This Week We Were

. . . talking about

The hell of Cannes, the strangeness of Terrence Malick, the silliness of Sean Penn’s Robert Smith character, and if computer-game journalism is coming of age. Hear Donald Clarke, Tara Brady, Joe Griffin and Shane Hegarty on the Irish Times Culture Podcast, available on iTunes and at irishtimes.com

. . . reading

In the week of the reggae legend's 30th anniversary, we've blown the dust from the cover of So Much Things to Say: My Life as Bob Marleys Manager, the autobiography of the larger-than-life Don Taylor.

. . . listening to

Lifeproof, the final and standout track on Gangs, the new album from the Belfast band And So I Watch You From Afar. One to rattle the fillings.

Rome, a glorious tribute by Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi to the great Roman cinematic soundtracks of old, with vocal contributions from Jack White and Norah Jones. Bellissimo.

. . . curious about

The fact that Loughlin Deegan is taking over as first director of the fledgling Lir National Academy of

Dramatic Art, confirming that this year will be his fifth and final one as director of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival.

Deegan’s conclusion of his successful tenure at the theatre festival is no great surprise, although it will leave the festival with the dual challenge of finding a replacement of his stature and attracting new sponsorship at a difficult time.

In the meantime, the Lir says he was chosen from a range of applicants, from Ireland and overseas. The Trinity academy, with its acting and writing courses, will open in September with 14 students. It will have a purpose-built home at Grand Canal Dock, Dublin. Deegan will start work in October.

. . . looking forward to

Here We Are Again Still, Christian O’Reilly’s moving drama at Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, and Glór, Ennis, this week, as part of a national tour. Facebook.com/ hereweareagainstill.

Artists Vivienne Roche and Katarina Eismann on the question What happens when a church ceases to be a church? at, aptly, Triskel Christchurch, Cork, on Monday.

Tyler the Creator and Odd Future at Oxegen. The hottest new band in the world head to a muddy field in Co Kildare in July.

. . . watching

Jon Ronson on: The Shaggs about a 1960s family who had never heard music, but whose father decided he’d turn them into a chart-topping girl group; bbc.co.uk.

Richard Twomey’s beautiful timelapse film of Dublin at richardtwomey.com.

. . . sweating

Over Aonghus Óg McAnally’s performance in Fight Night, Gavin Kostick’s play about a boxer, at Bewleys Café Theatre, Dublin. McAnally delivers lines while

skipping, bouncing, punching, doing sit-ups – and all while wearing a thick tracksuit. Phew!