Westport theatre to host Irish premiere of Matriarchs

MATRIARCHS, a new two-act play, will have its Irish premiere in Westport Town Hall Theatre on Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31.

Written and directed by Grace O’Malley’s biographer, Anne Chambers, it stars Regina McCormack as Grace O’Malley, Bronach Joyce as Queen Elizabeth I and Conor Clarke playing both roles of Grace's son Tibbott Bourke and Queen Elizabeth's adopted son Robert, Earl of Essex.

The meeting of the Pirate Queen of Ireland, Grace O’Malley, and the Virgin Queen of England, Elizabeth I, is a fascinating historical event, having brought together two iconic female leaders imbued with a lifetime of experience and knowledge.

Matriarchs is a drama about women’s relationships with fathers, husbands, lovers and sons; about the boundaries placed on women by society, marriage, motherhood and love; the juggling of a career with family life; breaching the boundaries of male power and bias and the challenges posed by female ageing. What Grace O’Malley and Queen Elizabeth have to say may explain why these two female trailblazers remain as relevant today as they were over 400 years ago.

Speaking ahead of the Irish premiere of her play, Anne Chambers said: "International focus on issues such as gender equality, female empowerment as well as ageism make the themes inherent in this drama resonate even more today. Grace O’Malley and Queen Elizabeth I shine as inspirational beacons to what women every where can achieve, even like them, in the most demanding and difficult environments."

Performances this Friday and Saturday are at 8 p.m. Bookings are on www.westporttheatre.com or call the box office on (098) 28459.

The gala opening night on Friday, August 30, will be preceded by a reception hosted by Grace O'Malley Whiskey at 7.30 p.m.