Philippa O’Hara is a professional singer and actress from Belfast. From an early age Philippa has had a passion for performing (some of her earliest family photographs are of her holding a microphone!). Philippa studied performing arts at B.I.F.H.E and then went on to finish her studies at Queens University. After her studies, Philippa attended numerous auditions for lots of exciting projects, including the acclaimed show ‘Over The Rainbow’, the BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for a new Dorothy. Philippa gained a very respectable place in the top 20 out of 10,000 performers all over the country. After her adventures in London, Philippa decided to come back home and hone her craft where she hasn’t looked back since!Â
What genre/style do you create in?
Lots of different genres! The past few years, I have been lucky enough to work extensively with the wonderful Cahoots NI, performing in many of their renowned productions all over Ireland, America and China. I also perform as a singer in very prestigious events all over Ireland such as The Player’s Dinner at The Open 2019 and Lush! Classical with the Ulster Orchestra in front of a sold out crowd of 11,000 people. My sister Jolene and I perform under the name Songbirds and we have sold out many events with our live band over the years. I also have a children’s entertainment business with Jolene called The Frozen Princess.
What would you be best known for?
For my singing and for performing in many Cahoots NI shows!
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
I think my biggest achievement is being able to make acting and singing a full time career here in Northern Ireland. I have been very fortunate to have had constant work since I started in an industry that can be quite unpredictable and unsteady at times! It has taken a lot of hard work over the years and I don’t take a second of it for granted. I absolutely love my job and feel extremely lucky to be able to say that.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
To never take any job for granted and to grab every opportunity with both hands!
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Covid-19 and the subsequent cancellation of all theatre and music productions has been a huge challenge. I had theatre shows, gigs and big events booked right up until 2022, including two tours of America which was all cancelled and the fallout has been pretty devastating. However, I was feeling a bit burnt out by the time lockdown really kicked in as I had worked continually for a very long time so I used lockdown as an opportunity to rest, recharge and invest time in things I love to do outside of work – but I am so ready to get back to it now! I miss it so much!
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?Â
I love to cook and eat! I am obsessed with astronomy and consider myself an amateur astronomer! I also love reading, travelling, playing my piano and most recently running around after my little puppy, Elvis!! He has kept me very busy and is as cute as a button.
Tell us about your most recent work?
Just before lockdown I completed a tour of Ireland with Cahoots NI’s production of Under The Hawthorn Tree. We played to over 12,000 people!! I played the role of Peggy. It was a beautiful show and I loved every second of it.
What would you like us to tell people about?
I am so excited to be working with Cahoots NI again in the up coming online extravaganza ‘The University of Wonder and Imagination’! We are working to create an exciting, magical, innovative and immersive online experience for families. Times are changing in the theatre world due to Covid-19 and Cahoots NI are at the forefront of this new frontier of online theatre productions. We have a fabulous cast and an amazing crew of very technically talented wizards and it is absolutely not to be missed!!!
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
I am a singer and actor from Belfast who has been very fortunate over the years to perform in some wonderful theatre productions at home and all over the world!
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
Way too many to name just one!! Lots of hilarious stuff happens regularly in rehearsals, we have an absolute ball! My favourite and most memorable times on stage have been with my Shh! We Have A Plan co stars Hugh Brown and Claire Cogan – we have toured China and America twice together and have had the best of times. Most recently in Secrets of Space, a show in which I get to perform alongside my sister, Jolene, we had an absolutely hilarious moment with a snow effect. There is a beautiful illusion at the end of the show that involves stars and snow and we get to have a snowball fight. On one particular occasion, Jolene found herself smack bang in the path of the snow machine and got absolutely covered in snow. Covered. She was like a living snow man! Snow was even stuck in her eyebrows and they were massive!! It was hilarious! Luckily it was a moment in the show where we laugh anyway so it worked well!
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Work hard, be kind and be fun to work with. Develop and nurture as many skills as you can. Be proactive and pursue different avenues and ventures within the arts to give yourself the best possible chance of consistent work.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
Have a nosey on my Instagram to follow my work and to see what I get up to – @philippaohara
Who do you look up to and why?
I am a huge fan of Bette Midler, Freddie Mercury and Prince who are masters of their craft. I also have huge respect for many of my peers who have blown me away with their performances over the years and who have also succeeded in making a living as an actor and singer here in Belfast.
Philippa will be performing in the new Cahoots NI show The University of Wonder & Imagination. The show is an hour-long interactive digital theatre production that allows audiences to effectively direct the performance, based on their interaction with the performers. The University of Wonder & Imagination will be making it’s Northern Ireland premiere at the Belfast International Arts Festival from October 22nd – 25th and 29th – November 1. For more information or to book go to http://www.cahootsni.com/ or https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com/
