Double click on the the questions below to hear Neil’s answers. 

What’s your full name and have you changed it? 
Neil Fergal Doherty and I’ve changed it, Equity wise, to Neil Benedict. 

When and where were you born?
I was born in Glasgow in 1963.  Partick in Glasgow. 

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Glasgow until I was about 10 or 11 and then moved to Dublin.  So there’s a wee hint of an accent.  I went to school in Dublin and that’s where I got into theatre at Dublin Youth Theatre. 

Occupation?
Drama Workshop Leader was the last thing I did… Theatre Artist. 

Aspiration(s)?
I’d love to be Artistic Director of a company but I also just like the process of working with people in different mediums.

Are you in a union?
Yes, Equity.

Do you have an agent?
No.

How much money do you make?
I really don’t make any money.  When I was with Borderline (as a Drama Workshop Director) I made about £16,000, now I’m on half that.

Why do you do what you do?
Just fire in the belly I think.  I really like doing it.  I love failing and then failing again and then fail better as Beckett says.  I don’t like the chosen path. 

Is that the best bit about what you do?  Trial and error?
Yeah.  Happy accidents. 

What has been your proudest moment? 
Probably doing this (Tone Clusters with the Arches Theatre Company) three years ago and my mum came to see it. 

What has been your lowest moment?
Going for jobs and not getting interviews. It’s the struggle that everyone has got. 

Did you study Drama at Uni or college?
I went to Glasgow Uni, very late on though.  A mature student: pipe and corduroys.    I wanted to cement my CV and I thought after I’ve done that I’ll land the job and I didn’t.  I didn’t do it. 

What was your first theatre job?
It was doing a thing in Dublin called Youth Employment Agency where we took the shows “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” and “Hamlet” and we took them to schools round Dublin. 

Any advice you’d like to impart to those jealous of your fabulous career and lifestyle?
(laughs) Is it a lifestyle I suppose.  Have I got any advice?  I think you have to forget about all the other aspects of life and just follow it

How has the Arches helped you develop your skills as a Director?
They’re just brilliant because there’s no one else knocking on my door and they seem to just take someone who’s got ideas and you might not get the theatre but they give you a space to work in and support.  They’re really, really good.  I don’t think there is anything else like this in Scotland. 

What does a Director do?
They keep the actors, if there are actors, safe and the environment safe and guides them through the rapids.  But also they don’t dictate and they don’t prescribe but waits for happy accidents and works with them. 

What’s your favourite play?
That’s very up there because when I got that I thought “that’s amazing” (Tone Clusters by Joyce Carol Oates). Yes, because it’s very like Beckett and Beckett’s my main man.  Sam the man.  I just find it hilarious, life affirming, philosophically challenging and philosophically accurate and it talks about the human condition. 

What’s the best production you have ever seen?
The Riot Group.  I think that’s the benchmark of performance art / theatre. 

What was the last show you saw and was it any good?
Yes it was.  Victory at the Dirt Palace by the Riot Group. 

Is this a good time to be working in Scottish theatre?
It should be with the NTS.  I think it is.  I think a lot of people got their foot in because they’re saying “you’re welcome to come in”.  It seems like a good, burgeoning time.  Depends what you want to do though.  If you want to go mainstream then there’s probably the same struggle but if you want to stay underworld/subterranean then I think it’s a good time. 

What are the best and worst things about theatre in Scotland?
Certain companies and establishments seem to get the lion’s share but partnered with that is somewhere like the Arches – better work comes out of it.  It’s got a better international reputation, far better theatre and this willingness to take on ideas and some of them fail and some of them don’t.  That’s the best thing.