One of the highlights of this year’s John Hewitt International Summer School’s busy programme at The Market Place Theatre, Armagh, should be the two performances of “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years”, a hugely popular one-man show written and performed by Sam McCready, one of Northern Ireland’s best-known theatre people, now resident much of the year in USA.
This new Percy French show, presented by Two-for-One Productions and directed by Joan McCready, also features musician Kyle Riley, and was a sell-out success when it was staged for a week at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in May. “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years” will be presented at The Market Place on Thursday 28 July at 7.00pm and on Friday 29 July at 8.30pm.
Author of some of the best-loved songs in the Irish repertoire, among them “The Mountains of Mourne” and “Phil The Fluter’s Ball”, Percy French is brought to life in Sam McCready’s witty and amusing one-man show, which celebrates the music and the life of one of Ireland’s best known and best loved entertainers,
Sam McCready’s highly entertaining show traces Percy French’s career from his days as Cavan’s most notable “Inspector of Drains” to his success as a performer in London, where he not only gave concerts in the most prestigious halls but also performed for the Prince of Wales and distinguished members of the aristocracy.
Yet French was most at home in Ireland, performing in almost every town and village in the country, including Armagh’s City Hall, and taking the opportunity to paint the many landscapes for which he has become famous as an artist.
Sam McCready is an internationally respected actor, theatre director, teacher, painter, adjudicator and published author. Born in Belfast, he was a founding member of the Lyric Players Theatre, and later a Trustee and Artistic Director of the company. He emigrated to the United States in 1984, when he was appointed Professor of Theatre at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Since his retirement, Sam McCready has devoted himself to performing and writing a series of one-person plays, “The Great Yeats”, “Dickens at the Ulster Hall” and writing and directing his wife, Joan, in “Coole Lady” and “A Time to Speak”, both seen on tour at The Market Place Theatre. Sam McCready’s memoir, “My Life with Mary O’Malley and the Lyric Players”, is published by Lagan Press.
In this Percy French show, McCready is joined by American actor and singer/guitarist , Kyle Riley, who brings a fine singing voice and a fresh interpretation to many of the best-known songs.
Tickets for “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years” at The Market Place Theatre on 27 & 28 July are already on sale and early booking is advisable. Booking at The Market Place Box Office on 02837521821 or Online at www.marketplacearmagh.com.