Mother of all the Behans
Adapted & directed for the stage by Peter Sheridan
From the book by Brian Behan. Additional material by Rosaleen Linehan
★★★★ The Irish Times ★★★★ The Arts Review ★★★★★ Hot Press
Join Imelda May for an evening of songs and stories celebrating the life of Brendan’s Mammy. Mother Of All The Behans
is the story of his ‘inspirational’ mother Kathleen, a fascinating record of a remarkable life. Inspired by the songs and
stories handed down through generations, this retelling is an entertaining journey through the social history of Dublin
and the Behan family history.
Speaking ahead of her sold out run in 2024, Imelda May said: “I’m over the moon to get to reprise my role of Brendan
Behans extraordinary mother Kathleen in Peter Sheridan’s incredible one woman play Mother Of All the Behans. I hold
Kathleen’s story very close to my heart as I do all the women’s stories that have shaped the world but are too often
unspoken about.
I’m very aware of the chance Peter has taken and has given me in casting me as Kathleen and I am indebted to him for
trusting me to put the work in and do a good job of it. I’m a storyteller for sure but a one person play is no easy feat for
even a well-trained actor but months of dedication and hard work paid off and thanks to you all filling the theatre night
after night and spreading the word when you left, we’ve been asked to do it again!! I couldn’t be more humbled or
more grateful to you all!”
3Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Tuesday 29th July to Saturday 2nd August 2025
Theatre Royal Waterford
Tues 05 - Sat 09 August, 2025
Everyman Cork
Tues 12–Sat 16 August 2025
Grand Opera House, Belfast
Monday 18 -Sat 24 August 2025
