The Nualas
{{Short description|Irish comedy trio (1995–2018)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox theatre group
| name = The Nualas
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape =
|background = group_or_band
| members = {{Plainlist|
- Sue Collins
- Tara Flynn
- Anne Gildea
- Susanna de Wrixon
- Karen Egan
- Maria Tecce
- Josephine O'Reilly}}
| formed = 1995
| location = London, England
| homepage = https://www.facebook.com/TheNualas/
| genre = Comedy music
|disbanded=2018}}
The Nualas were an Irish cabaret trio known for performing spoof songs.{{Cite news |last=Van Gelder |first=Lawrence |date=17 October 2001 |title=COMEDY REVIEW; Irish and Making Fun Of 'Riverdance'? O.K. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/17/theater/comedy-review-irish-and-making-fun-of-riverdance-ok.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=The New York Times |location=New York City |pages=8 |authorlink=Lawrence Van Gelder}}{{Cite news |last=McGrattan |first=Ciara |date=March 2011 |title=LADY POWER! |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/64928512 |url-access=subscription |work=Gay Community News |page=24 |via=EBSCOHOST |issue=255 |issn=0791-7163}} The group — with characters named Nuala, Nuala and Nuala—{{Cite web |date=December 2000 |title=SOTCAA Say Nice Things About: The Nualas |url=https://sotcaa.org/comment/nualas.html |website=sotcaa.org}}{{Cite news |last=The Nualas |author-link=The Nualas |date=25 August 1998 |title=Destination '98 Trabolgan. |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/the-nualas-1.186303 |work=The Irish Times}} was founded by Anne Gildea, Sue Collins and Tara Flynn in 1995. Flynn was replaced at several points since 2002 by Susanna de Wrixon,{{Cite news |last=O'Shea |first=Joe |date=3 November 1999 |title=being a woman comic is no laughing matter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/904033742/ |url-access=registration |work=The Irish Daily Star |via=Newspapers.com |authorlink=Joe O'Shea}} Karen Egan,{{Cite news |date=18 November 2017 |title=Boom? That busted flush |url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/digital/2017/2017-11-18/html5/ |work=Limerick Leader |page=88}}{{Cite web |date=19 June 2012 |title=The Nualas - Show 1, BBC Radio 4 (11 August 1998) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-1Wr7atfkY |via=YouTube}} Maria Tecce,{{Cite web |last=Burgess |first=Marissa |year=2014 |title=The Nualas: Hello Again, We're The Nualas : Reviews 2014 |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/review/2014/08/22/29767/the_nualas:_hello_again,_were_the_nualas |website=Chortle.co.uk}} and Josephine O'Reilly.{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Kate |date=8 April 2003 |title=Dynamic duo know the meaning of diversity |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=200304081051704117&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |url-access=subscription |website=Herald Sun |via=EBSCOHOST}} Performing predominantly in the UK and Ireland, including the Edinburgh Fringe in 2001 and 2014,{{Cite web |year=2014 |title=Where have you been? |url=https://issuu.com/thelistltd/docs/efg14_all |website=Edinburgh Festival Guide 2014 |publisher=Edinburgh Festival |via=issuu.com}} they also performed in New York and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.{{Cite web |title=The Comedy Festival Gala |url=http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/1998_site/gala.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020214172603/http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/1998_site/gala.htm |archive-date=2002-02-14 |access-date=2019-12-31 |website=ComedyFestival.com.au |via=Wayback Machine}} The group last performed in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=No more Nualas : News 2018 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2018/11/20/41738/no_more_nualas |website=Chortle.co.uk}}
In 1998, they produced a series for BBC Radio 4 featuring Paul Tylak{{Cite news |date=22 August 1998 |title=Radio Wednesday August 26 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260437446 |url-access=subscription |work=The Guardian |via=Newspapers.com}} and a Christmas special.{{Cite news |date=19 December 1998 |title=New Year's Eve Thursday Radio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260513096 |url-access=subscription |work=The Guardian |location=London |via=Newspapers.com}}
