Memories of Development: My Times in Irish Theatre and Broadcasting, by Roland Jaquarello

Roland Jaquarello is one of the few directors to have worked in nearly every major Irish theatre and broadcasting organisation, north and south. Born in London, the son of an actor and pianist, he came to Trinity in 1967, via Magee College, Derry. Since then he has been regularly involved in Irish drama or radio production. Consequently, his memoir comes from a unique perspective over six decades.

Roland recalls his early student days in the north, his productions with Trinity Players and his first steps into professional theatre, which includes not only his early work at the old Eblana Theatre but also his productions for the Dublin Festival and at the Project. He also gives a first-hand account of his volatile period as Director at The Abbey in the 1970s and the turmoil within that organisation.

Roland was Artistic Director at The Lyric Theatre in Belfast, and his determination to develop a new, varied and compelling narrative with the local Belfast audience is vividly described, as he directs new Irish plays, high profile revivals by Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill and Tennessee Williams and oversees the visit of a Soviet director to work on a Glasnost play.

His move into BBC Radio Drama via Belfast tells of initially struggling with a different medium, the ensuing politics, working with many Irish writers such as Brian Friel, Sebastian Barry and Tom Murphy, and the amazing experiences he had producing music documentaries on Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Mel Tormé and Marlon Brando.

Memories of Development is a thoroughly entertaining and candid mixture of insight into life in theatre and broadcasting, with portraits of colleagues such as Liam Neeson, Colm Meaney, Val Kilmer and Marianne Faithfull and many amusing anecdotes along the way. It's the story of how one Englishman developed through an unusual Irish journey.

About the Author

Roland Jaquarello’s credits include periods as Assistant Director, Royal Court Theatre; Director, Abbey Theatre Dublin; Associate Director, Welsh Drama Co.; Artistic Director, Green Fields and Far Away Theatre Company; Artistic Director, Live Theatre Newcastle; Artistic Director, Lyric Theatre Belfast; and Senior Producer, Radio Drama, BBC Northern Ireland, working for BBC Radio 4, 3 and 2.