The search for identity often begins with a single question, a faded photograph, or a name whispered in family stories. For Franco-Irish actress and playwright Kelly Rivière, that search became a theatrical odyssey. Her production, An Irish Story one-woman show (Une histoire irlandaise), transforms a private investigation into a public exploration of heritage, exile, and the ghosts that haunt family lineages.
Blending humor with poignant vulnerability, Rivière uses the stage to breathe life into a relative who left behind few tangible traces in the physical world. The play is not merely a biography but a “breath-taking investigation” of origins, tracing a path from the rural landscapes of 1930s Ireland to the contemporary bustle of 21st-century France. By embodying dozens of characters, Rivière bridges the gap between the known and the forgotten, turning a personal void into a universal narrative of belonging.
The production has already established a significant footprint in the Francophone theater scene, boasting over 500 performances in France before expanding its reach to Belgium. With a runtime of one hour and 25 minutes, the show is performed in French with English surtitles, ensuring that the story of the Irish diaspora resonates with a global audience.
The Mystery of Peter O’Farrel
At the center of the narrative is Peter O’Farrel, Rivière’s grandfather. The story begins in 1949 in Knockarron, a tiny village in southern Ireland. At age 19, O’Farrel left his homeland in a desperate bid to escape the crushing poverty of the era, seeking employment and a new beginning in London. It was during this period that he met and fell in love with a woman named Margaret.
However, the trajectory of O’Farrel’s life took a mysterious turn. After establishing a life in England, he disappeared, leaving a vacuum of information and a legacy of family secrets. For years, this disappearance remained a closed chapter, but the birth of Rivière’s son served as the catalyst for the actress to delve into her family’s “non-dits”—the things left unsaid. This quest for roots became the foundation for An Irish Story, as Rivière sought a way to give voice to a man who had effectively vanished from the real world.
A Polymorphic Theatrical Achievement
The technical ambition of the show lies in Rivière’s “polymorphic” performance. Rather than relying on a traditional ensemble, Rivière alone embodies over 25 different characters, shifting seamlessly between ages, accents, and personalities to populate the world of her ancestors. This approach allows the audience to experience the family saga through a kaleidoscopic lens, mirroring the fragmented nature of memory and genealogical research.
The critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with Télérama describing the show as “a marvel, the miracle you hope to see every night when you go to the theatre.” The publication awarded the production four stars (TTTT), highlighting the intimacy and universality of a story marked by exile.
The Artistry of Kelly Rivière
Kelly Rivière’s ability to carry such a complex narrative is rooted in a diverse artistic background. Trained in both classical and contemporary dance at the Conservatoire régional de Lyon and the Cours Florent, she brings a physical precision to her acting that supports the rapid character shifts required by the show. Beyond her work on stage, Rivière is a translator and a member of the English committee of the Maison Antoine Vitez.
In 2017, she founded Compagnie Innisfree, the production company behind An Irish Story. Her writing and performance in the play earned her the prestigious Prix SACD 2020 Nouveau Talent Humour / One woman show, recognizing her as a rising talent in the genre of comedic and narrative solo performance.
Rivière’s professional versatility extends into digital media and cinema. In 2020, she co-wrote the digital series Pleuville with David Jungman. Her cinematic credits include roles in the films Sage-femmes (directed by Léa Fehner), Une année difficile (directed by Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache), and Le Ravissement (directed by Iris Kaltenbäck).
Collaborative Vision and Production
While the show is a one-woman performance, its atmospheric depth is the result of a dedicated creative team. The visual and auditory landscape is crafted by a group of artistic collaborators, including Jalie Barcilon, David Jungman, Suzanne Marrot, and Sarah Siré. The set and light design, handled by Anne Vaglio and Grégoire Faucheux, create a space that feels both intimate and expansive, reflecting the journey from a small Irish village to the wider world.
The production’s costume design by Elisabeth Cerqueira and photography by Benjamin Chauvet and David Jungman further enhance the period-accurate feel of the 1930s and 40s. The show has received support from a wide array of institutions, including the Maison Maria Casarès, the Uccle Cultural Center in Brussels, and the Foundation E.C.Art-Pomaret, among others.
Key Production Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Writer/Performer | Kelly Rivière |
| Production Company | Compagnie Innisfree |
| Key Award | Prix SACD 2020 (Nouveau Talent Humour) |
| Performance Count | Over 500 in France |
| Duration | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Core Theme | Family secrets and the search for Irish roots |
The Universal Theme of Exile
Beyond the specific history of the O’Farrel family, An Irish Story touches upon the broader human experience of displacement. The migration of Peter O’Farrel in 1949 was not an isolated event but part of a larger pattern of Irish emigration driven by economic hardship. By framing this history through the lens of a granddaughter’s search, Rivière explores how the trauma and secrets of one generation are inherited by the next.
The play suggests that theatre is a unique tool for reconciliation. Where official records fail—where passports are lost or names are forgotten—the stage allows for a reconstructed truth. By embodying her grandfather and the people he knew, Rivière does more than recount a story; she performs an act of reclamation.
As the production continues to travel, it serves as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling to heal family fractures and provide a sense of place to those who feel adrift. For audiences in Brussels and beyond, the show offers a mirror to their own ancestral mysteries, urging them to look closer at the “ghosts” within their own family trees.
For those interested in attending upcoming performances or learning more about the production, updates are typically available through the Uccle Cultural Center or the official channels of Compagnie Innisfree.
Do you have a family mystery or a search for your own roots that inspired you? Share your stories in the comments below or share this article with someone who appreciates the intersection of history and theatre.