The story behind Sheila Flitton’s show
Beezie Gallagher was, for over sixty years, the sole resident of an island on Lough Gill, County Sligo. Born in the 1872 and orphaned in her teens, Beezie’s wisdom, robust humour and fierce independence gained her a reputation as healer, wise woman and witch.
In Sheila Flitton’s renowned one-woman show, Beezie returns to tell of her youth, her friendship with the young W.B. Yeats, and her brief marriage in middle life.
She relives the crisis of her old age, when the Great Freeze of 1947 left her marooned and starving. The joy of her rescue turns to tragedy as she is consigned to the County Home. There, authority in the shape of a flinty Reverend Mother attempts to relieve her of her pension book and her cherished freedom.
Beezie’s campaign of resistance is moving and hilarious, her escape by night a triumph of ingenuity and resilience.
Twelve months later, Beezie died alone on her beloved Island.
Feel free to contact Sheila for more information if you’d like her to perform ‘Beezie’ for your theatre, festival or community group.
‘Beezie’ was written by Sheila and her son David and has been performed to critical and audience acclaim on three continents.
*Beezie’s island picture courtesy of Niallio77, Creative Commons Licence
BEEZIE THE PLAY PRODUCTIONS AT THE ARAS REVIEWS ACTRESS WRITER
CONTACT SHEILA