A West Belfast man is preparing to take to Northern Ireland's most famous stage as he returns home to star in the award-winning musical Girl From The North Country.
Playing in the Grand Opera House from February 14-18, the musical by Irish playwright Conor McPherson boldly reimagines the legendary songs of Bob Dylan like you have never heard them before.
Colin Connor, originally from Andersonstown, takes on the starring role of Nick Lane, the proprietor of a rundown guesthouse.
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It’s 1934 in the heartland of America and a group of wayward souls cross paths in Nick's time-weathered guesthouse. Standing at a turning point in their lives, they realise nothing is what it seems and as they search for a future and hide from the past, they find themselves facing unspoken truths about the present.
Speaking to Belfast Live ahead of the musical's tour landing in Belfast, Colin shared his excitement to head back to Northern Ireland and bring the magic of McPherson's creation to a local audience.
"I got into acting in school doing plays and because I was in one of the school plays, the BBC were going around looking to audition kids for a 'Play for Today' and I auditioned and did that.
"I was 11 then and that was the kickstart and I caught the bug. I was also an impressionist doing the comedy club circuit across Northern Ireland from when I was 15," he said.
Colin then moved to England where his career "halted" for a while when he explored other avenues but his passion never left and he returned to acting, attending drama school in Manchester in his late 20s.
When asked if he would be interested in starring in the UK and Ireland tour of Girl from the North Country, he jumped at the opportunity.
"I was already aware of Conor [McPherson] and had directed a production of one of his plays The Weir - myself and my wife have a pub theatre in Manchester.
"I was really excited to work with him and meet him because I just think his writing is incredibly rich and beautiful and he directed the show as well so it was just wonderful to work with him so closely.
"I really do think he is a bit of a genius," he explained.
Colin is "really excited" for the play to transform the Opera House stage for the Belfast leg of the tour for the first time in his professional career.
He continued: "I was home a few years ago doing an episode of Hope Street but this is the first time I will have worked on a professional stage in Northern Ireland and for it to be the Opera House, I can't tell you how excited I am.
"I have so many family members coming to see me and my wife and little girl will be coming over with me so it is going to be a working holiday if you like.
"I am so buzzing."
Colin said crowds can expect to see a lot of heartache, joy and amazing music when they visit the Grand Opera House this week.
"I think they will have a smashing time and will be taken on one hell of a ride - an emotional journey of ups and downs, highs and lows - so bring some tissues."
Girl from the North Country will play at the Grand Opera House Belfast from February 14-18, for more information see here.
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