A sparkling new play about Maura Laverty, the multi-talented broadcaster, cookery expert, agony aunt and controversial writer, who was a household name in Ireland for three decades.  Maura is spirited back from the dead as a guest on a surreal TV show called ‘This Was Your Life.’ She cooks a recipe from her iconic cookbook, Full And Plenty, on stage and talks about her roller-coaster life.

Early dinner will be served in Ballymaloe House at 6pm.  Head Chef Dervilla O’Flynn has created a three-course menu inspired by some of Maura’s most popular recipes from Full and Plenty such as cream of spinach soup, steak & kidney pie, floating islands, and other deliciously 'retro' choices. Booking [€53 per person] is essential on 021 465 2531.

The host gets Maura to reveal some of her darker secrets and the price she paid for her success. Fifty years after her death, how will a contemporary audience evaluate her recipes and her tumultuous life?

Writer Maura Laverty’s life is a fascinating tale of talent and tenacity; she is brought back to life in this charming play full of detail, wit and tragedy. Bairbre Ní Chaoimh (who plays Laverty in this hugely enjoyable production) cooks a Spanish omelette as the show progresses.  For younger audiences this is a fascinating picture of how a strong woman refused to play nice in the restrictive post-war decades and worked her way bang into the centre of Irish cultural life. Her ghost will be well pleased.’ – The Irish Independent

A witty and entertaining journey through the writer’s life, with Ms Ní Chaoimh in splendid form as the pugnacious Laverty. – Irish Mail on Sunday

Presented by The Curious Ensemble

Written by Yvonne Quinn and Bairbre Ní Chaoimh 

Cast: Malachy McKenna (Rip Riley) and Bairbre Ní Chaoimh (Maura Laverty)

Director: Joan Sheehy

Set Designer: Naomi Faughnan

Costume Designer: Peter O’ Brien

Sound Designer: Ewan Cowley

Running time 1 hour and 20 minutes, no interval.