The Unity Centre is an appropriate place to meet the two lead players in Navan theatre groups upcoming production of Sean O’Caseys classic, The Plough and The Stars in the Solstice Arts Centre between November 23rd and 27th.

James O’Connell and Edel Crilly, who play Jack and Nora Clitheroe, are nothing if not united.

The pair bounce of each other so well that it’s something of a shock to realise they are only acting out the roles of a married couple and not one in real life.

On a couple of occasions, O’Connell, a graduate of the Abbey school of drama, almost finishes Crillys sentences for her, and likewise she prompts him when required.

O’Connell actually sees a similarity between the Clitheroes life and his attempt to bring that to life on stage.

‘Life in the tenements where Jack and nora lived meant that people had to rely on each other, there was a great support network in place, and it’s exactly the same here, we rely on each other a lot both on and off stage.’

Asked whether he would sit and have a pint with Jack Clitheroe should he encounter him, O’Connell doesn’t hesitate, ‘Yeah definitely, he’s the kind of guy that everyone in the pub would gravitate towards.’

Crilly on the other hand sees more potential in Nora as a friend than a mother.

‘I’m not sure I’d like her as a Mum but as a friend she’d be great, she is a real driving force, she drives everyone around her forward, she is certainly the driving force and the strong one in the marriage.

‘I’m studying drama at UCD at the moment and I kind of try and delve behind the outward face of a character and Nora is an extremely strong woman, it’s a great role to get, although I admit I was shocked when I did.’

James is definite on  one point.

‘O’Casey is a genius, a genius beyond compare an absolutely unbelievable talent, he stuck to the basic principle of writing about what he knew best which was life in Dublin in and around the Easter Rising, since I got the part I have been immersed by Jacks character, so much so that there are times when I actually think like him when I am faced with areal life situation.

‘That’s how good O’Casey is, that’s how much he makes you believe in the characters he is writing about.’

Neither of the talented duo will admit to being superstitious, but chilly concedes, ‘I do have my routine pre show and I don’t like to deviate from that.

‘James tells me he gets into character from the moment he arrives into the theatre, personally I am in the zone from the moment I get the costume on and start to be made up, then Nora takes over completely.’

And as a parting shot, O’Connell claims’ ‘I’d love it if the group could bring this show on the road, it’s got that strong a group of actors, it deserves a wide audience.’

Chilly says nothing, but nods enthusiastically at the idea.

It’s clear if they can transfer the chemistry to the stage magic awaits.

The pair are Jack and Nora personified.

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