Theatremaker Irene Kelleher on doing the double at Cork Midsummer

RTÉ News​

05-06-2025

'Am I mad? Probably, but don't we have to be do what we do?' As part of this year's Cork Midsummer Festival, actor and playwright Irene Kelleher has written and will perform in a pair of solo shows - Footnote and Stitch. On one three-show day, she'll perform both of them!
Below, Eileen explores the 'physical and mental challenge' of her two-show marathon...
I often get asked who my hero is and people expect me to say someone like Judi Dench, Fiona Shaw or Cate Blanchett. All of these people are incredible and I admire their talent greatly, but honestly, my hero is Ayrton Senna. Yes, yes, you read that right. F1 legend and not multi-Oscar winning actor. He had this drive, this passion and if he had something in his mind, that was it. He wasn't going to let anyone stop him.
Rehearsing, preparing, and eventually performing both shows at the same time, is both a physical and mental challenge. I'm doing the obvious things to prepare my body, and trying to get as much sleep as I can. If I go into a full day of rehearsal with bad night's sleep I'm not fully present, my concentration is off, I'm not taking everything in.
Sleep is number one. Of course the inevitable 'play dreams' are already happening. Since rehearsals have started, I'm waking up in the night having dreamt about the play. Then I can't get back to sleep because my brain is too active thinking I've made some breakthrough. In the morning I never think it's as much of a genius idea that I did at 3am in the morning! After sleep, the main thing is just to make sure I eat well and by well I mean make sure I've a good big breakfast and pack snacks. I eat way more during rehearsals because I burn off so much energy. I need to stay strong. I find the mental preparation more essential. It's about having things between moving from rehearsals- little palate cleansers. Simple things like music. I've a playlist created for both Stitch and Footnote. Music is always a way for me to dream about characters, and a play, so I often listen to these on way to rehearsals. It's about having a break "as Irene" between each too, having time where I am completely switched off from work. I need this time to be able to give work my 100% attention when I'm in the rehearsal room.
Rehearsing, preparing, and eventually performing both shows at the same time, is both a physical and mental challenge.
The last thing sounds cheesy, but I honestly think it's probably the most important. I have to be confident and know I can do this. I've achieved marathon sessions of plays before, performing in Edinburgh and know I have the stamina. I'm (extremely lucky) to be in a strong enough place physically and mentally. Lorraine Maye in the Midsummer asked me to do both plays, and I trust her. She's a very intelligent, capable, person who wouldn't ask me if she didn't think I was able. If she believes I can do it then I can.
Lastly, I always have my audience in mind. We are asking people to give up their time and money and sit in the dark with me for an hour, phones off. That's a big ask in this era, to switch off for an hour and trust someone to transport you to another world, to get lost in it. I'm doing both shows for my audience, I want to give them the best show possible.
Am I afraid? Yes, but fear excites me. Am I mad? Probably, but don't we have to be do what we do? Madness, yes, but there's a method to it. I'm going to enjoy it too. To quote my hero, Aryton Senna 'in a split second it's gone.'"