Martina on Ben Platt, beaches, Brian Friel and Blood Brothers

Martina McAfee’s Be Unique Drama School provides dance and drama classes for children in a variety of locations in Causeway Coast and Glens and beyond. Martina and her tutors also travel around schools and nurseries.

Martina has adapted her business using online classes and Zoom lessons to keep in touch with her little pupils.

Here she answers our questions:

Q. What is your favourite song/album and why?

A. I could give so many answers to this question - music has always been such a big part of my life.If I had to give one answer, I would say that my favourite album in the past while has to be ‘Sing to Me Instead’ by Ben Platt.

Known originally for his performance in the musical Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt released an original album of songs last year and it is a GREAT album. His voice is just amazing. I love songs that tell a story - a typical theatre lover!

Q. What is your favourite film and why?

A. I have to say my favourite film is Father of the Bride - 1 or 2! It is a film I watched when I was a child and I never get tired of watching it. It’s such a feel-good film about the importance of family and Steve Martin is a brilliant actor.

Plus, the family home in the film is just a house of dreams!

Q. What is your favourite piece of classical music and why?

A. I have to be honest and say classical music is the one genre I never explore or listen to. However, I do admire the talent and skill of classical singers - the technicality of that type of singing is another level.

Q. Who is your favourite artist and why?

A. My daddy, being an auctioneer, could probably answer this question much better than I can! However, I do like Michelle Carlin’s work, so much of her work is of the beach.

I went to school in Dominican College, Portstewart, and so, Portstewart, the water and the sand brings back great memories.

Q. What is your favourite play and why?

A. A VERY hard question for a drama graduate!

I will have to give a few that I love as would find it impossible to pick just one. ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ and ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’ by Brian Friel, ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell, ‘Remembrance’ by Graham Reid (which I was lucky enough to direct during university) and ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ blew my mind when I saw it live.

I have a real love for Irish theatre. I can’t wait for the brilliant theatres we have here in Northern Ireland to re-open again.

Q. What is your favourite musical and why?

A. I am a big musical fan - I love nothing more than getting the chance to go see musicals and there are so many on my bucket list to still see.

I had actually planned before lockdown to go see ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ this month in London, but hopefully will get the chance to go another time.

If I had to pick my favourite musical, it would probably have to be ‘Hairspray’ - a fantastic feel good show, from start to finish.

Someday, I would love to be in a production of it - the dancing, costumes and songs are all just incredible!

Q. What is your most special moment in the arts and why?

A. The most special moment for me is passing on my endless love of drama and dance to all the children that come to our Be Unique Drama School classes.

I can’t imagine what my life would be like WITHOUT the arts and I count every day of my work as a blessing, to be able to inspire and educate the younger generation.

I count it a real honour to be responsible for helping children in this area to discover two beautiful art forms.

I see time and time again the impact drama and dance have on a child’s life and for me, that is what it’s all about.

Q. What ‘classic’ just doesn’t do it for you?

A. Without upsetting a few people I work with and past university lecturers, I have to be honest and say Shakespeare doesn’t do it for me.

His work was definitely the area I struggled with most when coming up through drama education and I would never rush to see a production of his work.

Q. What do you plan to read/watch/listen to/revisit during the Coronavirus period?

A. I have found the coronavirus period, like so many people, a time to find more ‘me’ time in my days - being self employed is often very hectic and it is hard to find time to switch off and relax!

Staying indoors, with nowhere to go, has given me time to listen to a lot more podcasts than ever before and watch more TV box sets than I usually have time to.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Normal People’ TV series, watched ‘You’ve Got Mail’ for the first time and have been really enjoying Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place’ podcast!

* To find out more about Be Unique Drama School, check out

https://www.facebook.com/beuniquedramaschool/