The Nualas
| Company type | Cabaret trio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Comedy, Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Anne Gildea, Sue Collins, Tara Flynn |
| Defunct | 2018 |
Area served | Ireland, Great Britain, New York, Australia |
| Products | Live performances, Radio series, Music recordings |
The Nualas were a cabaret trio from Ireland, recognized for their comedic parody songs. Established in 1995 by Anne Gildea, Sue Collins, and Tara Flynn, the ensemble portrayed characters all sharing the name Nuala. Over time, Flynn was occasionally substituted by Susanna de Wrixon, Karen Egan, Maria Tecce, and Josephine O'Reilly. Their performances mainly took place across Ireland and Great Britain, with notable appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2001 and 2014, as well as engagements in New York and at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala. The group concluded their activities following a final show in 2018.
In 1998, The Nualas created a series for BBC Radio 4, which included contributions from Paul Tylak and featured a Christmas special episode.
In 2015, they issued "Yes 2 Love," a track endorsing the 'yes' campaign during the Irish marriage equality referendum.
Anne Gildea
Anne Gildea is an Irish comedian and writer, recognized for her role on Gerry Ryan Tonight. As a breast cancer survivor, she has developed a theatrical piece entitled "How to get the Menopause and enjoy it". In 2024, she collaborated with Dr. Louise Newson on the Hormones and Menopause: The Great Debate tour. Her brother, Kevin Gildea, is known for his performances at the International Comedy Cellar.
Sue Collins
Sue Collins is an Irish actress best known for her appearances in Fair City and Raw. Since 2016, she has worked alongside Dundalk stand-up comedian Sinead Culbert as part of the DirtBirds duo, producing sketches, writing, and podcasts. She is married to actor Phelim Drew, and together they have four children.
Tara Flynn
Tara Flynn is an Irish broadcaster, actress, and writer.
Critical reception
In 1999, David Benedict of The Independent characterized the group as "daffy" with a "ludicrously varied musical style," attributing their appeal to "a cunning mixture of sternness and silliness." Ian Shuttleworth of The FT in 2000 described their language as "gloriously daft," suggesting their material was better suited for a "large club" than a "medium-sized theatre," while acknowledging room for development. Lawrence Van Gelder of The New York Times in 2001 commended their "wackily original songbook" and "undeniable overall talent," despite some elements being somewhat tasteless.
Shows
- Hello, We're the Nualas – 1997
- Big Shiny Dress – 1999
- Older Wiser, and Heftier – 2011
- Glitterbomb – 2016
- Lock Up Your Husbands! – 2015
- One Night of Dignity – 2012
- Hello Again - We're the Nualas – 2014
Discography
- Live & Available – 2012