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?
Galway International Arts Festival
Location: An Taibhdhearc
Dates
10 - 26 July, 8pm (no shows on 12, 19 & 20 July)
Previews 10, 11 & 12 July
Post show talk with the company 17 July
Irish Sign Language (ISL) was available on the 25th & 26th July
Dublin Fringe Festival
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)
Duration: 2 hours approx. with interval
English Language Access available (closed captions) through the Sibrwd app
A synopsis of the show is available here
Irish Sign Language (ISL) was available on the 19th September
Nominated for ‘Best Ensemble’ at the Dublin Fringe Festival Awards
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 Irish Times - ★★★★
‘A charming Gaeltacht musical with superb vocal performances’
‘An abundance of energy and charm’
‘Superb vocals by Cox, Kilgallon and Ní Éilí…Callum Maxwell…adds to the comedy’
The Review Hub - ★★★★
‘Coming-of-age musical Saoirse…resonates beautifully with the summer vibes’
‘Great acting and notably admirable singing’
‘Sweet gentle story-telling and well-performed musical artistry make Saoirse easy viewing for all’
‘Summer sugar rush’
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’
Nós - ★★★★★
‘Léiríonn Saoirse nach bhfuil na scéalta is spreagúla faoin Ghaeilge ag breathnú siar Amháin. Tá siad á scríobh anois. Agus tá siad á n-insint trí Ghaeilge’
‘Cuidíonn an deichniúr aisteoirí-ceoltóirí leis an domhan sin a thabhairt chun beatha le croí, greann agus macántacht’
‘Faoi stiúir Muireann Kelly, tá fuinneamh iontach sa léiriú ó thús deireadh’
‘Tá fuinneamh agus carachtar le sonrú sa chliar ar fad, agus tugann gach aisteoir rud speisialta chuig an stáitse’
‘Tá cothromaíocht álainn idir an ceol, an greann agus na mothúcháin’
‘Greannmhar, croíúil, lán de mhothúcháin’
‘Léiríonn Saoirse an mhuinín nua atá le feiceáil i gcúrsaí amharclannaíochta Gaeilge’
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.