The story of my life
ACTRESS EILISH O’CARROLL ON LIVING, LOVING AND LAUGHING. THE MRS. BROWN’S BOYS STAR CHATS TO ABOUT HER SOLO SHOW, GROWING UP IN 1950’ S IRELAND AND HER TWO FAILED MARRIAGES
BEST known as Winnie McGoogan, the next door neighbour to Agnes Brown played by her brother Brendan O’Carroll in the hit show Mrs Brown’s Boys, Eilish O’Carroll’s life is very different from that of her on screen character. While she is no stranger to the stage, having performed in front of live audiences of 7,500 people as well as on live television, ‘ Live Love Laugh’ is a one woman show with no one but Eilish on stage.
“It is terrifying and I get nervous ever night but once I get on stage I love it,” said Eilish.
This will be the first time for 65year old Eilish to perform solo in the Hawk’s well Theatre and she tells me she is excited to take to the stage this Thursday the 11th of May at 8.00pm.
Through her belly- aching performance Eilish tells the story of her own life from a classic up- bringing in 1950’ s Ireland, two failed marriages ( one of them violent) and coming out at the age of 50.
“The show is my story but it could happen to any woman, but it just so happens to be about me.
“It is a rollercoaster of emotions but the feedback from it has been inspiring as it is very honest, in fact brutally honest. I have nothing to hide,” said Eilish.
Growing up in a house with 10 other siblings along with her mother and father there was a lot of laughter in the O’Carroll household.
Both her father and mother had a great sense of humour and great turns of phrase.
Her younger brother Brendan who plays the foul- mouthed Anges Brown in the hit show Mrs Browns Boys has always been there to give Eilish a helping hand offering her on stage advice while making her laugh with his infectious humour.
Inspiring her in many ways he always tells her to never give up and not to listen to the critics.
“As the two youngest in the family we did anything to get attention.
“You had to be creative and we found being funny got people’s full attention - it was almost a survivalsurviva technique,” said Eilish. Never intended to be a stand- up show, Eilish began writing privately about her life and realised she was on to a winner.
While writing parts of ‘ Live Laugh Love’ was painful as she recalls her violent marriage a small but significant part of the show she has learned to grow from telling her experiences.
“I just started writing about my life and it came across funny. I find that when you are telling a story to other people that may be traumatic for you it can be funny for them. It is almost like changing a memory by telling the story: it is powerful stuff.”
And with a natural ability like Eilish most things are funny.
While she kept the initial writing process private, she admits taking to the stage on her own was daunting, but younger brother Brendan offered her advice that has never failed.
“He told me that when you get on stage imagine that you are on the edge of a cliff about to jump off with no parachute and just trust that what’s below you will catch you. And the audience catch me every time,” she said.
For some, telling a room full of strangers the ins and outs of your life can be a frightening experience but Eilish believes that a huge weight has been lifted.
“The show is very inspiring and the audience get that. What becomes a burden is a shared experience with people who can relate. We survive the bad times and grow from them.”
Eilish, like the rest of the cast of Mrs Browns Boys is surprised by the success of the show and finds it hard to believe that it is her job.
“It is the laughter that keeps you going. When you go out and see 7,500 people crying every night with laughter it does something for your soul. We go out and think ‘ we get paid to do this’.”
Winne Mc Googan is a loveable character and the same can be said for Eilish as she gushes with excitement about her beloved character someone she believes inspires her.
“I relate to her so much. When you’ve been playing a character for more than 20 years you almost morph into each other. Winnie is a simple woman and doesn’t let anything come in her way and she always comes back with a smile,” said Eilish.
Eilish has two sons and three grandchildren.
While she was nervous about their initial reaction to the show, she says they have been absolutely amazing and continue to support everything she does.
The show has been a roaring success with both men and woman, young and old. It is a night not to be missed!
You can see Eilish live this Thursday the 11th of May from 8.00pm in the Hawk’s Well Theatre.
Tickets are € 20 and are available now on at the Box Office on: 07- 9161518 or see www. hawkswell. com