Workshop presentation announced for 2023-24 MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award winner

The Wife of Michael Cleary is a new musical, written and composed by acclaimed folk artist Maz O’Connor, which will receive its first full-length public workshop presentation on 25 October at The Other Palace.

This presentation is the culmination of the award, following a year of mentorship under George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

This breathtaking new folk musical is inspired by the true story of Bridget Cleary and shines a searing light on the dark side of Irish folklore.

The workshop presentation is directed by Olivier Award nominee Tinuke Craig, with movement direction by Shane Dempsey, casting by Nick Hockaday, and produced in association with DEM Productions and Jessie Anand. The cast includes Faoileann Cunningham and Ciarán Owens as Bridget and Michael Cleary respectively, Niall Buggy as Jack Dunne, Connor Byrne as Patrick Boland, Elena Ferrari as Mary Kennedy, Sinead Kenny as Johanna Burke, Peter Long and Brendan O’Rourke as Jamie and William Kennedy, and Mark Irwin as Father Cornelius Ryan.

"Are you a witch or are you a fairy? Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary?"

1895. Something is very wrong in County Tipperary. The children are sick, grown men are fainting without cause, and the land is dry as stone. But Bridget feels fine - in fact - she feels more herself than ever. Her dressmaking is thriving, and she dreams of travelling the world ... if only she can convince her reluctant husband and escape her gossiping family. When Bridget is spotted alone by the fabled fairy ring at night, rumours spread like wildfire through the close-knit community as to who or what might be responsible for their bad fortunes. As suspicions take hold, Bridget must choose between fighting for her freedom and fighting for her life.

A strictly limited number of tickets have been released to the public and are available to purchase on The Other Palace website here.