Jemma was in first Mullingar Student Players show
Ciara O’Hara
Mullingar’s Jemma Curran is reflecting on her appearance in the world première of Mattress Mick the Musical. Chronicling the highs and lows of Michael Flynn’s career, Vikings actor Conor Duffy played the mattress mogul. The show is described as “a mix of Grease, The Blues Brothers and Les Misérables” by writer, director and producer, Josephine McCaffery.
Popular with audiences and critics, Mattress Mick the Musical sold out all performances in Dublin’s Liberty Hall Theatre at the end of April. A mezzo-soprano, Jemma played Mick’s sister and had a solo number. “I really loved it. It’s a beautiful ballad,” says Jemma, who found the whole experience “really exciting”.
“Musicals are my first love and I’d never got to be in a new one. The fact that it’s funny, and full of heart, it’s pretty much exactly what you want to do every day,” says Jemma.
Jemma was subsequently seen in a national ad for PrePayPower Ireland, in which she delivers an emotional appeal to a washing machine. “I don’t think I’ve ever had such a laugh while bawling my eyes out! I remember reading the brief and thinking, ‘I really could have fun with that,’ and I did,” says Jemma.
Gravitating towards comedy, she regularly appears in sketches with Newscheck Comedy, from the team behind Waterford Whispers. “I first started working with David Atkinson at Newscheck Comedy in 2021. I really love working with him; it’s always a fun and chill set! Newscheck Comedy and Waterford Whispers collaborated on a Virgin Media series, and I was delighted to be a part of that too.”
Born in Dublin, Jemma’s family moved to Mullingar when she was 10, and she attended Presentation Schools and Loreto College. “My grandmother is from Mullingar, so it’s always felt like home.” She became involved with Mullingar Arts Centre from an early age and was a founding member of Mullingar Student Players. “I’m happy to say I was in their very first production!”
Acting professionally for 15 years, as well as writing her own plays and scripts for 10 years, Jemma’s first big break came in 2012 with a role in the film Stitches. “It was such an amazing opportunity, getting to be on set with such a great cast, and you know, get chased by Ross Noble dressed up as a killer clown! Just so much fun!” says Jemma.
Her favourite part so far has been Gwen in Soulmate Wanted. “She’s incredibly loveable and sweet, and just wants to meet someone. I want to be her friend!”
Her most memorable career moment to date involves an encounter with an iconic, now-deceased actor. “I was in National Youth Theatre’s production of A Dream Play. Alan Rickman came to see it and came backstage after the show to meet us. It’s a very treasured memory.”
Asked what’s next, Jemma says, “I have a short film called Soulmate Wanted going out to festivals, and I am working behind the scenes on a wonderful feature film called The Closing.”