About
Philip Johnston's play 'Ottilie' will open in YARN Ballycastle on July 24th and it's one you don't want to miss!
Born in Comber, County Down, Ottilie Patterson (1932–2011) became one of the UK and Ireland's greatest Blues singers. Leaving Northern Ireland for London in 1954, she rose to international acclaim with the Chris Barber Band, sharing stages with legends including: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Muddy Waters and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Written and directed by Philip Johnston and featuring the acclaimed Rosaleen Agnew, 'Ottilie' is a moving theatre performance by Lir Arts Festival celebrating Patterson's extraordinary life and musical legacy.
Weaving drama with her iconic music, the production offers an intimate portrait of a pioneering artist whose voice captivated audiences worldwide.
The performance has a special connection to Ballycastle, too. Ottilie appeared with the Chris Barber Band in Quay Road Hall during the 1950s, making Ballycastle a fitting place to revisit her remarkable story.
The play has already received rave reviews, including one from well known journalist Anne Hailes who saw the performance in Bangor in 2024. She said:
"Ottilie Patterson just won't fade away. This exceptional jazz singer from Comber took the world by storm when she joined the Chris Barber band in the 50s. She had a voice like liquid dark chocolate and was a woman who sang with her soul and her eyes. She expressed every word and the sound she made was thrilling. There have been many articles, films and stage presentations about the 'wee blonde girl from Co. Down' and last night at Studio 1A in Bangor, Philip Johnston's play drew a full house and prolonged applause. They say you know a good party when the guests refuse to leave and it was like that after the performed reading by Rosaleen Agnew. We gathered in groups to continue to hear stories about our Ottilie who came from Comber, but never really left.
Philip, best known internationally in dance and theatre, drew out the story of how Ottilie found the courage to travel to London over 70 years ago and talked the Barber band into giving her a chance to sing with them. It was after a show, when most of the musicians had packed up, the pianist, who was last to leave the stage, was sweet talked by Ottilie into playing. By the time she had finished her song other band members were on stage and a session began.They were thrilled with her and it was the first step on her journey to international stardom."
Anne Hailes said she was: "fixated by Ottilie Patterson and was proud to host her during an Ulster Cancer Foundation charity visit to Belfast in 1989.
Philip's script and Rosaleen's excellent story telling, punctuated with Ottilie's own soulful voice, in crystal clear recordings and photographs to match, I found very emotional. The story is there to be told and Philip's the man to tell it."
Philip said: "Ottilie Patterson made great Soda Bread, according to John Lewis, the founder of the Modern Jazz Quartet. She was also the greatest Blues singer in the UK and Ireland during the 1950-60s. She left her native Northern Ireland in 1954 to pursue her singing career in London. Her life was one of unbelievable highs and traumatic lows but she blazed a trail for those who came after her."
Philip's journey to uncover Ottilie's life began by visiting the Blue Plaque the Ulster History Circle placed at her home in Comber and the visit to her grave at Movilla Cemetery in Newtownards. He he was determined to find out more about this remarkable woman and to bring her story to life again.
Philip soon delved into the Ottilie Archive at Public Records Information Office in 2016 and during visits there he discovered the richness of material in that archive. Over the years he was introduced to many people who had known Ottilie and who were willing to share their stories about her.
Although Ottilie left Northern Ireland in 1954 she returned many times. Her singing career was prolific as she performed across Europe and the United States. Ottilie made many seminal Blues recordings and also a one-off recording "Ottilie's Irish Night" with many of her friends during a visit home. Ottilie is Philip's second play for the theatre. Philip returned to live in his native Northern Ireland in 2020. He is delighted to be directing Rosaleen Agnew in Ottilie. Rosaleen is an award winning actress with Lurig Drama Group.
