Harry O'Donovan facts for kids
Harry O'Donovan (born around 1896, died 1973) was a very talented Irish writer. He wrote funny plays and scripts. He also worked as a stage manager and actor. Harry helped create many popular shows in Ireland.
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Harry O'Donovan's Early Life and Career
Harry O'Donovan was born in Dublin, Ireland. When he was young, he trained to be a painter. But Harry loved acting more! In his free time, he joined amateur drama groups. These were groups of people who acted for fun.
Soon, Harry joined a group of professional actors. He traveled all over Ireland with them for several years. In 1924, he met Jimmy O'Dea. They were both in a play called You Never Can Tell. This play was at the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
Working with Jimmy O'Dea
In 1927, Harry O'Donovan and Jimmy O'Dea became partners. They worked together to create amazing shows. Their first show was Look Who's Here. It was performed at the Queens Theatre. Their first pantomime was Sinbad in 1929. This was at the Olympia Theatre.
Together, they created Jimmy O'Dea's most famous character. This was a funny lady named Biddy Mulligan.
For thirty years, starting in 1929, they put on two shows every year in Dublin. First, they performed at the Olympia. Later, they moved to the Gaiety.
Harry also wrote many scripts for Radio Éireann. This was Ireland's national radio station. He also managed the business and stage for O'Dea and the other actors. Plus, he acted in small roles in plays, sketches, and pantomimes.
Harry O'Donovan's Legacy
Harry O'Donovan was famous for his funny sketches and plays. But he was especially known for creating the character Mrs. Biddy Mulligan. His long-time partner, Jimmy O'Dea, played Biddy Mulligan. Jimmy performed as Biddy in many theatre shows and recorded sketches.
The Biddy Mulligan Character
Biddy Mulligan was Jimmy O'Dea's most famous role. They recorded many popular records of Biddy Mulligan. These recordings included funny sketches like Biddy Mulligan on the Tram. Other popular ones were Biddy Mulligan in Court and Mrs. Mulligan Nearly Wins the Sweep. There was also Biddy Mulligan Casts Her Vote and Biddy Mulligan at the Racecourse.
Harry O'Donovan also wrote songs that mentioned Biddy Mulligan. These included Daffodil Mulligan and The Charladies' Ball. The most famous song was Biddy Mulligan the pride of the Coombe. Harry wrote this song with songwriter Seamus Kavanagh.
A Successful Partnership
Harry O'Donovan and Jimmy O'Dea were very successful together. They helped each other shine. Their partnership lasted for 30 years. Harry's writing came to life with Jimmy's funny acting. Because of this amazing duo, they created some of the most popular shows in Dublin in the 1930s and 1940s.
Harry O'Donovan played a big part in Irish drama. He brought Irish music hall traditions to the theatre. This was a new, fun style. It was similar to the English music hall comedians who visited Ireland. This new style replaced the more serious Irish plays of that time. Harry is one of the people who shaped modern Irish drama.
He made his scripts very Irish. He included Irish life, speech, and place names. This made his plays easy for Irish people to relate to. His Irish references and humor made his plays very successful across the nation.
Songs Written by Harry O'Donovan
- The Vamp of Inchicore
- Rathgar
- The Charladies' Ball
- Men
- Daffodil Mulligan
