The Wife Of Michael Cleary

The first public workshop presentation of the 2023-24 Stiles & Drewe Mentorship Prize Winner.

“Are you a witch or are you a fairy? Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary?”

1895. Something is very wrong in County Tipperary. The children are sick, grown men are fainting without cause, and the land is dry as stone. But Bridget feels fine – in fact – she feels more herself than ever. Her dressmaking is thriving, and she dreams of travelling the world… if only she can convince her reluctant husband and escape her gossiping family. When Bridget is spotted alone by the fabled fairy ring at night, rumours spread like wildfire through the close-knit community as to who or what might be responsible for their bad fortunes. As suspicions take hold, Bridget must choose between fighting for her freedom and fighting for her life.

Maz O’Connor is the current recipient of the 2023-24 Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award, a year-long development programme for a new musical, culminating in this full-length industry presentation. The Award was launched in 2016 by the multi award-winning musical theatre writing partnership George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Honk!, Mary Poppins, Betty Blue Eyes, Half A Sixpence, Identical), is managed by Mercury Musical Developments and is generously supported by Music Theatre International (Europe).

Cast
Faoileann Cunningham – Bridget Cleary
Ciarán Owens – Michael Cleary
Brendan O’Rourke – Jack Dunne
Connor Byrne – Patrick Boland
Elena Ferrari – Mary Kennedy
Mark Irwin – Father Cornelius Ryan
Sinead Kenny – Johanna Burke
Peter Long – Jamie Kennedy
Ben Hannigan – William Kennedy

Creatives:
Book, Music & Lyrics: Maz O’Connor
Director: Tinuke Craig
Movement Director: Shane Dempsey
Casting Director: Nick Hockaday
Associate Producers DEM Productions & Jessie Anand Productions