Molly Lynch Explained

Molly Lynch is an Irish actress, singer and musician who is best known for playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years.

Early life and education

Lynch grew up in the Frankfield area of Douglas in Cork.[1] Her paternal grandfather was Irish singer Pat Lynch, and her maternal grandfather, Con McGowan, was an opera singer.[2] She trained at the Cork School of Music, graduating with a BA in music in 2012[3] and also trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London in 2013–2014.

Career

Lynch made her West End debut in the ENO production of Carousel with Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins in 2017 at London Coliseum.[4]

In 2017 Lynch joined the cast of Sunset Boulevard as Betty Schaefer. The show also included Ria Jones as Norma Desmond and Danny Mac and went on a UK tour, after opening at the Curve theatre in Leicester.[5] In 2020 the Curve announced the streaming of the show as part of "Curve - at Home", when the theatre had to remain closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Lynch was part of The Light in the Piazza at the Royal Festival Hall in 2019, as a member of the ensemble and understudy for the role of Clara (played by Dove Cameron). Cast for the show included: Renée Fleming, Dove Cameron, Alex Jennings and Rob Houchen.[6] [7] [8] The musical transferred to the LA Opera for a short run in October 2019.[9]

Lynch then played the role of Cathy in the two-people Jason Robert Brown musical The Last Five Years at the Southwark Playhouse in 2020. The show closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March/April and re-opened in October of the same year.[10] Alongside Lynch, actor Oli Higginson joined her in the unique version of the show, where both actors were accompanying songs playing various instruments.[11] The musical finally transferred to the Garrick Theatre in the West End in 2021 for a limited one-month run before closing in the same year.[12]

In August 2024 it was announced that Lynch will star as Eliza Doolittle in the Leicester Curve's production of My Fair Lady, directed by Artistic Director Nikolai Foster.[13]

Stage

YearTitleRoleTheatre
2012Sweeney ToddEnsemble, cover JohannaEnglish National Opera
2017Carouselstandby Julie JordanEnglish National Opera
2017Sunset BoulevardBetty SchaeferLeicester Curve and UK tour
2019The Light in the PiazzaEnsemble, u/s ClaraRoyal Festival Hall and LA Opera
2019 - 20202021The Last Five YearsCathy HiattSouthwark PlayhouseGarrick Theatre
2023Killing the CatHeather
2024 - 2025My Fair LadyEliza DoolittleLeicester Curve

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017Long Walk to NeverGirlShort film
2018Kerry Mucklowe: Silent NightShort film
2020The Last Five YearsCathy Hiatt
2020Sunset BoulevardBetty Schaeferstreamed by Curve at Home

References

  1. News: 2018-06-07 . A Question of Taste: Actress and singer Molly Lynch . subscription . 2024-09-17 . Irish Examiner . en.
  2. News: 'Women are very vulnerable in this industry' . 2024-09-17 . The Irish Times . en.
  3. Web site: MTU . Munster Technological University- . From MTU Cork School of Music to London's West End: Molly Lynch's Journey in Music and Theatre . 2024-09-17 . www.mtu.ie . en.
  4. Web site: Mukisa . Shirley . 2016-11-25 . Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic Carousel comes to the London Coliseum . 2024-09-17 . English National Opera . en-GB.
  5. Web site: 2017-07-03 . Further casting announced for UK tour of Sunset Boulevard . 2024-09-17 . en-US.
  6. Web site: The Light In The Piazza – London . 2024-09-17 . Scenario Two . en-GB.
  7. Web site: The Light In The Piazza Tickets Starring Dove Cameron London, UK . 2024-09-17 . London Theatre . en.
  8. Web site: The Light in the Piazza Tickets Royal Festival Hall West End Theatre . 2024-09-17 . www.westendtheatre.com . en-GB.
  9. Web site: Fowler . Nikki . 2019-10-14 . Dove Cameron Lights Up the Stage Opposite Renée Fleming in 'The Light in the Piazza' at LA Opera Glitter Magazine . 2024-09-17 . glittermagazine.co . en-US.
  10. Meyer . Dan . September 1, 2020 . Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson Will Return to The Last Five Years in London . Playbill.
  11. Web site: 2020-01-24 . The Last Five Years at Southwark Playhouse cast to include Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson . 2024-09-17 . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2021-09-13 . The Last Five Years prepares for West End transfer . 2024-09-17 . en-US.
  13. Web site: Stephi Wild . August 15, 2024 . Molly Lynch Will Lead Curve's Production of Lerner and Loewe's MY FAIR LADY . 2024-09-17 . BroadwayWorld.

External links