Lorcan’s a cracker

DUBLIN-BORN actor Lorcan Cranitch still gets recognised on the street for his role in Cracker — he played troubled DS Jimmy Beck in the British crime drama.

“There are worse things to be remembered for,” says Lorcan, who’s currently performing in Tom Murphy’s The House, which is at the Abbey Theatre until July 14. “I play Kerrigan, a solicitor, who has pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He’d like to think he has a strong moral backbone but the great thing about this story is that this sort of resolve is tested. He’s put into a completely uncompromising situation and finds he’s not the iron man he thought he was.

“It’s a great role to do, but every character in this play could be the hero of their own story.”

Lorcan played Danny Bradley in the movie version of Dancing At Lughnasa, which starred Meryl Streep. “Given the status she has, she’s the most relaxed, down-to-earth woman,” he says.

Aged 53, Lorcan is married to RTÉ newsreader Susan Jackson. The couple adopted their son, Robel, in Ethiopia when he was eight months old — he celebrates his third birthday this month.

* For more details on The House and to book, visit www.abbeytheatre.ie or call 01 8787 222.

What shape are you in?

I’m slightly overweight, not as fit or toned as I’d like to be. I’m ok but I wouldn’t be breaking any world records for sprinting. I cycle pretty much everywhere and I also like hill-walking, whenever I get a chance.

Do you have any health concerns?

I have a small asthmatic problem which has only developed in the last few years. But nothing has shown up in my chest that I should worry about.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I try to eat as many vegetables and as little meat as possible. Breakfast should be the most important meal and this is all very well but I work in a job that demands the greatest amount of energy at the end of the day. It puts a different structure on things and changes the routine.

For me, the most important meal of the day is lunch — it’s when I stock up, energy-wise, for the rest of the day.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Chocolate – I’m too old to start getting rid of it.

What would keep you awake at night?

I’m not a very deep sleeper so it’s easy to keep me awake. I tend to get on a train of thought, not necessarily a worrying one, and I start developing that and it’s almost like dreaming while I’m awake.

How do you relax?

By going for walks.

Favourite smell?

Freshly-cut grass.

Who would you invite to a dream dinner party?

I wouldn’t mind having Ernest Shackleton.

When did you last cry?

The last time I cried was the morning we met Robel. We were in the orphanage and we were shown this tiny, extraordinarily beautiful child and asked ‘what about him?’ That’s the last time I really cried.

What would you change about your appearance?

My hairline. It’s not a vanity thing. I just wish I had a full head of hair.

What trait do you least like in others?

Cruelty.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I wish I was more decisive.

Do you pray?

I don’t.

What would cheer up your day?

At the moment, it has to be the little man — Robel’s conversation. He comes out with new phrases everyday. This morning he said to me: ‘Well done, daddy!’