Trad and modern meet in show that explores life defined by music
Danny O'Mahony's earliest memory is of sitting on the floor of his family's kitchen in North Kerry, looking upwards in awe as his father played the accordion. It was a sign of things to come. There was music on both sides of the family and in his local community. Now, as one of Ireland's finest box players, Danny is carrying on and adding to that tradition.He'll be in Galway next week, performing in a touring production from one of the country's most exciting theatre companies, Brokentalkers.
The show, Bellow, weaves past and present as Danny revisits key moments in his musical journey, from childhood on.
“One of the most unusual aspects is that I'm getting to play for people who aren't necessarily fans of Irish music and opening up a new world of listeners,” he says happily.
Because Bellow also contains contemporary dance, new writing and electronic music written specially for the show by Icelandic composer Valgeir Sigurðsson, it appeals to audiences across genres.
“If it brings non-traditional people to Irish performances and if music people become intrigued by theatre, that's great. And contemporary dance is also part of the piece,” says Danny.
His own desire to explore new avenues eight years ago led to this project.
Having performed in a traditional capacity for three decades, with multiple albums to his name, Danny was curious for new experiences.
These presented themselves in 2019, when he was appointed Musician in Residence at UCC.
“I had a want to engage differently with music and had discussed that that in the UCC interview.”
Realising how his desire to shake things up could benefit its students, UCC's theatre department “really jumped on it and encouraged me”, he laughs. It was through the theatre department there that Danny began his relationship with Brokentalkers.
“Trad performer meets contemporary theatre and Kerry meets Dublin,” he laughs.
But there were no obstacles when they began to explore the possibility of collaborating.
“It worked because it's about the person first, whether it's someone you are going to perform with or even spend time with. The person first and the art afterwards.”
He and the Brokentalkers co-artistic directors, Feidlim Cannon and Gary Keegan, “became connected very quickly and had a shared vision of what could happen”.
Danny was introduced to electronic composer, Valgeir Sigurðsson, and spent a couple of weeks working with him in Iceland, “an amazing experience”, he says.
Everything was going fine, with Danny, Feidlim and Gary writing the show, based on the life of a trad artist – Danny – incorporating contemporary theatre, dance and electronic music.
“Then the pandemic changed everything. It took another four-and-a-half years, rather than the 12-18 months we'd intended.”
Ultimately, though, that was a positive.
“It led to the work being far more substantial.”
It's clear there was much to explore as Danny talks about people who left their mark on his playing, including his father's aunt Mary Owen O'Mahony, a fine melodeon player who had never had an opportunity to travel with her music.
He met her when he was a child and she an old woman, and the memory is strong.
“She took up competitions at 80,” he recalls of her decision to test herself against others. She entered the Over-18 Fleadh competitions in melodion, winning the Kerry and Munster finals, going on to compete in the All-Ireland in Listowel.
Her playing was hugely rhythmic and local dancers loved her music.
His mother's uncle Tom Carmody was a big influence. Although Danny never met Tom, who'd lived in New York and became the first resident Irish musician in the Waldorf Astoria, the younger man now plays his accordion, which is more than 100 years old. Another of his instruments belonged to his maternal uncle Sonny, who died in an accident aged 18. And the renowned Tony McMahon also bequeathed an accordion.
The stories attached to these beloved instruments are part of Bellow and there's so much more.
As for the title, it has multiple meanings, says Danny, laughing. People will just have to go along and see.
Bellow is at the Town Hall Theatre, next Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1, as part of Galway Theatre Festival.
Booking at tht.ie