Harry O'Donovan
Encyclopedia
Harry O'Donovan was an Irish
comedy scriptwriter, stage manager and actor.
and was apprenticed to a painter. In his spare time, he took part in amateur dramatics, finally joining a troupe of actors and touring Ireland for several years. In 1924 he got to know Jimmy O'Dea
in a production of You Never Can Tell at the Abbey Theatre.
In 1927 he formed a partnership with Jimmy O'Dea
. Their first show was Look Who's Here in the Queens Theatre. Their first pantomime was Sinbad in 1929 in the Olympia Theatre. Together they created O'Dea's most famous character, Biddy Mulligan. The character Biddy Mulligan is referenced in many Dublin music hall songs such as "Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe
", "Daffy the Belle of the Coombe" and "The Charladies' Ball
". For thirty years from 1929 they produced two shows a year in Dublin, first in the Oympia, later in the Gaiety.
He wrote many scripts for Radio Éireann
. He also acted as business manager and stage manager for O'Dea and the rest of the cast, and acted in bit parts in plays, sketches and pantomimes.
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...
comedy scriptwriter, stage manager and actor.
Life
He was born in Dublin, IrelandIreland
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 was apprenticed to a painter. In his spare time, he took part in amateur dramatics, finally joining a troupe of actors and touring Ireland for several years. In 1924 he got to know Jimmy O'Dea
Jimmy O'Dea
James Augustine "Jimmy" O'Dea was an Irish actor and comedian.-Life:Jimmy O'Dea was born in Lower Bridge Street, Dublin, where his mother kept a small toy-shop. He was one of 11 children. His father was an iron-monger and had a shop in Capel Street. He was educated at Blackrock College and...
in a production of You Never Can Tell at the Abbey Theatre.
In 1927 he formed a partnership with Jimmy O'Dea
Jimmy O'Dea
James Augustine "Jimmy" O'Dea was an Irish actor and comedian.-Life:Jimmy O'Dea was born in Lower Bridge Street, Dublin, where his mother kept a small toy-shop. He was one of 11 children. His father was an iron-monger and had a shop in Capel Street. He was educated at Blackrock College and...
. Their first show was Look Who's Here in the Queens Theatre. Their first pantomime was Sinbad in 1929 in the Olympia Theatre. Together they created O'Dea's most famous character, Biddy Mulligan. The character Biddy Mulligan is referenced in many Dublin music hall songs such as "Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe
Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe
Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe is a song written by Seamas Kavanagh in the 1930s, and made famous by the performances of the music-hall singer and comedian Jimmy O'Dea, who also took on the persona of the charismatic stall-holder.-History of the Song:The song-writer Seamus Kavanagh...
", "Daffy the Belle of the Coombe" and "The Charladies' Ball
The Charladies' Ball
"The Charladies' Ball" is an Irish folk song written by Harry O'Donovan and popularised by his collaborator, music-hall singer and comedian Jimmy O'Dea...
". For thirty years from 1929 they produced two shows a year in Dublin, first in the Oympia, later in the Gaiety.
He wrote many scripts for Radio Éireann
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
. He also acted as business manager and stage manager for O'Dea and the rest of the cast, and acted in bit parts in plays, sketches and pantomimes.