Award-winning storyteller, performer and theatremaker Debs Newbold will continue the international tour of her acclaimed solo production Dauntless: Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen with dates across the UK and a performance at the Amsterdam Storytelling Festival.
Following successful performances in Ireland, the USA and Norway, the production will visit venues in Bristol, London, Yorkshire, Nottingham and beyond between September and December 2026.
Written and performed by Newbold, Dauntless: Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen tells the story of the extraordinary 16th-century Irish clan chief, political strategist and pirate leader Grace O’Malley, whose life challenged the expectations and limitations placed on women of her era.
The solo show follows O’Malley’s journey from the west coast of Ireland to the court of Elizabeth I, exploring her rise to power and enduring legacy through Newbold’s distinctive style of storytelling.
Described as a blend of history, humour and adventure, the production aims to bring new life to the story of one of Ireland’s most remarkable historical figures.
Newbold is internationally recognised for her work as a performer, writer, director and trainer. Her storytelling credits include appearances at the Royal Opera House, Shakespeare’s Globe, the RSC, Hay Festival, the BBC and the United Nations.
Her previous work includes the acclaimed Lost In Blue, which was an Edinburgh Festival Fringe hit and OFFIE finalist, while her retellings of Shakespeare’s tragedies have toured internationally and helped establish a dedicated strand of storytelling work at Shakespeare’s Globe.
The production has already attracted praise from audiences and artists alike, with Aardman co-founder Peter Lord describing the show as: “An inspired storyteller…DAUNTLESS is vivid”.
The upcoming tour includes performances at The Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol, Hoxton Hall and The Lion & Unicorn Theatre in London, as well as appearances in Todmorden, Nottingham, Leeds, Wakefield and Barnsley, before heading to the Amsterdam Storytelling Festival in November.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
