Geraldine Quinn - The Passion of Saint Nicholas

Geraldine Quinn is a name associated with very vibrant cabaret which is enhanced by her song writing and her incredibly powerful vocals. However, this show is particularly special. Quinn shares some of her darkest moments of grief as she tells the story of losing her brother to brain cancer. This seems unlikely material for comedy, but she pays beautiful tribute to his life and his remarkable character via an array of hysterical childhood memories. The reflections on their relationship and their family dynamics are stories that the audience can easily relate to, and this gives the show incredible power.

Quinn’s sense of loss is clearly very profound, and this becomes increasingly evident as the show progresses. The material never descends into the macabre or self-pity and the anecdotes are told with warmth, humour, and authenticity. Essentially the show becomes a way to celebrate his life. Quinn very courageously wears her heart on her sleeve in this show and shares some of her most personal and intimate emotions. Her family history, with all its idiosyncratic dysfunctions, is put on full display but in the most endearing and heart-warming manner.

Many of the episodes and emotions are vividly brought to life through Quinn's incredible performance skills and her music. Her stage presence is utterly captivating and her ability to literally recreate and conjure up entire scenarios or events allows the humour to shine through the very tragic story. Quinn seems to set herself an impossible task when making grief the core of her show, but she demonstrates the ability to not only to succeed in this enterprise with enormous grace and humility but also in the most touching manner. It is impossible not to be deeply moved by a combination of tears of sadness and laughter. Quinn skilfully finds ways to allow them both to sit together with tenderness and naturalness.

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Evan Munro-Smith