Even a hardened Dublin cop, who pulled Hazel over for some minor
dismeanour, looked at her driver's license and barked: "Hazel O'Connor?
What film was she in then?"

"Breaking Glass!" came Hazel's bemused reply. "That's correct!'' he replied. To this day Hazel is still unsure if he was testing her or had recognised her!

Hazel not only starred as feisty punk singer Kate Crowley in that film but also wrote and sang the 12 song soundtrack which produced hits such as 'Eighth Day' and of course 'Will You'.

Even more top 10 hits and albums came through the eighties, but with the sweetness of that million selling success came the sour reality of the darker side of the music industry when she was left on the verge of bankruptcy due to some flawed record company dealings and then an exhaustingly lengthy process of legal battles with the publishers and record company bosses.

Despite this, she continued singing and acting, including starring in the perhaps aptly named BBC drama Fighting Back and built up a huge loyal following around the world.

In 1998 her autobiographical show 'Beyond Breaking Glass', starring Hazel and harpist Cormac De Barra, was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received rave reviews.

In the 10 years since then, in-between numerous tours and music festival appearances of both an acoustic and full backing band nature, Hazel, who has toured her 'Beyond Breaking Glass' show all over Europe and various other far flung locations such as Australia, is now once again on the road with BBG having just had yet another successful short run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Platform in Morecambe is Hazel's last show on this tour and she is looking forward to being in the area again, having previously appeared at The Wasted Punk Festival and enjoys visiting the area.

"The people in Morecambe are great and get what I'm about,'' she chuckles.

'Beyond Breaking Glass' incorporates her life experiences alongside an interesting mix of song, stories, acting and even some lifesize puppetry.

"We wanted it so that I could tell and continue my story, it should never be a show that has an end, because for example five years ago we didn't have the 'Hidden Heart' album and there are songs on 'Hidden Heart' we really wanted in the show.

"I always have to think about how the story continues; I'll always try to remember funny little stories so that I can repeat them in the show.

"There are definite stories that have to be in there, Beirut, record company things, Breaking Glass stuff, how I ended up cutting David Bowie's hair, love, death and hope, a lot of hope! And no cynicism please Ms O' Connor," she laughs.

"When you come and see the show be prepared, there are parts that will touch you, people laugh a lot at this show but they also cry at this show. People often come up after and want to hug me or for me to hug them, and they want to tell me their story.

"I have a guestbook from one of the theatres from the first time we toured it and it's full of 'it made me cry but I'm so happy! ' comments."

Reviews and audience comments prove that 'Beyond Breaking Glass' certainly appeals to people of all ages and from all walks of life
Hazal O'Connor comes to The Platform this Sunday (November 16) at 7.30pm.

The box office number is 01524 582803 or 01524 406108.