Belfast Blues

Synopsis

Drawn from her memories of growing up in Catholic Belfast during the 1970s and 1980s Geraldine Hughes brings to life a tapestry of poignant and humorous stories. Performing 24 characters, including her parents, neighbours, a nun, soldiers, an American film director and herself in different eras of her life, Hughes passionately tells her extraordinary tale of determination and hope.

Our Review:

7 June 2004

The Blues of the title refer not just to Geraldine Hughes' childhood memories of Catholic Belfast in the 1970s and 1980s, but also the bright blue eyes that helped win her a role in a 1984 TV movie inspired by 'The Troubles'. Curiously, though, this once-in-a-lifetime experience takes up only a small portion of a one-woman show more interested in the everyday tribulations of growing up in an occupied war zone.

Hughes was introduced to the sectarian divide at a very early age: her mother Sheila was carrying her in her womb when she was asked to smuggle an IRA bomb under the nose of a young British squaddie. It's one of many darkly humorous anecdotes the author re-enacts in a spirited, hour-long performance that sees her play over 20 different characters.

Other stories involve her mother's solo dash to the hospital to give birth, Geraldine's first Holy Communion ("It's official - I'm married to Christ!") and the appalling squalor she and her five ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (192.76.27.103) - 5 June 2004:

This is a top-class solo performance. Geraldine Hughes switches between personas so well that the stage feels like it is full of actors. Both hilarious and moving....

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