Shoreham Wordfest switches online for tale of The Notorious Brothers Behan

“We will now wait until we know when the current lockdown is likely to end,” says Shoreham Wordfest programme director Rosalind Turner.

“However, we are going to put some of the events online and the first one will be actress and playwright Janet Behan with a new theatre piece she is developing about her grandmother’s life: Kathleen and Me.

“This will go out on Friday, January 29 at 7.30pm and will be followed by a live Q&A on Zoom. Tickets are £8 from https://www.shorehamwordfest.com/events/janet-behan-kathleen-and-me/

"We will send the video and zoom links by midday on the day of the performance.

“This is an opportunity to see a new drama in development with a chance to feedback and contribute to the next stage of live performance.

“Kathleen Behan was a powerful influence on her children, not least The Notorious Brothers Behan as the banner headline described Brian, Dominic and Brendan in the News Of The World circa 1959. In this public showcase of a brand-new work Janet takes a very personal look at the life, times and legacy of her extraordinary grandmother.

“In collaboration with director Jessica Higgs, this first public showing of Kathleen and Me uses songs and stories, weaving together extracts from Mother of All the Behans (Kathleen’s memoir as told to Janet's father Brian), to create a vivid evocation of this remarkable woman.

"This is the first stage in developing a new theatrical production and we invite the audience to engage with the creative process by joining a live Q&A session on Zoom after the performance.”