Mazzy Ronaldson is a young actor who recently made her made her Abbey Theatre debut playing the role of Pearl in Youth's The Season; she will also be performing in a revival of The Crucible at The Gaiety Theatre in February 2026.
Mazzy now makes her debut with PanPan Theatre in their latest production, YFEL, made in collaboration with renowned Australian artist-led experimental theatre company, APHIDS, coming to Dublin's Project Arts Centre this December - RTÉ Arena takes a deeper dive below.
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We asked Mazzy for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
My taste in films has been heavily influenced by my dad and the films he's shared with me over the years (starting with Young Frankenstein at about age six!). Most recently, I went to see the 1981 French thriller 'Diva’ at the Lighthouse Cinema. If you like opera, mobsters, and tales of obsession, this is the film for you. While we’re on the subject of French-made films with phenomenal operatic interludes, The Fifth Element is another brilliant shout; Young Bruce Willis, 23rd Century spaceships, apocalyptic war and the best Alien Aria ever (Diva Dance).
Other honourable mentions include, said Young Frankenstein (1974), Sugar and Spice (2001) and Death Becomes Her (1992) and Wet Hot American Summer (2001).
MUSIC
I made it my New Year’s resolution a few years ago to start listening to more feel-good music to see how it impacted my day-to-day. It’s absolutely improved my commute and makes it much easier to be in good form. Recently, This is the Sea by The Waterboys has been my go-to, especially The Whole of the Moon, I think their sound is hopeful without being cheesy. Sinead O’Connor’s Take Me To Church and The Wolf is Getting Married are two of my favourite songs of all time. She finds the balance of light and dark so brilliantly. On days that I allow myself a sad song, Old Note by Lisa O’Neill and Stars by Nina Simone are great if you need a cry!
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BOOK
I wish I was a more consistent reader, and have great plans to become one this coming year (we’ll see how that goes…) I love autobiographical writing, especially from funny people - David Sedaris is my favourite author and I’ve seen him speak twice here in Dublin, doing readings of different short stories and extracts from his novels. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls and Calypso are two brilliant books of his that I highly recommend. Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fischer is also a must-read. Honourable mentions include Yes Please by Amy Poehler and Trauma:The Invisible Epidemic by Dr Paul Conti - much cheaper than therapy!
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THEATRE
The play on everybody’s lips right now is YFEL by PANPAN in association with APHIDS. A Dublin-based experimental company combining forces with an Australian arts organisation to ask the question: Do you need to be evil to be an artist? Starring Mish Grigor and Marcus Mackenzie (representing Australia) and Faith Hand-Jones and Me (representing Ireland). Previews begin in the Project Arts Centre on December 4th and closes on the 13th.
TV
If you only watch one television show this year, do yourself a favour and let it be The Chair Company. It’s hilarious and conspiratorial and bizarre and definitely worth your time! For a comfort watch, my go-to show is Parks and Recreation.
GIG
I haven’t been to many gigs recently but somehow managed to see Charli XCX three times this year. Each time was a spiritual experience. I unfortunately missed Lorde in the RDS but amn’t bitter or resentful about that at all…
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ART
My favourite artist is Wilfrid Wood. He does incredible crude plasticine sculptures and portraits.
PODCAST
My sister put me onto the podcast Ride with Mary Beth Barone and Benito Skinner. I love to watch their episodes when I’m cleaning or doing any task I lack motivation for. They’re very funny and perfectly represent the internet’s influence on humour and how young people speak to each other.
TECH
I am not a tech-savvy person at all, but one thing I can’t live without is wired headphones. An app that brings me joy is Vinted, but I have to be cautious not to use it too much for my bank account’s sake.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
I hate to say this but I think it’s very possible that fedoras are going to make a comeback. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.
Pan Pan and APHIDS play YFEL is at Project Arts Centre from 4th – 13th December - find out more here
