Imelda May to make her theatre debut

Liberties native and renowned singer Imelda May will make her theatre debut this August in the lead role of ‘Mother of All the Behans’, the story of Brendan Behan’s inspirational mother, Kathleen.

I’m excited to announce today,
on the centenary of our beloved Brendan Behans birth,
that I’ll be playing the role of his charismatic and inspirational mother Kathleen Behan
in Peter Sheridan’s wonderful
one woman play
Mother Of All The Behans
in the Olympia Theatre,
Dublin. pic.twitter.com/nNHykSJcmI

— Imelda May (@ImeldaOfficial) February 9, 2023

The play is based on the 1984 book by Brian Behan and is directed and adapted for stage by Peter Sheridan. The new production will be staged at the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin to mark the centenary of the birth of Brendan Behan.

“I’m terrified and thrilled by this project”

Imelda May

Inspired by the songs and stories handed down through generations, this retelling is an entertaining journey through the social history of Dublin and the Behan family history.

During the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, Kathleen Behan acted as a courier for James Connolly and Padraig Pearse. She lost her first husband in the 1918 influenza epidemic, and married the famous Behans’ father, Stephen, in 1922.

“Kathleen’s historical songs, colourful stories and lust for life resonate with me deeply,” May said.

“She’s a true Dub full of wit, wisdom, knowledge and humour that I feel I know from every woman that raised me. I love to learn, I love a challenge and for my growth, both personally and as an artist, I feel it’s imperative to leave my comfort zone often and swim a little deeper each time,” she added.

“I’m terrified and thrilled by this project but I feel passionately about this play, this story, this period of our history and culture and most importantly this woman.”

‘Mother Of All The Behans‘ will run from Tuesday, August 15 until Saturday, August 19 and tickets are available via Ticketmaster.