Back by popular demand, after a sold-out run of 7 shows in Smock Alley Theatre last November and a spectacular ending to the shows in DLR Lexicon Zandra, Queen of Jazz is returning for the International Herstory Festival of Light.

The Herstory Light Festival is an annual global event celebrating women and equality. The 2020 Herstory Light Festival takes place over the weekend of Brigid’s Day (Friday 31st January – Monday 3rd February 2020) in honour of Ireland’s triple goddess and matron Saint.

With just her sax and a suitcase, Zandra Mitchell joined a jazz band and toured the world.

Born in Phibsborough, Dublin in 1903, she was Ireland’s first female saxophonist. While the twenties roared she found her way through Europe to Berlin. The dictators rose; the books burned; the bombs dropped…and Zandra played her sax.

Darn Skippy Productions present Zandra, Queen of Jazz — a play with original music, based on an extraordinary true story.

The early development of this piece was supported by an Emerging Artist Bursary from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office; with further support from dlr LexIcon Library.

Written and Performed by: Roseanne Lynch
Directed by: Katherine Soloviev
Original Music, Arrangements and Sound Design by: Richard Lennon
Costume and Lighting Design by Lianne O'Shea
Poster by: Eugene Korolkov

Quotes

"delightful one-woman show"

"Sensitively directed by Katherine Soloviev, Lynch does a wonderful job capturing the glamour and pizzazz of Zandra's colourful and indulgent life in Europe."

- Broadway World

"Roseanne Lynch who wrote and performed Zandra, Queen of Jazz is simply incredible. Aided by her sharply accurate band, she transforms a bare stage into a life."

"Lynch faultlessly zips through the performance echoing the plucky, joie de vivre personality of Zandra."

"The lights, by Lianne O’Shea have Zandra moving across the stage as a child, jazz star, frightened stowaway and finally old woman."

"Richard Lennon, who provides original music perfectly echoes the tones and beats of the story and allows the music to have a cheeky life of its own."

"This is both an invigorating and empowering performance"

- Meg.ie

"…brings an untold story vividly to life."

- Irish Independent

"Lynch tells Zandra’s story with gusto and it is a story worth the telling."

- No More Workhorse