1588 The Musical at Royal Irish Academy Of Music

1588 The Musical, September 28 at the Royal Irish Academy of Music

Royal Irish Academy of Music and Strike A Chord Productions will present a world premiere of songs from an exciting new Irish Musical in development by Lesley-Anne Hogan, live in concert for one night only on September 28th at 4.30pm & 7pm.

Tickets for the event are available now at www.riam.ie

The concert will feature musical arrangements, orchestrations and direction by David Hayes (Riverdance, Musical Theatre, Cork School Of Music) with narration by renowned TV and stage actor Michael Grennell accompanied by a stellar cast Paul Wilkins (Marius, Les Misérables West End & International tour, Lyric FM Movies & Musicals, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre), Megan Walsh  (Grammy Nominated group Celtic Woman, soloist performances at Carnegie Hall & the Palladium Theatre, (London)), award winning bass vocalist and radio presenter Derek Ryan (Caiaphas, Jesus Christ Superstar & R.T.E Concert Orchestra, Irish Ring, Carnegie Hall), Karla Tracey (Irish Affair – A Love Story For All Time , National Opera House, Wexford, Veronica Dunne Bursary & TU Dublin Conservatoire award winner,) Jay Deegan, (West End and UK Tours), Michael Joseph (Irish & UK Tours), Zoe Talbot, (lead vocalist Riverdance),  Jessica Hayes, Zach O Brien, Anne-Marie O Brien (BA Musical Theatre, Cork School of Music),  Thomas Furlong (Hunchback of Notre Dame, National Opera House, Wexford) & Libby Long. The wider creative team includes costume design by Claire Garvey, sound design by Jason Fallon, lighting design by Colm Eaton, video by Martin Cavanagh, staging by Therese O’ Sullivan & stage management by Alannah Hayes.

Inspired by the 1588 Spanish Armada campaign of invasion and defeat, this exclusive concert showcase offers audiences a first look at ‘1588 The Musical’ written and adapted by Lesley Hogan from her novel ‘1588’ (representation Jonathan Williams Literary Agency). This musical celebration sweeps us across the the seas between Spain and Ireland during the Golden Age of Spanish colonialism, where Juan De Leyva, a young Spanish noble joins the expedition, only to realise that his greatest battle lies not on the seas but in his heart. When Juan finds himself shipwrecked off the west coast of Ireland and meets an Irish chieftain’s daughter, he must decide whether to return to his old life or remain with his ‘media naranja’ and one true love in a verdant land of treachery - the decision will change his life forever. 

Brimming with soaring Spanish arias, military marches, lovelorn laments and a captivating orchestral score, 1588 weaves a blend of Spanish and Irish evocative music, sweeping narrative and resounding themes of family, war and the struggle for identity, to explore what is at its heart, a devastating love story. A must-see swashbuckling journey into the past for musical theatre enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Kindly supported by The Spanish Embassy.