Ottilie

A new show about the Northern Irish blues singer Ottilie Patterson

Rathmore Productions presents the international premiere of a one-woman show based on the life of Northern Irish blues singer Ottilie Patterson and featuring Jolene O’Hara in the titular role.

It’s 1945 and Blues music drifts across the Ards Peninsula from American GIs stationed at the local military base. 33s are swapped with locals, and in her bedroom, on an old beat-up record player, Ottilie hears the music that will change her life forever.

Now, every time she heads to the family piano, she picks out blues notes, bending the sound with her voice. Young Ottilie lives for the Blues and this passion carries her from gigging in Belfast, to joining the Chris Barber Band and touring internationally, performing with legends like Muddy Waters and Sister Rosetta Sharp and achieving stellar success throughout the 1950s and 60s.

Her career was cut short due to ill health but behind the news headlines, lay a deeper and darker truth.

Ottilie written by Richard Clements, directed by Matthew McElhinney and starring Jolene O’Hara, is a poetic reimagining of the career and legacy of the greatest Irish blues singer of them all.

The play asks one question. If you had one chance to tell your story, your truth, how would you even begin? Packed with music, arranged and performed by up-and-coming jazz pianist Zak Irvine, Ottilie promises to be an unforgettable night at the theatre, in celebration of a remarkable life.

Support from Belfast Stories, Patrick FitzSymons and Peter Lavery.

With thanks to Jen Wilson, Jazz Heritage Wales.

Age recommendation: 12+

Image credit: © Harry Hammond / Victoria and Albert Museum, London.