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Dorothy Grace Laity and Christophe Lombardi.<\/p>\n
\n Published:
\n Sun 1 Nov 2026, 7:00 AM\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated:
\n Sun 1 Nov 2026, 1:22 PM\n <\/p>\n
A Westmeath-based husband and wife acting team are flying the flag for Ireland after securing places in the regional finals of the 2026 World Monologue Games, an international competition featuring performers from more than 100 countries.<\/p>\n
Christophe Lombardi and Dorothy Grace Laity, who live in Westmeath, are the only two Irish entrants to progress to this stage of the competition following a qualifying round that attracted hundreds of submissions worldwide.<\/p>\n
Now in its sixth season, the World Monologue Games has been described as the \u2018Olympics for Actors\u2019, bringing performers together to showcase their work before a panel that includes acting school leaders, Hollywood producers and Emmy-winning casting directors, alongside audience voting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incredibly excited to be part of this year\u2019s World Monologue Games,\u201d the couple said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic opportunity to perform alongside such a diverse group of actors from around the world and we are proud to be representing Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
The regional finals will be broadcast on YouTube between October 30 and November 8, and the Westmeath pair appear on separate dates.<\/p>\n
French-Italian actor, writer, magician and stage combatant Lombardi, who is based in Castlepollard, will perform a monologue he wrote inspired by Ars\u00e8ne Lupin, the French gentleman burglar created by Maurice Leblanc in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n
His character imagines Lupin emerging from the shadows to challenge Sherlock Holmes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe character of Ars\u00e8ne Lupin has always fascinated me,\u201d Lombardi said. \u201cAs a French actor living in Ireland for nearly 30 years, I\u2019ve always wanted to bring him to life for Irish and international audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n