Hollywood star stuns pub with folk band jam session

Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins stunned drinkers in a Belfast pub when he dropped in and began jamming with a local folk band.

Robbins, in town to film his latest movie about life on a North Sea oil rig, drew gasps last night when he took to the stage unannounced at the Hatfield House on the Ormeau Road.

The actor, famous for roles in films such as The Shawshank Redemption and Mystic River, happily posed for photographs and chatted with punters in the popular bar.

Manager Gregory McGonigle said staff only knew that the star was coming at about 9pm.

“We just got a phone call to say he was coming down,” he said.

Robbins played several numbers alongside the band Cruncher Folk.

“He knows a couple of boys out of the band and it was arranged he would play a couple of tunes, have a drink, a bit of craic and sample good Belfast atmosphere,” Mr McGonigle added.

The Hollywood star, whose partner is actress Susan Sarandon, is filming at Belfast Docks.

One astonished drinker said he could not believe what he was seeing.

“How Tim Robbins is up doing a set here is quite beyond me”, he said. “He’s playing guitar and singing and it’s just electric in here. He wasn’t introduced as Tim Robbins, he was just introduced by the band ’as a friend of ours who is going to come up and play with us now’.”

As news leaked, one wisecracking member of staff urged against notifying police in the area.

“He’s still wanted after getting out in the Shawshank Redemption,” he quipped.