Entertainer and performer Aonghus McAnally performs When Jolie Met Christie, a compelling one-man cabaret-theatre show inspired by the life and music of Christie Hennessy, at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday, November 9 at 8pm.
The late Christie Hennessy, one of Ireland’s great singer-songwriters and much loved performers, was fascinated with Al Jolson and spent much of his boyhood imitating the great Broadway troubadour. In When Jolie Met Christie, Al Jolson speaks of his admiration for Christie and his new understanding of him now they are together in the afterlife, comparing the struggles and triumphs of their two careers. This is a quirky, funny and sometimes dark meditation on the price of fame, featuring many of Christie’s greatest songs. When Jolie Met Christie brings together axis: Ballymun director Ray Yeates, playwright Seán McCarthy, artistic designer Robert Ballagh and performer, entertainer and musician Aonghus McAnally (who often performed with Christie over the years ) in a national tour of this acclaimed sell-out show.
Beezneez present Munich
The ever-popular Beezneez theatre company makes a welcome return to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar with a life-enhancing new play, United, on Wednesday, November 2 at 8pm.
John McDwyer’s new play United charts the lives of a rural Irish family over 50 years, from the Munich air disaster in 1958. When the matriarch passes away, her remaining children congregate for her funeral. Over the days of the funeral, dark secrets are revealed which lead to conflict and eventual reconciliation. Based on his well-received RTÉ radio play, John McDwyer’s United is a moving and heartfelt play from the author of Lovely Leitrim, Callaghan’s Place and Unforgiven and, given the usual Beezneez production values, a richly rewarding evening of theatre is guaranteed. Directed by John McDwyer.
