Something for the Weekend: Roxanna Nic Liam's cultural picks

Actor Roxanna Nic Liam is known to RTÉ TV viewers for her role of Erica Allen in Fair City; she also starred in cult movie comedy Bicycle Thieves: Pumped Up and is a poet and spoken word performer of renown.

This month she takes to the Abbey Theatre stage for the world premiere of Barbara Bergin's new play Dublin Gothic; set over one hundred years, generations of Dubliners share their joys, struggles and secrets in this bold ensemble piece, featuring a cast of 19 actors.

N/A — Dublin Gothic cast members (L-R) Jonathan Delaney Tynan, Roxanna Nic Liam,
Karen Ardiff and Denise McCormack (Pic: Johnny Savage)

FILM

Two incredible films that I saw for the first time this year are In The Mood For Love and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. They are two of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen. Both are tragic love stories. Both using very specific and deliberate colour schemes (albeit completely different ones) creating images like photographs burned into your mind. When someone asks me, I usually say I don’t have a favourite genre of film but I do love a doomed love story. That’s definitely my jam.

MUSIC

I am a huge Blood Orange fan and have been listening to the new album Essex Honey on repeat since it came out! I always love the harmonies of different voices he uses!

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BOOK

I read Ghost In The Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa last year and it just changed my concept completely of what a book can be! It’s a book about poetry, about yearning, it’s an autobiography, it’s a history book, it’s all of these things and none of these things, I was blown away by it!

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THEATRE

I saw The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh for the first time this year and it really is a fantastic piece of writing. It was a gorgeous and haunting production that I feel might never leave me. An amazing cast, your man Fra Fee was absolutely incredible!

I rewatched all of Twin Peaks after David Lynch’s passing at the start of the year. I don’t know if I’ve ever been as affected by the death of someone I don’t know. I sobbed for weeks rewatching the first two series as well as watching Twin Peaks: The Return for the first time. I don’t think there’ll ever be television that tops it for me.

Sheryl Lee is Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks

GIG

I am a devout follower of the Church of Damo and go to see his Christmas gigs every year in Vicar Street. I went to see him in the Iveagh Gardens this summer and it is honestly a tonic for the soul! I’ll have to miss his Vicar Street gig this year because my show is on at the same time, I’m devastated.

ART

My favourite artist currently is a fella called Diabhal 666. He mixes Celtic art with urban life and creates the most beautiful images. He sells some as merch and then does commissions too!He made a beautiful piece for me where I was drawn as a sexy goddess of foxes hahaha!

PODCAST

I listen to the Young Hot Guys podcast religiously every week! Three of my favourite comedians just talking shite and doing bad Joe Duffy impressions, what’s not to love?

TECH

I’ve been using an app called No Thank You, designed to help consumers make ethical purchasing decisions.

THE NEXT BIG THING...

I mean they’re already getting big, but I love the band Sprints and have been following them for years and they just continue to get bigger and bigger! They’ve bought exciting punk back to Ireland And they’re just gonna get huger!

Dublin Gothic is at the Abbey Theatre from 22nd November - 31st January 2026 - find out more here

Something for the Weekend: Roxanna NcLiam's cultural picks

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