Operatic adaptations of work by Mark O’Halloran, screenwriter in residence at UCD’s Creative Futures Academy, were nominated in the Best Opera Recording category of this year’s GRAMMY Awards.
Composer Emma O’Halloran’s double bill TRADE / Mary Motorhead explores the complex modern lives of three characters, which are based on original plays by Mark. Both operas delve into the complexities of modern life, featuring characters in unexpected situations, reacting to the twists and turns that life has thrown at them. The texts cut straight to the raw emotional core of each character, while Emma O’Halloran’s score combines beauty and drama in the vocal lines with echoes of 80’s gritty electronic music layered over the orchestral accompaniment, creating a new and unique soundscape.
The Irish National Opera recording of TRADE/Mary Motorhead, with a libretto by Mark O’Halloran, was released on Signum Records in August 2025.
The award went to Intelligence by the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, J'Nai Bridges, Jamie Barton, Janai Brugger, Kwamé Ryan on the night.
Mark’s new film Everybody Digs Bill Evans will have its World Premiere in Competition at the (opens in a new window)2026 Berlinale. Written by O’Halloran and directed by Grant Gee, the film is based on the book Intermission by Owen Martell.
Everybody Digs Bill Evans stars Bill Pullman, Irish actors Barry Ward and Katie McGrath, and Laurie Metcalf. In June 1961, New York City, the legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans forms his perfect trio and records two of the greatest jazz records of all time in one night. Central to the success of this project is Evan’s soul mate and bass player Scott LaFaro. Ten days later, LaFaro dies in a car crash. Numb with grief, Evans stops playing. This is the story of what happened next for one of the most influential and gifted figures in 20th century music.
The Berlinale is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. Irish film has found critical and audience acclaim at the festival in recent years, including Christy, Small Things Like These and Colm Bairéad's An Cailín Ciúin.
The 76th edition of the Berlinale will run from February 12th to 22nd.
Mark also stars in the new RTÉ comedy-drama series These Sacred Vows, written by UCD Alum and Creative Fellow, John Butler. Read more >>