Ireland's artistic abilities warrant exploration in the realm of musical theatre, one might argue.
Ireland's Musical Theatre Scene: A Journey of Talent and Challenges
Ireland's musical theatre scene is a vibrant tapestry of passion and potential, yet it faces significant hurdles in sustaining full-time careers for many practitioners.
Notable Irish performers like Sarah O'Connor and Sharon Sexton have had to leave their homeland to train in the UK for musical theatre, with O'Connor pursuing her dreams at a Performing Arts school in Romford, Essex, and Sexton outgrowing Naas Musical Society and moving to London.
Dublin ballet dancer Stephen Murray, who recently wowed audiences with his performance in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, also had to take a circuitous route to pursue his dream. He trained at the Westside Stage School in Lucan, the College of Dance in Monkstown, and London's Central School of Ballet when he was 16.
The current production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Bord Gaís Energy Theatre is a significant step towards building an Irish homegrown musical theatre scene. The production is highly praised for its set design, puppetry, and performances. More information about this production can be found here.
Ireland has a well-established theatre scene, but lacks a dedicated district for musical theatre. The Bord Gaís Energy Theatre in Dublin has hosted major musical productions like Wicked, Hamilton, The Lion King, and The Book of Mormon.
Actor Aaron Monaghan, most recently seen in The Cave at Dublin's Abbey Theatre, has spoken passionately about the difficulty of getting funding for his independent company, Livin' Dred. He believes that the decisions made about cuts after the crash have led to a loss of administrative and producing experience, as well as a loss of companies and artists.
Monaghan also notes that diversity of work in Irish theatre, including companies like Barabbas, Performance Corporation, and Second Age, has been significantly reduced.
Efforts to foster growth and development within the Irish musical theatre scene include festivals and showcases of new Irish work, such as the Musical Theatre Festival "Beyond The Wesht End" that highlights new Irish musicals and provides a platform for emerging talent. There are also notable productions blending musical theatre with larger orchestral elements, such as the recent staging of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd with the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland.
Irish-themed musical productions that tell the country’s history and culture continue to be developed and performed internationally, helping to expand the reputation and appreciation of Irish musical theatre. For example, The Irish ... and How They Got That Way, an original musical based on Frank McCourt’s work, is scheduled to be performed in the 2025-2026 season outside Ireland, illustrating the export of Irish musical theatre works and their reception abroad.
However, the underlying challenge remains that the Irish musical theatre industry is still developing compared to larger markets, and there is a need for more sustained production opportunities to keep Irish talent active full-time. Initiatives like festivals, collaborations with orchestras, and international touring productions contribute to fostering the growth and raise the profile of musical theatre in Ireland.
In conclusion, while musical theatre in Ireland has vibrant talent and some promising developments, the sector is still limited in scale. Growth efforts focusing on festivals, new original works, and crossover collaborations aim to increase opportunities and visibility for Irish musical theatre. The 'green wave' in Irish arts, if it is more than just a soundbite, should encompass every aspect of Irish arts, including musical theatre.
A vibrant Irish musical theatre scene is being cultivated through efforts such as the annual Musical Theatre Festival "Beyond The Wesht End," which showcases new Irish musicals and offers a platform for emerging talent.
The lack of a dedicated district for musical theatre in Ireland is a challenge, and initiatives like collaborations with orchestras and international touring productions are essential for raising the profile of Irish musical theatre.
