Honor Heffernan
By Louise McCarthy
THE FIRST Irish female rock singer will be performing a unique show with music set to poetry at the Wexford Arts Centre on Thursday July 2nd.
Performing music to the poetry of renowned poet and critic Dorothy Parker is a new departure for Honor Heffernan.
Ms Heffernan is a successful actress and singer of blues, jazz and rock. Now she is joining composer Trevor Knight to celebrate the life and wit of American writer Dorothy Parker in The Whistling Girl.
Ms Parker (1893-1967) was a renowned writer who fought for civil rights. The Whistling Girl at The Wexford Arts Centre will celebrate the work and life of this strong personality through music.
This is indeed a new departure for Ms Heffernan who has been captivated by the writings of Ms Parker, since she was introduced to them through Trevor Knight.
Ms Heffernan said: “When Trevor came to me, he already had music written for her poetry. I was blown away by the music and her poetry along with her witty quirks. When I read about her , I discovered that her life was very different to her writings. I discovered that she was a totally different person, she was a very sad person and had many failed relationships.”
Performing music set to poetry is challenging, admits Ms Heffernan, and ensuring that the intention behind the words is truly conveyed.
Music has always been Ms Heffernan’s first love, although she has a wide amount of experience in acting also such as Fair City , Roddy Doyle’s Family, Gasworks Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire,The Abbey Theatre’s production of Drama at Inish, Neil Jordan’s Angel and RTE‘s Live Mike with mike Murphy and Glenroe
Her singing career began in the early Seventies as Ireland ‘s first female rock singer, when she joined “The Watchtower”, a very successful rock band, led by Alan Dee. Following a European tour, she went on to work with many of Ireland ‘s top Blues, Rock and Folk musicians.
Her Jazz singing career began in 1983 when she was invited by Songwriter, TV and Radio presenter Shay Healy to join with the Jim Doherty Trio in an experimental programme, where musicians from different backgrounds performed together. The experience lead to long associations with renowned jazz musicians Jim Doherty, Noel Kelehan and Louis Stewart, and many more of Irelands leading jazz musicians including drummer Stephen Keogh who produced her latest album “ Fire and Ice “. Since then she has earned a reputation as Ireland ‘s leading Jazz singer.
Despite a huge amount of success in her career, Ms Heffernan’s life has not been without tragedy.
In 2003 her mother Bridget (76) and Fiona (39) died at their home in Stoneybatter in 2003 as a result of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Because her mother was her first inspiration and connection to music and singing, Ms Heffernan found performing difficult after her death.
Ms Heffernan said: “I was with them the day they died. In the beginning I could not sing at all for about four or five months. It is like something has been wrenched from you.”
But, luckily, for everyone, she returned to music and is sure to wow the crowds at Wexford Arts Centre.
