast, Brawl Boxing. In this episode we discuss how Ciaran first became interested in acting, our horrible flat in Manchester, our Spotlight Prize experience and Ciaran's podcast Brawl Boxing.

Raymond Walsh is a west end actor and singer. He has played Grantaire and Thenardier in Les Misérables on the west end and performed in the All Star concert with Alfie Boe and Micheal Ball. Raymond is also co-creator and director of Irish vocal group The Shamrock Tenors. In this episode we discuss Raymond's discovery of musical theatre,  performing at the Emirates for the Arsenal team, being cast in Les Misérables and his hopes for the future regarding his Irish traditional vocal group Shamrock Tenors.

Geradline Hughes is an Irish film, television and stage actress originally from West Belfast. Starring in films such as Gran Torino and Duplex. She is best known for her portrayal of “Little Marie” in 2006’s Rocky Balboa.  In this episode we discuss Geraldine's tough upbringing in a war torn Belfast, getting a role in a Hollywood movie at the age of thirteen, her process in writing her story in a one-woman show and becoming a Broadway star after leaving LA.

Rupert Hill is a fim, TV and Theatre Actor and Director. He is known for his roles in several soap operas, with his most famous being Coronation Street. He has both starred in and directed the stage version of the Full Monty.

In this episode we discuss Rupert's desire to be an actor from the age of three, the effect fame had in his personal life and his ambitious dive into the business of owning pubs, restaurants and music venues.