'They always told me to be good...good girls go to heaven. What they didn't tell me was that wicked women can go where the hell they like!'
Born in 1960 in Birkenhead, in the middle of a rebellion ('Well me Mum's protestant and me Dad's a catholic, and they never wed till I was eleven yer know!'). A product of the Liverpool Irish communities clustered around Lairds ship yard and the Mersey tunnels, Julie McNamara's sharp wit and spare-no-punches style leaves the audience reeling, roaring with laughter or cringing in their seats begging for mercy. She has a bark that's every bit as determined as her bite....but, according to the Bishop of Harrow, has: 'The voice of an angel stirring the soul to song....'
She began singing professionally after somebody heard her sing at a pub sing-around and offered her a gig. That was ten years ago. She's worked in Fringe Theatre, Theatre in Education, Cabaret and in and around the Women's circuit and the Folk scenes in England and Ireland ever since. As her style grew more confident, so the introductory stories between the songs grew. The patter is quick-fire, the content outrageous or ludicrous, but never dull. Nowadays she is booked as often for her comic value on-stage as her ballard singing or songwriting. But 'comedian' is a label she squirms under, as her worst fear is that people will expect her to be funny. Funny? She's knickerwetting!
'Julie McNamara is a professional singer, songwriter and storyteller. She writes and performs her own shows and regularly appears on television and radio. She is a radical activist in Mental Health and has taught voice and creative writing for many years across Europe. Her work is driven by her passions, for justice and for a radical society where difference is a celebration. Her acerbic wit and wizardry with words constantly challenge and entertain.'
'Julie McNamara is reknowned for her acerbic wit, wizardry with words and enigmatic singing voice. Her presence on the Performing Arts circuits has made a considerable impact over the past fifteen years. Described by Sandra Berwick of The Independent as: 'A brilliant performer, star quality....' and by the Riverside Studios as 'one of the best Lesbian artists living today'.
She's also well known as a Survivor of the mental health systems and is a powerful activist in the field of Mental Health. Her essay 'Out of Order' focussing on the betrayal of women in the psychiatric system was published last year by the Women's Press in 'Encounters with Strangers' edited by Jenny Morris. Driven by a passion for justice for a fairer world, she sees diffence as a celebration not a contamination. She's challenging, and she never fails to entertain!'
'The special guest star of the evening, Julie McNamara was greeted with tumultuous applause and she certainly didn't let us down....with a combination of powerful songs and witty anecdotes. She was strong, stunning and altogether a wonderful performer. Her handling of an unruly audience has to be seen to be believed!'
'Julie McNamara delivers a highly distinctive blend of story-telling, stand-up comedy, poetry and songs that come straight from the heart. She relaxes and softens the listener with a fine sense of the rediculous and follows through with a hard- hitting political commentary. Her powerful vocal delivery with songs stirs the imagination. Don't miss the chance of seeing her!'
She had me laughing 'till my sides ached...and sang ballards with such feeling that I genuinely shed a tear. Definitely worth the ticket money!'
She takes us through extreems of emotion from Irish classics and magnetises the audience with a mixture of songs and torrid tales that reveal an outrageous sense of humour and a reertoire of rapid gob fire.'
A great night out with U.K. acclaimed comedienne, back by popular demand! Julie McNamara's angelic voice floated round the rafters with traditional Irish ballads and spouted some outrageous anecdotes that would make your granny blush. Altogether a great evening enjoyed by a large turn-out of women from as far away a Cheltenham, Gloucester, Swindon and London....shows that word's got round.'
'The highlight of the evening came with Julie McNamara, a brilliant performer....Star of the night.'
'Julie McNamara has the rare skill of capturing an audience through the instant rapport she strikes up.'
'One of the finest Lesbian artists living,'
'Julie brings hope to Disability Arts....her stage presence and energy are at a gripping level'
'Politicised, hard-hitting vocalist,Julie McNamara has been hailed as a punkfolksinger, wicked wit and serious comic: she never fails to entertain.'
'Hand on Heart I admit to being beguiled and to falling love with Julie McNamara's superior songs and poems. Many an angel was weeping, I'm sure, as Julie's celestial voice floated upwards...Talent, talent, talent.'
'She's a powerful singer and storyteller who writes songs with grit and passion.'
'Hard hitting contemporary ballads mixed with spare-no-punches humour.'
'Outrageous!'
'Wonderfully professional!'
'Utterly reprehensible'