Lourdes gets a Vegas glow-up at Dublin theatre festival, where canvases are slashed
A musical about a drama group’s pilgrimage and reflections on activist art join an intriguing show about lost languages In a Dublin theatre festival programme tackling heavy themes of racism, conflict and prejudice, Lourdes! The Musical ( ★★★★☆ ) promises something effervescent. Xnthony Ltd , the creators of Oliver Cromwell Is Really Very Sorry , have turned their lightly quizzical gaze to the…
Dublin's theatre festival hosts a vibrant and thought-provoking lineup, featuring a musical about a drama group's pilgrimage to Lourdes and a captivating exploration of lost languages. The production, titled Lourdes! The Musical (★★★★☆), offers a glitzy take on the French pilgrimage town, described as a "holy Blackpool" and a "divine Las Vegas," serving as a beacon of hope or despair for a diverse group of travelers.
The musical, a brainchild of Xnthony Ltd., the creators known for their critically acclaimed adaptation of Oliver Cromwell Is Really Very Sorry, takes a light-hearted and critical look at the town. The story follows Matthew (Riain Cash), a singer-songwriter who returns to his hometown in "Countryland" after being diagnosed with HIV, and joins a parish drama group performing a musical about Saint Bernadette at Lourdes.
The show intertwines the narrative of the musical with the pilgrimage journey, featuring an energetic and versatile ensemble cast led by Riain Cash. The talented cast includes Iestyn Arwel as a witty priest, Nichola MacEvilly and Danielle James as a terminally ill mother and her transgender daughter, and Molly Lynch as an enthusiastic tour manager. Director Sarah Meadows brings the production to life with a dynamic and emotionally charged performance.
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