Arís Theatre in Atlanta, GA is to bring the curtain up on a riveting production celebrating the life, times and songs of Irish nightingale and wartime hero Delia Murphy.
“Good Night Delia”, starring Clelia Murphy (no relation), written by former London police officer John Murphy (also no relation) and directed by Simon Gibney, is a thrilling play and musical evening inspired by the life and times of Delia Murphy, celebrated Irish singer and war hero.
“If I were a Blackbird”, “The Spinning Wheel” and “Three Lovely Lassies from Bannon” are songs that made Delia Murphy Ireland’s first international super star recording over 100 songs for the famed HMV label.
#OTD 16 Feb 1902 - Birth of singer and ballad collector #DeliaMurphy in Co. #Mayo. She was one of the first female performers in #Ireland. During #WWIII, she aided Vatican official, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, in saving the lives of 6,500 Allied soldiers and Jews. pic.twitter.com/0ylwnqpoHd
— National Library of Ireland (@NLIreland) February 16, 2022
However, her life outside music was even more astonishing. Her father, John Murphy emigrated to America, making his fortune in the Klondike Gold Rush and returned home to Mayo to buy the local manor house. He welcomed Travelling families to camp on his estate and it was around their campfires that Delia learned many of the songs that were to make her famous.
While at University College Galway, she met her future husband Dr Thomas J. Kieran who was to join the Irish diplomatic service. After the couple married, Delia found herself entertaining the diplomatic corps in embassies in London, Australia, Canada and Washington where she was famous for her parties.
But her international travels took on a much more serious turn when her ambassador husband was posted to Rome in 1941. There she risked her life aiding senior Vatican official, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, in saving the lives of 6,500 Allied soldiers and Jews.
Jim Horgan, board member of the Arís Theatre, said he was delighted to bring the "evocative and timeless" story of Delia Murphy to the stage. "Aris is committed to breathing fresh life into timeless classics as well as introducing our audience to the work of new and emerging contemporary playwrights," he said. "And I know this story of a genuine Irish heroine will really resonate with our Atlanta audiences."
STAGE CALL: Jim Horgan, left, with playwright John Murphy
Goodnight Delia will be an unforgettable evening's entertainment at the Academy Theatre in Hapeville from April 4th to the 21st. Tickets start at $15 and are available here.
