Lurgan born, Stella McCusker triumphs at the 13th annual Irish Theatre Awards in Vicar Street, Dublin, by winning Best Actress in the Lyric Theatre's production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane.
68-year-old McCusker played Mag in the The Beauty Queen of Leenane, a drama by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh and directed by Richard Croxford. It was staged in the Elmwood Hall, Belfast, the Lyric’s temporary production theatre, from 18 September to 10 October 2009 before going on tour. It also enjoyed successful runs at London's West End, and Broadway, and off-Broadway theatres in New York.
A delighted Stella McCusker said “I am thrilled and delighted to win the award. It was unexpected and I wasn’t even thinking about an award until I saw my nomination in the paper. I love my work and it is lovely to be thought of in this special way. I was very happy to be with friends and colleagues at the awards ceremony. I feel honoured to win and pleased that the Lyric Theatre will also receive recognition for this achievement. The Lyric theatre gave me the opportunity to perform all those years ago and I feel so privileged to receive this accolade."
The Lyric’s Artistic Director, Richard Croxford who also directed the play, said “I am so thrilled that Stella has received the recognition she deserved for such a magnificent performance and interpretation of what is a difficult character to portray. The award is a fantastic achievement for local acting talent."
Playwright and director Tomás MacAnna received a special tribute award and Denis Conway received Best Actor as The Irish Man in the Druid Theatre’s production of The Gigli Concert by Tom Murphy and directed by Garry Hynes.
Highlights of the awards will be screened on TG4's Imeall on Wednesday 3 March at 11pm.