‘Annie Moore- First Immigrant’ comes to Visual - Kilkenny Live

A brand-new production gets its Carlow premiere in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre at the Visual Centre, on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

Composed and devised by Paul Linehan, ‘Annie Moore- First Immigrant’ is a musical and historical account of the first immigrant to be processed through Ellis Island, New York in 1892.

This project is more than two years in the making, and has already received hugely positive reviews from audiences. The profoundly personal nature of this show is a result of the fact that Paul is Annie’s first cousin, three generations down, and has represented the family at a celebration in New York, which marked her extraordinary life.

Ten new and original songs, coupled with a well-crafted narration and a dramatised “American Wake”, combine to illustrate a life of hardship and struggle in a bid to triumph over adversity.

It explores the theme of immigration, through the lens of Annie’s experiences and the different phases of her life, the characters she met on her journey, success and losses and ultimately her family’s integration into the U.S.
The evocative lyrics of the songs in a variety of styles enlighten and challenge the participants as they express different characters’ views on the immigrants arriving to America.
Starring Clodagh Donnelly as “Annie”, Paul Linehan as “Gus”, Seán O Keeffe as “Grandad”, with Mario Corrigan as the narrator, and a terrific live band, all the elements combine to create a fantastic evening's entertainment of tuneful new music, familiar themes of immigration and love, coupled with a challenging call to reflect on our perceptions of those on the margins of society.
The show has received standing ovations on each of its outings in the Moat Theatre, Naas and will be heading for Annie Moore’s hometown of Cork City and a performance on Sunday April 2 in the Everyman Palace Theatre.
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with an evening of pure entertainment at the theatre!
For more information and to book tickets see www.visualcarlow.ie