Irish Affair: PUBLIC DRESS REHEARSAL

Dress rehearsal for highly anticipated musical Irish Affair open to the public due to high demand!

Irish Affair
By Stuart Brayson
Directed by Deirdre Masterson
Musical arrangements by David Wray
Produced in conjunction with The Irish College of Music 
and the National Opera House

Introduced by the legendary lyricist and Executive Producer Sir Tim Rice

PUBLIC DRESS REHEARSAL

With two months to go until Irish Affair takes to the stage of the O’Reilly Theatre, the one-night only performance is sold-out.  With demand so high, the producers have decided to open the dress rehearsal to the public on Thursday, 26 June at 7.30pm.

The National Opera House and The Irish College of Music Theatre proudly collaborated in presenting the premiere of Irish Affair in a series of workshops in June 2024 to an enthusiastic response from the audience. Director and producer Deirdre Masterson and composer and lyricist Stuart Brayson were encouraged to develop the piece further as a result. They were further encouraged by lyricist Sir Tim Rice and global music executive Chris Wright CBE, who later offered to come on board as Executive Producers.  

Now with additional music, double the cast and the addition of dancers and musicians, this new version of Irish Affair will be introduced by the legendary lyricist and Executive Producer of Irish Affair, Sir Tim Rice, who has a plethora of global credits to his name including The Lion King, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. 

Set in the rural village of Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford in the 1950s, Irish Affair – A Love Story for all Time, is based on the true story of married couple Sean and Sheila Cloney née Kelly, one Catholic and one Protestant, and the inspirational journey of how their love drove them to overcome the religious and political obstacles which divided the nation and became an international incident. 

Irish Affair is penned by West End composer Stuart Brayson, (From Here to Eternity), produced and directed by Wexford soprano Deirdre Masterson (The Irish College of Music Theatre) with musical arrangements/direction by David Wray (Michael Collins and Angela’s Ashes), with support by the National Opera House. One of the songs from the score, ‘She Is My Everything’, was broadcast for the very first time on ‘Elaine Paige on Sunday’ on BBC Radio 2 to an incredible response from both host and listeners. 

Irish Affair is a mesmerising piece of drama, based on true events. The narration is further enhanced with a luscious score, infectious toe-tapping melodies, unforgettable hauntingly beautiful airs and a sprinkle of traditional Irish influences, evoking both tears of sorrow and laughter throughout.  An inspiring, uplifting musical suitable for all the family.