“I play funeral celebrant Áine Reilly. She’s at Fringe to teach the audience the art of the perfect send off.”
WHO: Niamh Denyer
WHAT: “Put the fun back into funeral! Award-winning writer-performer Niamh Denyer is funeral celebrant Áine Reilly, here to teach you the art of the perfect send off. Refusing to conform to one philosophy or traditional religion, Áine balances the modern and the spiritual to create the perfect last ritual. Just an hour in her presence and you’ll be ready to turn death into a living. Become her student, learn to connect with the people, and turn human ash into cash! Are you up to the task? ‘Most natural comedic actress I have seen on the Irish stage’ (Dublin Gazette).”
WHERE: Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – Coorie (Venue 24)
WHEN: 13:00 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I’ve been as an audience member but I’ve never brought a show before. Honestly, I was just quite scared to! My husband went up last year with a show and I saw first hand how stressful it was. Of course it’s very fun too but it’s a massive undertaking. When I started working on this show though, I just felt it would fit really well there. I felt I had to give it a go, at least once. Do the things that scare you right?!
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I can’t speak to learning from pervious lessons at Edinburgh as I mentioned I’ve not been before. But with the pandemic I think the big lesson there for me was seize the day. For months and months we couldn’t be out and about. I would have given anything to put a show on and spend the rest of the day going to see other shows and having pints in Bristo Square. Now we can, we just have to go for it!
Tell us about your show.
It’s a character comedy solo show. I play funeral celebrant Áine Reilly. She’s at Fringe to teach the audience the art of the perfect send off. Learn how to turn death into a living! It’s interactive, fun and there may or may not be a powerpoint presentation.
It started with the character, I got bored during the pandemic so I began filming these little sketches of Áine, a busy body Irish woman who thinks she always knows best, they went down well amongst my friends (the only people who saw them!) so I thought maybe there’s more out there for her, and now she’s off to Edinburgh Fringe.
It’s largely a solo venture for me, I wrote it and am the performer and have been doing all the heavy lifting with regards to producing it. I am fortunate to have an excellent director Marcia Davies as well, We knew each other at drama school but hadn’t seen each other for a couple of years. I put a shout out on social media that I was looking to work with a director on the show and she replied. It’s been essential to have an outside eye. I’ve done some work in progress versions of the show but it’s true debut will be at Edinburgh. There’s no plans to take anywhere after just yet, but watch this space!
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Catherine Cohen because she’s hilarious and talented, Alison Spittle an Irish comedy legend. Goes without saying my husbands Mike Kunze’s new show Infinity Mirror. I also want to see Patti Harrison’s show and Sofie Hagen and Rosie Holt. I’ve also just booked to see Megan Stalter. So much talent in one city!
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