The First Child
The triumphant conclusion of Donnacha Dennehy and Enda Walsh’s uniquely dark operatic trilogy.
Donnacha Dennehy and Enda Walsh’s third opera, The First Child, is a narrative that is much larger than the characters themselves. A work that reveals itself incrementally and cuts between the normal and the mythic. Passing through the strange minds of the central characters. Moving sharply from darkness to comedy. Shaped by obsession and an unstoppable quest for revenge.
Sung in English with English surtitles.
Running time: 90 minutes without an interval.
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“simply magnificent ★★★★★” - The Arts Review
“a remarkable conclusion to the Dennehy-Walsh partnership ★ ★ ★ ★ ★” - The Irish Times
“exquisitely tunes our emotional register to the damage of childhood trauma . . . a powerful and compelling excursion into the sinister side of suburban life ★ ★ ★★ ★” - The Sunday Times
A co-production with Landmark Productions.
Original production in association with Dublin Theatre Festival.
Cast and Creative Team
Cast
Karen | Sarah Shine |
Alva | Niamh O’Sullivan |
Gary | Samuel Levine (July) |
Gary | Dean Power (September) |
Simon | Emmett O’Hanlon |
Man | Eric Jurenas |
Older Woman | Joan Sheehy |
Girl | Caia Leseure |
Children's Chorus
Theo Cosgrave |
Clare Griffin |
Joya Hobson |
Priya Hobson |
Catherine Leahy |
Harry McEvilly |
Molly Verdier |
Nora Verdier |
Creative Team
Conductor | Ryan McAdams (18, 20, 21, 24 July, 14, 17, 18, 22, 25 September) |
Conductor | Elaine Kelly (23 July) |
Director | Enda Walsh |
Choreographer | Emma Martin |
Set Designer | Jamie Vartan |
Lighting Designer | Adam Silverman |
Video Designer | Jack Phelan |
Costume Designer | Joan O’Clery |
Sound Designer | David Sheppard |
Assistant Conductor | Elaine Kelly |
Associate Director | Eoghan Carrick |
Associate Costume Designer | Sinéad Lawlor |
Associate Sound Designer | Sinéad Diskin |
Répétiteur | Richard McGrath |
Crash Ensemble |

Sarah Shine
Soprano
This Season
Fledermaus
Niamh O'Sullivan
Mezzo-Soprano
This Season
Beatrice & Benedict, Rigoletto
Samuel Levine
Tenor

Dean Power
Tenor
This Season
The First Child, Così fan tutte
Emmett O’Hanlon
Baritone
This Season
The First Child
Eric Jurenas
countertenor
This Season
The First Child
Joan Sheehy
Actor
This Season
The First Child
Donnacha Dennehy
Composer
This Season
The First Child
Caia Leseure
Dancer
This Season
The First Child
Enda Walsh
Director and Librettist
This Season
The First Child
Ryan McAdams
Conductor
This Season
Beatrice & Benedict
Emma Martin
Choreographer
This Season
The First Child
Jamie Vartan
Set Designer
This Season
Rigoletto
Adam Silverman
Lighting Designer
This Season
The First Child
Jack Phelan
Video Designer
This Season
The First Child
Joan O'Clery
Costume Designer
This Season
The First Child
David Sheppard
Sound Designer
This Season
Trade / Mary Motorhead
Elaine Kelly
Conductor
This Season
Trade / Mary Motorhead
Eoghan Carrick
Director
This Season
The First Child
Sinéad Lawlor
Costume Designer

Sinéad Diskin
Sound Designer
