A Question of Taste: Laura Murphy

LAURA Murphy is from Kinsale, Co Cork, and is dancer in residence at Firkin Crane. She performs in A Dance Brew at Firkin Crane on Saturday as part of Cork Midsummer Festival.

Best recent book: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. She is a quirky NY writer who creates immersive and 3D characters on the page. I also like her references to the 1980s.

Best recent film: Birdman — I thought it was clever, funny and really well written. Michael Keaton’s character was wonderfully bonkers. The end was a bit of a disappointment though.

Best recent show/exhibition/gig you’ve seen: I went to see Farinelli and the King with Mark Rylance and directed by John Dove at Shakespeare’s Globe in London in February. It was shown in candlelight to an intimate audience of about 150 people. The writing, the actors, the surrounds and the music won me. Mark Rylance is one of the greatest performers I have seen.

What formats do you access music?

iTunes and CDs in shops. Plugd records in Cork is a good music shop.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately: The Gloaming. They have made contemporary Irish traditional music beautiful. I use their music teaching dance a lot.

First ever piece of music or art or film or gig that really moved you: Leonard Cohen was introduced to me at a young age as my parents are big fans. We all went to see him live a few years ago at Kilmainham in Dublin. He was a gentleman on stage, his performance perfect - technically and emotionally.

The best gig or show you’ve ever seen: I saw an evening of work by choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker at the Barbican in London years ago. She was performing with her company Rosas to music by Reich. The way she crafts movement is seamless. I love it.

Radio listening: First preference would be Lyric FM, they do some lovely shows. I also like Arena with Sean Rocks on RTÉ Radio 1.

Best recent holiday: I went to Sheep’s Head, Co Cork, for Christmas and the New Year this year. It is such a beautiful part of Ireland. I hiked the lighthouse loop walk twice while I was there — it was spectacular despite getting soaked by the Irish weather!

Your best celebrity encounter: I met JJ Abrams at the premier of Mission Impossible III in London a few years back. I didn’t know who he was and innocently asked him if he enjoyed the movie.

Most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought: A pair of boots from Brown Thomas — they were €350. I barely wear them as I try to keep them ‘new’ although they are now old.

Tech habits: I am an Apple fan. I love my MacBook Pro, which I use for work to include editing dance film work, images and general admin.

Unsung heroes: Cork Penny Dinners. They do extraordinary work and are so well run.

You are queen for a day – what’s your first decree? Work from the gut and heart, not the ego.