View from the Green Room: Of Gods and such
Jim Nolan, being presented with the Waterford News & Star Green Room Lifetime Achievement Award by Mayor of Waterford City & County Cllr Jason Murphy earlier this year. Photo: Joe Evans
A folksy, gossipy feel-good two hours of chat with Jim Nolan was hosted by the excellent Carrie Crowley before a full house in the Theatre Royal last week.
The occasion was the fortieth anniversary of the first production of “The Gods are angry, Miss Kerr” and some original cast members, along with family members of those who have passed away, were in attendance.
Local professional actors – Anne O’Riordan, Joe Meagher, Kieran Walsh, Adam Phelan, Shauna Farrell and Nicola Spendlove – gave superb performances on scenes from the play.
The play formed part of a trilogy of plays set in Waterford – The Black Pool, The Gods are Angry, Miss Kerr and The Boathouse.
Conversation bounced between stage and audience as anecdotes from the original production were swapped amidst laughter and banter as the conversation widened to include the birth of Red Kettle and Waterford Arts for All.
Jim was generous in acknowledging the work of many collaborators and was warm in stating his appreciation of the Waterford public who supported his writing and directorial career in professional theatre.
His writing career has been prodigious and, by my count, runs to 26 plays.
Jim Nolan was recently awarded the Waterford News & Star Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 for his contribution to the arts in Waterford at the Green Room Awards night here in the Theatre Royal before a packed house in March.
