FIRST SEXUAL experiences are one of the few things that almost every single person on this planet has in common, whether you’re Paris Hilton or P Diddy, George Clooney or George Washington, yet we rarely talk about them. Until now...
In 1998, a website was created that allowed people to anonymously share their own true stories about their ‘First Times’. The website became an instant phenomenon and more than 70,000 stories poured in from all over the world.
Some were silly, some sweet, some funny, some sad, some straight, some gay, some shy, and some downright kinky!.
Author Ken Davenport then compiled the best of these stories into a 90-minute stage show. The show features four actors in hysterical and heartbreaking stories about the first sexual experiences of real people and was a huge hit off-Broadway, running for two and a half years.
Now My First Time has come to Ireland in an all-new production which arrives at the Town Hall next week. The Irish cast features Alan Shortt, Alan Devine, pin-up Claire Tully, and The Clinic’s Leigh Arnold and, ahead of the show’s Galway visit, Arnold took some time out to explain what audiences can expect.
A native of Foxrock, Arnold wanted to pursue an acting career from an early age. At her parent’s behest however she first completed a college degree in psychology and psychoanalysis.
Upon completing her degree she went on to audition for New York’s prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts and became the first Irish person to be accepted for a place in the school that is the alma mater for such acting luminaries as Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Robert Redford, Jason Robards, and Danny de Vito.
Arnold describes her three years at the Academy as “an incredible experience”; and graduation was followed by several months’ acting in New York theatres before a trip back to Ireland for a holiday saw her land the role of Dr Clodagh Delaney in RTÉ’s The Clinic.
“I loved every moment of that show,” she enthuses. “I was there for six years and had great friendships. Every day was a pleasure to go into work. There was so much laughter between us all on the set.”
And so to her current project, My First Time.
“My First Time is very much an ensemble piece,” Arnold explains. “I would say that it’s like a show where people think it’s going to be the theatrical equivalent of a fast-food burger in McDonalds but when you leave you know you’ve had a five star meal. It’s hilarious in parts, heart-breaking in other parts, it’s incredibly real, at times even uncomfortable. It’s very much an emotional journey for the audience.”
In tandem with the Irish production of the show, there is also an Irish website - myfirsttime.ie - where people can submit their own accounts of their first sexual encounters and reading through it, one sees these cover all shades of experience from light to very dark and the show faithfully reflects this broad spectrum.
“There are some harrowing stories and we have a responsibility as actors to include those in the play; these are stories that need to be told,” Arnold declares. “Most evenings we also incorporate new material which can be drawn from stories coming into the website or from anonymous questionnaires audience members are invited to fill as they enter the theatre. Even though there are dark parts in the show most of it is absolutely hilarious and I think people will really love it.”
Away from the stage Arnold can be seen in two new movies opening this summer, the dark, powerful drama Charlie Casanova and a romantic comedy that she has produced herself. In the meantime Galway audiences can enjoy watching her share the myriad stories in My First Time.
My First Time is at the Town Hall for three nights only from Thursday March 18 to Saturday 20 at 8pm. Tickets are available from the Town Hall on 091 - 569777.
