Mekitarian keeps acting tradition in family

Trim actor Paul Mekitarian is returning to his native county this week to stage Eugene O'Brien's 'Eden' with his own theatre company, Rain, Rocks 'n' Reeks. The company is made up of himself and Hazel McLynn, both of whom moved to the west of Ireland with their respective families to escape the Dublin rat race. Paul, a member of a well-known Trim drama family, is currently based with his family in Ballintubber, Co Mayo. He was a late vocation to the professional acting world, graduating with a diploma in speech and drama from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in 2000. He appeared in many productions in Dublin and throughout the country before moving to Mayo four years ago. He still returns to Dublin every year for Bloomsday, where he is one of the actors who takes part in the Joycean performances from 'Ulysees' in the Dublin Writer's Centre. He has appeared in 'At the Black Pig's Dyke', Gulliver's Travels', 'Last Call' and Stags and Hens', as well as 'Harry's Bar', Vapours and 'Translations' at the Abbey. Hazel initially worked as a choreographer and dancer in Dublin for 15 years and subsequently became a Guildhall trained actress before moving to Mayo. Her most recent work includes 'Nine Lives' (Galway Film Fleadh) and 'Hearts Desire', filmed in Westport. Formed in Autumn 2008, Rain, Rocks 'n' Reeks began rehearsing for this their first production, 'Eden' by Eugene O' Brien, after getting the go ahead from the author himself after making contact with him on Facebook. First produced in the Peacock Theatre and later transferring from stage to screen in a RTE drama, 'Eden' realistically portrays the disintegration of the marriage between Billy and Breda Farrell. Billy, (Mekitarian) though a doting father, spends his time drinking, enviously watching the lives of his single friends, while secretly lusting over a younger woman, Imelda Egan. The long suffering and frustrated Breda (McLynn) yearns for the romance lost from her marriage and pins all her hopes of reconciliation on one big night out "cos she's made the effort and lost the weight". Mac's late bar is the venue and we see their story unfold as both characters pursue their opposing goals with the inevitable outcome. In its everyday simplicity, hilarious storytelling and everyday language, 'Eden' is guaranteed to appeal to both theatre and non-theatre goers alike. Initially the aim of the company was to bring drama to the more "remoter" areas in Connacht but after a successful run in 2009 they came to the attention of Richard Ryan Promotions and now have bookings both north and south of the border. They are currently in pre-production for their second show which should be out in autumn 2010. Tickets are €10. To book tickets please contact Solstice Arts Centre box office on 046 909 2300 or book online at www.solsticeartscentre.ie