In 2015, they created a song, "Yes 2 Love", promoting a 'yes' vote in the Irish marriage equality referendum.{{Cite web |date=1 May 2015 |title=Watch: Irish comedy trio The Nualas release a catchy new single on Marriage Equality |url=https://entertainment.ie/uncategorized/watch-irish-comedy-trio-the-nualas-release-a-catchy-new-single-on-marriage-equality-263219/ |website=Entertainment.ie}}
Members
=Anne Gildea=
Anne Gildea is an Irish writer and comedian. Anne's brother is Kevin Gildea, known for his work at the International Comedy Cellar.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Andrea |date=3 September 2024 |title=Kevin Gildea: 'Making Anne laugh is a real thrill for me' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/kevin-gildea-making-anne-laugh-is-a-real-thrill-for-me-mkpz82xm7 |website=TheTimes.com}}{{Cite podcast |url=https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad/kev-gildea-episode-208 |title=Kevin Gildea |website=An Irishman Abroad |host=Jarlath Regan |date=10 September 2017 |authorlink=Jarlath Regan |edition=208 |via=SoundCloud |accessdate=7 November 2017}} She was a co-star on Gerry Ryan Tonight.{{Cite web |last=Monaghan |first=Gabrielle |date=18 March 2024 |title=Comedian Anna Gildea: 'Tapping your phone to pay for things is a step too far for me' |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/comedian-anna-gildea-tapping-your-phone-to-pay-for-things-is-a-step-too-far-for-me/a459695570.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 November 2024 |website=Belfasttelegraph.co.uk}} She is a survivor of breast cancer.{{Cite news |last=Falvey |first=Deirdre |date=25 August 2024 |title=Anne Gildea: 'I'm 58 and had two get-your-affairs-in order moments. Now I feel like a lucky person' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2024/08/25/anne-gildea-im-58-and-had-two-get-your-affairs-in-order-moments-now-i-feel-like-a-lucky-person/ |work=The Irish Times}} She has a show called "How to get the Menopause and enjoy it".{{Cite web |last=Hennessy |first=David |date=16 October 2023 |title=A funny journey through 'the change' |url=https://www.theirishworld.com/a-funny-journey-through-the-change/ |website=TheIrishWorld.com}} In 2024, she joined podcaster Dr. Louise Newson on the Hormones and Menopause: The Great Debate tour.{{Cite web |last=Newson |first=Louise |date=4 June 2024 |title=All about Dr Louise's theatre tour Hormones and Menopause: The Great Debate |url=https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/all-about-dr-louises-theatre-tour-hormones-and-menopause-the-great-debate/ |website=Balance-Menopause.com |format=podcast}}
=Sue Collins=
Sue Collins is an Irish actress known for parts in Fair City and Raw.{{Cite web |last=Masterson |first=Eugene |date=14 December 2020 |title=Fair City's newest character Teri is The Nualas and Dirtbirds star Sue Collins |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/tv/fair-citys-newest-character-teri-is-the-nualas-and-dirtbirds-star-sue-collins/39861344.html |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=SundayWorld.com}} Since 2016, she has performed with Dundalk stand-up Sinead Culbert as the DirtBirds writing, sketch comedy and podcasting duo.{{Cite web |last=Hanley |first=Saoirse |date=3 September 2024 |title=Comic duo DirtBirds say beauticians Dee and Andrea are their favourite characters |url=https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/irish-showbiz/comic-duo-dirtbirds-say-beauticians-dee-and-andrea-are-their-favourite-characters/a1525304840.html |website=SundayWorld.com}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Meg |title=Meet Irish comedy duo Sinead Culbert and Sue Collins, aka DirtBirds |url=https://www.image.ie/editorial/meet-irish-comedy-duo-sue-collins-and-sinead-culbert-aka-dirtbirds-161606 |website=Image.ie}}{{YouTube channel|handle=DirtBirds|text=DirtBirds on YouTube}} She is married to actor Phelim Drew, with whom she has four children.{{Cite news |last=Ciara Dwyer |date=11 August 2014 |title=Actor Phelim Drew: I miss the love of my parents |url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-features/actor-phelim-drew-i-miss-the-love-of-my-parents/30493094.html |work=Independent.ie}}
