Aideen O'Kelly
Encyclopedia
Aideen O'Kelly is an Irish actress of stage
and television
, who works in both Ireland
and the United States
.
She appeared on Broadway in New York
in Othello
(as Emilia) and in Philadelphia Here I Come!
(as Lizzy Sweeney). She has also appeared in numerous Irish Repertory Theatre productions in NYC.
She appeared off-Broadway on several occasions, most notably in Samuel Beckett
's Happy Days
as "Winnie". She earned the following 1987 review from Mel Gussow
of the New York Times for this role:
"Aideen O'Kelly conforms more than many of her predecessors to the physical outline suggested by the author: blond, plump and bosomy. At the outset, the actress has an amiable, almost chipper quality as she goes through Winnie's ritual ablutions and her marital memories. But when she is called upon to laugh, the laughter is forced...[A]s in all of Beckett, the power is in the ambiguities, and Ms. O'Kelly is less ambiguous than she should be. She only begins to capture the eloquence of the play...[S]he is, however, engaging, and she is indisputably Irish. Before coming to America, Ms. O'Kelly was a member of the Abbey Theatre
. Her director, Siobhan O'Casey, herself an actress and a designer, is the daughter of Sean O'Casey
. In her production, which represents her directorial debut, one is aware of the Irish lilt of Beckett's language."
She has appeared on American television in Third Watch
and Law & Order
.
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, who works in both Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
She appeared on Broadway in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
(as Emilia) and in Philadelphia Here I Come!
Philadelphia Here I Come!
Philadelphia, Here I Come! is a 1964 play by Irish dramatist Brian Friel. Set in the fictional town of Ballybeg, Co.Donegal, the play launched Friel onto the international stage.-Plot:...
(as Lizzy Sweeney). She has also appeared in numerous Irish Repertory Theatre productions in NYC.
She appeared off-Broadway on several occasions, most notably in Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
's Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
as "Winnie". She earned the following 1987 review from Mel Gussow
Mel Gussow
Melvyn H. Gussow was an American theater critic, movie critic, and author who wrote for The New York Times for 35 years.-Biography:...
of the New York Times for this role:
"Aideen O'Kelly conforms more than many of her predecessors to the physical outline suggested by the author: blond, plump and bosomy. At the outset, the actress has an amiable, almost chipper quality as she goes through Winnie's ritual ablutions and her marital memories. But when she is called upon to laugh, the laughter is forced...[A]s in all of Beckett, the power is in the ambiguities, and Ms. O'Kelly is less ambiguous than she should be. She only begins to capture the eloquence of the play...[S]he is, however, engaging, and she is indisputably Irish. Before coming to America, Ms. O'Kelly was a member of the Abbey Theatre
Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre , also known as the National Theatre of Ireland , is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The Abbey first opened its doors to the public on 27 December 1904. Despite losing its original building to a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the present day...
. Her director, Siobhan O'Casey, herself an actress and a designer, is the daughter of Sean O'Casey
Seán O'Casey
Seán O'Casey was an Irish dramatist and memoirist. A committed socialist, he was the first Irish playwright of note to write about the Dublin working classes.- Early life:...
. In her production, which represents her directorial debut, one is aware of the Irish lilt of Beckett's language."
She has appeared on American television in Third Watch
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
and Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
.