Author Tony Hawks Chats "Round Ireland" With The FBAC

The FBAC got to spend some time with Tony Hawks, the author and star of “Round Ireland With A Fridge” (via Skype from London) and asked him a few questions about the film which will receive its exclusive US benefit debut screening at the American Hotel in Freehold, NJ on March 11th. The international best selling author slash comedian slash actor stayed up way past his bed time (1 am UK) to provide some insight on the film, packaged with a little (deserved) attitude.

FBAC: What gave you the idea to hitchhike ‘round Ireland with a fridge?

Tony Hawks: It was the first time I was in Ireland and I was getting a lift in this car and we passed an old guy on the side of the road who was hitching with a fridge. It struck me as very strange. I remember recounting what I’d seen a few weeks later with some friends in a pub back home in Brighton (England) and saying that if there was one country where you could hitchhike with a fridge, it was Ireland. That’s what sparked a friend to bet me 100 pounds it couldn’t be done.

FBAC: You obviously have never been to Trenton, NJ before have you?

TH: I didn’t know Trenton was a country?

FBAC: Tourist. Where in Ireland did you travel with the fridge?

TH: Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Wexford, and Waterford.

FBAC: My mother collects Waterford.

TH: I think every mother collects Waterford.

FBAC: Enough about Moms. How did the people of Ireland receive you?

TH: I don’t think the world would have noticed had it not been for one Gerry Ryan of RTE Radio. Gerry got to hear about what I was doing and had me on the show one morning. Then I started ringing in every day. Pretty soon I was “The Fridge Man” and the whole country was offering me lifts.

FBAC: Yeah that wouldn’t have happened in Trenton. So how did you go about writing the book?

TH: Very disciplined. I worked 6 days a week for at least six months straight.

FBAC: Thank God for DVR. The book “Round Ireland With A Fridge” was an international best seller. Why do you think it became such a success?

TH: It makes people laugh. The Irish response was silly and inspired. And I think it appeals to people’s desires to escape from the mundane aspects of life.

FBAC: I’m sorry. I wasn’t listening. I was thinking about hitchhiking through Ireland. So now it’s a movie and you star in it. I heard it was between you and Brendan Fraser.

TH: It wasn’t between me and Brendan Fraser. It was his part to be had but the financial package fell through in the end.

FBAC: So in a sense, casting you saved money.

TH: I’m sorry…who are you again?

FBAC: You are not Irish but the film is Irish in nature. Do you promote this as an Irish film?

TH: Yes, because the story is Irish and only could have happened there. Nowhere else in the world. The cast is predominantly Irish. Co-stars Michael Redmond, Valerie O’Connor, Ed Byrne, Sean Hughes…all Irish. So yes this is an Irish film.

FBAC: I sense ‘tude. Next question: How does the film differ from the book?

TH: It probably has a better “shape” and tells the story of a “lost man finding himself” a little better.

FBAC: What’s next for Tony Hawks? Any new bets in the near future?

TH: I am in the process of making a feature of my second book, Playing The Moldovans At Tennis. No plans for further bets.

FBAC: Finally, how many people mistake you for Tony Hawk the pro skater?

TH: Only you.

Tony will be available live via SKYPE from London following the screening of  "Round Ireland With A Fridge" to answer your questions. 

For tickets for the March 11th exclusive event go to FBAC on Facebook or to www.FreeholdBoroughArtsCouncil.blogspot.com.