Agnes Bernelle's Legacy

Plays about Agnes

Songs In Her Suitcase

Directed by Leticia Agudo with Musical Director Philip Chevron

Púca Puppets bring the story of Agnes Bernelle to life, using a combination of puppetry, mask, documentary images, film and music.

The show travels from Hitler’s Berlin, to the stages of Soho and on to Dublin. Bernelle recalls her experiences as a famous impresario’s daughter in 1930s Berlin, being a refugee in London, her work as a fifteen year old secret agent for the Americans and how she came to cabaret almost by accident. Her cabaret performances are reincarnated through puppetry, featuring songs by Brecht, Weill and Waits.

The show won the Guinness Living Dublin Award in 2004.

Agnes B

An original Suddenly Dance Theatre production inspired by the life of cabaret singer and actress Agnes Bernelle.

Written and Directed by David Ferguson

Agnes - Project Arts Centre

Agnes – a new dance work (2014) choreographed by David Bolger, who as a child was introduced to the theatre by his neighbour, Agnes Bernelle. She took him to Project Arts Centre, where she was Creative Director, and triggered his love of all things theatrical. Agnes is a tribute from that wide-eyed boy. Through six extraordinary dancers and the songs Agnes sang, David Bolger’s latest work will charm and delight you as Agnes’ wry sense of humor, her love for Ireland and her ground-breaking performance style are revealed once again on her beloved Project Arts Centre stage. Read a review here

The Agnes Room in Castle Leslie

Castle Leslie lies in County Monaghan 90 minutes by road from Belfast; the Leslie family (Agnes was married to Desmond Leslie) have lived on the estate for three centuries and now receive paying guest.

“(The) room is as eccentric and as over-the-top as Agnes: a massive four-poster that almost requires a stagehand to mount, posters of Agnes’s plays and concerts, a travelling thespian’s portmanteau, and a dressing-room table surrounded by make-up lights.”

View more about the stunning Castle Leslie here.

Camille O’Sullivan

Find out more about Camille O’ Sullivan, who was inspired by seeing Bernelle.