Brian Kennedy is obviously used to stepping in at short notice. He was barely back from touring in the United States with Van Morrison when the call came inviting him to appear in today's shoot. Similarly, he agreed to take part in director Mary McGuckian's new film This Is The Sea when the Waterboys's Mike Scott, who had been scheduled to perform before the camera, was overcome by shyness. Set in Belfast during the first ceasefire, the film features a number of scenes showing Kennedy singing in a bar.
"Mary made the whole thing so easy," he says of his screen debut, which opens in this country at the end of the week. "She knew what she wanted in advance but was happy to change things. We'd decide what songs I'd perform on the set and I'd have the words written large behind the cameraman." He is equally relaxed as a model, responding easily to the photographer's request to "ad lib" and happy to wear whatever clothes are offered.
Naturally, it helps that the clothes in question come from John Rocha, who has dressed the singer on many occasions. All the items shown here come from Rocha's autumn/winter 1998/99 collection, shown two weeks ago in Paris. The only other people to have worn them were professional models and, bar a couple of minor alterations, Kennedy fitted comfortably into everything. Expect to see some of these clothes on him in the months ahead - he particularly liked the brown check suit and orange shirt. This Is The Sea ought almost to be renamed Circle Of Friends, since many of those who took part were already good pals. John Rocha has known Mary McGuckian for a number of years; he designed the outfits worn by her and husband, actor John Lynch (who also appears in the film) at their wedding last summer. So, it made sense for director to give designer the job of looking after costumes for her film.
Among the cast, as well as Brian Kennedy, Rocha had previously dressed Gabriel Byrne - although other members, including Richard Harris were new to him. "I really enjoyed the challenge," comments Rocha, who seems to go from one fresh experience to the next - after designing for film and for Waterford Glass last year, he is overseeing the interior decoration of Hugh O'Regan's new hotel on Dublin's north quays and taking responsibility for Virgin Airline's staff uniforms. With regard to This Is The Sea, he adds:
"It was nice to be able to work on something like that, dipping into real life - some of the clothes came from the autumn/winter 1997 collections." He may even take on further film projects - "there have been some conversations, but nothing's definite yet". Brian Kennedy may also take on other film work. For the moment, however, he is concentrating on his existing career, specifically the recording of a new album. He says some 35 songs have been written but obviously only about a third of these will make the final cut. First he has to find enough time from concert touring to make it into the studio. That means for the moment no more films - and no more modelling either.
This Is The Sea will be at the IFC and at UCI Coolock, Dublin, at the Kino Theatre, Cork, Virgin Cinemas, Belfast, and the QFT, Belfast, from Friday.