The Radio Éireann Players were a repertory company for radio formed in 1947 which performed in the station's regular drama productions. O'Sullivan joined in 1948, along with Laurence O'Dea and Frank O'Dwyer. After the depredations of the war-time years and the devastating fire in the Abbey Theatre in 1951, the Radio Éireann Players' powerful weekly performances inspired interest in drama throughout the country. Their effect has been compared to an effort at national re-invention, in the same way that the national theatre fifty years earlier had been an attempt to redefine Irish identity.[1] The formation of a full-time theatre company for a radio station was something new - no English-speaking country (not even the BBC) possessed one, and all its members hailed from Ireland, many being native Irish speakers. Micheál Ó hAodha became the company's first producer and Roibeárd Ó Faracháin with Ria Mooney of the Abbey recruited.[2]
O'Sullivan appeared with Tom Studley, George Greene, Éamonn Kelly, Joe Lynch and Aidan Grennell in pieces by writers such as Frank O'Connor and Seán Ó Faoláin. Another contributor was Brendan Behan, who made his debut with two plays for the radio. Between plays the players acted in radio variety programmes and read pieces on the radio as necessary.
In 1961 O'Sullivan acted in The Weaver's Grave. Adapted and produced by Mícheál Ó hAodha, it was written by Galway author Seamus O'Kelly, and won the coveted Prix Italia for Radio Drama.[3] The players also won this award in 1964.
He later appeared in Radio Éireann's "Rambling House"; a programme in which Ceoltóirí Chualann, Seán Ó Sé, Éamon Kelly and others re-enacted, through singing, music, and story telling, the Irish Rambling Houses of old.
Stage and screen
In April 1966 O'Sullivan appeared on RTÉ television in The Singer, by P. H. Pearse, part of a series broadcast to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Insurrection. Another RTÉ series that he appeared in was Teems of Times in 1978, playing the part of Sailor Clancy.
O'Sullivan was a prolific stage actor, appearing in the world premières of plays by John B. Keane and Brian Friel. He also took small roles in a number of significant feature films shot in Ireland, such as Girl with Green Eyes (1964), Ryan's Daughter (1970) and Barry Lyndon (1975). In the latter film, he played the part of the courteous highwayman, Captain Feeny.[4]
^Barry Lyndon (IMDb) (Spelt as per film script and not as rendered by William Makepeace Thackeray in The memoirs of Barry Lyndon, esq., and, A little dinner at Timmin's (London, 1886), p. 51)
arthur, sullivan, american, professor, economist, people, with, similar, name, arthur, sullivan, disambiguation, 1912, february, 1981, also, known, archie, sullivan, irish, actor, appeared, stage, screen, radio, contents, radio, career, stage, screen, filmogra. For the American professor see Arthur O Sullivan economist For people with a similar name see Arthur Sullivan disambiguation Arthur O Sullivan 1912 17 February 1981 also known as Archie O Sullivan was an Irish actor who appeared on stage screen and radio Contents 1 Radio career 2 Stage and screen 3 Filmography 4 References 5 External linksRadio career EditThe Radio Eireann Players were a repertory company for radio formed in 1947 which performed in the station s regular drama productions O Sullivan joined in 1948 along with Laurence O Dea and Frank O Dwyer After the depredations of the war time years and the devastating fire in the Abbey Theatre in 1951 the Radio Eireann Players powerful weekly performances inspired interest in drama throughout the country Their effect has been compared to an effort at national re invention in the same way that the national theatre fifty years earlier had been an attempt to redefine Irish identity 1 The formation of a full time theatre company for a radio station was something new no English speaking country not even the BBC possessed one and all its members hailed from Ireland many being native Irish speakers Micheal o hAodha became the company s first producer and Roibeard o Farachain with Ria Mooney of the Abbey recruited 2 O Sullivan appeared with Tom Studley George Greene Eamonn Kelly Joe Lynch and Aidan Grennell in pieces by writers such as Frank O Connor and Sean o Faolain Another contributor was Brendan Behan who made his debut with two plays for the radio Between plays the players acted in radio variety programmes and read pieces on the radio as necessary In 1961 O Sullivan acted in The Weaver s Grave Adapted and produced by Micheal o hAodha it was written by Galway author Seamus O Kelly and won the coveted Prix Italia for Radio Drama 3 The players also won this award in 1964 He later appeared in Radio Eireann s Rambling House a programme in which Ceoltoiri Chualann Sean o Se Eamon Kelly and others re enacted through singing music and story telling the Irish Rambling Houses of old Stage and screen EditIn April 1966 O Sullivan appeared on RTE television in The Singer by P H Pearse part of a series broadcast to mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Insurrection Another RTE series that he appeared in was Teems of Times in 1978 playing the part of Sailor Clancy O Sullivan was a prolific stage actor appearing in the world premieres of plays by John B Keane and Brian Friel He also took small roles in a number of significant feature films shot in Ireland such as Girl with Green Eyes 1964 Ryan s Daughter 1970 and Barry Lyndon 1975 In the latter film he played the part of the courteous highwayman Captain Feeny 4 Arthur O Sullivan died at Our Lady s Hospice Harolds Cross in Dublin at the age of 69 Filmography EditYear Title Role Notes1962 The Quare Fellow Hangman Himself 1963 Mystery Submarine Mike Fitzgerald1964 Girl with Green Eyes James Brady1965 Young Cassidy Foreman1967 The Viking Queen Old Man at Tax Enquiry1970 Ryan s Daughter Mr McCardle1971 L iguana dalla lingua di fuoco Inspector Lawrence1975 Barry Lyndon Captain Feeny the Highwayman1978 On a Paving Stone MountedReferences Edit Eileen Morgan Radio Eireann Players Maurice Gorham 40 Years of Irish Broadcasting Talbot Press 1976 Trinity College Dublin Film Research Barry Lyndon IMDb Spelt as per film script and not as rendered by William Makepeace Thackeray in The memoirs of Barry Lyndon esq and A little dinner at Timmin s London 1886 p 51 External links EditArthur O Sullivan at Irish Playography Arthur O Sullivan at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arthur O 27Sullivan amp oldid 1105741485, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
