Dermot Keyes and Susan Boyce in the WMS production of South Pacific. Thanks to Digicol photography

Well known Munster Express journalist Dermot Keyes is not just a dab hand at writing and fishing out a good story - he can also tread the boards very well too! He's playing Emile De Becque in the Rogers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific, which is being staged by Waterford Musical Society at Theatre Royal until May 4th.  You'll find out more here

South Pacific

Dermot says he's been doing musical theatre now for 24 years so he doesn't get nervous in the same way he used to - but he says there's a brilliant buzz from stage shows. He tells us that South Pacific is a classic old show but people will be surprised at how many songs they know - from I'm Gonna Wash that Man right outta My Hair to Happy Talk and of course there's Some Enchanted Evening that Dermot sings himself.  He's delighted that the theatre has been almost totally full every night but he says if you're very lucky you might grab the last few remaining tickets.

The "I Loves Me County" quiz

We weren't going to let Dermot away with just talking about South Pacific, Ollie and me also nabbed him with some questions about his beloved Waterford. Here we found out where he prefers to buy his chips, where he likes to take romantic walks, and which Big Breakfast Blaa co-host is his favourite?!?

If you enjoy our chats, have a listen here to Jenny Loughran from Waterford Libraries giving us the low-down on the Bealtaine Festival

And here's Dermot chatting to us earlier...

https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/dermot-keyes-joins-ollie-and-mary-to-talk-south-pacific-and-lots-more