The concept for this show started with a simple idea: I wanted to share the music of legendary women. Somewhere along the way, the show became about so much more. I hoped that the people of the world had come together in solidarity with each other during the recent Pandemic, but, sadly, I feel I was wrong. We live in a time that seems more terrifying than anything I have ever experienced. Every day we see war, injustice and inequality, both on our screens, and in our own lives. I have spoken to so many women, both before the show, and even in the room after the show, who have, at one time or another, felt unheard. This show allows the listener to enjoy beautiful music, but to also learn a little about the lives of the women behind the songs. ‘Famous’ women are just like the rest of us. They love. They hurt. They laugh. They make mistakes. They just do it under the constant scrutiny of the media and of the public. 

This has been the ultimate passion project. The process of getting this show from my brain onto a stage has been nothing short of exhausting. From funding paperwork to trying to find a good venue to weeks and weeks of script writing.  A good ole dose of laryngitis thrown in for good measure too, of course! Having said this, it was ALL worth it.

Every audience member I met said they absolutely loved the show and would come again. They felt very emotional during parts of the show and were bopping in their seats at other times! Some said that the songs really hit them right in the heart when they learned the reality of the women who sang them. Everyone had a favourite song. I was blown away when a lady approached me after the show to say that she travelled all the way from Dublin to see the show as she had heard about it on RTE Lyric FM! (that’s an 8 hour round trip!)

I was honoured to be joined on stage by an incredible team. Noel O’ Sullivan was on piano, Padraig Creedon on violin and our Narrator was actor, Laura Reidy. I have spent many an evening sitting in front of my phone performing live on Facebook, and I dreamt of being back on that stage. The lighting at sound set up at the Gleneagle INEC Club, was out of this world. I didn’t need to worry about keeping an eye on my own sound set up and ring light this time! The energy in the room was electric. I stood on the stage and watched my idea come to life and it felt amazing. To see people enjoy the performing Arts again is so special. This show could not have happened without the funding of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Local Live Performance Programming Scheme with support from Kerry County Council. 

Though we live in a world that seems filled with sadness and struggles, an escape into music can be very soothing for the soul. I look forward to touring this very special show. Watch this space!