The Roscommon-based Enchanted Croí Theatre has announced its production of the contemporary folk musical In the Midst of Plenty will embark on a 14-venue nationwide tour, beginning in Mullingar in May.
Following its sold-out debut last year at the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, and the Roscommon Arts Centre, the show will travel to Cavan, Longford, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Derry, Roscommon, Carlow, Waterford, Tipperary and Dublin.
Based on the words and music of singer-songwriter Amy Day, and under the direction of Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, the show tells the story of the desperate lengths the starving tenants on the Strokestown estate in Roscommon went to in order to survive, including betrayal, deceit, and violence.
Exploring themes of Irish womanhood, family, community, and rebellion, this production peels back the curtain of antiquity surrounding the Great Hunger in 1847, and presents the reality of this true story in all of its bare, heartfelt authenticity.
Grainne Hunt and Julie Sharkey.
It is an empowering story of strength, loss, resilience, and family connection that has resonated deeply with audiences.
Professional
In the Midst of Plenty features a large cast of professional actors and a four-piece folk band. The company includes Julie Sharkey (No Magic Pill), Martin Gilligan (Ros na Rún), Mary Claire Ryan (Banshees of Inisherin), Bláthnaid Daly (An Triail), Cian Hoyne (Vikings: Valhalla), Áine O’Brien (Nationwide), Eoghan Burke (Playboy of the Western World), Niall Brewster (Squinty, Galway Fringe), Anne-Marie O’Sullivan (Enchanted Croí Theatre), and Ruairí Nicholl (Spring Awakening).
The supporting band includes renowned traditional fiddler Neil FitzGibbon, acclaimed contemporary folk singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt (who recently supported Glen Hansard and Declan O’Rourke), Tracy Bruen, Jules Stewart and Amy Day.
Eoghan Burke.
It is great to see theatre alive, well and thriving outside the main cities. Enchanted Croí Theatre was founded in 2019 by Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, and in the last year has produced 11 events that have reached more than 4,000 audience members. Last year the show sold out all of its debut performances.
Honoured
“We are honoured to be able to take this show to communities across Ireland in 2023,” said O’Sullivan, the show’s artistic director and a cast member. “It is particularly meaningful to us that many performances will take place along the National Famine Way, the route that so many emigrants walked in search of survival during the time of the Gorta Mór,” she added.
In the Midst of Plenty was developed with funding from Roscommon County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The 2023 tour is made possible by support from the National Famine Way, the Irish Heritage Trust, and Tipperary County Council.
For further information, tour dates and tickets, go to inthemidstofplenty.com
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The Roscommon-based Enchanted Croí Theatre has announced its production of the contemporary folk musical In the Midst of Plenty will embark on a 14-venue nationwide tour, beginning in Mullingar in May.
Following its sold-out debut last year at the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, and the Roscommon Arts Centre, the show will travel to Cavan, Longford, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Derry, Roscommon, Carlow, Waterford, Tipperary and Dublin.
Based on the words and music of singer-songwriter Amy Day, and under the direction of Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, the show tells the story of the desperate lengths the starving tenants on the Strokestown estate in Roscommon went to in order to survive, including betrayal, deceit, and violence.
Exploring themes of Irish womanhood, family, community, and rebellion, this production peels back the curtain of antiquity surrounding the Great Hunger in 1847, and presents the reality of this true story in all of its bare, heartfelt authenticity.
Grainne Hunt and Julie Sharkey.
It is an empowering story of strength, loss, resilience, and family connection that has resonated deeply with audiences.
Professional
In the Midst of Plenty features a large cast of professional actors and a four-piece folk band. The company includes Julie Sharkey (No Magic Pill), Martin Gilligan (Ros na Rún), Mary Claire Ryan (Banshees of Inisherin), Bláthnaid Daly (An Triail), Cian Hoyne (Vikings: Valhalla), Áine O’Brien (Nationwide), Eoghan Burke (Playboy of the Western World), Niall Brewster (Squinty, Galway Fringe), Anne-Marie O’Sullivan (Enchanted Croí Theatre), and Ruairí Nicholl (Spring Awakening).
The supporting band includes renowned traditional fiddler Neil FitzGibbon, acclaimed contemporary folk singer-songwriter Gráinne Hunt (who recently supported Glen Hansard and Declan O’Rourke), Tracy Bruen, Jules Stewart and Amy Day.
Eoghan Burke.
It is great to see theatre alive, well and thriving outside the main cities. Enchanted Croí Theatre was founded in 2019 by Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, and in the last year has produced 11 events that have reached more than 4,000 audience members. Last year the show sold out all of its debut performances.
Honoured
“We are honoured to be able to take this show to communities across Ireland in 2023,” said O’Sullivan, the show’s artistic director and a cast member. “It is particularly meaningful to us that many performances will take place along the National Famine Way, the route that so many emigrants walked in search of survival during the time of the Gorta Mór,” she added.
In the Midst of Plenty was developed with funding from Roscommon County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The 2023 tour is made possible by support from the National Famine Way, the Irish Heritage Trust, and Tipperary County Council.
For further information, tour dates and tickets, go to inthemidstofplenty.com
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