Actor sparkles in Magee event

In an evening rich in stories and quips that marked him out as a masterly raconteur and pitch perfect traditional singer of note he arrived straight from a day in rehearsal for Brendan at the Chelsea, which will open the new studio theatre at the new  Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

Life Stories is a series of public interviews in which Professor Paul Moore, Head of the School of Creative Arts at Magee, interviews distinguished University of Ulster honorary graduates.  Adrian Dunbar received the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in 2009 for services to acting. 

He has had numerous stage, film and television credits. Drama enthusiasts, members and officials of arts and cultural groups, academics and other admirers of his diverse career filled the hall and were treated to a memorable demonstration of the personality that underpins the celebrity.

Gently directed by Professor Moore, he took the audience on a lively jaunt, from the his happy Fermanagh boyhood, to the family’s move to Portadown in 1968, a spell in a touring cabaret band, early involvement in amateur dramatics and how mentors and friends encouraged him to apply to drama school. 

In London he had the opportunity to go to theatre and watch and learn from ‘edgy actors’ such as Anthony Hopkins, Ian McKellan and Judi Dench, and he spoke of his good fortune in coming to acting at a time of great creativity among Northern Ireland playwrights.