Showreel of actor James McAnespy. Clips from Two Pints, Jackalope, Rent A Life, Éalú
James McAnespy showreel 2017 (long edit)
Next Up
Next up: I will be featuring in the short films Dark & Stormy and Belfast Caliber 9.
25 May 2017
6 Feb 2012
Éalú and Bóithre Iarainn to air on TG4 in the coming weeks.
You wait months for your TV appearances to air then two come along at once!
The two TG4 series I filmed in 2011 are going on air in the first couple of weeks of February.
The first is a documentary series, Bóithre Iarainn, which details some of the incredible stories of major events that took place on Ireland's railway network in the early part of the twentieth century. The episode I featured in involved a bloody shootout at the border station of Clones, as the IRA tried to get their hands on the military weapons that were on board. The series starts on Thursday February 9th at 8pm.
The second series is Éalú, a series about daring prison escapes by Irish convicts. My character, Sean Bourke, was an anarchic communist sympathiser who masterminded the breakout of another prisoner from Wormwood Scrubs. This airs on Thursday 16th February at 7pm.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g55o_kEGKc]
Both shows were fantastic shoots, so I can't wait to see the final product.
The two TG4 series I filmed in 2011 are going on air in the first couple of weeks of February.
The first is a documentary series, Bóithre Iarainn, which details some of the incredible stories of major events that took place on Ireland's railway network in the early part of the twentieth century. The episode I featured in involved a bloody shootout at the border station of Clones, as the IRA tried to get their hands on the military weapons that were on board. The series starts on Thursday February 9th at 8pm.
The second series is Éalú, a series about daring prison escapes by Irish convicts. My character, Sean Bourke, was an anarchic communist sympathiser who masterminded the breakout of another prisoner from Wormwood Scrubs. This airs on Thursday 16th February at 7pm.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g55o_kEGKc]
Both shows were fantastic shoots, so I can't wait to see the final product.
4 Jul 2011
Pick N Mix, Sitting Up for Michael news, RSC Workshops, Pack Up YourTroubles
Once again I find myself in the fortunate position of being very busy over the last few weeks. In June, I performed in Red Lemon's Bouffon production, The Generous Bank, as part of the MAC's theatre festival Pick N Mix. As well as that, I was called in to deputise for John Sheyagh in Guerrilla Therapy's performed reading of Almost Stockholm. It was unfortunate that John wasn't able to do the show, but I hope I was able to perform to the standard that John would have.
While at the festival, I met Emily de Dakis, and Richard Lavery from Accidental Theatre who told me that they are picking up Sitting Up for Michael for their upcoming rehearsed reading programme, The Biscuit Tin Readings, to be performed in The Ulster Hall. This is obviously huge news and really gives me confidence in my writing abilities, so I am going to press ahead in the coming weeks with my dark comedy Goolie's Human Taxidermy. The reading is set for Wednesday 16th November. Also on the program are Jaki McCarrick and William Patterson, whose plays I acted in last year, as part of the VI program.
Meanwhile, Fringe Benefits were chosen to be part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Open Stages project, an initiative to bridge the increasing divide between amateur and professional theatre. As part of this, they held workshops in the magnificent new Lyric Theatre. All aspects of theatre were covered, from costume to performance, and it was eyeopening to see how much work goes in to theatre (both amateur and professional) from all angles.
Sticking with Fringe Benefits, I have been asked to take part in their devised piece, Pack Up Your Troubles. This has been the company's flagship productions, and I am looking forward to taking part in it.
Also, this coming Wednesday I will be travelling to Downpatrick to film reconstructions for an upcoming TG4 documentary series. This follows on from my work in Éalú a great experience, and I can't wait to see the results.
As I said, I have been incredibly busy, and I think I have more to come over the rest of the summer.
While at the festival, I met Emily de Dakis, and Richard Lavery from Accidental Theatre who told me that they are picking up Sitting Up for Michael for their upcoming rehearsed reading programme, The Biscuit Tin Readings, to be performed in The Ulster Hall. This is obviously huge news and really gives me confidence in my writing abilities, so I am going to press ahead in the coming weeks with my dark comedy Goolie's Human Taxidermy. The reading is set for Wednesday 16th November. Also on the program are Jaki McCarrick and William Patterson, whose plays I acted in last year, as part of the VI program.
