A Very Odd Birthday Party

A Very Odd Birthday Party revels in the complexities of family, working-class identity and memory. It asks: Can you ever really know someone? Or know too much? Are there parts of ourselves we must simply reconcile with in silence? 

This is your invitation to Michael Moriarty’s birthday party.

Once there, you'll join mother-to-be, Eveline- and her dad, Michael Moriarty, on a journey that penetrates the psyche, humour and trauma of first- and second-generation migrants in the UK. 

Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, A Very Odd Birthday Party is a new play by Hannah Donelon featuring live, traditional music. Anna Berentzen (Headlong Origins 2022; Royal Exchange; North Wall Theatre) directs a talented cast of actor-musicians in a tale filled with humour, suffering, loss and hope. The play includes themes of dementia and displacement, with some sexual references (14+ age recommendation).

Hawkseed's tour is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and by funding from the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester. A Very Odd Birthday Party received development funding from The Production Exchange and is delivered in partnership with The Met and Liverpool Irish Festival.

Hawkseed Theatre support, celebrate and develop new writing for the stage; raising often under- or misrepresented voices on stage. Creative audio description will be embedded into the script, with expertise from Chloë Clarke.

For this performance we are offering “pay what you decide” tickets. These tickets are available for those facing financial difficulty so that you can still access our work. Please only select this option if you are facing financial difficulty, after the show there will be an opportunity to pay whatever feels right for you.

Director Anna Berentzen Writer Hannah Donelon Audio Description Consultant Chloë Clarke Set and Costume Designer Ellie Light Sound Designer Charlotte Barber Lighting Designer Charly Dunford Stage Manager Sophie Rushworth Producers Sara Abanur and Lauren Cresswell Musical Supervisor Emma Sweeney Photographer, Videographer and Marketing Support Aaron Howell

Running time 90 mins approx

Performance Information

Please note – the bar will close 15 minutes before the advertised start time.

Latecomers will not be admitted so please arrive in good time.

Please contact Box Office on0151 709 4321 if you require wheelchair access. There are two wheelchair spaces available for each show.

If you want to have dinner before the show, we recommend the Courtyard Bar & Kitchen next door to the theatre.  Book a table on their website by clicking here. 

There are no booking fees payable (hurrah!)