Kilkenny talent to take the stage of iconic venue in hit production

A major new Irish production making its way to Dublin’s iconic Gaiety Theatre this June will feature some very familiar Kilkenny faces.

Are Ya Dancin? The acclaimed Irish play with music by Naas writers Helen Spring and Carol Gleeson, returns to the national stage following its sold-out 3Olympia Theatre debut in 2024 - and among its standout cast are several talented performers with strong Kilkenny connections.

Leading the local contingent is multi-award winning actor Kevin Reade, who takes on the role of Jim Brennan, one of the production’s most compelling characters.

In its review of the 2024 national debut, The Arts Review praised Reade’s performance, noting that he “beautifully handles what is arguably the play’s most complex character.”

Also representing Kilkenny are accomplished performers and dancers Sinéad Byrne and Sarah O’Driscoll.

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Sinéad, a talented and dynamic performer, has been part of the production since its earliest days back in 2018, helping to shape the show’s journey from its regional beginnings to the national stage.

Sarah, another experienced stage performer in her own right, joins the production for the first time at the Gaiety - an exciting new chapter as she becomes part of the show’s continuing success story.

The production already enjoys a strong connection with the region, having previously played to enthusiastic audiences at VISUAL Carlow in 2019, before returning to the south-east in August 2024 for a special preview performance at Kilkenny’s Watergate Theatre, just ahead of its sold-out national debut at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre.

Since forming independent company, A Likely Story Productions in 2016, writers Helen Spring and Carol Gleeson have steadily built the production through sheer determination, community support and an unwavering belief in the show.

The journey began with regional performances and word-of-mouth momentum, though like so many in the arts, progress was temporarily disrupted by the Covid pandemic.

Rather than allowing the project to stall, the creators used that time to further refine the script, reshape the production and strengthen the show that audiences see today.

Now, with more than 10,000 audience members having seen the show, Are ya Dancin? arrives at the Gaiety Theatre for a special limited run from June 9-13, helping to launch the venue’s summer programme.

Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s vibrant showband era, and featuring a collective cast of almost 30 performers - the production blends humour, nostalgia, live music, dancing and richly drawn characters, capturing both the glamour and the changing realities of 1960s Irish life.

For Kilkenny audiences, the Gaiety run offers an opportunity to support local performers making their mark on one of Ireland’s most iconic stages.