Something For The Weekend: Simon Delaney's cultural picks

Actor Simon Delaney has been a fixure on stage and screen for the past two decades, in everything from TV hits like Bachelor's Walk, Roy and The Good Wife to Hollywood blockbuster The Conjuring 2 and an acclaimed turn in Roddy Doyle's theatrical adaptation of The Snapper.

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We asked Simon for his choice cultural picks...

FILM

Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story. This is my favourite musical of all time, and I shuddered when I heard there was a remake in the works. But I needn’t have worried. This is beautiful - the score, the cinematography, a feast for the eyes and ears.

MUSIC

A song called Bewitched by Laufey, a new artist from Iceland whom I’ve discovered via our son Cameron, who suggested that I play her on my show on RTE lyric FM, as he thought that I and the listeners would love her. And he was right - both I and they do.

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BOOK

I just finished Michael Parkinson’s biography Parky. I had the pleasure of meeting him some years ago, a charming gentleman. I got the audiobook version, so he told me his story, in his own inimitable voice. Another favourite of mine is All About Me by the brilliant Mel Brooks.

THEATRE

Agreement at The Gate Theatre, Dublin. One of my favourite places to perform, and to watch brilliant theatre.

TV

The Curse of Oak Island on Discovery. I’m a sucker for this show. I’ve watched it since day one, all 18 seasons, following brothers Rick & Marty Lagina, as they dig for hidden treasure on their remote Canadian outpost.

GIG

Steve Martin and Martin Short at the 3Arena Dublin a couple of years ago. The last gig at the 3Arena before Covid. What a show, two consummate professionals, still at the top of their game.

ART

Collins Barracks, Dublin. I love all things military; my grandfather was one of the many Irishmen who fought in WWI.

PODCAST

From the Oasthouse with Alan Partridge. Genius, pure and simple.

TECH

Studyclix.com - we have a leaving cert student in the house, so needs must etc...

THE NEXT BIG THING...

Laufey. See above!