Dauntless: Grace O'Malley, Pirate Queen
Hawksworth Wood Village Hall, LEEDS, LS5 3PT
Thursday 29th October 2026 2:00PM
Award winning international storyteller & performer Debs Newbold gleefully delivers the boisterous, remarkable and inspirational story of her hero: Grainne ni Mhaille, aka Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish clan chief and queen of the sea.
Stowing away aboard her father’s ship aged 8, Grace became a 16th century force of nature. A multilingual, seafaring weapons expert, leader of 2000 men, rebel, politician, kingmaker and slayer, prodigious lover, avenging hero and notorious pirate. Best of all, she was real.
From the west of Ireland to the court of Elizabeth I, from wild youth to even wilder old age, Dauntless is an epic celebration of uproarious stand-up storytelling, high drama and one fascinating 16th century feminist. No knights in shining armour need apply.
Running Time: 90 mins straight through.
Guidance: For adults and children 14+.
Contains descriptions of birth, postnatal bleeding, sex, violence and death.
“Debs is magnificent” – Blindboy
“charismatic storyteller” – The Guardian
”a sublime performer. Utterly mesmerising to watch” – Shappi Khorsandi
Where possible, Red Ladder encourages you to travel by public transport/active travel where possible, use this free tool to figure out how to travel to us sustainably https://travel.yousmartthing.com/
The venue is wheelchair/pushchair accessible, and has wifi, a hearing loop, accessible toilet/baby changing and a quiet area but please let us know of any specific access requirements when booking so we can make you feel welcome.
Stowing away aboard her father’s ship aged 8, Grace became a 16th century force of nature. A multilingual, seafaring weapons expert, leader of 2000 men, rebel, politician, kingmaker and slayer, prodigious lover, avenging hero and notorious pirate. Best of all, she was real.
From the west of Ireland to the court of Elizabeth I, from wild youth to even wilder old age, Dauntless is an epic celebration of uproarious stand-up storytelling, high drama and one fascinating 16th century feminist. No knights in shining armour need apply.
Running Time: 90 mins straight through.
Guidance: For adults and children 14+.
Contains descriptions of birth, postnatal bleeding, sex, violence and death.
“Debs is magnificent” – Blindboy
“charismatic storyteller” – The Guardian
”a sublime performer. Utterly mesmerising to watch” – Shappi Khorsandi
Where possible, Red Ladder encourages you to travel by public transport/active travel where possible, use this free tool to figure out how to travel to us sustainably https://travel.yousmartthing.com/
The venue is wheelchair/pushchair accessible, and has wifi, a hearing loop, accessible toilet/baby changing and a quiet area but please let us know of any specific access requirements when booking so we can make you feel welcome.
Event Details
Doors Open at 1:30PM
From 2:00PM to 3:00PM
