Adelaide Fringe 2020 review: Grace Notes: Grace O’Malley, Irish rebel, pirate queen
This is the world premiere of Jennifer Liston’s one-woman show -let’s hope she takes this little masterpiece global.
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Grace Notes: Grace O’Malley, Irish rebel, pirate queen
Cabaret / Spoken Word / SA
Rating: ****
Grande Room, The Gilbert Street Hotel
Until March 4
It’s the year 1530 and Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol as she is known in Irish folklore) takes her first breath in what is to be a life of adventure on the high seas.
Nearly five centuries later, Adelaide-based, Irish-born performer Jennifer Liston brings the “Pirate Queen of Mayo’s” life story to the stage.
It was a calling of sorts.
Gráinne whispers tales of yore in Liston’s dreams, resulting in an ode to the fiery-haired warrior.
Her hour-long history lesson is interwoven with animated storytelling, poetry, and traditional Irish songs.
We meet Gráinne’s past lovers, join her on her fleet of ships as she sails from island to island along the west coast, endure bloody battles, childbirth on the open waters, and an encounter with Queen Elizabeth I.
Liston (an engineer by trade) is a captivating storyteller with a beguiling voice.
This is the world premiere of her one-woman show and once the nerves settle and Gráinne’s courageous spirit engulfs the intimate venue, it is a moving tribute to a life well lived.
This brave pirate’s story is worth telling.
Let’s hope Liston takes the little masterpiece global.
