Famine drama set for two Cavan performances

Enchanted Croí Theatre has announced a nationwide tour of acclaimed new folk musical ‘In the Midst of Plenty,’ book-ended by Cavan performances.

The Roscommon-based company will embark on a 14-venue tour through spring and summer 2023, beginning a show at the Townhall Theatre in Cavan Town on May 28, and returning to the venue on July 28 as part of the Cavan Calling festival.

Written by Amy Day and directed by Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, ‘In the Midst of Plenty’ tells the story of tenants struggling to survive on the Strokestown estate at the height of the Great Famine in 1847. It is set against the backdrop of the plot to assassinate Denis Mahon, the Strokestown landlord, and traces the story of the so-called “missing 1490” who left Strokestown along the Royal Canal and sailed for Canada as part of Mahon’s forced emigration scheme. The piece is an empowering story of strength, loss, resilience, and family connection that has resonated deeply with audiences.

The show features a large cast of professional actors and a live four-piece folk band.

“We are so excited to take the show to Cavan at both ends of the tour,” said the show’s writer, Amy Day. “I am an American writer, and an old family friend of mine was inspired by our show to try to learn more about her Irish roots. As luck would have it, her ancestors emigrated from Cavan, and now she’s trying to plan a trip to come see us there. It’s all really wonderful.”

Enchanted Croí Theatre was founded in 2019 by Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, and in the last year has produced 11 theatrical events that have reached more than 4000 ticketed audience members.

“We are honored to be able to take this show to communities across Ireland in 2023,” said Anne-Marie O’Sullivan, the show’s Artistic Director. “It is particularly meaningful to us that many performances will take place along the National Famine Way, the route that so many emigrants walked in search of survival during the time of an Gorta Mór.”