AND ALONG THE WAY, A BRIDE NAMED MAY

This brief press piece announces TP's enagement to May White. There's no date for the cutting but they probably became engaged around the end of 1954 marrying the following year in May 1955.

TP first became aware of his future bride when they were neighbours in Leinster Road, Rathmines.  He at No.35, she at No.37.  TP recalls that it was her legs he would notice when he'd see her at the nearby bus stop, she off to Radio Eireann, he to the Abbey.

This was not where they would become acquainted though.  Unbeknownst to each other they actually shared a mutual friend, Annette Daly.  TP knew her through a group that would go the dances together, while May had been best friends with her at boarding school in Mountmellick.

The first proper meeting and introduction was at a reception in the Metropole Hotel and a short time after they started stepping out together.

FILM: THE SIEGE OF SIDNEY STREET (1960)

TP as 'Lapidos', a Latvian anarchist

Original Cinema Poster



TV Listing



FILM: 'FREEDOM TO DIE' (1961)

FILM: THE QUARE FELLOW (1962)

This screen adaptation of Brendan Behan's celebrated play, The Quare Fellow (produced by Birtish Lion films), was TP's second association with the work and a piece well known to him in more ways than one.

Although originally rejected by the Abbey in 1954 they subsequently produced the piece when it had proved highly popular in 1956. In that production TP played the part of the Embezzler and in their 1960 revival he would play two further roles, Warder O'Donnell and the Other Fellow.

For the film he was cast as as the inmate Walsh.

Trivia: The Quare Fellow was filmed in the landmark Kilmainham Gaol.  It is most famous for being the prison where the leaders of the 1916 uprising were incarcerrated and subsequently executed.  It has been a location for many feature films including The Italian Job, The Mackintosh Man, The Face of Fu Manchu, In The Name of the Father and Michael Collins.

PRESS INTERVIEW 1965

IMAGES FROM THE RTE STILLS LIBRARY

The following images are from the RTE stills library featuring TP in a number of dramas produced by the Irish broadcaster in the 1960s.  Regrettably, at this time we do not have permission to show these pictures without the prominent watermark.

'An Claoimh Solais'

Scenes from the Abbey Christmas pantomime 'An Claoimh Solais', an hour-long version of which was broadcast by RTE on 13 January 1963. From left to right, Seamus McCaffrey as the Robot, Aine Ni Choscair as Una Bhan, an bhanphrionnsa (the princess), TP McKenna as Orla, an prionnsa (the prince) and an unidentified actor/actress dressed as a witch. Peter Collinson produced this television version of the pantomime which was in Irish.


Photography: Roy Bedell/RTE

'Heart to Heart'

Irish actors TP McKenna as Frank Godsell and Ann Saker as Jessie Weston, on the set of the RTÉ production of the Terence Rattigan television play 'Heart to Heart' in 1962. This play was set in a television station.  This play was broadcast by Telefís Éireann on 9 December 1962.

Photography: Roy Bedell/RTE

'Breakdown'

British actress Joanna Dunham and Irish actor TP McKenna, in a scene from RTE televison's adaptation of the Eugene McCabe play 'Breakdown', during studio filming in late 1966. This is a head and shoulders of both; McKenna is standing behind Dunham. The pair played a married couple, Ned and Sarah Holloway in this adaptation.  'Breakdown' had been performed at the 1965 Dublin Theatre Festival.

Photography: Roy Bedell/RTE

'The Fire Raisers'

A scene from the RTÉ Television production of 'The Fire Raisers', during filming in Studio 1 in early 1968. From left to right; Patrick Bedford as Eisenring, TP McKenna as Schmitz and Godfrey Quigley as Gottlieb Biederman.

The production of this Max Frisch play was televised by RTÉ on 22 February 1968, with Jim FitzGerald producing.

'The Wild Duck'

A scene from the RTÉ Television production of Henrik Ibsen's play 'The Wild Duck', during filming in Studio 1 in 1968. This production of 'The Wild Duck' was broadcast by RTÉ on 7 March 1968. It was translated from the Norwegian by Michael Meyer and adapted for television by Norman Smythe.