Mother of acting roles: Imelda May on telling the story of an influential, witty Irish woman 

The singer and actress is delighted with this chance to shine a spotlight on Kathleen Behan, mother of Brendan, Brian and Dominic — and a powerhouse in her own right, writes Esther McCarthy

Imelda May in Mother of all the Behans adapted and directed by Peter Sheridan at The 3Olympia Theatre from August 15

If you see Imelda May chatting to herself this summer, pay her no heed. 

"I'll look like I'm talking to myself," May admits — but she is preparing herself to play one of the Irish women she most admires.