Something for the Weekend: Mazzy Ronaldson's Cultural Picks
Mazzy Ronaldson, a rising star in the acting world, recently made her mark at the Abbey Theatre with her role as Pearl in Youth's The Season. She's set to captivate audiences again in February 2026, starring in a revival of The Crucible at The Gaiety Theatre. Now, she's taking the stage by storm with her debut in PanPan Theatre's latest production, YFEL, a collaboration with the renowned Australian experimental theatre company, APHIDS. This unique show is coming to Dublin's Project Arts Centre in December, and RTÉ Arena is here to give you the lowdown.
We caught up with Mazzy to get her take on some of her favorite cultural picks.
FILM
Her film preferences have been heavily influenced by her father's taste, with a notable start at age six with Young Frankenstein. Recently, she indulged in the 1981 French thriller 'Diva' at the Lighthouse Cinema. This film, a must-watch for opera enthusiasts, mobsters, and those who love tales of obsession, left a lasting impression. Adding to the list of French cinema with operatic elements, The Fifth Element is a brilliant choice, featuring Young Bruce Willis, 23rd-century spaceships, apocalyptic war, and an iconic Alien Aria (Diva Dance).
Other notable mentions include Young Frankenstein (1974), Sugar and Spice (2001), Death Becomes Her (1992), and Wet Hot American Summer (2001).
MUSIC
Mazzy made a New Year's resolution a few years ago to incorporate more feel-good music into her daily routine. This decision has significantly improved her commute and overall mood. Her go-to album is 'This is the Sea' by The Waterboys, particularly the track 'The Whole of the Moon,' which she finds hopeful without being overly cheesy. Sinead O'Connor's 'Take Me to Church' and 'The Wolf is Getting Married' are among her all-time favorites, showcasing O'Connor's masterful blend of light and dark. On days when she needs a sad song, Lisa O'Neill's 'Old Note' and Nina Simone's 'Stars' are her go-to choices for a good cry.
BOOK
While Mazzy wishes she could be a more consistent reader, she has ambitious plans to improve in the coming year. She's a fan of autobiographical writing, especially from funny authors. David Sedaris is her favorite, and she's had the pleasure of seeing him speak twice in Dublin, delivering readings of short stories and novel excerpts. Two highly recommended books by Sedaris are 'Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls' and 'Calypso.' Another must-read is 'Postcards from the Edge' by Carrie Fisher. Honorable mentions include 'Yes Please' by Amy Poehler and 'Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic' by Dr. Paul Conti, offering an affordable alternative to therapy.
THEATRE
The talk of the town is YFEL, a play by PANPAN in association with APHIDS. This experimental production, starring Mish Grigor and Marcus Mackenzie (Australia) and Faith Hand-Jones and Mazzy (Ireland), explores the question: Do you need to be evil to be an artist? The show, which began previews on December 4th at the Project Arts Centre, runs until December 13th.
TV
Mazzy recommends 'The Chair Company' as a must-watch TV show this year. Its unique blend of humor, conspiracy, and the bizarre makes it a standout choice. For a more relaxed viewing experience, 'Parks and Recreation' is her go-to comfort show.
GIG
Despite her limited gig attendance, Mazzy managed to see Charli XCX three times this year, each experience being a spiritual one. She missed Lorde's performance in the RDS but remains unfazed by the missed opportunity.
ART
When it comes to art, Mazzy's favorite artist is Wilfrid Wood, known for his incredible crude plasticine sculptures and portraits.
PODCAST
Her sister introduced her to the podcast 'Ride with Mary Beth Barone and Benito Skinner.' She enjoys listening to their episodes while cleaning or tackling tasks she lacks motivation for. The podcast is praised for its humor and its representation of the internet's influence on modern humor and youth communication.
TECH
Despite not being tech-savvy, Mazzy can't imagine life without wired headphones. She's also a fan of the Vinted app, but exercises caution to avoid overspending.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
Mazzy predicts a potential comeback for fedoras, though she acknowledges it might take some time. She believes it's a matter of when, not if.
Pan Pan and APHIDS' YFEL is currently showing at the Project Arts Centre from December 4th to 13th. For more information, visit https://projectartscentre.ie/events/yfel/.
