Amy Conroy is the writer and director of I ♥ Alice ♥ I

What is the best production you have been in or worked on? I have been delighted to work with some fantastic companies over the years, and am proud of all (most) productions, but HotForTheatre productions are very close to my heart, so I have to answer I ♥ Alice ♥ I and Eternal Rising of the Sun.

And the worst? I could tell you but then I’d have to have facial reconstructive surgery and change my name, and who can afford that?

What is the best production you have been to? Barabbas’s production of The Whiteheaded Boy changed how I saw theatre. It totally excited, delighted and thrilled me. I have seen and adored many shows but this production propelled me into making the type of theatre that I love.

And the worst? Seriously?

If you could only work on one more production in your career, what would it be? It would be a sold out 40-year durational piece . . . And I’d be in it.

And who would you most like to be involved in it? All the brilliant people I’ve worked with over the years that have made me laugh and marvel!

Who has been your greatest influence? Veronica Coburn. Hands down, no questions asked.

Opening night – terrific or torture? Terrific . . . And torture. Mostly terrific.

And critics – terrific or torture? Terrific . . . And torture. Mostly terrific.

Where were you when the idea for your latest play came to you? Inspiration seems to strike me when I’m running and listening to loud music on my iPod. Eternal Rising of the Sun poked its head up running somewhere between Templeogue and Terenure. I ♥ Alice ♥ I I arrived on a treadmill listening to Roisín Murphy. Thank you Ben Dunne.

What is your pre-show routine? I like peace, quite and calm before a show. I like to get into the theatre early, to focus and be in the right head space. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to my pre-show routine . . . Whatever I do I’ll repeat until the end of the run, everything is exactly the same: where I place my shoes, where I hang my clothes and costume, what’s laid out on the dressing room counter and where it goes. The madness is not lost on me.

What one thing would you say to an aspiring actor/producer/writer/director at the start of their career? Know why you’re doing it.

The lead has called in sick, the director is drunk, and the ticket sales are poor – must the show go on? TOTALLY.

What makes theatre the best art form? Why choose it over film, music or literature? Must we really make a choice between these? I feel all are related.

The best thing about being an actor/director/producer/writer is …. The money. I’M LOADED!!!

And the worst? The money. Little lie above.

Finally, why should someone come and see your show at the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival? I ♥ Alice ♥ I is a multi-award-winning show. It is warm, tender, intimate and hilarious. It’s a unique theatrical experience that will tug at your humanity and warm the hardest of hearts. Its bravery and honesty is compelling and it stays with you long after you’ve left the theatre.

I ♥ Alice ♥ I is at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Sept 20th-Oct 1st, the Project Arts Centre, Oct 4th-9th, Draiocht Studio, Oct 10th-12th, and the Pavilion Theatre, Oct 14th-15th