[caption id="attachment_71113" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Honor Molloy’s novel “Smarty Girl” is also available in cake and audio formats. "]
The members and friends of the Irish American Writers & Artists were witness to a stirring presentation by Guenevere Donohue at the recent Irish-American Writers & Artists’ Salon at the Thalia Cafe. As she read from her play, “Killer is My Name,” Guen’s audience sat spellbound as she weaved storytelling, keening – a form of vocal lament – and the Irish language into performance art of the highest order.
Honor Molloy followed, reading from her father’s memoir, “Alive, Alive O.” In the scene Honor chose to read, John Molloy, a well-known Dublin television actor, is on the road with Percy the guinea pig tucked under his gansey. “ON TOUR with Ireland's Fit-Up People. Fit up a curtain, put on a show.” Honor, as only Honor can do Honor. (Gansey? I had to look that one up: … also known as guerney, or a seaman’s knitted sweater.)
During the intermission I had a chance to speak with Ed Farrell who read from his memoir, “A Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Unexpected Memoir.” Ed said, “This whole process, our time together here at the salon, including the intermission and lingering around after the event, is so important. I’m able to share my thoughts with other writers and they with me. We need to reinforce each other.” Well said and exactly what the salon is intended to be.
Patricia Goldstone, a first time reader at a salon, exposed the first few pages of a brand-new, yet to be named play. Jim Callahan and John Moss ably assisted Patricia and couldn't have been better. Patricia said: “The highly sophisticated audience gave me incredibly positive feedback. When people tell me they want to hear more, that's the best news I can get!” Perfect.
Malachy McCourt, whose idea it was to create the salon, an evening in which artists share their work in an informal and convivial setting, ended a grand evening with a heartfelt rendition of the Irish folk tune, “Carrickfergus.”
Salon Notes: Maura Mulligan reported her memoir “Call of the Lark” is forthcoming from Greenpoint Press next month. John Kearns announced that his play “In the Wilderness” at Upstairs Theatre, 45 Bleecker St., would begin a one-month run on May 31.
