Edenderry mother and son star in new Dublin musical
Friday was a special day for an Edenderry mother and son, who performed together in a new Dublin-based musical.
Danna Davis Daly, who teaches drama and singing in Edenderry, and Jack Daly, who is making his professional theatre debut, are part of the cast of 'Sisters', which kicked off previews at The Mill Theatre, Dundrum on Friday and Saturday.
Set in the capital in 1971, 'Sisters' tells the story of Bernadette Boland, a single mother shunned by her community, her sister Kathleen, a newlywed dreaming of a perfect life, and the youngest, Noleen, a shop girl eager to embrace the sexual revolution.
When Bernadette takes a job at Gaj's Restaurant, she gets swept up in the urgency of the times and the growing women's liberation movement. Her journey to empowerment, the discovery of a broader sisterhood and the search for 'home' will ultimately put everything at risk.
Danna, who trained at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and at HB Studios and Michael Howard Studio in NYC, has starred in many musicals over the years in London and in top Irish venues like National Concert Hall, Gaiety Theatre, Andrew's Lane Theatre.
She has also been involved creating voices for cartoon animation for productions like Norman Normal (TG4), Zombie Hotel (BBC), The Ugly Duckling (Magma Films) and Ugly and Me (RTE), among many others.
More recently, Danna, who runs regular Baby and Me classes in Edenderry, was assistant vocal coach on the film 'Ella Enchanted' starring Patrick Dempsey.
Performing alongside her son Jack, who plays Aidan, is a special moment as months of rehearsals came to fruition at the previews this weekend. There are additional performances October 4-8 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm each day.
Jack Daly, who is delighted to joining the cast of ‘Sisters’ is in his final year of the BA Hons Popular Music degree program at Cork School of Music.
In secondary school, Jack completed all the Royal Academy Solo Acting grades and finished with a Distinction on his final RIAM Performance Certificate.
He was very involved in the theatre and music department at The King's Hospital Secondary School and received the KH Valedictorian Award, as well as the Nigel William's Perpetual Trophy and Prize and a scholarship for outstanding contribution to the Performing Arts.