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 |
soprano
Sarah Shine
This Season
The First Child, Werther
Mezzo-Soprano
Niamh O'Sullivan
This Season
The First Child, Werther
Tenor
Samuel Levine
This Season
The First Child
Tenor
Dean Power
This Season
The First Child, Così fan tutte
Baritone
Emmett O’Hanlon
This Season
The First Child
countertenor
Eric Jurenas
This Season
The First Child
Actor
Joan Sheehy
This Season
The First Child
Composer
Donnacha Dennehy
This Season
The First Child
Dancer
Caia Leseure
This Season
The First Child
Director and Librettist
Enda Walsh
This Season
The First Child
Conductor
Ryan McAdams
This Season
The First Child
Choreographer
Emma Martin
This Season
The First Child
Set Designer
Jamie Vartan
This Season
The First Child, William Tell, Così fan tutte
Lighting Designer
Adam Silverman
This Season
The First Child
Video Designer
Jack Phelan
This Season
The First Child
Costume Designer
Joan O'Clery
This Season
The First Child
Sound Designer
David Sheppard
This Season
The First Child, Least Like The Other
Conductor
Elaine Kelly
This Season
Faust, La bohème, La traviata
Director
Eoghan Carrick
This Season
The First Child
Costume Designer
Sinéad Lawlor
This Season
The First Child
Sound Designer
Sinéad Diskin
This Season
The First Child
Répétiteur
Richard McGrath
This Season
La bohèmeDiscover More
Getting to Know The First Child
We caught up with tenor Dean Power on what touring with this production means to him.
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“It’s been a total joy” - Performing with The First Child
We interviewed Limerick soprano Sarah Shine about what it means to embrace new challenges, what it is like to perform with Crash Ensemble, and the joy of working on this contemporary opera.
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