Meanwhile, Fringe Benefits were chosen to be part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Open Stages project, an initiative to bridge the increasing divide between amateur and professional theatre. As part of this, they held workshops in the magnificent new Lyric Theatre. All aspects of theatre were covered, from costume to performance, and it was eyeopening to see how much work goes in to theatre (both amateur and professional) from all angles.
Sticking with Fringe Benefits, I have been asked to take part in their devised piece, Pack Up Your Troubles. This has been the company's flagship productions, and I am looking forward to taking part in it.
Also, this coming Wednesday I will be travelling to Downpatrick to film reconstructions for an upcoming TG4 documentary series. This follows on from my work in Éalú a great experience, and I can't wait to see the results.
As I said, I have been incredibly busy, and I think I have more to come over the rest of the summer.
12 Mar 2011
Filmed TG4 show, Éalú, in Armagh and Vichy performance
This week I was in Armagh Prison filming Éalú with Magamedia for TG4. Éalú is a documentary series focused on famous prison breaks, with actors providing visuals to accompany interviews.
I was playing the role of Sean Bourke, a political activist who planned and executed the escape of George Blake, a Soviet double agent who was incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubs prison. Their plan was ingenious, involving a rope ladder reinforced with knitting needles, forged documents, uninhibited derring-do and a walkie-talkie hidden in a pot plant.
Bourke was a live wire character, being imprisoned for mailing letter bombs to senior police officers, and having difficulty dealing with a drinking problem.
The other main actors were Shane Morgan and Mark Byatt and we were improvising scenes throughout the two shooting days. They were great actors and it is always great to be working off such great performers.
Part of the escape plan involved me making a quick escape in a vintage Ford Prefect, which was great except I had only one driving lesson in my entire life! It took about seven takes, but we eventually got the shot and I got invaluable driving experience!
Overall it was an incredible experience and to date the most significant screen work I have done. I can't wait to see it completed.
Now I go from one performance to a completely different one as Fringe Benefits revives Arthur Miller's Incident at Vichy in the Belfast Synagogue (The Wolfson Centre) tomorrow and Monday nights (13th and 14th March). These will be the last time I perform as the downtrodden artist Lebeau, which will hurt since he has been a part of my life for nearly a year now. The production has really kicked into gear, and the adrenaline rush the actors will get from performing in front of a Jewish crowd will spur the production into greatness, I am certain.
It is free and starts at 7pm, so it'll be first come first served so take the opportunity to see this show while you can.
I was playing the role of Sean Bourke, a political activist who planned and executed the escape of George Blake, a Soviet double agent who was incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubs prison. Their plan was ingenious, involving a rope ladder reinforced with knitting needles, forged documents, uninhibited derring-do and a walkie-talkie hidden in a pot plant.
Bourke was a live wire character, being imprisoned for mailing letter bombs to senior police officers, and having difficulty dealing with a drinking problem.
The other main actors were Shane Morgan and Mark Byatt and we were improvising scenes throughout the two shooting days. They were great actors and it is always great to be working off such great performers.
Part of the escape plan involved me making a quick escape in a vintage Ford Prefect, which was great except I had only one driving lesson in my entire life! It took about seven takes, but we eventually got the shot and I got invaluable driving experience!
Overall it was an incredible experience and to date the most significant screen work I have done. I can't wait to see it completed.
Now I go from one performance to a completely different one as Fringe Benefits revives Arthur Miller's Incident at Vichy in the Belfast Synagogue (The Wolfson Centre) tomorrow and Monday nights (13th and 14th March). These will be the last time I perform as the downtrodden artist Lebeau, which will hurt since he has been a part of my life for nearly a year now. The production has really kicked into gear, and the adrenaline rush the actors will get from performing in front of a Jewish crowd will spur the production into greatness, I am certain.
It is free and starts at 7pm, so it'll be first come first served so take the opportunity to see this show while you can.
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