How has the pandemic affected you as a performer?
I have lost up to 12 months of work this year because of Covid-19. I was due to have the premier of my new play Conversations with Angels produced by Brassneck Theatre Company and I was scheduled to return to the Seamus Heaney HomePlace and perform A Bellaghy Tale produced by Kabosh. I’ve had to cancel an international residency and lost three further theatre contracts.
Tell us about your new play, The Broads
The Broads is a play which I created for our elderly and vulnerable people who are living in isolation. It gives glimpses into the lives of three Hollywood greats; Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Bette Midler. The play is designed to bring hope, entertainment, colour and little bit of glamour into the lives of our people here who need it the most.
Who else in involved?
Christina Nelson is Bette Midler, Roisin Gallagher is Marilyn Monroe and I will play Judy Garland. Richard Clements will provide live music on a battery-operated keyboard
How have you been able to produce this play?
I received funding from the Arts Council's Artists Emergency Funding. The funding allows us to rehearse for one week and perform for one week. In one week we will bring socially distanced theatre to approximately 500 people.
How are you rehearsing?
We will rehearse via Zoom. I socially distanced the script, with each actress having her own monologue, to make sure no performer will ever have any physical contact when 'on stage,' (outside). We are having a drive-in dress rehearsal on Friday in a space kindly offered to us by Alfred at the Valley Business Park in Newtownabbey.
Who will it be performed to and when?
We will be performing all week from June 15. We are going to many care homes, a rehabilitation unit, sheltered and assisted living accommodations in Belfast, Carrickfergus, Dundonald and Bangor. We are also performing to the NHS staff outside the Cancer Centre at the City Hospital and we are performing for NHS workers at The Royal Victoria Hospital.
Why did you choose these people as your target audience?
I watched a news programme about elderly people who are suffering desperately from isolation. People are going for months without any human interaction and I wanted to use the skills I have to do something to break that loneliness. I also wanted to do something for our NHS heroes. I am so grateful to have received the funding because now I can. As Judy Garland says, "I'm here to take your mind of your troubles, I'm here to entertain..."
