Brendan O'Carroll brings Agnes Brown back to the stage

Mar 28 2008 By Tony Collins

WATCH out, she's back! Agnes Brown, alias Irish comedian and playwright Brendan O'Carroll, is returning to Birmingham for another riotous instalment in the life of the fictitious matriarch.

Originally created to fill a five minute slot on a radio station in Ireland, Mrs Brown has evolved to become the subject of a series of books and plays, and even a Hollywood film.

But it is on the stage that 'she' is most fondly regarded, so fans will be delighted that Brendan has gone back on his word and written a fourth comedy play, entitled For The Love of Mrs Brown, which runs at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre from April 1-12.

I caught up with Brendan at the Alex during a flying visit from Liverpool where the latest Mrs Brown had just enjoyed its UK premiere.

The first three instalments were produced in 2000, 2002 and 2004, after which Mrs Brown was supposed to bow out gracefully.

Brendan said: "As soon as I put the first one on the stage, I knew it was a trilogy, but then I started to see it as more of a series. I was asked to write a new Mrs Brown for the 2008 City of Culture in Liverpool, so I suppose until someone says 'no more', I shall keep on writing them."

Mrs Brown began after Brendan was asked to write a fill-in slot for RTE in Ireland, which ended up running every day for two-and-half years.

"I could tell you I was a genius and that I knew this was going to be a massive success, but that's not so. What has happened has just been amazing."

For The Love of Mrs Brown runs at the Alexandra Theatre from April 1-12. For tickets, priced £13 to £22.50, call 0844 847 2293.