Peek behind the curtain: A preview of theatre in Ireland throughout 2023.
By Eoin O’Brien
2023 is set to be an amazing year for theatre in Ireland. There truly is something for everyone and this article will highlight some incredible shows to watch out for in Cork, Kerry, and Dublin.
Sister Act: 31st of January – 4th of February at the INEC Arena in Killarney
The much-anticipated brand new production of the Broadway and West End smash hit musical is coming to Killarney from the 31st of January to the 4th of February! In Sister Act, disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent. Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. Featuring songs inspired by Motown, soul, and disco, the musical features the soaring songs “Take Me to Heaven” and “Raise Your Voice”. Sister Act is the must-see show which raises spirits and warms the heart time after time!
Matilda: 11th – 12th of February at the Everyman Theatre in Cork
Cork's very own Centre Stage Drama School has an upcoming production of Matilda set to play in the Everyman Theatre in Cork City on the 11th and 12th of February. Matilda is a Tony Award winning musical inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel that tells the remarkable story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand, and change her own destiny. Matilda features songs by Tim Minchin, with some of the most well-known songs being “Naughty”, “When I Grow Up”, and “Revolting Children”. Matilda has won over 99 international theatre awards, including 24 for Best Musical and has been captivating audiences in London’s West End for over a decade and is an entertaining show for all ages.
All Shook Up: UCC Musical Theatre Society
Following on from last year’s incredible production of Little Shop of Horrors, the UCC Musical Theatre Society’s semester two production is the Elvis-Inspired musical All Shook Up. The jukebox musical is set in a small American town in 1955, where a guitar-playing young man changes everything and everyone he meets. The musical is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and features classic Elvis Presley songs such as “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, and “Jailhouse Rock”. Keep an eye on the UCC Musical Theatre Society’s social media pages for information about their production’s venue and performance dates.
Six: 4th – 8th of April at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond is making its return to Dublin from the 4th to 8th of April. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the stage to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a high energy concert that you won’t want to miss. Six is the winner of both the 2022 Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ and the 2022 WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Show’. Six’s soundtrack features the catchy songs “Ex-Wives”, “No Way”, and “Don’t Lose Your Head”. With this upbeat soundtrack and incredibly talented cast; Six is a royally good time.
Heathers: 25th of April – 6th of May at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
Following on from two smash hit West End runs, a record-breaking run at The Other Palace in London, and winning the WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best New Musical’, the rock musical (based on the cult classic 1988 film) is back in Dublin from the 25th of April to the 6th of May. Heathers tells the story of Veronica Sawyer, a high school nobody who dreams of a better life. But when she becomes friends with Heather Chandler, Heather Duke, and Heather McNamara, otherwise known as The Heathers, her dreams of popularity start to come true. When she starts dating mysterious teen rebel JD, she learns that her newfound popularity comes with a murderous price. With a wickedly funny script and electric songs such as “Candy Store”, “Shine A Light”, and “I Say No” Heathers is a great night out at the theatre.
West Side Story: 12th – 24th of June at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
A thrilling new production of the daring, relevant and radical classic musical is set to play in Dublin from the 12th to the 24th of June. In West Side Story, trouble is brewing in New York’s Upper West Side: rival street gangs, heated rhythms, a bitter feud and, in the midst of it all, a great love fighting but tragically failing to overcome the obstacles standing in its way. The musical features Leonard Bernstein’s immortal melodies “Maria”, “Somewhere”, and “America”. Partially inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, this timeless musical has lost none of its allure and fascination.
Shrek: 15th – 20th of August at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
The unlikely hero Shrek and his noble steed Donkey are embarking on a big, bright, musical adventure in Dublin. Featuring the beloved Princess Fiona, the evil Lord Farquaad, a host of magical fairy-tale characters and fabulous songs including the smash hit “I’m A Believer”, Shrek is a musical extravaganza for everyone! The multi award winning musical is a perfect night out for the young at heart. You are guaranteed to laugh along with Shrek and Donkey as they endeavour to complete their quest, finding unexpected friendships and surprising romance along the way.
Dirty Dancing: 15th – 19th of August at the Opera House in Cork, and the 5th – 16th of September at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
The classic story is back on stage, exploding with heart pounding music, breath-taking emotion, and sensational dancing. Following an incredibly successful run at the Dominion Theatre in London, Dirty Dancing is coming to Cork in August and Dublin in September. This worldwide smash hit tells the story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. The show features over 35 hit songs, including the classic “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”. See the hit film come to life before your eyes with this impressive stage show.
Annie: 29th of August – 3rd of September at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
The smash-hit West End production of Annie is coming to Dublin. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, a brave little girl named Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she gets chosen to spend a fairy tale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family. With its Tony Award winning score, including the unforgettable songs “It’s The Hard Knock Life”, “Easy Street”, and “Tomorrow”, and the show’s extremely talented young cast this show will be a great night out.
The Lion King: 28th of September – 11th of November at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
Disney’s award-winning musical returns to Dublin for six weeks. With an incredible cast of more than fifty actors, singers, and dancers, the story of The Lion King roars into life using spectacular masks, puppets, and costumes. The Lion King tells the story of Simba’s journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. Having played performances in more than one hundred cities in twenty countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide success exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or any other entertainment title in box office history. The stage show has all the classic songs you know and love from the original movie including “Circle of Life”, “Hakuna Matata”, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. This six-week run of The Lion King includes sign language performances, audio described performances, and captioned performances making the show incredibly accessible. A special relaxed performance on the 9th of November is specially adapted to be accessible to those with autism, those with learning disabilities or anyone with a sensory predisposition, with extra trained staff on hand and dedicated quiet areas inside the theatre should anyone need to leave their seat during the show.