Celebrate the career of one of Ireland’s best-loved writers, as he discusses his work in an intimate and entertaining evening of sprawling conversation, with interviewer Phil Williams.
Roddy Doyle’s writing is immediately recognisable for his rich humour, unique use of dialogue and contemporary references. Credited with having reinvented the modern Irish novel, Roddy presents difficult critical social and historical issues in a concise and accessible form. His work inimitably portrays the experiences of everyday Irish life – and he has even managed to persuade quite a few people that Mustang Sally is a traditional Irish song.
With a chance to hear the man himself read from such books as The Woman Who Walked Into Doors, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and A Star Called Henry, this is an evening not to be missed… unless there’s something better on the telly.
Roddy Doyle is the author of eleven novels, two collections of stories, a memoir of his parents, eight children’s books, a number of plays and screenplays, an opera translation, and co-wrote The Second Half with Roy Keane. His many awards include the Booker Prize for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (1993), the Irish PEN Award (2009), and the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Commitments (1991). Most recently, Roddy wrote the screenplay for the film Rosie, which heartbreakingly depicts Ireland’s homelessness crisis in some of his most moving and insightful work to date. His new novel Love – in which two men spend an evening talking about women – will be published in 2020.
Phil Williams is a broadcaster and writer who’s spent the majority of his 25 years in broadcasting with the BBC. He presented the late show on BBC 5 Live for six years covering breaking news events such as the horrific Manchester Arena attack, through to interviewing heroes of his like Chas n Dave and Sir Ian Botham. More recently Phil can be heard on BBC Radio 2 where he’s now exploring his love of music on Europe’s biggest radio station.
Phil has interviewed most of the world’s leading authors on stage – with the exception of Roddy Doyle, which he’s delighted to be putting right tonight.