SAOIRSE

Set in the Kerry Gaeltacht, SAOIRSE is a funny and heartwarming new musical which celebrates first loves and losses.  

The arrival of the first summer of freedom brings excitement to the air. Saoirse, Róisín and Aoife are grappling with life's big questions -  Who am I? Who’s stolen my hair straightener? What even is the Modh Coinníollach?

SAOIRSE also explores contemporary issues facing Gaeltacht communities today; the impact of rising rents, second home ownership and potential closing of the College. Could this be the last Coláiste Samhraidh/summer college ever? 

  • Location: Abbey Theatre, Dublin (on the Peacock Stage)

  • Dates:

    • 16 September (8pm)

    • 17 September (2.30pm & 8pm)

    • 18 September (8pm)

    • 19 September (2.30pm & 8pm)

  • Tickets: €20 - €22 + booking fee

  • Duration: 2 hours approx. with interval 

  • English Language Access available (closed captions) through the Sibrwd app 

  • After-show Q+A Friday 17 July

  • Irish Sign Language (ISL) is available on the 19th September

Director: Muireann Kelly

Writer/Composer: Shauna Carrick

Co-Composer: Aidan Byrne

Dramaturg: Pamela McQueen

Choreographer: Meadhbh Lyons

Set & Costume Designer: Becky Minto

Lighting Designer: Sarah Jane Shiels

Projection Designer: Neil O’ Driscoll

Music Supervisor and Sound Designer: Michael John McCarthy 

Sound System Designer: Paul Ashe Browne

Music Director: Danny Forde


Reviews:

The Arts Review ★★★★

‘SAOIRSE looking to inspire a whole new generation of young, Irish language speakers. Now that is very smart indeed.’  ‘Carrick’s escapist, rose tinted nostalgia with its with its unapologetic love of the Irish language’

‘Elevated by Muireann Kelly’s terrific direction’ 

The Journal of Music in Ireland

‘The cast are accomplished musical theatre artists, making the whole production a pleasure to watch’ 

‘Muireann Kelly’s directorial hand is a real strength of the production’ 

‘The singing is first class…the cast well deserved the standing ovation’ 

Irish Independent        

‘The Gaeltacht world is lovingly created’                                                                                                                                                                      

‘A bubbly score mixing classic musical theatre with a smattering of trad’                                                                                                                               ‘Terrific performances all round, with first-rate singing and perky moves choreographed by Meadhbh Lyons’                                                              ‘Director Muireann Kelly emphasises nostalgia and charm’        

Tuairisc

‘Bhí fuinneamh agus brí sa léiriúchán ó thús deireadh’

‘Fair plé Shauna Carrick…. bhí gach aon amhránaí ar stáitse ar fheabhas’

‘Bhí greann sníofa tríd an gceoldráma, agus bhí neomataí gleoite agus mothúchánacha … a chuirfeadh deora led shúile.’

‘Bhí an aisteoireacht go hiontach’ 

‘ceol agus amhránaíocht…nótáltha.. dea-scríofa agus cliste’ 

Aidan Byrne: Aodh

Lesley Conroy: Nuala

Ciara Cox: Saoirse

Juliette Crosbie: Múinteoir Tara

Ursula Earley: Siobhán

Síofra Ní Éilí: Aoife

Colm Mac Gearailt: Liam

Evanne Kilgallon: Róisín

Callum Maxwell: Séamus

Elliot Nolan: Caoimhín

Cast

Read more about the cast here.

Creative Team

TCÉ / ISL