Northern Ireland

Cullybackey woman in her seventies makes London stage debut

Helena Bereen from Cullybackey, Co Antrim, is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared in films Hunger and The Devil's Doorway
Helena Bereen from Cullybackey, Co Antrim, is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared in films Hunger and The Devil's Doorway Helena Bereen from Cullybackey, Co Antrim, is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared in films Hunger and The Devil's Doorway

A BELFAST theatre stalwart has had to wait until her seventies, but she is finally making her London stage debut.

Helena Bereen from Cullybackey, Co Antrim, is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared in films Hunger and The Devil's Doorway and trod the boards of the old Arts, new Lyric, the Old Museum and the MAC theatres.

However, in spite of a long and busy career, the opportunity to work in London just never presented itself - until now.

The play `On McQuillan's Hill', by Armagh writer Joseph Crilly, sees her in the role of Mrs Tymelly which she originally acted in at the Lyric in Belfast two decades ago.

Set in the aftermath of the Good Friday agreement, it centres around IRA volunteer Fra Maline and a celebration in the local community hall that turns to chaos, amid "bitter memories, family secrets and lies long buried in the bog".

Mrs Tymelly "keeps the keys to the hall, and is the guardian of everyone's secrets, as well as one of her own".

"I loved playing Mrs Tymelly 20 years ago. I am loving playing her again: I love her character, and I love the play," Ms Bereen said.

"I worked in London in the 60s as a nurse - I did midwifery in Beckenham Maternity Hospital, a good bit south of the centre. Those were different times, and that was a very different experience.

"It's a big undertaking, to travel to London, and be away from family and friends for eight weeks. My partner is disabled and I am his carer, however, with help from others, it's been possible. Just. A good friend in the village has moved in to our home. I am very grateful for that," she said.