Mary-Frances Doherty Actress & Theatre Maker
Katie's Birthday Party
Written & performed by Mary-Frances Doherty
You are invited to celebrate Katie’s 12th birthday with her as she explores what it’s like to be 12 years old. Having just moved school but not quite a teenager yet, Katie reflects on times gone by and looks to the future and all it can be.
There will be truths, there will be dares, there will be presents and there will be cake!
Solo performer Mary-Frances Doherty explores notions of childhood on the approach of adolescence, looking at the trials and tribulations of what a young girl goes through in the change from primary school to secondary school – exams, results, new school, new friends and thoughts for the future.
Age Guidance: 10+
Running Time: Approx. 35 minutes
Available for touring!
Full length video of the performance available on request
email or call (+44) 7505730883
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'Internationally acclaimed solo performer, Mary-Frances Doherty
gives a remarkable and real performance of 12 year old Katie...
It was a real, raw and relatable production that every adolescent should
see to feel warranted, and every adult should see for nostalgia.'
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'Mary-Frances Doherty is a Belfast performer who has come here (Australia)
to show 12-year-olds that their joys and sorrows are pretty much the same
all over the world...Fear of missing out and fear of being rejected by friends
is common to them all.'
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'Katie has learned there are rules to follow when life becomes painful,
as it does so often, and she shares her rules for being happy with the party-goers who are, by now, completely captivated by her.'
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'...a very well written and crafted show with some very real and genuine moments of vulnerability that take us on a journey through being twelve years old
and all the things that come with it.'
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'...Katie had, in fact woven her way into the hearts and lives of the audience...
It is, in essence what DreamBIG is about.'
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Selected by the Children's Theatre Reviews as one of their
'Katie's Birthday Party is a hugely relevant and relatable
account of a painful process, told with honesty and insight...
it is one of the best productions for young people I’ve ever seen'
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Selected as one of only 10 shows from the UK & Ireland to be presented at On The Edge: The World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences & ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Birmingham 2016
'Katie’s Birthday Party is one of those rare pieces of theatre that taps into your subconscious and brings back memories that you worked hard to forget.
This gut punching production is a one woman show by the truly sensational
Mary-Frances Doherty'
'It’s during a game of Truth or Dare - entered into enthusiastically by her younger guests – that we discover more about Katie...As the game unfolds we begin to understand that Katie...is struggling with some private humiliations and crushing anxieties. Katie’s growing pains are emotional, and as the anchors of her early years are yanked out from beneath her she is forced to face the anguish of an unsteady present and an uncertain future.'
Edinburgh Guide
'Party poppers, girly pop songs and a joining-in game of Truth or Dare that gradually edges Katie’s Birthday Party from larky fun to a point of evident adolescent pain...Not even cake can compensate because of how
this solo hits a very real sore spot in growing up.'
The Herald Scotland
'Edgy glimpse into the big bad world...
in the form of an interactive birthday party.'
‘It was amazing. 100%. 10 out of 10.'
'I felt part of it...I liked the way everyone got involved.’
‘Fantastic, wonderful performance.'
'Truth or Dare was awesome!’
Audience Members - Belfast Children’s Festival
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Previous Performances:
DreamBig Children's Festival
Adelaide Festival Centre, Australia
Wednesday 22nd - Friday 24th May 2019 at 10.15am & 12.30pm
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th May 2019 at 11am & 2.30pm
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Fife Cultural Trust
Performances in Schools
Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd March 2019
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Little Feet Festival
Carriageworks, Leeds
Thursday 14th June 2018 at 10.30am & 1.30pm
York Theatre Royal, York
Friday 15th June 2018 at 10.30am & 1pm
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The Barn Theatre, Kilkenny
#StormFest - a programme of events for children and their families organised by Barnstorm Theatre Company
Kilkenny Arts Festival
Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th August 2017 at 12noon & 3pm
Horse & Bamboo Theatre, Rochdale
Puppet Festival
Sunday 16th July 2017 at 11am & 12.30pm
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
Friday 16th June 2017 at 10.15am & 12.15pm
Saturday 17th June 2017 at 12noon & 2pm
Platform, Glasgow
Performances in Schools
Tuesday 13th June 2017 at 11am & 1.45pm
Wednesday 14th June 2017 at 10.30am & 2pm
The MAC, Belfast
Friday 9th June 2017 at 11am & 12.30pm
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June 2017 at 1pm & 2.30pm
Roscommon Arts Centre
Thursday 8th June 2017 at 10am & 11.30am
The Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo
Wednesday 7th June 2017 at 10.30am & 12noon
The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena
Monday 5th June 2017 at 10am & 11.30am
The Ark, Dublin
Dublin Theatre Festival
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October 2016 at 2pm & 4pm
Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th October 2016 at 10.15am & 12.15pm
Birmingham School of Acting, Birmingham City University
On The Edge
The World Festival of Theatre for Young Audiences
& ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering
Wednesday 6th - Friday 8th July 2016 at 10.15am & 1pm
Comedia Theater, Cologne
Grenzenlos Spurensuche Children's Theatre Festival
ASSITEJ Germany
Tuesday 21st June 2016 at 7pm & 9.30pm
Wednesday 22nd June 2016 at 11am
The Egg, Bath
Friday 17th June 2016 at 11am & 1pm
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th June 2016 at 11.30am & 3pm
Festival Theatre Studio, Edinburgh
Imaginate Festival (Edinburgh International Children's Festival)
Wednesday 1st June 2016 at 10.30am & 1.15pm
Thursday 2nd June 2016 at 10.30am & 1.30pm
Friday 3rd June 2016 at 10.30am
Saturday 4th June 2016 at 12 noon & 3.30pm
Sunday 5th June 2016 at 3.30pm
World Premier
The MAC, Belfast
Theatre for Young Audiences - NI Showcase
Belfast Children's Festival
Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th March 2015 at 10.15am & 11.15am
NI Schools Tour
Northern Ireland
Friday 30th January - Tuesday 10th March 2015
Development Performances in Schools
Northern Ireland
Wednesday 22nd - Thursday 23rd May 2013
Work-In-Progress Sharing
An Culturlann, Belfast
Theatre for Young Audiences - NI Showcase
Belfast Children's Festival
Wednesday 13th March 2013 at 4pm
Ideas Sharing
ACNI ACEs Report
The MAC, Belfast
Friday 22nd November 2012 at 2pm
By Invite Only
With thanks to Jason Byrne, Gill Robertson, Jess Thorpe and Geraldine Pilgrim.
Initially developed in association with Young at Art and supported by the
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
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