Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#83): Mary Kennedy, HAIL MARY NONE OF THE GRACE
As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by writer Mary Kennedy to chat about their show, Hail Mary, None of the Grace.
Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
Mary Kennedy, yes, one of those Kennedys, third cousins twice removed; all of the tragedy, none of the money. No Irish Catholic story is complete without a mention of a good Irish funeral! Join Mary as she lays her mother to rest and through her mother’s dying, Mary learned how to live. After my mom died, I could finally live my life for me. I have had so many friends lose their parents and not sure what do with their lives. I made a pact with myself to live the life I want to live. When you have a parent with terminal illness, you live everyday, wondering if this will be the day you get the call. There was a relief after my mom died and I was now free to put the focus back on me. Yes, I have had some guilt about this, but I wanted my kids to see a mom, who could grieve, but also keep moving. I think my mom and dad would be proud of me. My dad died 10 years before my mom. It is odd, sometimes lonely and a bit freeing, being on earth without your parents.
What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
We did a tour of Mid Life Mood Swing for 2 years all over the US, including a one-nighter Off Broadway and ended the tour in Canada at Second City, Toronto. At Second City, we performed in the John Candy Box theatre, on the same stage, that many incredible comic performers have over the years. John Candy, Mike Myers, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Eugene Levy.... I knew we needed to tour internationally, so we wanted to do Edinburgh Fringe and after we performed in Canada, we were sure we would do well in the UK. Hail Mary, None of the Grace is a sequel to Mid Life Mood Swing. It talks about my catholic upbringing and Irish lineage and thought that would be a good fit for Edinburgh Fringe. Plus, I recurred on the US version of Shameless, as "New Fiona" and Shameless started in the UK.
How would you describe your show in three words?
Death, Birth, Rebirth
What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
That humor can get you through anything.
What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, my sense of humor and knowing I am part of the biggest Fringe in the world. We are all in this together!!!
Where and when can people see your show?
Hail Mary, None of the Grace, Gilded Balloon, Appleton Tower, Eve Space, 3:40pm every day. July 30-August 24. Tix: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5611/
READ MORE FROM THE FRINGE..
