Phelim Drew is an actor and son of the Irish folk singer Ronnie Drew. He is performing in Piaf, currently at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, until Saturday, February 4th.
Are you a saver or a spender? I’m a spender when I have it. You don’t enter life as a performer for the money – not in this country, anyway. Theatre work is well-paid in comparison to the UK, but with regard to royalties and residuals for film and TV work, Irish actors are disgracefully exploited. If you do happen to get a few quid, ironically, the impulse is to live it up a bit because you never know when you’ll get the chance again!
Do you shop around for better value? I don’t like wasting time and energy trying to save €20, but If something is of good quality, will last and I feel it’s reasonably good value, then I’ll go for it. I’m pretty shrewd when it comes to shopping for the house with regard to hard goods and general groceries. I don’t mind going to different places to get all the bits and pieces. It’s quite social, too.
What has been your most extravagant purchase and how much did it cost? My most extravagant purchases would probably be clothes. When asked to read at a ceremony in Dublin Castle last year, I immediately thought: ‘I have to get a decent coat!’ So I went out and spent €400 on one. I also spent a right few bob on a Belstaff motorcycle jacket a number of years ago. It was probably more valuable than the bike. What can I say? I like dressing up.
What purchase have…
