Background
Catherine McShane was born in Dublin, Ireland, the fourth of seventeen children born to Daniel and Kate McShane, of whom only seven survived to adulthood.
Catherine McShane was born in Dublin, Ireland, the fourth of seventeen children born to Daniel and Kate McShane, of whom only seven survived to adulthood.
In 1910 Arthur Lucan was touring Ireland and was playing his pantomime Little Red Riding Hood in Dublin. Here he met McShane, who successfully auditioned for a part in the show as a singer. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle (2 October 1915, Dublin – 1 January 1970).
McShane and Lucan became a popular music hall and film double act during their nearly forty years together.
McShane appeared in 14 of the 15 films. Lucan and McShane"s marriage was difficult, possibly due to their age difference and the rumours of McShane"s many affairs, and they separated in 1951.
In McShane"s last film, Old Mother Riley"s Jungle Treasure (1951), their scenes were filmed on separate days. McShane opened a beauty salon, which failed, while Lucan continued to support her financially.
Following Lucan"s death in 1954, McShane continued the act with impersonator Roy Rolland playing the "Mother Riley" role, but the venture was not successful.
McShane was found dead at her London home on 30 March 1964 (date given on her will), aged 66, from undisclosed causes. In 1982, Alan Plater wrote a play, On Your Way, Riley, about Arthur Lucan"s life with Kitty McShane, with songs by Alex Glasgow. This was also broadcast on Independent Television in 1985 with Brian Murphy and Maureen Lipman in the leading roles.
