‘Back in the day, I was a gold medal drinker but I gracefully retired six years ago’ - actress Caoimhe Farren answers 20 questions

1. Up and at it - what is your morning routine?

The snooze button is my best friend. I’ll spend about half an hour playing with it before dragging myself out of bed for a coffee and a long, satisfying stretch. As an actor, your body is your instrument, so taking the time to stretch in the morning helps prepare me for the day ahead. It’s like a warm-up for the mind and body which is particularly important when rehearsing for hours on end. I’m currently starring in Yerma, a new play by Tinderbox in which I play the title role. It is an incredibly physically demanding role and I have to be warmed up properly.

2. What might you eat in a typical working day for…

Breakfast? I might have a protein shake.

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Lunch? Lately, I’ve been having the famous Rachel Green salad which has become my go-to meal because it’s so fresh and satisfying.

Evening meal? Probably another Rachel Green salad. And whenever I’m in the mood for something sweet, I always reach for a bit of fudge - I’m not saying it’s a balanced meal, but it’s comforting and gets me through long rehearsal days.

3. Is nutrition important to you – do you take health supplements?

My joints have started making all sorts of clickety-clackety noises, which is why stretching is such an important part of my routine. I also take a high-strength glucosamine supplement every day to support my joints. With autumn rolling in, I’ve started adding a little vitamin C to keep the immune system happy.

4. Ever been on a diet – if so, how did it go?

Nope, I’ve never been one for diets. I think deprivation only leads to obsession. I’m all about balance - have a good bit of what you fancy and mix things up. Life is too short to count calories or restrict yourself - eat fudge.

5. Weekend treat?

Mid-afternoon naps. Plural. If I had to describe my perfect day off, it would be doing absolutely nothing, which I think is an art form. Some people struggle with the concept of doing nothing, but I’m brilliant at it. It’s a weekend staple for me.

6. How do you keep physically and mentally fit?

I do yoga most days. I’ve recently been doing core strengthening - a brilliant all-rounder. I try to run semi-regularly, but I’m not going to lie, it’s more of an occasional thing than a habit.

7. Best tip for everyday fitness?

Start small. Build up little habits rather than trying to do too much at once. Consistency is key.

When I was six years old, I played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. The next year I was determined I would reprise the role, only to be told I was too old. At age seven, it was a good early lesson of rejection and losing for an ageing actress

—  Caoimhe Farren

8. Were you a fan of school sports/PE or do you have a memory from those days you’d rather forget?

I loved sports and PE. Drama wasn’t an option at my school, so English and PE were my favourites. PE was a great excuse to run about like an eejit. Although, I’m an incredibly bad loser - I’ve never grown out of that. When I was six years old, I played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. The next year I was determined I would reprise the role, only to be told I was too old. At age seven, it was a good early lesson of rejection and losing for an ageing actress.

9. Teetotal or tipple?

I’m a tippity teetotaler. But back in the day, I was gold medal standard when it came to drinking. I actually won Drinking, so I gracefully retired about six years ago.

10. Stairs or lift?

Depends on the day - either or. If I’m in the mood, I might do both in one trip.

11. What book are you currently reading?

I have been reading Moby Dick on and off for the last five years. I’m about halfway through - just can’t finish it.

12. Best Netflix/streaming TV?

I’m a creature of habit and always return to the classics - The Office, Friends… shows that I can watch over and over and never get bored of.

13. Any new skills or hobbies?

I’ve got a brand-new pair of tap shoes, but haven’t made it to a class yet. So, I guess I’m halfway there.

14. How do you relax?

As mentioned, I think I am very good at doing nothing. So that is how I relax. Nothing. You can’t beat a day of absolutely nothing.

15. What would you tell your younger self?

Don’t stress so much about failure. It’s as important as success. Be open to rejection, but keep your positivity intact, because for every role you don’t get, something even better will come along. And above all, stay playful. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to always keep that playfulness.

16. What are your goals for the rest of 2024?

Get my tax return in early. Same goal every year. This year I mean it though… One can dream.

17. What time do you get to bed and do you think you get enough sleep?

I’m a night owl through and through. My creativity seems to peak around 1 or 2am, which means I’m not great at going to bed early. That said, I hate getting out of bed in the morning. It’s a lose-lose situation.

18. Biggest gripe or regret?

I have too many to list, and once I start, it’s hard to stop. Better to leave that can of worms unopened.

19. Have your priorities or perspectives in life changed?

Constantly. Every day brings some new priority.

20. Has coronavirus – or any health epiphany or life event – changed your attitude towards your own mortality?

These days, I’m trying to be kinder to myself. I don’t drink, I quit smoking and I exercise more. Annoyingly, living a healthy life seems to be the best way to ensure you keep moving for as long as possible. Boring, but true. Covid-19 certainly slowed things down, especially in the arts sector, and a relentless lack of funding for theatre and the arts has made it difficult to bounce back. This is unfortunate, as art gets people talking and drama connects us to a shared humanity.

Caoimhe Farren (Woman in the Wall, Hope Street and Derry Girls) is currently starring in Tinderbox Theatre Company’s new adaptation of Yerma by Spanish dramatist, Federico García Lorca. The play runs at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast until November 3 as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival