Arts imitates life for New York-based Cork actor Michael Mellamphy

The star of stage and screen is preparing to tread the boards at Cork Arts Theatre in a one-man play focusing on immigration

Michael Mellamphy gets into character for 'The Smuggler' which will run at Cork Arts Theatre from July 16-19.

He went from working as a barman to playing one in the hit series Law and Order. 

But it wasn’t until the programme aired months later that Cork man Michael Mellamphy realised it was his character who cracked the case. 

Now, art is imitating life for the New York-based actor once again as he prepares to play a barman in the play The Smuggler.

It will be an emotional experience for the theatre star, who grew up in Hollyhill in Cork’s northside. 

Mellamphy, who lives in New York, explains that it has been years since he performed in Cork Arts Theatre where the play runs from July 16-19.

Penned by Ronán Noone, The Smuggler follows the story of Irish immigrant Tim Finnegan in Massachusetts and addresses the hot topic of immigration amid tensions between the migrant and local communities following a fatal car crash.

Mellamphy will play all 12 characters on stage. 

However, he admits there is one who is close to his heart.

“I can’t say too much because I don’t want to give the surprise away, but there’s a Brazilian woman who I have fallen in love with. 

"I fall in love every time I get to play her.” 

He said playing various nationalities presents its own set of challenges.

“I wouldn't call it cultural appropriation necessarily,” he told the Irish Examiner.

“It's a one-man play. This is a guy who's telling a story from lots of different people's perspectives. 

"I do go into using accents a lot including American accents and my own Irish accents. 

"There’s a Dublin fella in it so it wouldn’t be a stretch to say I’m culturally appropriating a Dublin accent so I might get into trouble with that at home! 

The reality is I’m playing women. I'm playing men. I’m playing myself. It’s the type of play that doesn’t shy away from asking really serious questions about serious issues.

He acknowledges the difficulties for immigrants in the current climate. 

“I think Trump coming on the scene is more of a symptom of a feeling that’s been surrounding immigration for a long time. 

"I live in New York, which is a melting pot, so we don’t really see it as much, but newspaper reports will tell you that this is a huge issue. 

"I'm here now over 25 years, so every single character that I portray in this play I feel like I knew or have met along the way."

Mellamphy has shared the stage and screen with a host of Hollywood stars over the years. 

He said that Matthew Broderick, who shot to fame in the 1986 comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, has been very supportive of his career. 

He starred opposite Broderick in an off- Broadway production of The Seafarer.

Matthew Broderick, Michael Mellamphy, and Colin McPhillamy in 'The Seafarer.'

“We had a good three month off-Broadway run. I still have the poster on my wall. I learned an awful lot, just about being a pro and always keeping the energy up. 

"He was a joy and delight to work with. I was actually really touched because he came along to a few other shows I did. 

"He’s just a good supportive type of actor that you really want to work with.”