The world of theatre has now added its own feisty, female power-grab… with a show that stars two Wonder Women. It’s Wine O’Clock is the sharpest comedy of the year, and it was devised and written by Rozlyn Sheridan and Teresa McBride. The dynamic duo also play every character in the show – both gals and guys. Clearly Rozlyn and Teresa are hugely talented, on a scale that would delight any superhero. Though what makes them so successful is their ability to understand the foibles and fumbles of ordinary people. Then add a comic twist.
It’s Wine O’Clock takes place at a wedding in the fictional Ballymuff Hotel, south of the Irish border. Seamus, a farmer from South Armagh, is marrying Sharon, a Belfast girl he met on Tinder, who is heavily pregnant. The story of the couple’s special day is told by various people at the wedding, including Yummy Mummies, elderly grannies, a pair of farmers… plus other characters, both familiar and fun.
Add to this heady mix the ‘Winebulance’, a sort of ambulance that provides wine instead of bandages and pills. The play involves a lot of quick changes for Rozlyn and Teresa. It also showcases their acute observational skills and comic timing. “I absolutely love it,” said Teresa, from Glassdrummond in Silverbridge, South Armagh. “When we are in the right costume and wig and have our props, it’s quite easy to jump into each character.”
She added: “The fact that we play such a range of characters, and that our costume changes are so fast, is actually quite the talking point with our audience. On a few different occasions some people thought there were four people in the show – which we’ve taken as a compliment!”
The girls are already a huge deal in their native Ireland and on the Internet, where they first experimented with many of their characters, including the popular Nuala and Noleen, who have their own Facebook page where videos appear regularly.
“They are a big hit with the audience,” said Teresa. “They struggle with diets and with Tinder. Their dance part in the show is a big crowd pleaser as people can see themselves, or their sister or friends, in the girls.”
Rozlyn and Teresa performed together in the play, Dirty Dusting, three years ago, and have also worked on various other projects. They met through Rozlyn’s sister, Edel, who was Teresa’s performing arts teacher. Then Roz set up her own stage school and hired Teresa to teach drama and dance. Sharing a sense of humour, they quickly became best friends and have worked effortlessly together for fourteen years, enjoying showbiz stints in plays, panto and radio.
But nothing prepared them for the huge success of It’s Wine O’Clock, which all started with the Nuala and Noleen Facebook page. With the characters proving such a hit on the Internet, Rozlyn and Teresa quickly devised the stage show in March of this year. The first performances at Newry City Hall in County Down were all sell outs, as were later Irish shows. Which is why the girls have decided to take It’s Wine O’Clock on the road in the UK.
Rozlyn, who is from Newry, said: “After attending eight weddings last year I knew that it would be the perfect setting to incorporate all the characters that we play. And we were also able to link them together with a storyline that has a great twist at the end.” She said the audience reaction has been overwhelming: “We have to learn to ride the laughs and try not to laugh ourselves on stage, as the belly laughs are infectious.
“We’ve received unbelievable reviews, some very touching, from women who were feeling low and felt that the show had been such a tonic. “The main comment we hear is that the show should be prescribed through the NHS. Also that we would give Mrs Brown a run for her money… which is a huge compliment to us both!”
