100 years after the birth of Brendan Behan, Imelda May has been chosen to star in a new production of Mother of All the Behans at the 3Olympia Theatre from Tuesday, August 15th 2023.

Taken from the book by Brian Behan, the production has been adapted and directed for the stage by Peter Sheridan and traces the story of his 'inspirational' mother Kathleen.

Mother of All the Behans is 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, and will be performed for a strictly limited run.

Speaking about the announcement today, Imelda May said: "I’m excited to announce today, on the centenary of our beloved Brendan Behan's birth, that I’ll be playing the role of his charismatic and magnificent mother Kathleen Behan in Peter Sheridan’s wonderful play Mother Of All The Behans.

"Kathleen’s historical songs, colourful stories and lust for life resonate with me deeply," the Liberties native adds. "She’s a true Dub full of wit, wisdom, knowledge and humour that I feel I know from every woman that raised me. I love to learn, I love a challenge and for my growth, both personally and as an artist, I feel it’s imperative to leave my comfort zone often and swim a little deeper each time.

"I’m terrified and thrilled by this project but I feel passionately about this play, this story, this period of our history and culture and most importantly this woman".

Brian Behan was an Irish writer, public speaker, lecturer, and trade unionist who passed away in 2002. In 1984, he published Mother Of All The Behans, "an autobiography of Kathleen Behan as told to Brian Behan", a delightful memoir of that most extraordinary family.

His also wrote two novels, neither of which attracted as much attention as his personal escapades - Time To Go (1979), and Kathleen (1988), inspired by his mother.

During the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, Brian's mother had acted as a courier for James Connolly and Padraig Pearse. She lost her first husband in the 1918 influenza epidemic, and married Brian's father, Stephen, in 1922.

The news of Imelda May's casting arrives after her stellar appearance at Nothing Compares: A Celebration of Irish Women Artists in Naas' Moat Theatre, Kildare last week.

Imelda May, Sabina Higgins, Eleanor McEvoy, Tolu Makay, Susan O’Neill, Mary Stokes, Megan O'Neill, Gemma Dunleavy, Laura Murphy of Herstory and more marked the new public holiday with an unforgettable celebration of women’s indelible contributions to Irish music and culture.

Presented by Hot Press and Kildare County Council, with additional support from Kildare Village, the show celebrated Imbolc with friendship, literature and music.

In addition to performances of songs like 'The Girl I Used To Be' from 2017's Life Love Flesh Blood, and a special rendition of 'Molly Malone', Imelda also shared her poetry, including a piece commissioned by Hot Press to celebrate Brigid's Day.

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 17th at 10am via Ticketmaster.