Jean Farrell presents The Six Marys, a comical yet poignant look at life from childhood in the 1950s to the present day, at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday, January 30 at 8pm.
Written and performed by Jean Farrell, The Six Marys follows a group of fun-loving girlfriends who grow into practical, everyday housewives. It draws very much on the influence of religion as taught by the nuns, preparing young Irish Catholic schoolgirls to imitate the virtues of the Virgin Mary. They were to be meek, humble and pure. How well did this help them cope with the huge social changes of the following decades? Were the fanciful dreams of youth fulfilled? This journey of self-discovery is interspersed with well-known hit songs from the various eras, sung by Catherine Gallagher. A light-hearted atmosphere offers a backdrop for all kinds of sharp and comical observations, and Jean has plenty to say about the teenage pursuit of ‘Mr Wonderful’, followed by the reality of married life, teenage children and growing waistlines. And, when the children grow up eventually and leave home, what lies ahead then - a big void or peace at last?
