Stones In His Pockets

Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Sunday, September 14

A lot has happened to Stones In His Pockets's original director Ian McElhinney in the 15 years since the two-hander made its Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.

The play, which was penned by McElhinney's wife Marie Jones, garnered a series of prestigious trophies including an Evening Standard Award and an Olivier Award for best new comedy, and has now been seen by more than two million people around the world.

Meanwhile McElhinney became the finest knight in seven kingdoms Barristan Selmy as part of the worldwide hit fantasy Game Of Thrones.

The Belfast-based actor and director is still coming to terms with his new level of fame.

“I've been in this business for nearly 40 years now and only had the odd fan letter here and there,” he says as he prepares to bring Stones In His Pockets back to Brighton for one night only.

“I find that I'm recognised much more, no matter where I seem to go. It takes a bit of getting used to. People want pictures, 'selfies' and autographs on a scale that I had just not been used to prior to this.”

This national tour sees McElhinney go back to his roots, with a play which proved a massive international hit despite its small beginnings and simple structure.

Stones In His Pockets is the tale of Hollywood coming to a rural Irish community, with the two actors on stage, Conor Delaney and Stephen Jones, playing a cast of 15 eccentric characters.

“At the time the idea of telling a whole story involving a large number of characters with just two actors seemed very novel,” he says. “I think it captivates the audience's imagination because an awful lot is created with very little.

“We had hopes that it would travel, but we never imagined it would take off in the way that it did. For about three years it was just an upward journey, which was very exciting.”

McElhinney has returned to the play after a gap of ten years.

“I think I did it for too long the first time around,” he says. “It's the hardest thing in the world to come back to a successful production with a new cast and try to recreate it. You are split between knowing what you already know, what already works and believing it works, while also trying to honour the fact you've got fresh actors in the room with fresh ideas to accommodate.”

A lot of the success of the play is down to the skills of the two actors, and the work they do to create the world they inhabit.

“They have to be able to perceptively create different kinds of characters,” says McElhinney.

“In the blink of an eye you have to see another body shape, hear another voice, and become aware of a different person.

“What we try to do is create that magic without props and without going off the stage, but simply by transitioning around each other.”

McElhinney's career as an actor has encompassed appearances in the film Michael Collins, and the TV series Cold Feet, Little Dorrit and Ripper Street.

But Game Of Thrones is a whole other world – even down to how the actors receive their lines.

“They've really tightened their ship in every regard since year one,” says McElhinney. “It used to be that you get all ten scripts, but now we only get the scripts that we are involved in. You have to piece together bits of the story that you haven't seen.

“In a sense you are very lucky to get the chance to spend six weeks in the Moroccan sun in the middle of autumn, but when you're working the days are long, the armour is heavy and walking through sand is tiring.

“It's a testing environment, but it's good to be part of something worthy. And it all conveys on screen because they have the money and the will to spend on production. You can't help but be impressed by it.”

Starts 7.45pm, tickets from £10. Call 08448 717650.