Philippa Dunne, the star of Amandaland, is back in her old neighborhood in Dublin. As a student, she rented a place near the Black Church, close to the Gate Theatre, never imagining she'd one day perform on its stage. Now, she's appearing in Eureka Day, an ensemble comedy about a liberal-minded school in Berkeley, California, dealing with a health scare. During rehearsals, she's been 'talking about every inch and every angle of each page' of Jonathan Spector's play. Despite her lack of 'live stuff' for years, she's eager to reconnect with the camaraderie of Irish actors. In Eureka Day, she plays Suzanne, a school board member navigating a mumps outbreak. The play explores how people's trauma and viewpoints influence their decisions and their consequences. Dunne, who has relocated to Dublin for the run, also discusses her love for comedy, her acting career, and her personal life, including her husband and daughter. She reflects on her journey, from failing her first drama course due to a lack of performance experience to becoming a successful actor, known for roles like Geraldine Devlin in Derry Girls and Anne in Amandaland. She also shares her thoughts on the impact of Amandaland and her future plans, including her desire to keep working and pushing herself in her career.
