Bringing the Golden Age from Longford to Dublin's National Concert Hall

Emer Barry, the soprano singer from Longford, held a lunchtime concert called ‘Audrey and Friends’ in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on Friday, January 23. The concert focused on the Golden Age of female icons, and what made them iconic, but it was an experience to see how a Longford talent is received in Ireland’s capital city, in one of the most iconic buildings.

Read more: 'This process is always a lot of fun': Longford choreographer to host workshop

Taking place in the John Field Room, Emer was accompanied by the pianist, Niall Kinsella, and Catrina Scullion, a fellow soprano singer who embodied the charm and characteristics of Marilyn Monroe. Emer herself returned with her passion and appreciation for Audrey Hepburn, with three costume changes throughout the three phases of the performance. The John Field Room itself, a room with an overhead chandelier and columns, was filled with enthusiastic listeners, similarly to the homecoming concert in the Backstage Theatre last year.

Overall, the concert centred on Audrey Hepburn, Julie Andrews and Marilyn Monroe, and their connections. Descending the stairs behind the stage with an opening song of “Nature Boy”, Emer introduced the audience to the context of the hour.
“What is it that shapes an icon?” she rhetorically asked, before ending with, “it is more about vulnerability and resilience.”

She recounted the struggles of Audrey Hepburn, to giving poignant renditions of songs like “We’ll Gather Lilacs”; the “Flower Duet” alongside Scullion”; as well as a duet of “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music, which gave a conversational dynamic between the two singers, showing their uniqueness between their voices, with additional harmonies.

There were some fun interpretations of iconic songs. “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady received some London charm with Emer changing her accent.

“My Fair Lady speaks to the charm of simplicity, and denotes Audrey’s love and compassion,” Emer had explained, as Hepburn’s luxuries were food, warmth and companionship.

The show offered contextual information to each of these ladies, about how the character of Holly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s was supposed to go to Marilyn Monroe, to how My Fair Lady initially had Julie Andrews in mind, who had the voice, to starring Audrey, who needed to be dubbed.

“Marilyn turned down Breakfast at Tiffany’s as her agents said it’d be bad for her brand to play a call girl,” joked Catrina, which brought some laughter to the audience.

Read more: 'I'm grateful' - Self help author credits Longford folk for helping her find her passion

Although the character of “Carmen” was not used in this particular show like in Backstage Theatre due to the thematic nature, Emer thrived off her love for vintage fashion and perfumes (Givenchy for Audrey and Chanel 5 for Marilyn). From a blue tea dress, to a white dress by Meshki, to ending in a black cocktail dress, gloves, pearls and an updo managed to leave the audience in awe. Scullion wore a red dress and, later, accompanied by a white-furred cape.

The Dublin audience were delighted by this Longford talent, her fellow soprano singer and accompanist. Finishing with a large round of applause, plenty of attendees hung around afterwards to chat about how they found the show and the stories about the individuals who had been portrayed. It had the same successful reception and energy as when Emer sang in Longford, showing the widespread appreciation and interest in her talents.