Liam Neeson heaps praise on group where his journey to stardom began

HOLLYWOOD legend Liam Neeson has lavished praise on the Ballymena amateur drama group which acted as the springboard for his extraordinary career on stage and film.

The Slemish Players, who have been treading the boards for more than 50 years, are currently starring in an adaptation of ‘Bull’.

And the first reviews are in with ‘Big Liam’, in an online audio message, calling it a ‘wonderful production’!

The Players are very close to his heart, as the Ballymena-born actor started his career in the very same theatrical troupe in the early 1970s.

The current director, Michael Rose, said the group were left with ‘goosebumps’ after hearing the surprise audio message he had left them.

Posting the message on Facebook, the 74-year-old star can be heard calling the show ‘terrific’.

“I want to tell you about a wonderful one-act play that’s called Bull by Mike Bartlett,” said Liam.

“It’s going to be at the Cushendall Golf Club on Sunday, 8th November, and the Braid Theatre in Ballymena on the 18th of November.

“Don’t miss out. It’s really terrific.”

Mr Rose said the Taken actor is a ‘real source of inspiration’ for his cast of performers.

“Slemish Players has been operating in Ballymena since 1969, with people coming in and out since,” said Mr Rose.

“Liam was an early member of the group, and it was where he got his start in amateur drama.

“He was in a number of productions in the early Seventies, before becoming employed by the Lyric in Belfast where his professional journey started.

“But he very much had his start in Ballymena, performing plays in various places and going on tours like we’re doing now.

“It’s such a joyful feeling. It was a surprise. We don’t expect these things from him so it was a massive surprise when it happened.”

Mr Rose, who is a first-time director, said there was no better man to wish him luck as they prepare for a hometown show.

He continued: “For me especially, it’s hard to comprehend. I only joined the group a couple of years ago.

“I remember seeing Liam on the big screen in the cinema, with films like Star Wars, and just thinking ‘wow’.

“So the idea he’s putting an endorsement out for the first play I’m directing is mind-blowing, and hard to put into words.

“Everyone is delighted, and just so appreciative of his words.”

The director said the play has received plenty of positive feedback so far - and they were relishing the opportunity to stage it for a home crowd at The Braid.

“The show is set in the context of redundancies being made in an office. It’s definitely a drama but has elements of dark comedy in it as well,” he added.

“The original writer had seen a bullfight in Mexico, and saw the cruelty of that and decided to apply it in this setting.

“We’re on the festival circuit at the moment, with shows in Cavan and County Dublin coming up in the next couple of weeks.

“Two of our actors won awards in Donegal for their performances, which they were absolutely buzzing about. It’s a good show, and everyone who’s seen it so far seems to have really enjoyed it.”

William John Neeson was born on 7 June 1952, the son of primary school caretaker Bernard ‘Barney’ Neeson and cook Katherine ‘Kitty’ Neeson who was born and raised in Waterford.

Brought up Catholic, he was named Liam after a local priest.

He attended St Patrick’s College in Ballymena from 1963 to 1967, and later recalled that his love of drama began there.

That flourished with the Slemish Players where, like his character in global smash ‘Taken’, he proved that he had ‘a very specific set of skills’!

From there he honed his craft at The Lyric, before star turns on Broadway - and soon Hollywood came calling.

And his films have proved to be box office gold. During an extraordinary career, movies in which he has appeared have grossed over $11.7 billion worldwide.

To numerous to mention, they include his Oscar nominated turn in ‘Schindler’s List’, ‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace’, ‘Rob Roy’ and ‘Love Actually’.

But he never forgot his roots, even when his relationship with his home town was ‘complicated’.

In 2000, Neeson was offered the Freedom of the Borough of Ballymena by the council, but because of objections made by members of the DUP regarding reports that he had felt like a ‘second-class citizen’ growing up as a Catholic in the town, he declined the award.

Following the storm, Neeson wrote a letter to the council, stating; “I will always remain very proud of my upbringing in, and association with, the town and my country of birth, which I will continue to promote at every opportunity.

“Indeed, I regard the enduring support over the years from all sections of the community in Ballymena as being more than sufficient recognition for any success which I may have achieved as an actor.”

Thirteen years later, Neeson eventually received the Freedom of the Borough from Ballymena Borough Council at a ceremony in the town.

Sadly, Neeson's mother, Kitty, died in June 2020. He was unable to return to his hometown for her funeral due to travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic.