Imelda May, the renowned Dublin-born musician and multi-talented artist, is set to bring her acclaimed one-woman show, The Mother of All The Behans, to Belfast for the first time this August. The show, which has enjoyed two sell-out seasons in Dublin, casts May in the role of Kathleen Behan—the fiery, resilient matriarch and mother of famous Irish writers Brendan, Brian, and Dominic Behan. The production, adapted and directed by Peter Sheridan from Brian Behan’s memoir, presents an intimate and vibrant portrait of Kathleen’s extraordinary life marked by activism, motherhood, love, and enduring hardship.

May’s portrayal of Kathleen Behan captures the essence of a woman who was not only a force of nature in her own right but also an unsung hero in Irish social and political history. Kathleen’s life journey included dramatic episodes such as being placed in an orphanage at a young age, widowhood during the great influenza epidemic while pregnant, and homelessness with seven children. Despite these challenges, Kathleen’s indomitable spirit and wit shone through—a quality May feels personally connected to, reflecting on her own mother and grandmother’s resilience. The performance beautifully intertwines song and story, highlighting Kathleen’s vast repertoire of traditional Irish songs she preserved and performed into her old age, a facet often overshadowed in her legacy.

Following critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling and musical depth, the show promises Belfast audiences an evening rich with laughter, tears, and music. May, who recently supported Sting on his Forest Live UK tour, emphasises her affection for Belfast, expressing anticipation for the performances and the lively local post-show scene. The Mother of All The Behans will run at the Grand Opera House from August 18 to 23, with prior showings in other Irish venues including the Everyman Theatre Cork, where it has similarly been met with praise for its heartfelt depiction of Irish cultural and family history.

Imelda May’s artistic journey spans much beyond the stage. Known initially for her rockabilly and jazz-infused music career, she has collaborated with eminent artists such as Bono, Rod Stewart, and Van Morrison, and expanded her creative horizons into television and film. Recent ventures include her roles in films like the sea shanty sequel Fisherman’s Friends: One and All and forthcoming releases with Pierce Brosnan and others slated for 2025. Parallel to her theatrical ventures, May dedicates significant energy to spotlighting overlooked Irish women and cultural figures, exemplified by her documentary Lily and Lolly Yeats: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters. She is also preparing a new documentary exploring Irish language and song, scheduled for autumn release, and plans to return to the recording studio next year.

Balancing these diverse projects, May credits art and storytelling as essential sources of healing and connection, reflecting a lifelong passion that began in her early teens in Dublin’s Liberties. Always creatively restless, she embraces each new venture as part of her continuous journey in celebrating and preserving Irish heritage through music, story, and performance.

The Mother of All The Behans returns to the stage this summer, providing audiences with a poignant and powerful look at a remarkable woman whose stories might otherwise have been lost to history.

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Source: Noah Wire Services