=Tara Flynn=
{{main|Tara Flynn}}
Tara Flynn is an Irish writer, actress and broadcaster.{{Cite news |last=Sweeney |first=Tanya |date=11 June 2022 |title=Tara Flynn: 'It's frustrating to be 53 and still hustling for gigs' |url=https://m.independent.ie/entertainment/books/tara-flynn-its-frustratig-to-be-53-and-still-hustling-for-gigs/41737665.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=Irish Independent}}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Andrea |date=8 December 2014 |title=Happily, it all turned out grand for Tara and Carl |url=https://www.independent.ie/style/sex-relationships/happily-it-all-turned-out-grand-for-tara-and-carl/30801846.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=Irish Independent}}
Critical reception
David Benedict of The Independent described the group in 1999 as "daffy" with a "ludicrously varied musical style", attributing their success to "a cunning mixture of sternness and silliness".{{Cite news |last=Benedict |first=David |year=1999 |title=The Nualas: a cunning mixture of sternness and silliness |url=https://archive.org/stream/Independent1999IrelandEnglish/Feb%2023%201999%2C%20Independent%2C%20%233853%2C%20Ireland%20%28en%29_djvu.txt |work=The Independent |via=archive.org}} Ian Shuttleworth of The FT, in 2000, described their turn of phrase as "gloriously daft", but that their material suited a "large club" rather than a "medium-sized theatre", but that the signs were there for bigger things.{{Cite news |last=Shuttleworth |first=Ian |date=November 2000 |title=The Nualas - Lyric Hammersmith, London W6 |url=https://www.cix.co.uk/~shutters/reviews/00173.htms |work=Financial Times |via=Cix.co.uk |authorlink=Ian Shuttleworth}}
Lawrence Van Gelder, writing for The New York Times in 2001, declared that "New Yorkers in need of laughter can be happy that the Nualas are here" and that, despite their tastelessness, their "wackily original songbook" was a sign of their "undeniable overall talent".
Shows
- Hello, We're the Nualas – 1997{{Cite web |date=9 August 1997 |title=Wednesday August 27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260774473 |url-access=subscription |website=The Guardian |page=244 |via=Newspapers.com}}
- Big Shiny Dress – 1999{{Cite news |date=11 September 1999 |title=Going Out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/720004409/ |url-access=subscription |work=The Independent |page=156 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite web |date=25 May 2013 |title=The Nualas - the Big Shiny Dress Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz0eU_NXt64 |via=YouTube}}
- Older Wiser, and Heftier – 2011{{Cite news |date=March 2011 |title=Competitions |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/64928500 |url-access=subscription |work=Gay Community News |page=15 |via=EBSCOHOST |issue=255 |issn=0791-7163}}
- Glitterbomb – 2016{{Cite web |year=2016 |title=Saint Patrick's Festival |url=https://www.newrymournedown.org/media/uploads/st_patricks_festival_2016.pdf |location=Armagh}}
- Lock Up Your Husbands! – 2015{{Cite web |title=The Nualas say 'Lock Up Your Husbands' at Nenagh Arts Centre | |url=https://www.nenagh.ie/news/article/the-nualas-say-lock-up-your-husbands-at-nenagh-arts-centre |website=Nenagh.ie}}
- One Night of Dignity – 2012{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Kernan |date=29 March 2012 |title=The Nualas: One Night of Dignity |url=https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/50629/the-nualas-one-night-of-dignity |website=Galway Advertiser}}
- Hello Again - We're the Nualas – 2014
Discography
- Live & Available - 2012{{Discogs release|id=21340396|name=Live & Available|type=album}}{{unreliable source|date=October 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nualas, The}}
Category:Irish comedy musicians
Category:Comedy musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1995
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2018
Category:BBC Radio comedy programmes