Following its critically acclaimed sell out run in 2019, Ruby! by Little Willow Productions about Belfast singing star, Ruby Murray, will be at Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on Thursday 20 February.
Written by Michael Cameron and starring Libby Smyth as Ruby Murray, Ruby! is an intimate, fact based one woman performance, which celebrates Ruby’s life, music, triumphs as well as exploring the darker side of her story.
Born in Belfast and raised from humble beginnings on the Donegall Road, Ruby Murray went on to become a huge star. Topping the bill at the London Palladium in the 1950s, she remains the only artist in history to have five records in the UK top twenty in the same week. However, with major cultural shifts in the sixties coupled with poor management, difficulties in her personal life and an increased dependence on alcohol, Ruby’s career was relatively short lived. She died in 1996 at the age of 61.
Former civil servant turned writer, Michael Cameron was inspired to write Ruby! his debut play, when he saw a painting of Ruby Murray by a local artist at a pop-up gallery in Belfast’s Corn Market. The passing of a mutual friend brought artist and writer in contact, which spurred Michael to research Ruby’s life. The play was developed with access and support from Ruby’s immediate family including her first husband Bernie Burgess, their son Tim Murray as well as creative support from, the late, well-known writer, director and actor Sam McCready.
Writer Michael Cameron, from Little Willow Productions, commented, “We are delighted to bring Ruby! to the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. Audiences and critics have enjoyed discovering things about her life that they didn’t previously know as well as being captivated by Libby Smyth’s fantastic performance. We are honoured to be taking the show on a country wide tour as part of a programme to celebrate the life and work of Sam McCready. Sam played an important role in the development of Ruby! his input played a part in the success it has achieved.”
Looking forward to reviving her role as Ruby! actress Libby Smyth added, “It’s been a privilege for me to bring Ruby’s story to a wider audience and also to meet her family and hear their stories at first hand. I’ve loved seeing the responses of audiences as they hear Ruby’s story unfold. It’s a wonderful part to play as an actress as Ruby’s life story covers a range of emotional episodes, some of which are quite dark and upsetting. I’m very excited to be bringing her back to the stage in 2020.”
For more information and to book tickets, contact Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on 0330 137 4032.
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