The Theatre Royal in Limerick will open its doors once more after 30 years for the reimagining of the life of Hollywood actress Constance Smith.
She starred in over 30 films and presented at the 1952 Academy Awards, but the actress who was better known as Connie, has largely been forgotten in her native Limerick, until now.
Born in 1929 on Wolfe Tone Street in Limerick, Connie entered a lookalike competition which brought her to England where she played some small roles, before Hollywood came calling.
Her star shone brightly in the 1950s.
Limerick historian Sharon Slater has researched her life extensively.
"She played the lead role in Taxi. She beat Grace Kelly to get that role, so it shows who she was up against, and now everybody knows the name Grace Kelly but they don't know the name Constance Smith," she said.
After ten years in Hollywood, the actress turned her back on the spotlight and led a life as a recluse in London.
"She ended up working as a cleaner in a hospital and living in her flat, and not talking to anybody," Ms Slater said. "She even avoided her own family towards the end," she said.
Joanne Ryan and Ann Blake are members of Limerick's artistic community.
They attended a talk by Ms Slater on 'Forgotten Women of Limerick' and heard about Constance Smith for the first time.
"We couldn't understand why we had never heard of her," Ms Ryan said. "We became fascinated by her and by her incredible life, and by the reasons why some women are forgotten."
The playwrights wrote the play 'Connie' which opens at the iconic Theatre Royal in Limerick this week.
"From 1947 the building was a cinema and it screened some of Constance's films and it felt like the perfect home for the work, and the faded grandeur and forgotten glory really beautifully mirrored her story as well," Ms Ryan said.
The Theatre Royal played host to The Cranberries and was the location for the filming of the Eurovision episode of Father Ted.
Limerick Twenty Thirty, an economic development company, led the renovations as part of its social remit.
He said: "We were delighted to be involved in the Theatre Royal project in association with Mayor John Moran who provided the funding," said James Collins, Chairperson of Limerick Twenty Thirty.
"We wanted to keep some of the charm of the Theatre Royal. It has a huge history and we were keen, and the Mayor was keen especially, to get it back open and get back in use.
"It was nice that we would be able to have a show about a very famous Limerick lady in a very famous Limerick venue."
It is hoped the theatre can remain open long-term after the production of 'Connie'.
For now, Connie's star will shine once again in her native city.
A Hollywood star has also been unveiled in Limerick's People's Park in her honour.
"It's so nice hearing people saying her name now," said Ms Slater. "She shouldn't be forgotten ever again."
