Rising without trace

At a time when many Irishmen were still packing their bags and emigrating to England, finding casual employment and remaining there, Laurence Foster packed his bags in Wolverhampton and emigrated to Ireland. It was the autumn of 1968, ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland were escalating – hardly the best timing for a freelance actor. Having secured casual employment in the theatre he remained in Ireland, worked in all aspects of the entertainment industry, and was eventually appointed Head of RTE Radio Drama. Rising Without Trace is a record of his highs and lows in one of the most precarious of professions, exacerbated by his immediate perception that Ireland was a foreign country; “…my first atmospheric whiff of turf smoke was another confirmation of the fact that I was in very unfamiliar surroundings.” Renowned playwright Bernard Farrell, in his foreword, has described the author as being aware – with great humour – of the chameleon qualities of his personality. “The name ‘Laurence Foster’ was familiar – in fact, throughout my theatre-going days, it seemed to be everywhere and, within these pages, we can at last monitor the travels and travails of this Renaissance Man of Irish Theatre, Radio and Entertainment.