Taking on the Boys from Brazil

Taking on the Boys from Brazil

4 December 2013

SHIVERING on a football pitch in 1980s-style very short shorts wasn’t Declan Rogers’ idea of a film audition. Knowing little about the Beautiful Game, his tactic for securing a part in the World Cup themed movie Shooting for Socrates was therefore to “look lively” on the grass.

The LAMDA-trained Dundrum actor, who admits he’s “more of a Gaelic man”, had already sparked the interest of film bosses, but his task now was to look convincing as a member of the 1986 Northern Ireland soccer team.

The story of Northern Ireland’s World Cup David and Goliath match against Brazil is being transferred to the big screen after a chance meeting between former team member David Campbell and movie director James Erskine on a yacht at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film, which boasts famous faces such as Four Wedding and a Funeral star John Hannah, as Northern Ireland boss Billy Bingham, tells the story of a father and son who are Northern Ireland fans against the back of the team’s World Cup exploits.

Other prominent figures includes Richard Dormer, Ciaran McMenamin and Conleth Hill, who plays BBC sports presenter Jackie Fullerton.

Declan’s role of midfielder Bernard McNally is a big step forward in the young actor’s career, whose TV appearances have included Ashes to Ashes and Holby City. He recently commanded the stage in his first Lyric Theatre play Can’t Forget About You, in which he portrays a young East Belfast man who has a passionate love affair with a 49 year-old Glaswegian widow.

On that occasion Declan’s character rails against his conservative Ulster family in a rather risqué production, but he has a very different role this time.

“Bernard McNally is a Born Again Christian,” said Declan, explaining that his role offers some comedy moments. “He gets offended very easily.

“He doesn’t believe in playing on a Sunday, his wife is pregnant during the World Cup and he is kept going a bit out there about his timing.”

“It was great to work with Conleth Hill again from Can’t Forget About You. He hits the nail right on the head with Jackie Fullerton, with all the same mannerisms. John Hannah is also very, very funny as Billy Bingham.”

Hearing about the film auditions while touring with a play in Wales, Declan was determined not to miss out, and sent an audition of himself recorded on his phone for the Marie Jones penned .

A number of recalls later and Declan found himself donning the green strip and running round a cold football pitch in front of film chiefs.

“I’ve not really played football before, I’m more of a Gaelic man, but I am really fit so I made sure I kept running around the field looking lively,” he said.

“Those shorts from the 80s are really short and you’re in a T-shirt for about four hours at a time in the cold. I’m surprised we haven’t all got sick.”

The former St. Colman’s High School student said his family and friends are delighted for his success, but that he kept his coup as quiet for as long as possible.

“I am quite superstitious and I hate people asking me about auditions, especially if you don’t get it,” he said. “Once I told them they could not believe it.”

About to head to Spain to shoot the scenes set in Mexico, the cast have been busy filming in Windsor Park, recreating the England v Northern Ireland qualifying match which, against all the odds, gained them their place at the World Cup Finals. A snow machine also did the job when they had to film another Romania-based match.

“There’s also been two-and-a-half weeks of football training with Northern Ireland, ex Northern Ireland players and Republic of Ireland players,” said Declan. “They are great coaches. Most of our football moves are very choreographed, though.

“I had never been to the Windsor Park stadium before. The pitch was great. It’s not as big as I thought it was going to be, but I’m used to Croke Park.

“I don’t mind soccer and I used to support United. I don’t like how they roll about on the ground and shout at the referee, though.”

Declan went on to say that Shooting for Socrates was being well received in Northern Irish football circles.

“I think it will be a boost for morale,” he said. “In 1986 I think there were a lot more people behind the team from both sides, especially when they were playing England, a massive event in Northern Ireland’s history. I think it will do wonders.

“Gerry Armstrong, the former Northern Ireland player, came to talk to us and he said they really gelled as a team and they really looked after each other.

“For a tiny team with a tiny population there are some great characters in there, including Bernard.”